Among Arabella Marshall’s inspirations are Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture and Matisse’s chapel at Vence. In her 40s when the children left home she felt free and brave enough to pursue her creative visions. She attended City and Guilds  in 2001 (20 years post art school) and it was in subsequent week long master class that she gained the necessary toolkit for setting up her own  studio. Arabella now has a two meter kiln and sculpts – fusing together layers of coloured glass along with glass granules called frit and copper, gold and silver foil inclusions for detailed patterns. Her pieces may take the form of outdoor sculptures or architectural installations.

Arabella loves the environment and connects her sculptures with spaces. She is not a Christian but enjoys the feeling of awe you get upon entering a church or cathedral. The discovery of the ruined monastery at Minsmere fascinated her with its range of contradictory emotions arising from the tranquil landscape, the RSPB birds, Sizewell power station, boggy land and the red brick remains of a WW11 pillbox which gives the site the site listed status! She knew she had to make a sculpture here, to fill the open air window arch with coloured glass and from that moment she became a project co-ordinator.  Funds were needed for the builders and engineers to fit the glass in the stone and the metal worker to make the frame. Permission was needed from Historic England and the RSPB. Cathy Smith from Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB helped her apply for grants. With this and the support of many individuals and two local companies (so far), all the work will be undertaken this year and the piece itself will be installed in May 2020.

Arabella has always loved connecting place and sculpture but a new thrill has grown from this project, that people share and are inspired by her vision and are working as a community to effect change in the world. (Summary: Vanessa Raison)

If you would like to get involved with the project or make a donation please visit the project web site: http://www.awingandaprayer.org.uk/