The Big Draw at St Paul's October 2006

We're absolutely delighted that Art in the Crypt at St Paul's has received a national award for its 'Allsorts' event as part of The Big Draw in October 2006.

The Big Draw was made up of 13,12 events in 1,100 venues across the UK. The event at St Paul's was named as one of only six 'runners up' in the country.

Organised by Glen Eastman and Onny Thompson, seven local artists ran drop-in activities exploring the architectural spaces of the church, crypt and churchyard for 300 adults and children.

Some drew from the pulpit with long sticks; others made more intimate artworks with small flexible tools; drew on long paper rolls or created communal banners from detailed observational drawing. Outside the church, artist-led experimental drawings with straight and curved sticks developed spontaneously into visitor-led creations with berries, grass and leaves from the churchyard. Cartooning, storyboards and portraiture kept families engrossed in the crypt, while some used marker pens to decorate each other dressed in paper suits (provided by ScrewFix). The crypt was filled with light projections using 'epidiascopes' from the local primary school, sand drawings and layered mixed-media artwork combining lace, toy crabs, plastic trees and beads.

Supported by the vicar's enthusiasm, this hugely successful community event inspired group activity and contemplative individual work, with the results exhibited in the Southbank Bristol Arts Trail 2007.