Butterfield is the lead sponsor of this year’s Jersey Eisteddfod, reaffirming its support for the third year running. Doors open this week to the annual spring festival, which runs from 12-15 March 2020 at the Royal Jersey Showground.
The Eisteddfod celebrates the island’s creativity, giving people the opportunity to showcase their artistic skills for the enjoyment of the Jersey community. Categories include Art and Craft, Floral Art, Handwriting and Calligraphy, Needlework and Textile Art, and Photography. All the entries will be appraised by adjudicators from the UK.
Noel McLaughlin, Managing Director at Butterfield Bank (Jersey) Limited, said: “The Eisteddfod is a wonderful community event. Jersey is in the fortunate position of having many talented individuals who share their work. I was particularly interested to hear that the schools are invited to submit pieces made entirely from recycled materials for the Art and Craft section, bringing to life the old adage that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. I encourage everyone to take a trip to the Royal Jersey Showground to see the festival. Butterfield wishes all entrants the best of luck.”
Christine Hamon said: “Our thanks go to Butterfield, whose generous support has made it possible for us to use a splendid venue in which to display such a wide and diverse selection of exhibits from our talented islanders. The festival is a wonderful way to increase self-confidence and belief in one’s own abilities. It’s lovely to watch the entrants faces as they proudly show friends and family their work on display.”
Eisteddfod highlights include:
- The Art and Craft section split into primary schools, secondary schools and adult and youth, is always an explosion of colour and creativity; this year 21 primary schools are represented with a diverse selection of artwork.
- The fragrant section of the festival, Floral Art, showcases flower arranging talent and has changed vastly since its introduction in 1984 with entrants’ imaginative ideas evolving each year. Christine Hamon, General Administrator of the Jersey Eisteddfod, said: “On set-up day the floral area is filled with buckets of flowers and foliage, boxes of wires, secateurs, oasis and tape. It’s always a colourful section and thoroughly enjoyed by visitors.”
- The Needlework and Textile Art category presents the oldest trophy at the Jersey Eisteddfod, The Mirehouse Shield, which was first awarded in 1924 to the winning school. Elisabeth Perchard, Chairman of the Needlework Section said: “The imaginative work produced by the enthusiastic school students is amazing.”
- First presented in 1925, the Amyson Cup is awarded in the calligraphy class. This year it is combined with the handwriting class to form the newly titled Handwriting & Calligraphy
- Photography, with digital enhancements, is almost unrecognisable from the original category introduced in 1913. The Photography section welcomes established entrants who continuously work on their innovation and technique to newcomers competing for the first time.
For more information on the Jersey Eisteddfod please visit: https://www.jerseyeisteddfod.org.je/spring-festival-of-the-creative-arts/
The festival will take place at the RJA & HS, Trinity and will be open to the public from Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 March 2020 daily between 10 am – 6 pm, closing on Sunday at 4 pm.
