Heads, Leaves And Green Men

Over 500 people took inspiration from the Minster, discovering hidden details through close observation and learning that drawing could help them see.

Eleven artists brought real foliage to the 13th century Chapter House to complement the intricate stone carvings. Re-inforced by students from Minster School and Nottingham, they introduced participants to a variety of drawing materials for making individual sketches. A huge mural of features of the nave and a long paper roll filling the north transept depicting part of the Chapter House were produced as a result.

Visitors drew

• portraits of choir boys
• a Canon in a marvellous Jacobean cope
• organists practising for evensong
• musicians
• a dog whipper-in, complete with dog!

Choirs rehearsing inspired visitors to make careful studies of the mediaeval carved heads and vegetation above them, or of the real people all around.

The building came alive in response to the intensity of observational drawing activity that filled it all day, and housed an exhibition of the work produced afterwards.