Art in the Barn

The Hertfordshire Visual Arts Forum (HVAF) is already well known for running the annual 'Open Studios' event each September.  This year they decided to stage another major event to show the wide and diverse range of skills and talents within the organisation all together in one place. So between 12th and 19th June they held an exhibition of Art, Sculpture and Crafts in Kingsbury Barn, St Albans.

Artists from all over Hertfordshire exhibited their work for the public to see. Entry was free and the wonderfully restored barn architecture came alive and made a superb backing to the sculptures, ceramics, textiles, paintings and crafts.

Over 350 people attended the preview night and the general public came in a steady flow throughout the 10 days, over 400 in the first weekend.  Response to the work was very positive and much was sold.

Many people had not previously realised the barn existed and they were thrilled and amazed by the incredible building and the quality of the restoration work.

The Hertfordshire Visual Arts Forum is very grateful to Adam and Jill Singer for saving the building for the community and for their help and support in the staging of the exhibition.

Susan Llewelyn Elvidge
 

We were very grateful to Adam and Jill Singer for allowing us to use Kingsbury Barn for the Mid Herts Club Bonsai Show.

It proved an eminently suitable venue, appreciated by both visitors and exhibitors. Trees on display in an old, timber framed building have a connection with the surroundings not found in the starker environment of a conventional exhibition/public hall. The texture and detail of the wood structure give a 'feel' absent from plastered walls, gloss paint and metal - or modern wood - roof trusses.

Club members' trees formed the greater part of the show. Members were on hand to answer questions about both individual trees and the cultivation of bonsai trees in general. Some space was given over to demonstrations of techniques used in styling and maintaining trees.

Entering the Barn, especially for anyone unfamiliar with timber framed buildings of its size, gives the sensation of coming into a space which is bigger than the external dimensions, priming the viewer to expect magic of what they will see inside.  No better start to any form of artistic display.

Roger Miles
Mid Herts Bonsai Club

Grove House Carol Concert

"We are most grateful to the Singer family for offering us the use of this beautiful venue and all the work they have done to help us make the evening such a success." 
Charlotte Fletcher, Grove House

Warmed by mulled wine and mince pies on a blustery December night, over 200 people came to the barn and raised £3,500 for Grove House Hospice.  Read the Herts Advertiser article.

"It was wonderful, magical even. We were exceptionally lucky to be offered the barn"
Sarah Hinchliffe, Headteacher, St Michael's School

Following the theft of lead from the church roof, the church was forced to close and the school were left without a venue for their harvest festival.  We were delighted to be able to offer them the barn.  Read the Herts Advertiser article.