2005
sense of place : place of sense

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•  The beacon atmosphere

The atmosphere over the four weekends was convivial. Visitors enjoyed travelling through the countryside, appreciated the tea and coffee break at the village hall and also the Chapel stop giving an opportunity of active participation in the project.

'All artists provided something different from each other yet were linked.'

Several people commented on the friendliness and helpfulness of the beacon helpers and guides:

'A unique event administered in a friendly, informative low-key manner.'

Some people valued the fact that the experience was free:

'I believe the trip and exhibition have been managed in a sophisticated manner allowing visitors to enjoy the exhibition in a cost free environment. This I believe is an extremely strong key factor.'

•  Perceptions of contemporary art

There was a consensus from the audience who had attended in 2004 that the event was better this year:

'Good to see the progression from last year, has truly stepped up a level, is more ambitious and has a grander scale about it.'

'A perceived development on last year's excursion. The excursion seems to say more.'

Over half the respondents said the excursion had made them feel differently about something, usually their views on contemporary art:

'The ideas presented challenged our ideas about art which are (were after today) rather narrow.'

People's comments suggested that they were not sure what to expect:

'Having persuaded people to come along today, I was worried that some of the work would be inaccessible but my worries were unfounded.'

Beacon encouraged people to view contemporary art in a positive light,

'Not having any idea what I was coming to I was surprised it was such an interesting and enjoyable afternoon. Perhaps there is something in this conceptual art.'

•  Lincolnshire and rural areas

There was strong support for what Beacon is doing and a desire to see more such events:

'It's difficult to see contemporary challenging art in Lincolnshire, so this project is welcome.'

'It is so unlikely to see such art in rural Lincolnshire that that is surprise enough for me.'

'[It] meant very much to feel there is the opportunity in Lincoln to come to a contemporary exhibition. For me the actual reality of having this in Lincolnshire is tremendous.'

People's views of the county and rural areas in general were also changed by the Beacon experience:

'A treat to have a more unusual take on visiting a rural area - not just National Trust and tea shops etc'

With an understanding of the remoteness,

'...sometimes Lincolnshire feels like a cultural desert.'

Some people began to see the area in a more positive light,

'Lincolnshire is a landscape which is ripe for experimentation - it is minimal, flat and uncomplicated.'