Tom Marshman - Shrine 2

Tom Marshman is a nationally acclaimed performance artist who makes work that celebrates the voices of the outsider, notably from the LGBTQ+ community.

‘Queer Tales of Weston: An Audio Tour with Tom Marshman’

To coincide with Weston Pride, Tom crafted ‘Queer Tales of Weston’, an alternative audio, walking tour of central Weston, with a little bit of help from members of the town’s Queer community.   The story gathering process was initiated at a Tom’s Tea-party event hosted by Pride Bar, with a rainbow coloured tea cosy sitting centre stage.

Tom led an inaugural, live version of the Queer Tales of Weston tour on Saturday 2 July 2022 to brilliant feedback. The tour can still be followed by any listener on their own device via Soundcloud and is also accessible through a QR code on postcards distributed throughout the town, which are beautifully illustrated by local artist, Shruti Bhoyar.   See below.  The trail has featured several times on BBC Radio Bristol. ‘Queer Tales of Weston’ is edited and produced by Bernie Hodges.

Click HERE to listen to ‘Queer Tales of Weston: An Audio Tour with Tom Marshman’

Brothers Across the Decades – Performance

On Sunday 3 July 2022, Weston’s iconic Grand Atlantic Hotel provided an excellent setting for Tom’s performance of Brothers Across the Decades, a newly commissioned play that weaved together Tom’s own experience of being a performing arts BTEC student at Weston College with the memories and stories of other people who experienced Weston in the early 90s.  There was an excellent atmosphere at the Grand Atlantic performance followed by a lively and honest chat over Tea with Tom at the end of the performance, facilitated by lead artist Megan Clark-Bagnall.  The performance attracted homegrown and Bristol based audiences.  The play has enjoyed a subsequent outing to London’s Chelsea Theatre, and in 2023 a national Seaside Tour, including a second date in Weston-super-Mare. 

Read Stagetalk Magazine’s review of Brothers Across the Decades HERE

ChipChat – Episode 3

Tom and Weston based performance maker Matt Fleming chat to ChipAdvisor, Megan Clark-Bagnall, about their training at Weston College and being QUEER HERE in the super mare during the 1990’s and in present day.

Chila Kumari Singh Burman - Shrine 3

PIGEON 

A vibrant new commission from internationally acclaimed artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman celebrated the humble pigeon, and all that is brilliant about so many different cultural communities now calling Weston their home.  The neon artwork shone an iridescent spotlight on the virtues of this extraordinary global street bird whose heroic story includes wartime messenger, allotment companion and peace-giver.  Find out more here.

‘Pigeon’ was on display at The Grand Pier during GLOW 23, at the Black Cat Micropub during GLOW 24, and then perched in the window of Weston’s newest theatre, Front Room, at Central Walk, before being returned to the artist.

Describing herself as a ‘Punjabi Liverpudlian’, Chila’s vivacious style fuses her Indian roots with popular culture, exemplified in her groundbreaking ‘Remembering a Brave New World’, which lit up hearts, minds and the facade of TATE BRITAIN at the height of the pandemic in 2020.

Chip Chat

CHIP CHAT is Super Culture’s first YouTube series, and the only show that puts the chips into the chats.

CHIP CHAT is a YouTube series where professional artists, emerging artists and wider residents of Weston met up over chips to chat culture and heritage. Part of ‘21st Century super Shrines’, CHIP CHAT puts local voices firmly and deliciously at the heart of cultural and creative developments in the town. Here’s a taster of the first 4 episodes:

Another ‘Great British Takeaway’, Episode 1 sees internationally acclaimed public realm artist Morag Myerscough shaking on some salt, vinegar ‘n’ plenty of colour to Big Lamp Corner, with exuberant artist interviewer Megan Clark-Bagnall. Megan also chats to local Artist and Muralist Shruti Ashish in our original Front Room in The Sovereign!

Discover what public art Morag cooked up for Weston High Street, and how she rates the chips being cooked up for her.

