Ash Tree Stream

Ash Tree Stream is a one-year visual arts project led by artist James Aldridge, in partnership with Andover Trees United and CAS (Chapel Arts Studios) and five schools in the Andover area. This project, supported by funding from Arts Council England and CAS furthers the work of Andover Trees United and their ‘6 Flowers 6 Trees project’. 

Children and staff used visual arts processes outside of the classroom to learn about Ash trees and Ash dieback disease within the context of local cultural heritage and climate change. This project comes at a time when an appreciation of the need for and value of trees within our communities is increasing in the face of climate and ecological breakdown.

Funding from Arts Council England and CAS enabled James to develop a new body of work which included research into Ash trees and Ash Die-Back disease, as well as ways of working with schools/communities.The project culminated in an exhibition of artwork and project documentation at CAS, as stones throw from the river its named after.

The ‘Ash Tree Stream’ exhibition closed after two days due to UK ‘lockdown’. To help you access the exhibition during lockdown, James has created a film for you to act as virtual tour.