Buckland Abbey volunteer team shortlisted for prestigious national award

The hard work and dedication of Buckland Abbey’s team of volunteer art ambassadors has been recognized by their shortlisting in this year’s Museums and Heritage Awards.

The annual Museums and Heritage Awards celebrate best practice within the world of cultural and heritage visitor attractions, museums and galleries. This year saw a record number of award nominations, so the team at Buckland Abbey are delighted that from the hundreds of nomination entries their Art Ambassador team is in the running to win the award for Volunteer Team of the Year.

The team was instrumental in the success of last year’s Art of Reflection exhibition when they worked with sculptor, Andrew Logan, to use contemporary art as a tool to encourage visitors to experience Buckland in a thought provoking way.

The groundbreaking project, one of the most ambitious collaborations between the National Trust and a living artist, resulted in nearly twenty carefully-chosen pieces of art woven throughout the Abbey’s existing collection and historic spaces. The exhibition purposely had little printed interpretation so the Art Ambassadors played a key role in helping visitors to engage with the exhibition and gain an appreciation of Buckland’s pervading spirit.

The exhibition, and the role of the Art Ambassadors, has proved so succesful that a further piece of sculpture by Andrew Logan, the giant Cosmic Egg, will be on show in Buckland’s great barn until the end of September this year.

James Breslin, Buckland Abbey’s House and Visitor Experience Manager says: ‘From the outset, this newly recruited team – some drawn from our existing volunteers, some new recruits –supported the exhibition in every possible way. Not only did they openly embrace a new perspective on the Abbey, but they were also prepared to stand in freezing-cold barns talking about the sculptures with enthusiasm for hours. The way they have shown how doing things differently can be both a creative and an emotionally engaging experience has inspired the whole team.‘

Andrew Logan, sculptor, says: ‘The wonderful volunteer team at Buckland have helped to bring my sculpture to the public, responding to a hugely diverse audience and interpreting the work in new and nuanced ways, helping visitors to understand each piece and its relevance to the spirit of Buckland.’

Liz Benfield, volunteer art ambassador at Buckland Abbey says: ‘Andrew Logan feels that life should be all about colour, joy and fun. That's what the exhibition was all about and also sums up the experience of being an art ambassador. It has been a privilege to be involved; and to be shortlisted in the Museums and Heritage Awards is thrilling  and the icing on the cake.

‘It has been a learning curve, giving us insights into the art world and the chance to share these with visitors. If we win, that will be fabulous; but it has been the taking part which has made this such a wonderful experience.’

The awards will be presented at a prestigious dinner on Wednesday 16 May 2018, in the Historic Staterooms of 8 Northumberland in the heart of London.

The Cosmic Egg – Andrew Logan at Buckland Abbey opens at Buckland Abbey on 19 February and will run until 23 September 2018. 

For opening times and further information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland or call 01822 853607.