In Episode 2, ChipAdvisor Megan is joined by artist, poet and facilitator Shagufta K Iqbal, and Weston’s very own poet and producer Sophie Shepherd. They chat about the current creative scene in Weston and what the future could hold, depending on the choices we make today. Hear more about creative happenings and projects on the high street such as Tomorrow’s Voices, Grow Feral and the uprising that is Weston Artspace.

Episode 3 ‘Queer Here’ is dedicated to Shrine 2, when nationally acclaimed queer artist Tom Marshman and Weston based performance maker Matt Fleming ChipChat to Megan. They talk about their training at Weston College and being QUEER HERE in the super mare during the 1990’s and in present day.

In Episode 4, WOWmen of Weston, Meg chats to soical artist, Bev G Star, and creative artist, Kelly Lewis, discussing female-led creative compassion in Weston. Featuring a cameo from Lilly and filmed at Weston Beach Cafe on the seafront.

All Episodes are available on our youtube ‘ChipChat’ playlist HERE

AND ..

Chip Chat goes audio! Take a listen to the first podcast episode of Chip Chat.

Meg chats with international artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Director of Glow Paula Birtwistle, actor and performance maker Jack Stringer and Year 6 Students at Walliscote Primary School about what lights them up in their home of Weston-super-Mare.

Produced by Bernie Hodges, this episode was recorded at Atlantic Fish Bar!

We wrap up Chip Chat with another podcast, where Chip Advisor Meg chats with Heritage Queen, Cara MacMahon, and Fiona Matthews, Director of Super Culture about the PEOPLE POWER that fuels Weston-super-Mare’s high streets.

As the 21st Century super Shrines project comes to a close, this episode reflects on how powerful it is when our neighbours ignite small positive acts of kindness & creativity.

This episode was recorded inside The Grand Pier Fish & Chip Shop and was recorded by Bernie Hodges.
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Sovereign Centre Exhibition

As part of the creative collaboration at the centre of the campaign, a vibrant window display was showcased at different Sovereign Centre locations, returning for its final iteration in January 2024. The exhibition charted the development of the artworks at the centre of ‘21st Century super Shrines’, showcasing the heritage project’s creative activities and engagement work with the local community, including online and in person workshops covering topics from patterns to pets.

The display was created by community artists Bev G Star, Humans of Weston, and Kelly Lewis who is a creative crafter based in Worle and included the latest project information, artwork and workshop opportunities.

Fiona Matthews, creative director at Super Culture said: “Since the project was launched, we have been working with a team of brilliant local artists to document the process and share local people’s knowledge, ideas and values about Weston as the experience unfolds – the role of pets and animals on the high street (past and present) is proving a particularly winning topic!”

'Round Here

‘Round Here: Music & Circus was presented on 16 July 2022 at the head of the high street as part of ‘Round Here – a new Historic England and Live Music Now project celebrating high street heritage and pride of  place through unique music collaborations in the community.  

This was a true musical celebration, kicking off with the premiere of co-created, community song inspired by Weston-super-Mare high street and followed by a fusion of local and international music, with have-a-go-at-circus workshops taking place with Circomedia through the afternoon. 

Co-created by professional musician Tara Baggott, local schoolchildren and residential  care home residents, the public premiere of the piece was enjoyed by many at Big Lamp Corner – where the new bandstand designed by Morag Myerscough  and the community launches soon. For now, we have commissioned a lovely bright banner from Shruti Bhoyar which will also act as a backdrop to further musical  events around the town this Summer.

Over two months, Tara Baggott, a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) music specialist, led weekly Live Music Now sessions in Weston with students from Baytree School and Herons’ Moor Academy and residents at Acer House Care Home to co-create a unique musical composition for the town. Tara was supported by  young emerging musician William Crawford, who lives in Weston and attended West haven School and Weston College.  

