Fresh Air Sculpture

Fresh Air Sculpture A biennial multi-media sculpture exhibition set in 5 acres of a beautiful Cotswolds garden
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24/07/2026

In a series of films looking back at some of the highlights of this year’s show, we also chat to some of the artists.

In this episode, our Curator, Stephanie Cushing, talks to during de-installation, about the inspiration behind his work.

British sculptor Jobe Burns draws inspiration from the industrial landscape of the Black Country, where he grew up. After studying at Chelsea College of Arts and completing an MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art, he has developed a distinctive practice that explores themes of place, memory, labour and our connection to the land.

Burns works with an extraordinary range of materials, including cast iron, rusted steel, stone, clay, pigments, jute and reclaimed architectural fragments. Combining traditional craftsmanship with industrial processes, he transforms heavy, weathered materials into beautifully textured sculptures that feel both ancient and contemporary. Every piece tells a story, inviting us to look beyond the surface and consider the history held within the materials themselves.

We love how Jobe’s work celebrates texture, imperfection and the beauty of raw materials. His sculptures are a wonderful reminder that inspiration can often be found in overlooked places and that every mark, surface and material has a story to tell. If you enjoy contemporary sculpture and expressive making, he’s definitely an artist worth following

Sculpture: Nurture and Neglect

Contact: www.jobeburns.com

20/07/2026

In a series of films looking back at some of the highlights of this year’s show, we also chat to some of the artists.

Starting the series, our Founder and Chair of Trustees, Lucy Abel Smith, talks to during de-installation about the inspiration behind her complex and striking glass sculptures. Apologies for the background noise.

Carrie Anne Funnell is an award-winning British glass artist known for her beautiful kiln-formed glass sculptures. Her work captures the way light, colour and texture interact, creating pieces that feel both contemporary and inspired by nature.

Working with her partner, Sean Mickleburgh, Carrie creates bespoke glass artworks for homes, gardens and public spaces. Every piece is individually designed, making each commission completely unique.

From the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to private collections around the world, Carrie Anne Funnell’s work continues to showcase the incredible possibilities of glass as an art form.

Contact: www.carrieannefunnell.co.uk

03/07/2026

Carnival of the Animals Young Students Challenge COLLECTION OF ENTRIES
If you’d like your entry back, please collect it from the education tent at Fresh Air Sculpture by 4pm on our last day, Sunday July 5th. Any entries left after that time will be recycled.

If you’d like to pop in to fetch your entry, just let our team know on the gate, as you come in.

The show will be open from 10am - 5pm Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July 2026. The gates will close at 5pm for the final time.

We’ve been overwhelmed by all the fabulous entries to this challenge! Thanks to all the students who came up with such colourful and imaginative sculptures.

Your work has been on display in the cubes throughout the show, so if you entered, you can feel very proud of yourself!

We’ll be notifying and announcing the winners shortly!

27/06/2026

Celebrating the work of ‘British Makers’ our final Pool House Gallery exhibition is a gleaming showcase of glass, ceramics, wire, driftwood and metalwork, marquetry, willow work, textiles, mosaics and so much MORE! Thank you to all the artists taking part. You are all amazingly talented!

OUR FINAL WEEK!
Please visit freshairsculpture.com for everything you need to know about opening times, parking, children’s workshops and our kids Carnival of the Animals Challenge.

We’ve got delicious refreshments every day from and remember that every piece of art and sculpture on display in our gardens and in the Pool House gallery are for sale.

The show is open from 10am every day until Sunday 5th July, when we will be closing our gates for the last time. Sorry, no picnics. Parking is available at the top of the village and shady areas under the trees and in the Fringe area at the church opposite. There’s a second hand book sale over in the church too, if you want to escape the sun!

Tickets for Fresh Air Sculpture 2026 are on our website. Tap the link in our bio to secure yours for this final celebration of art and nature. You can also buy tickets and catalogues on the gate.

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for the last nine days of Fresh Air Sculpture 2026!

We hope you enjoy our LAST BLAST!

Take a look at these incredible entries for our Young Students Competition! We’re showcasing as many as possible inside ...
18/06/2026

Take a look at these incredible entries for our Young Students Competition! We’re showcasing as many as possible inside the Louisa Fitch cubes during the three weeks of Fresh Air Sculpture 2026.

It’s an amazing chance for young artists to see their work on public display! There is still time to enter! If your children or grandchildren want to take part, here’s what you need to know.

🦁 Theme: The Carnival of the Animals
🐝 Size: Maximum 20cm in any direction. You might make a selection of small pieces but they must all fit inside the 30x30x30 cube gallery
🐳 Materials: Recycled, reused, clay, wire, or mixed media, paint, collage, sculpture, anything!
🦒 Who: All students aged 18 and under, in 3 age categories. Under 10s, 11–14yrs, and 15–18yrs.
🐮 Big Prizes: £100 (1st), £30 (2nd), and £20 (3rd) cash prizes in every age category.
🪲 Exhibition: Entries will be displayed at the Fresh Air Sculpture 2026 Show.

HOW TO ENTER:
1️⃣ Visit freshairsculpture.com
2️⃣ Complete the free online entry form.
3️⃣ Deliver your sculpture to The Old Rectory, Quenington, GL7 5BN

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Deadline for delivering entries: Friday 3rd July
Judging will take place: Saturday 4th July. Minimum entries required and the judges decision is final.

THE YOUNG STUDENTS ART GALLERY CHALLENGE is hosted at Fresh Air Sculpture 2026 and is a collaboration with Louisa Fitch

Fresh Air Sculpture 2026 runs daily from Sunday 14 June to Sunday 5 July 2026 at The Old Rectory, Quenington. Open 10am–5pm daily

Tickets for Fresh Air Sculpture 2026 are available online! Tap the link in our bio or in our stories to secure yours for this final celebration of art and nature.

Address

The Old Rectory, Quenington
Cirencester
GL75BN

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