Purbeck's Art Festival has grown substantially over the last 10 years. The 2012 16-day event, running from the 26 May - 10 June, celebrates an impressive cultural programme, encompassing visual art, music, dance, film and story-telling. Drawing on the success of previous years, a major part of the 2012 Festival is the active involvement of Purbeck's Young Artists. This sees 12-schools across the region working together to help school-children develop their artistic expression and exhibit their work at the festival.
Imerys operates five open pits and a central storage and processing works at Furzebrook and contributes many millions of pounds to the Dorset economy.
Dorset is one of just two places in Britain where Ball Clay is found. Ball Clay, which can be found in products in most homes including tiles and sanitary ware, is regarded as a mineral of international importance because of its special qualities and rare occurrence.
Imerys are keen supporters of the Purbeck Festival. One of its main aspects of interest is the creative festival art workshops taking place in a dozen local schools, as they will be using Ball Clay as one of the mediums. The results will be on display as part of the festival, shown at Rollington Barn throughout the 16 days.
Anne Hourigan, Head of PAW Festival publicity, said: 'The Isle of Purbeck is a wonderful area of natural beauty full of creative people. The Purbeck Art Weeks (PAW) Festival celebrates diversity of artistic expression. With the Olympics coming to Dorset, it's great to provide a festival that covers so many art forms and that will captivate the visitors drawn to the region and local people living here.
'We greatly value the support from Imerys, which plays such an important role in our local Purbeck community and would like to extend a massive thank you for the company’s ongoing support.'
Chris Cleaves, UK Ball Clays General Manager for Imerys, said: 'Once again we are proud to add Purbeck Art Weeks to the many charities and good causes Imerys supports.
'Imerys takes its social and environmental responsibilities very seriously, so when we were approached to be part of the festival we knew it fitted our community ethos.
'Last year we were very impressed with the festival and we are all looking forward to being involved again in 2012 – especially to seeing what the local schoolchildren come up with when they get creative with clay.'
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