Alongside the premier were appearances by jazz swing duo Hopkins & Oliver and singer-songwriter Holly Carter. French brass band, Super Panela added an international flavour to the day, with their upbeat afro-colombian sounds. Plus there was an afternoon of family entertainment from with circus antics from Circomedia.  

This short film that illustrates the day was made by Nick Sutton, with thanks. And you can see all films from the ‘Round Here series, featuring communities in 6 towns and cities across the country on Historic England’s website.

Pet Icons

During our first year of the 21st Century Super Shrines project, we celebrated your PETS!!

Through crafting and conversations with Westonians, Megan Clark-Bagnall recently identified three things beginning with P that make Weston’s High Street Powerful!!

They are, the sight of your Pets in town, the different Places and green spaces Weston has to offer the high street and of course the People. Year one was all about your Pets and celebrating ALL creatures great and small that visit and frequent our pet heavy high streets. Join super special artist Carson Parkin-Fairley (who knows a thing or two about making icons out of those we admire) in this crafty online tutorial. Carson will show you how to make your very own pet icon, inspired by her amazing framed icon of Elvis the dog, which she has lovingly created for this year’s national artist on the super shrines project… Morag Myserscough!!

Super Wonder Shrine

SUPER WONDER SHRINE was the work of internationally acclaimed public realm artist Morag Myerscough and the community of Weston. The design captured the energy and sentiments of the town, shining out energy (and a love of dogs!) into the high street. SUPER WONDER SHRINE was co-created and painted by Morag and a cross-generational group of over 100 local residents and students, with particular thanks due to local artisan joiner Simon Birtwistle, Shelley Bowers, Bev G Star, Nina Thomas-Bennett, Paige Bailiss, Jasmine Thompson, Shruti Bhoyar, Victoria Houselander-Cook and the students of Weston College.

This artwork was part of ‘21st Century super Shrines’, a pioneering heritage project launched in May 2021 that was managed by Super Culture. It was part of a four-year High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) cultural programme, funded by Historic England, in partnership with Arts Council England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The  programme, steered by social maker Megan Clark-Bagnall, empowered local communities as creative agents of change at the heart of a high street narrative of community renewal and ownership. Inspired and supported by professional artists, local communities created a series of innovative and contemporary shrines that animated the environment and determined a new sense of worth on the high street.

“I have enjoyed every moment of this project. Weston-super-Mare community are incredible and work so closely together, with a true sense of belonging, fun and joy, I am grateful to have been invited in and to be able to co-create the ’SUPER WONDER SHRINE’ with such an amazing group of humans.” Morag Myerscough, artist

“Truly designed by an inter generational & pet appreciating group of local participants, the bandstand is a real triumph of joy for all of Weston to enjoy!” Megan Clark-Bagnall, artist and social maker

“I have found myself over the build falling for the bandstand as it has progressed. It has been on many levels a joy to behold and I’m surprised at my own affection that has grown towards it. It has revealed a dynamic quality that I didn’t realise it possessed in the beginning. I imagine when it is presented to Weston that I will bursting with pride like a parent at sports day.” Simon Birtwistle, artisan joiner

“I’m so grateful to have been part of building, painting, producing and installing it.” Shelley Jane, local creative

“Having the opportunity to be included as an artist in the 21st Century Super Shrines project enabled me to use my creativity to represent my community; helping people grow their imagination and make things happen…. The bandstand has taken us on a wonderful journey of colour and it has been a joy to be a part if it.”  Bev G Star, local artist

“Having the opportunity to take part in this project was so exciting and we are beyond grateful for the invitation from Culture Weston to get involved. The project was inspiring from the initial workshops to creation, every step was interesting and inclusive. Our learners have benefited so much from this project and watching their confidence and creativity develop was brilliant – I’ve had so many incredible messages from learners saying how proud they are. Morag and Bev have inspired our students and they see the possibilities of working within our local creative industry more than ever.’ Victoria Houselander-Cook, Lecturer in Art, Design and Communication, UCW

More information is here.