"Arts Derbyshire artist" gives away sculpture to Erewash Care Home

Erewash-based sculptor gives away Chelsea Flower Show creation to local Care Home: Competition launched to find a home for community-inspired sculpture


Local sustainable artist Rachel Carter is well known for working closely with the Erewash community to develop her work, and now she wants the local community to own her latest creation. Rachel says:
“I am lucky enough to have been asked to exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. In order to create the sculptural pieces I will be using, I have been running community workshops in the Erewash area to make sure that as many people as possible have been able to be involved. Today I am launching a competition to find a care home for the elderly that would like to keep the final piece for their residents to enjoy.
“If you know of a care home for the elderly in the Erewash Borough that has an outdoor space suitable for housing the sculpture, then please get them to log on to www.rachelcarter.co.uk and download a competition form. It’s a very simple form to complete, but the closing date for the competition is 29 March so please don’t miss out.”
Recognised for her work with mild steel and willow, Rachel Carter is one of several artists that make up the creative studios, Shed 2, in Ilkeston. Rachel graduated from the University of Derby’s 3D Sustainable Design and Practice programme in 2007 and she now spends much of her time working with local people in the East Midlands to create and interact with her sculptures, as well as teaching and demonstrating the skill of sustainable sculpture. 
 
Laura Ratcliffe, Alumni Relations Officer for the University of Derby said: “The University of Derby is proud of all our graduates and their success and Rachel is no exception. Her innovative designs speak for themselves and we’re delighted to continue our association with her. We’ll be following Rachel’s career as it literally blossoms.”
Local MP Liz Blackman is also a keen supporter:
“Rachel’s work is stunning and the quality of her work is certainly worthy of the Chelsea Flower Show. Having met with Rachel on several occasions, I am always delighted to hear that she continues to involve the community in the development of her work. This competition is a fantastic idea. The fact that local people of all ages and from all walks of life will be involved in not only the creation of the sculpture, but will benefit from the end result for years to come is a testament to Rachel’s commitment to her local area.”

Rachel has also worked closely with the Erewash Borough Council's Arts Development Team and Laura Guthrie comments:
“As Local Authority Arts Development officers it is a pleasure to be working with artists like Rachel who have such passion and talent. Our role in the Green Project has been to support Rachel in securing funding, connecting with groups and promoting her work. Over the last 4 years we have seen Rachel’s work enliven the lives of many community groups within our small borough it is with great pride that we continue supporting her as she takes her creations developed here in Erewash with some of our most vulnerable residents to a national audience.”

Creative Industries advocate, and consultant, Filomena Rodriguez comments:
“Rachel works in a way that nurtures people who wouldn’t usually engage with art, in a sensitive and caring manner. I think Rachel’s offer to donate the sculptural piece she has created for the Chelsea Flower Show is incredibly generous yet very consistent with this way of working. To see something of beauty on a daily basis is very therapeutic and I think it will bring the residents, staff and visitors of the winning care home, great delight over many years.”

More information on the competition rules, and a downloadable application form, can be found at www.rachelcarter.co.uk

For an interview with Rachel Carter or for more information on the competition, please contact either:
• Rachel Carter on M: 07957 432 296 or E: info@rachelcarter.co.uk
or
• Clare Bampton, Bampton Communications Limited on T: 01332 865 452, M: 07852 824 295 or E: info@bamptoncommunications.co.uk