Trail dates: 21st July – 5th September 2027, Wednesday – Sunday, 10 – 5pm.
Raveningham, South Norfolk, NR14 6NU.
Deadline: 22nd January 2027 – Application Form Below
SANCTUARY – “Remember, the entrance door to the sanctuary is inside you” Rumi.
Where do we find Sanctuary? Is it a place, a community, a memory or moment of stillness? It might be found in your studio, your creative practice, the rhythm of making or a favourite book, poem or song. How does it make us feel and how important is a sense of Sanctuary? Help us create a sense of Sanctuary at this year’s Raveningham Sculpture Trail, somewhere that sparks curiosity, feelings of calm, inspiration, joy and connection.
Artists are encouraged to consider: How important it is to find a sense of Sanctuary in 2027 to help alleviate the pressures and challenges of our modern world. What part does art play in the creation of sanctuary. Where do you find your own sanctuary, it could be in a sketchbook, a particular place or something else entirely. What Sanctuary means to you, a place, people, a feeling. How we can create a sense of Sanctuary at Raveningham in the wild gardens alongside the flora and fauna
For the Trail 2027 Artists, Sculptors, Makers, Poets, Musicians, Writers may follow the theme of SANCTUARY or respond more generally to the natural space at Raveningham, thinking about the flora and fauna which lift our spirits. Artworks could be in the form of sculpture, site specific works, stories, sound, light, film and more for the meadows, pond, gardens, and woodland at Raveningham. Artists working in any medium are welcome and there is the opportunity to work to a large scale in some of the open meadows and wooded areas.
*New for 2027* we are offering our first artist residencies. Each residency will take the form of 5 days free accommodation in the ensuite airbnb in the tudor farmhouse on the sculpture trail between January and June 2027. Access to the pottery studio and materials if required. Access to the gardens to walk, draw, rest in. £100 towards travel expenses, there is a kettle, microwave, toaster, fridge, tea/coffee in the room but meals are not included.. We recognise the increasing pressure on artists as the cost of living continues to impact art sales alongside the existential challenges of AI and climate change. The residencies form part of this year’s Sanctuary theme as we continue to make Raveningham a sanctuary for artists and art lovers alike. There is no expectation for work to be produced during the residence, artists can use the 5 days as time for a rest, a change of scene or a chance to work on new ideas inspired by the house and gardens at Raveningham. To apply: send an email to sarah.cannell1@gmail.com outlining why you would like the residency and how it might help support you and your practice in no more than 150 words. Links to any website, social media in order to get a sense of your work or maximum of 5 photos. There will be 3 residencies initially and the selection process involves five Creative Odyssey committee members.
The Raveningham Sculpture Trail is produced by Creative Odyssey CIC who are committed to encouraging public interaction with contemporary art in a rural setting as well as creating space and opportunity for artists to experiment, show and sell their work to a diverse audience. There will be 3 awards for artists – People’s Choice 1st £250, 2nd £200 and Curator’s Choice £250.
We believe great ideas come from diverse perspectives. Whether you are emerging or established, working locally or from afar, we welcome your interpretation of Sanctuary and look forward to discovering bold, thoughtful, and unexpected approaches for Raveningham Sculpture Trail 2027.
Important Trail Dates 2027:
21st July – 5th Sept Sculpture Trail – closed Mon/Tues.
16 – 18th July – Installation.
Take down by 12th September.
How to apply:
To submit a proposal please fill in the form below and email a maximum of 5 images showing examples of previous work to sarah.cannell1@gmail.com There is a non-returnable application fee of £15, please send payment by BACS to: Creative Odyssey Project, Sort code: 40-09-24 Acc No: 91477633 using your last name as reference. Submission Deadline: 22nd January 2027
