Earlier this summer, in conjunction with Sussex Newspapers, Chichester Cathedral was delighted to announce #SussexTogether, a major new Sussex-wide arts festival which aims to capture the spirit of togetherness which has seen us through the Coronavirus pandemic.
#SussexTogether invited people across the county to contribute their creative efforts in celebration of the way our communities negotiated and survived the darkest days. The most inspiring contributions have been showcased in an Exhibition at the Cathedral (from 3rd November).
The entries are also displayed in a Virtual Exhibition with an introduction by The Chancellor of Chichester Cathedral, The Reverend Canon Dan Inman.
The successful entrants include visual artists, photographers, poets and creative writers. Exhibiting visual artists include:
Allan, Julie; Ann, Natalie; Barnes, Catherine; Bors, Jakub; Brown, Michael; Buchanan, Dodie; Castle-Smith, Howard; Clough, Hannah; Cochrane, Stephen; Codner, Stephen; Cooke, Kate; Cox-Rusbridge, Stephen; Croft, Caroline; Davidson, Richard; De Sousa, Paula; Dickinson, Paula; Duncan-Smith, Joanna; England, Sue; Feild, Robin; Formaggia, Chris; Gill, Jessica; Hanson, Rebekah; Katona, Natalie; King, Kathleen; Loseby, Jess; Melia, Helen; Northover, Jim; Ockenden, Imogen; Passmore, Ian; Phillips, Nicole; Raesmith, Luc(e); Ruddock, Vivien; Smith, Diana; Urquhart, Alexandra; Yadegar, Maria.
In addition, the winner of the poetry section was announced as Andy Waite, with Runner-Up Camilla Lambert. The winning short story entrant is Amanda Kearsey.
The works featured will also be presented as a virtual exhibition online from 10th November, via the Cathedral’s website.
Bestselling novelist and playwright Kate Mosse, who lives in Chichester, is one of the Festival’s Patrons, along with The Bishop of Chichester, The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner.
To find out more information, including guidance on visiting the Cathedral, see the Visiting section of the Cathedral website.
Following the Government’s announcement on Saturday 31st October, we’ve had to adapt certain aspects of the Festival:
From 5th November 2020 Chichester Cathedral will be open only for private prayer and reflection. The Sussex Together exhibition has been installed and will continue to be displayed until December 2nd. Details of how to visit safely can be found here.
A virtual experience of the exhibition will go live from 10th November, allowing people far and wide to experience the exhibition, listen to readings of poetry and short stories – and to listen to a recording of the Cathedral bells ringing in this period of reflection and remembrance.
Now more than ever, we feel that this project can be a means to inspire and encourage the people of our county – and equally, provide an opportunity to reflect and remember those we have lost, those who work hard to protect us, and those have endured throughout this challenging year.
