A MAJOR new exhibition at the Devon Guild of Craftsmen Riverside Mill at Bovey Tracey, near Newton Abbot, features a group piece produced at Crediton Library.

The exhibition includes mixed media contemporary craft made by workshop participants and five commissioned professional artists, all born before 1948, responding to themes of age, change and creativity.

As part of the Arts Council England funded project Celebrating Age and in response to Age UK’s call for more focus on creative opportunities for older people, Devon Guild of Craftsmen has worked with Libraries Unlimited to create a series of creative workshops and exhibitions for older people.

Age UK’s research highlighted that engagement with arts and culture gives older people meaningful interaction with the wider world and is the most effective way to improve well-being. Their research shows that leading a life that encompasses social and creative activity is an essential part of remaining active and positive in old age, and they called for more creative opportunities for older people.

“Creative and cultural participation is important to older people: we need to promote it, enable older people to access it, and increase the opportunities to take part.” (Creative and Cultural Activities and Well-being in Later Life)

Over 18 weeks, Devon Guild and Libraries Unlimited hosted artist-led workshops for older people in Crediton, Tiverton, Cullompton, Honiton and Exeter Libraries. The participants worked with a range of materials whilst considering issues of age and well-being, as well as the theme of change within their lifetime.

More event is available at: www.crafts.org.uk/exhibitions .

The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 5.30pm from September 21 to November 3 and admission is free-of-charge.