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Project information

The Rule of St. Benedict: A Life Giving Way

To introduce the Rule of St. Benedict to the public and to explain its relevance today. This will be achieved through a touring exhibition of carved lettering and calligraphy with extracts from the Rule accompanied by educational activities and events.

It will start in summer 2011 and be available as a loan show therefter

Charity information: Monnow Valley Arts

Monnow Valley Arts logo
  • Need

    Need

    The loss of historical knowledge of the roots of Western Civilisation and the significance of Christian religious thinkers in the development of our cultural values.

    Solution

    By creating an exhibition of beautiful hand made calligraphy and carved lettering drawn from the text of the rule to demonstrate how the rule has profound insights into issues of our contemporary culture. The text will be the source of discussions on issues thrown up including what we mean by beauty, the nature of work, respect for material things and the earth, the need to listen and be heard, how to respond to persons in authority and resolve conflicts.

  • Aims

    Aim 1

    Create a permanent exhibition exploring the Rule of St. Benedict


    Activities

    » Launch the exhibition at Monnow Valley Arts Centre and make it available to tour nationally

    What success will look like

    Success will be by commissioning 24 lettering artists to make unique works of art and mounting the preparing the exhibits for exhibition.

    Aim 2

    To educate the public in the beauty of the rule and its significance to religious and lay persons.


    Activities

    » To publish a booklet explaining the rule together with teacher discussion notes.

    What success will look like

    Success will be by organising venues around the country to host the exhibition with the aim of attracting 3500 people to the exhibition per annum.

    Aim 3

    To encourage the visual arts in the UK


    Activities

    » By commissioning 24 top lettering artists in the country, providing opportunities to them & helping to preserve the crafts of lettering & calligraphy.

    What success will look like

  • Impact

    Impact

    The project will bring to the public's notice the importance of the Rule of St. Benedict in our everyday lives and give us strength to live our lives in a more fulfilling way. Success will be measured by visitor numbers and the number of education events held.

    Risk

    There is a risk that some of the 24 artist will not complete their commissions. We have close links most of the lettering artsist working in Britain today and can find find replacement artist. We have already secured the co-operation of 75% of the artists.

    Reporting

    Quarterly E mail reports and an updated list of venues and events

  • Budget

    Budget - Project Cost: £50,000

    Loading graph....
      Amount Heading Description
      £19,800 Carved lettering Commissioning 12 carved stones with text
      £6,500 Calligraphy Commissioning 10 pieces of calligraphy
      £4,700 On-costs of making Transport, travelling cases and mounting
      £4,000 Brochure Printing and designing brochure
      £5,500 Marketing Brochures, photography, advertising
      £3,000 Contingency Contingency incl. insuring works
      £6,500 Administration Administrative costs

    Current Funding / Pledges

    Source Amount
    Monnow Valley Arts £3,000 Guaranteed
  • Background

    Location

    The Monnow Valley Arts Centre has a particular expertise in exhibiting lettering exhibitions. The exhibition will be put on at the Centre before going on a national tour.

    Beneficiaries

    In addition to the visitors to Monnow valley during a season (approximately 3000 pa) the exhibition will be installed at cathedrals, monasteries, schools, universities, academies, retreat houses and conference centres. People of all ages and creeds will be have the opportunity of learning more about the Rule of St. bendict and its significance in Western Culture.

  • Why Us?

    Why Us?

    Because we have specialist knowledge about commissioning lettering and Dr. Esther de Waal is the leading expert on the Rule and is one of our Trustees and advisers to the project.

    Read more about the Charity running this project.

    People

    Rupert Otten

    Director and founder of the centre. 30 years experience of mounting exhibitions of art and a chartered accountant by training

    Dr Esther De Waal

    Trustee of the centre. Author of A Life-Giving Way, a commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict and Seeking God; The Way of St. Benedict.

    Michael Woodward

    Adviser to the exhibition and leader of the new Worth Lay Benedictine Community who gives a lay perspective to the exhibition

    Dom Anthony Sutch

    Benedictine monk, past head master of Downside school, parish priest of Beecles, Suffolk and broadcaster and speaker will give religious perspective.