Art can be rubbish - Wells-next-the-sea Press Release

August, 2006.

Artist Fran Crowe couldn’t care less if people think her art work is rubbish. Fran, a Visual Studies graduate from Norwich School of Art & Design, is working entirely with rubbish she has found on the beach to create an installation of beach souvenirs with a difference to highlight the problems of beach and marine litter.

Fran is setting up stall at Big Blue Sky gallery shop at Wells-next -the-sea with an exclusive range of souvenirs, unique to Wells-next-the-sea, in order to raise awareness about the problems caused by beach litter. Greatly concerned about environmental issues, Fran - together with Big Blue Sky owner, Catherine Edgington - collected man-made litter from the beach and marshes and packaged it to present to visitors as the ideal souvenir.

Fran says, ‘I am particularly concerned about the increase in plastic debris on our beaches which presents a real risk to wildlife as well as spoiling the beach for visitors. According to the UN, there is on average 46000 pieces of plastic litter per square mile of ocean worldwide, causing the death of over 100,000 marine mammals and one million seabirds each year as a result of eating or getting entangled with plastic debris. The idea of this project is that not only am I helping to clear up the beaches but I will also be highlighting the problem in a humorous and interesting way. I also hope my work will contribute useful publicity for the issue in support of the great work done by organisations such as the Marine Conservation Society (& their Beachwatch programme, in particular) and the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society.

Whilst the items on the stall are not really be for sale, Fran is happy for them to be given away in return for a small donation to the above charities. There is also be a challenge at the stall for children to find the ‘odd one out’ items in the collection which are not man-made.

Fran ran similar events at Thorpeness and Dunwich in April and May and in Norwich in June. In addition, Fran is happy for the idea to be copied at other locations nationwide as long as any proceeds are donated to charity. Says Fran, ‘The idea is a marketeer’s dream: an unlimited supply of completely unique products providing an unbeatable souvenir, specific to the location. What’s more walking on the beach collecting items is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and the more of us who do it, the better it will be for the environment’. Interested entrepreneurs may contact Fran at artcanberubbish@flyintheface.com.
Gill Bell of the Marine Conservation Society says, "Marine litter is known to kill marine animals such as whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles and seabirds. Animals can die from eating litter or by becoming entangled by it. MCS are very pleased that Fran is raising awareness of the issue of marine litter. You can help by joining our marine litter projects Beachwatch and Adopt-a-Beach."

'It's great to see artists taking an active interest in the environment and really trying to make a difference with their art. We think art isn't just about putting things up on the wall - it is about engaging with and involving the public.' says Visual Studies course leader, Chris Locke.

Peter Gibson, Spokesperson for the Blue Flag - the world's premier award for clean beaches - said: "While those who look after our beaches have made dramatic improvements to the state of our coastline, people still dump far too much rubbish when they visit there. Fran's art may be humorous and eye-catching but it is all also challenging in that it reminds all of us of the damage litter can do to wildlife and the image of the British seaside."
Surfers Against Sewage campaigner, Andy Cummins, adds, “Marine litter not only affects us on the beaches but can have a huge effect on marine life. SAS are pleased to see Fran reusing the marine litter in her fantastic project. It is a great idea that can raise the awareness of this problem. You can help ease this problem by just picking up 1 piece of marine litter next time you are at the beach. Many hands make light work.”

More details of Fran’s work can be found at her website, www.flyintheface.com.

Fran’s installation is at Big Blue Sky, Wells-next-the-sea, during August and September. Big Blue Sky, which specialises in beautiful, practical and precious things from Norfolk, is open every day 10am until 5pm.

ENDS
For further information about the project or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Fran Crowe - e-mail fran@flyintheface.com
Catherine Edgington, Big Blue Sky - tel. 01328 712023, e-mail shop@bigbluesky.uk.com, website www.bigbluesky.uk.com.
For further information regarding beach litter, see the Beachwatch 2005 report issued this week and available at www.mcsuk.org.
For information on the Blue Flag scheme, see www.encams.org and www.blueflag.org.uk.
Information on the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society can be found at www.wdcs.org.
For information about and campaigning on sea water quality, see Surfers Against Sewage at www.sas.org.uk.

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