END-of-life charity, Treetops Hospice, is supporting Derby Cathedral’s large-scale Peace Doves art installation created by renowned sculptor and artist Peter Walker, which will see 8,000 paper doves suspended above the nave in Derby Cathedral from April 23 to 12 June.
Treetops Hospice, in Risley, has asked patients and counselling clients – as well as members of staff and volunteers – to decorate doves with messages of peace, love and hope.
A number of community groups have been doing the same with Derby visual arts organisation Artcore, and schools across the City and County have also taken part in the mass participation community arts project.
The doves have been sent back to the Cathedral where Peter Walker will transform them into a stunning display that aims to reflect the thoughts and feelings of people across Derby and Derbyshire, accompanied by a tranquil soundscape from composer David Harper.
Julie Mehigan, Treetops Compassionate Communities Engagement Lead, explained that the hospice was honoured to be involved, she said:
“This has been a great opportunity for involving our patients, staff and volunteers in this iconic art installation at the Cathedral. We’ve held sessions at the hospice where the doves have been decorated in a wide variety of styles, all reflecting messages of love, hope and peace for the future. We can’t wait to see the final installation.”
It is hoped that the project, which will be free to visit, will attract tourists to the city, unite the community and raise funds for the upkeep of the Cathedral.
Approximately 65,000 people visited the Museum of the Moon at Derby Cathedral back in 2019 while the 27ft-Knife Angel sculpture attracted 200,000 visitors to the city.
‘Peace Doves’ will be unveiled to the public for the first time on Saturday 23rd April until June 12, 2022. Entry to the Cathedral will be free of charge and donations are requested which will go towards the care and work of Derby Cathedral helping to keep its doors open for all. Online booking is advised.
For more information, please visit: derbycathedral.org/peacedoves.
