Thank you to everyone for their support

 

The River Dart swim was accomplished in the most beautiful September sun, with green hills sloping down to the river and sun beams winking through golden trees.  Over 500 people took part and I finished the swim in 3 hours and 15 minutes.  The tide helped hugely, as did two feeding stations on the way down.  The water was clear, and in parts brackish.  It was strange to suddenly run into seaweed at the end of the swim.  I have never swam so far, and I could not have done it without knowing that I would be letting down those who supported me.

 

 

I am so grateful to all those who have given both on line and off line.  Although we set a high target,  your generosity will help towards the costs of providing career opportunities to young people and continuing the tradition of GF Watts and Mary Watts of offering art for all through learning and skills development.

 

 

On Saturday 14 September Perdita Hunt, Director of Watts Gallery, swam 10km down the River Dart.  Perdita is raising money for apprenticeship schemes at Watts Gallery, supporting young people and new graduates into employment. Distance wise this is aquatic equivalent of a marathon. 700 swimmers will be taking part in this outdoor event organised by the Outdoor Swimming Society. Starting at Totnes at 1.30pm, the swim finished at the small village of Dittisham. 

 

Watts Gallery was originally founded on the philosophy of GF and Mary Watts, providing training through apprenticeships at Compton Pottery, Mary Watts’s social enterprise scheme. The Gallery provided accommodation for the apprentices in buildings adjacent to the Gallery known as The Hostel. By supporting apprenticeships you will be bringing this traditional philosophy into the 21st century creating life-changing opportunities, training, mentoring and providing an invaluable first step into work.  Watts Gallery currently has five apprenticeships: the Estate Apprentice, Marketing Apprentice, Learning Apprentice, Apprentice Potter and Curatorial Fellow. Additionally the Artist in Residence scheme provides emerging artists with the opportunity to continue developing skills in an inspiring environment resulting in an exhibition at the end of the year. They receive training to pass skills on to others, through outreach and on site workshops. Apprentices contribute to community life across Watts Gallery from working with young people at risk of offending, to assisting on the general management of the estate and supporting events and workshops. Joyce Hyslop, Apprentice Potter, has even restarted Mary Watts’s original terracotta evening classes, teaching local Compton residents.

 

The target of £8,000 will support five apprenticeship positions ensuring these vital roles can continue.

 

This is third challenging swim that Perdita has taken part in since October 2012 in a bid to raise money for Watts Gallery. Please support this quest to help apprentices at Watts Gallery.