‘Spreading Our Wings’ (established 2021) is a group of Makers from the Suffolk Craft Society and coming from a wide variety of craft disciplines.

The group came together to explore and enrich the link between Art, Crafts and the natural world. In partnership with RSPB Minsmere and with BPA at Snape they are seeking to raise public awareness of how art and nature go hand in hand. Their work demonstrates and showcases the inspiration they gain from a natural environment which is so abundant yet so threatened and which is often the source of the materials they use.

The ‘Spreading Our Wings ‘project emerged from the glass art installation ‘A Wing and a Prayer’ by Arabella Marshall at the ancient ruin of Minsmere Sluice Chapel. Standing in the reserve’s grasslands and housing a WW2 pillbox, the ruin is evidence of a complex, shadowed history, a history which has woven its way into some of the pieces created.

Group members have designed and made installations now placed in specific locations around the reserve. Following a new trail to see these pieces offers a different way for visitors to experience their surroundings.

The project culminates in an exhibition at the Dovecote, Snape Maltings from Saturday 13th May 2023 entitled “Beyond the Reeds” – linking the two sites and bringing further reflective artworks created to a wider audience. RSPB will be leading walks through the Snape marshes during the 9 days of the exhibition and ‘Beyond the Reeds’ will move to Craft Co. for the month of June for a final viewing.

These events are more than exhibitions of interesting work – they are an invitation extended by the makers to better understand how art and nature may work together to the benefit of all..

Download the leaflet (PDF) to find out more, or visit www.suffolkcraftsociety.org.