Once Upon a Tide: The Story Shell brings art space fun with Barnsley Libraries
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And this is a real life fairytale.
The Story Shell is a huge, air-filled sculpture in the shape of a seashell which will host magical art space experiences.
Like lifting a seashell to your ear to hear the whisper of the sea, The Story Shell, will go up around the borough with a range of arts activities, music, theatre, and more.
So get ready to be shell-shocked! It launches this Saturday - September 14, 2024 - as part of Barnsley's Garden Party in the Glass Works Square.
Created by internationally renowned artists Steve Messam and Suzie Devey, this is no ordinary shell.
Towering at 9 metres long and 4.5 metres high, it's an immersive art space where stories echo like the sounds of the seashore - a portal to creativity, to inspire children and adults alike.
The sculpture can fit a class of up to 20 children inside.
Step into it and feel the magic unfold, as if you're listening to the ocean in a seashell, but this time stories come alive!
The Story Shell is designed to spark imagination and creativity, with seven unique story plots inside, bursting with characters waiting to be brought to life.
Just like the seaside shells that hold the secrets of the ocean, this giant shell will hold the power of storytelling.
The magic starts this weekend when it will be seen by the public for the first time.
But he Story Shell is on the move. It is set to travel across Barnsley, bringing its magic to locations which will be announced shortly. Keep an eye on Barnsley Libraries’ social media for updates, and get ready to be swept away by the power of stories inside this incredible shell.
Coun Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “Barnsley Libraries continue to break the boundaries and bring art and culture for our local communities and visitors to enjoy.
“The Story Shell is something that’s never been seen before and we hope that this new art space, which will be able to travel across Barnsley, will spark the creative imagination of our future generation.”
Suzie Devey, one of the artists involved, said: “You know that feeling when you’re a child and you find a fabulous shell on the beach, you put it to your ear and hear the sea? I wanted to recreate that sense of wonder and adventure that children feel.
“The Story Shell is huge, unlike shells on the beach, so it will definitely not be missed! And to inspire children's creativity even further, inside, there’s a map with seven story plots, filled with characters to create your own stories.”
Environmental artist Steve Messam, who also created the sculpture, produces ephemeral site-specific installations, to re-imagine every day, interrupting historical landscapes and vacant architecture, to help us perceive the familiar environment in a new way.
“The Story Shell has been a very exciting and ambitious project to work on and it’s a testament to Barnsley Libraries for thinking out of the box and thinking big," said Steve, who is based in County Durham and works internationally.
"Suzie and I are very excited for the local people to see The Story Shell in person and experience that ‘wow’ factor when you walk inside.”
The project is part of Barnsley Libraries creative commissions and the National Portfolio Organisation programme to bring arts and culture to local communities in Barnsley, funded by Arts Council England.
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