Art on the Downs was another innovative arts project which built on the success of the Art in the woods project. Involving University of Brighton students, women from the New Moulsecoomb Art Group and the National Trust, who built a celtic spiral on a local ancient quarry site.

The 14 students and 9 local women had only four days to complete the celtic spiral using nothing but the natural materials available on site at the quarry on National Trust owned Newtimber Hill near Saddlescombe Farm, Saddlescombe Road, Devils Dyke. The site is about 1 mile from last years Art In the Woods Giant sculpture, part of a vision of building a natural sculpture trail across Sussex Countryside. To continue the sculpture trail the Arts project seeked further funding for 2007.

Local Sculptor and community art worker, Sue Nunn said, “This project gives parents on the estate a rare opportunity to practice public art skills in a rural setting with a diverse group of students. Last year many friendships were made and families started to visit National Trust land for pleasure and to see their work.”

The National Trusts aims to encourage people who may associate them with ‘dusty old houses’ to explore and enjoy their land. National Trust Ranger, Graham Welfare said, “The National Trust wants to see more people from all communities enjoying the countryside in Sussex.”

Project partners

Sue Nunn, Sculptor

Sue Nunn is primarily a sculptor who has been woodcarving since the great hurricane of 1987. Her work has been exhibited locally and nationally. She has produced several large scale public sculptures all now permanently sited throughout the South. Sue has considerable experience in sculpture and community arts projects. In parallel with her sculpture Sue worked at Hillview Family Centre, Moulsecoomb, as a family centre worker developing the arts.

Hillview Family Centre

Hillview Family Centre aims to offer a universal service to young parents and their children and is located on an estate where the residents have a range of difficult problems and dilemmas. Their services include: a community drop-in morning, after school class for children aged 5-8 years, groups for adults including art, parenting skills, health issues etc., individual counselling and support plus a range of outings and a summer play scheme.

Devil's Dyke National Park

Devil's Dyke is the world's largest, deepest dry valley. It's now owned by the National Trust and comprises 200 acres of Downland scarp, deeply incised by a dry valley. It also has an element of scrub and a lower woodland fringe, a major car park and a restaurant/pub next to an Iron Age Hill Fort.

Faculty of Arts, University of Brighton

The Faculty of Arts and Architecture unites the disciplines of art, design and humanities with architecture and interior design. The Faculty offers a module titled Extension Studies which enables students to take part in projects such as this and to gain credits towards their course for the work they do.