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The Soulton Hall Blog

Shrewsbury Arts Trail: Spotlighting Our Collaborative Artists and Scholars

By 22 May 2025No Comments

Art and Community: The Shrewsbury Arts Trail Returns

 

We’re thrilled to see the Shrewsbury Arts Trail return for its fifth year, and even more excited by the spotlight it’s shining on artists and scholars with whom Soulton Hall has a special connection. As recently highlighted in MIDLANDS WHATS ON, this year’s trail has a powerful focus on the environment and boasts an impressive roster of talent, including internationally acclaimed sculptor Halima Cassell MBE.

Halima, one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary sculptors, has been making headlines across the UK with her recent shortlisting to design the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial in St James’s Park.

She’ll be presenting two major works in Shrewsbury from July 1st to August 31st: her striking 8-foot solid iron sculpture, Memento Mori, outside Shrewsbury Castle, and her evocative clay installation, Virtues of Unity, at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.

Halima’s work, created from clays sourced globally, offers a powerful message of unity and shared humanity. She aptly notes that:

Things like this shouldn’t happen just in major cities. It’s important to have a lot of culture and modern art in smaller towns too.

The trail also features other high-profile sculptors, including Andrew Logan MBE and the Shropshire-born artist Jacob Chandler.

Jacob Chandler, Artist

Meet Jacob Chandler, an inspiring artist we’ve championed. He navigates the challenges of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and colitis while also serving as a dedicated ambassador for others living with EDS.

Jacob Chandler’s new gold-plated bronze work, IN HOC SIGNO, developed in collaboration with Byrga Geniht, is of particular interest to us. This piece, inspired by Roman history and Shropshire’s scholarly past, promises to be highly symbolic.

This cubic interpretation of "IN HOC SIGNO," situated in Soulton Hall's Epidaurus Court, powerfully demonstrates the underlying geometric harmony present in both the artwork and the surrounding architecture.

This cubic interpretation of “IN HOC SIGNO,” situated in Soulton Hall’s Epidaurus Court, powerfully demonstrates the underlying geometric harmony present in both the artwork and the surrounding architecture.

As you might recall, we recently had the pleasure of hosting a private view of In Hoc Signo here at Soulton Hall, where its intricate geometric forms and profound symbolism, connecting to Constantine’s vision and Renaissance thought, found a natural home amidst our own historic architecture and collections. This collaboration, highlighting the work of Jacob Chandler and Byrga Geniht, showcs the kind of deep scholarly and artistic engagement we champion.

A picture of James Wenn. We can see a male in a blue shirt and a grey v-neck jumper under a brown jacket with a brown fur collar. James is stood in a park in winter and there are trees that are yet to have leaves on them beyond; the sun is low

James D. Wenn

The Shrewsbury Arts Trail continues to attract global attention, having previously included works by artistic giants like Salvador Dalí, Damien Hirst, and David Hockney. Founder Jess Richards notes this year’s environment-focused trail, replete with floral displays and exhibitions, is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious yet.

Audrey, Touchstone, The Orlando and Rosalind figures from Jacob Chandler's AS YOU LIKE IT dancers.

Last Year’s Art Trail Show in Shrewsbury Museum

It’s truly inspiring to see such a vibrant cultural event flourish in our region, making world-class art accessible to a wider audience. The Arts Trail, supported by invaluable connections like Jonathan Soden from The Soden Collection, features public art installations, exhibitions, and workshops throughout the summer.

While the trail’s reputation grows, funding remains a challenge, and they’d be grateful for any support.

We’re proud to see artists and scholars connected with Soulton Hall contributing to such a significant local event, reinforcing the importance of art and culture in fostering community and understanding. It’s a testament to the enduring power of creative expression!