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Henry Moore sculptures to come to Lewes and Dieppe in major Anglo-French project in Summer 2004

A major cultural event is to take place in Lewes next summer, when the sculptures of Henry Moore will be at the centre of an Anglo-French education project designed to strengthen the cross-border co-operation between Lewes and Dieppe .

The team that brought Rodin's Kiss back to Lewes has secured major works of art by Henry Moore on loan from The Henry Moore Foundation for a project called “Land and Sea” that extends established cultural and educational collaboration between East Sussex and Dieppe .

Sculpture Exhibitions Limited and the Chateau Musée de Dieppe, in partnership with Lewes District Council and Lewes Town Council have been awarded funds from the Franco-British Interreg European Programme to organise this educational project centred on the work of Henry Moore, to be shown concurrently in Lewes Town Hall and the Chateau Musée de Dieppe.

Mr David Mitchinson, Head of Collections at the Henry Moore Foundation says “ I am delighted that this event will be held in Lewes. The Foundation shows its collection regularly overseas, less so in Britain , and we are pleased to be involved in this unusual initiative”

There will be a strong emphasis on an educational programme, with the involvement of English students from Sussex Downs College in Lewes and French students from Lycée Emulation Dieppoise in Dieppe .

Through visits and workshops, young people will be encouraged to study together to learn more about the landscape of the cross-border region, while increasing their knowledge and understanding of modern sculpture and the use of new technology in the arts.

The “Land and Sea” theme will focus on the chalk and flint base of both regions. The show at Lewes will have pieces centred around the theme of landscape, while at Dieppe , figures will have a maritime content reflecting the specialism of the museum's maritime collections.

Also taking part in the Henry Moore project will be Lewes District Council's art galleries at the Crypt in Seaford and Thebes in Lewes, where young artists, working in digital media will reflect on the work of Moore .

Ann De Vecchi, the Leader of Lewes District Council said: “This exciting project will offer educational opportunities to many people in our local communities and young people should benefit especially. It follows on our successful bid to the Interreg II programme, which enabled the award-winning ‘Rodin in Lewes' to take place in 1999 and we hope it will bring economic benefits to the District as did ‘The Kiss' four years ago”.

The “Land and Sea” project was proposed by Sculpture Exhibitions Limited who have been working in partnership with Lewes District Council and others to shape this educational and cultural event and secure funding.

Sculpture and Print Workshops are integral to the project and will be held in Lewes for both schools and individuals throughout July and August 2004. More information about this and Print Workshops, which remain to be confirmed, will be available in the New Year.

The partners in the project include: Lewes District Council, Lewes Town Council, Dieppe Town Council, Sussex Downs College , the Lycée Emulation Dieppoise and Les Amis du Vieux Dieppe – Amis du Musée.

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Note:

Lewes District Council covers a population of about 92,000 people on the south coast, in the coastal area between Saltdean and Seaford and from Newhaven to Newick in the north.

Media enquiries to:

Jane Zara
Tel: 07979 853559
janezara@aol.com