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SCULPTURE AT THE TURRILL GARDEN, OXFORD

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Turrill 'Artweeks and Beyond' Exhibition
The Artweeks exhibition at the Turrill Garden, that runs until 6th June, is a delight with a collection of works in different media: ceramics – pottery and sculpture – glass. stoneware and wood. There is even a mixed media work, including copper pipes and a tap, that is amusing, ingenious and metaphorical, “Bucket” by Tony and Yolande Wyer, based on the folksong “There’s a hole in my bucket.” This large and undefinable work is a comment on the money-making enterprises that re
Glenda Abramson
May 141 min read
Music Sculpture Exhibition 21 June - 23 August 2025
Blog by Glenda Abramson It is appropriate that during this season of summer concerts at the Turrill garden, the latest exhibition should...
Glenda Abramson
Jun 27, 20252 min read


Feats of Clay
by Glenda Abramson Chaise Longue by Zoe Sparrowhawk This is an exhibition created by the Sunningwell School of Art sculpture class taught...
Glenda Abramson
Apr 8, 20252 min read


Christmas and Beyond
(We wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas!) Christmas Candle by Bronwyn Sibley Christmas Quarter Selling Exhibition - 29 March 2025 Christmas is nearly here with its promise of warm winter wine. Unbelievable that this year is almost at an end. After a surprisingly warm few weeks in November, a fierce storm in December, we hope the weather is settling down for our annual Turrill Christmas quarter Selling Exhibition which extends into March. The emphasis this year is on
Peter Baird
Dec 20, 20242 min read


Christmas/Winter Selling Exhibition - Saturday 18th November 2023
The 2023 installation of our gazebo has transformed the garden, offering a new, attractive focal point. As you enter, the eye is drawn through the landscape to the cosy corner it creates, And when we launch a new exhibition, as we did on Saturday 18th November, it provides an ideal stop-off point for warm fruit punch and sweet treats. Thankfully, the weather warmed up too, to a dry, mild 14 degrees, which encouraged our steady stream of guests to join us, and we were delighte
Peter Baird
Nov 20, 20232 min read


Private View – “Frameworks” Saturday 23rd September
We were delighted to welcome Sara Myers, the sculptor behind our new solo exhibition, “Frameworks” to The Turrill Sculpture Garden at the weekend. Launching her show with a Private Viewing, on what turned out to be a beautiful Autumn afternoon, Sara was rightly the centre of attention as dozens of guests came to share the occasion; but actually it’s her art that stole the show. Several stunning pieces, placed around the garden, beckoned visitors to explore. Sara uses many di
Peter Baird
Sep 27, 20231 min read


Art Late 2023 - Thursday 14th Sept
There was an air of relaxed calm in The Turrill Sculpture Garden on Thursday 14th Sept as the latest Art Late event got underway. Even before Lizzy Rowe had given her welcoming talk in the street outside the library, sculptor Ed Hill had already presented his unique steel creations to a group from The Oxford Art Society, who were keen to enjoy the evening from the get-go. In the gazebo, Gillian from Grape Minds was setting up the wine-tasting corner with an interesting red an
Peter Baird
Sep 17, 20231 min read


How to create magic
Recipe: Take one amazingly talented group of singers - Opera Anywhere Take one leafy walled garden in the centre of Summertown - The Turrill Take a warm summer's afternoon - Saturday 17th June Take amazing luck with the weather - a light flurry of rain towards the end followed by a perfect burst of sunshine on the final song Take some ingenious puppets who created squeals of delight from children and adults alike Take a rela
Peter Baird
Jun 18, 20231 min read


Welcome to the Turrill Salsa Garden!
There was something about the intimate space, the steamy humidity and crowd’s desire to merengue at the first sound of a trumpet. Was this Brazilia during Carnival, or Summertown during The Turrill Sculpture Garden Summer Music Festival? No, it wasn’t Brazilia, but it could well have been. There was a real party atmosphere at the Turrill on Saturday 10th June, when we were brilliantly entertained by the magnificent Mambo Tropical. Number 2 in our programme of musical feasts t
Peter Baird
Jun 14, 20231 min read


Kicking-off the first ever Turrill Sculpture Garden summer music festival!
By Peter Baird Maybe there were some nerves. Our first-ever music festival event at The Turrill Sculpture Garden. Jazz and fusion combo Kool Skool’s first gig together for 30 years. Early summer British weather to cope with. What could possibly go wrong? Well actually, nothing went wrong. Everything went remarkably right, from the beautiful gently breezy sunny day, to the wonderful acoustics in the garden, and of course the splendidly enthusiastic and brilliantly jazzy Kool S
Peter Baird
Jun 9, 20232 min read


Body and Soul brought to life
Saturday 15th April was a milestone day for The Turrill Sculpture Garden. We combined the Private View opening of our month-long exhibition “Body and Soul” featuring the work of 11 clay modelling sculptors of The Sunningwell School of Art (Sunningwell School of Art (artschool.org.uk), with the ribbon cutting grand opening of our superb new gazebo! We were honoured to welcome Lord Mayor Councillor James Fry and the Chair of the County Council, Councillor Susannah Pressel to o
Peter Baird
Apr 22, 20231 min read


We have a fine new gazebo in the Turrill Garden!
If this nasty cold, rainy weather continues much longer, we will all, no doubt be gasping for a bit of warm, sunny relief. It’s surely just around the corner, please! Rain or shine, our latest addition to The Turrill Sculpture Garden will be a welcome and attractive sight for all our visitors. We have just installed a new gazebo at the lower end of the garden, which will be a popular shelter for when it rains or if the sun is too fierce and means the garden will be an even be
Peter Baird
Apr 9, 20232 min read


'Love The Last March' Unveiling in Singapore
On May 19, 2023 we will see the official unveiling of the sculpture installation, Love The Last March, the longest sculpture in the world for wildlife conservation. In partnership with WWF-Singapore, artists Gillie and Marc’s 192-meter-long sculpture will showcase 45 of the world’s most threatened animal species, each cast in bronze as an interactive experience, bringing critical awareness for wildlife conservation. The unveiling will be in Singapore, and is the first of a se
Peter Baird
Feb 5, 20231 min read


5 ways you can help wildlife this winter
(Robin on garden fork © Andrew Howe/Getty) This current cold snap may soon be over, with temperatures set to rise well above zero this weekend, but remember winter has barely begun, so it is a fair bet that we will see further frosts and freezing temperatures over the coming months. Our gardens may look beautiful first thing in the morning, or after a fresh snowfall, but for wildlife, it can be a time of scarce food, harsh temperatures and a fight to survive. Here we summari
Peter Baird
Dec 16, 20222 min read


Welcoming the start of The Festive Season, 2022!
It’s a special feeling, wrapping up in winter woollies; hats, scarves, gloves and warm boots and heading out into the cold night air to enjoy a typical Christmas activity. Better still if you are doing it to reconnect with friends or to make new ones. At this time of year it’s enjoyable ensuring traditions are maintained, and as long as the weather holds up, outdoor Christmas gatherings, with suitable warm refreshments can’t be beaten! Mulled wine, homemade mince pies, Chri
Peter Baird
Dec 5, 20221 min read


Affordable, Unusual and Unique Gift Ideas for Christmas
Our Christmas exhibition is now well and truly up and running, featuring some of our most popular past exhibitors. The show runs through until Spring, but be sure to visit us soon sin ce we have many pieces aimed at the Christmas market; affordable, unusual and unique. As a Christmas present, what could be better than a piece of art that will last for years, serving as a reminder of your thoughtfulness and generosity, at Christmas 2022? The group of sculptures on display by:
Peter Baird
Nov 19, 20222 min read


Job done! Summer Successfully “Fusioned” into Autumn
We wish to thank our outgoing sculptors, Bruce Garside, Wilbur Heynes and Christopher Townsend for supporting us with their magnificent works for the last two months. Our Autumn exhibition, “Fusion” came to an end this weekend and it has been a privilege to enjoy the large impressive metalworks installed around the garden. Their stature and forms were gradually revealed ever more strikingly as the season changed from balmy late Summer to cooler windier Autumn. Leaves and sma
Peter Baird
Nov 6, 20221 min read


Our own Martin Jennings in the news!
We were thrilled on Friday 28th to hear the gentle tones of sculptor Martin Jennings being interviewed on Radio 4 about his work creating the image (effigacy is the offical term) of King Charles on the new 50p piece that will be available in December. Martin was very generous to the Turrill Garden when we first set up in 2000 by designing a special '2000' to celebrate it its opening and to add the beautifully inscribed wording round the edge of the paved circle 'Friendship i
Peter Baird
Oct 29, 20221 min read


Art Late Autumn 2022 - Join Us Next Time!
Blog and photos by Peter Baird The weather was kind. After several days of cold Northerly breezes, our Art Late evening on Thursday 29th Sept. was blessed with dry, mild conditions, perfect for mingling in the garden, sipping wine and enjoying the company and sculptures on display. Lizzy Rowe started the evening’s proceedings with an interesting and enjoyable introduction to South Parade and its art history, as she held court to an attentive group on the wide pavement outsid
Peter Baird
Oct 2, 20222 min read


Art Late 2022 – Thursday 29th Sept – 17:30 – (19.30 for Turrill)
We are delighted to join forces once again with complementary local arts venues in South Parade, Summertown, to present “Art Late 2022”, this coming Thursday evening, 29th Sept., starting at 5.30 pm and continuing at the Turrill till 7.30 and 8pm at the other venues. The Turrill Sculpture Garden, The North Wall Arts Centre and Sarah Wiseman Gallery have each recently launched new exhibitions* which will be open until 8 pm, offering plenty of time to visit, chat with the hosts
Peter Baird
Sep 27, 20222 min read
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