An exhibition of artworks and poems inspired by Haldon Forest has opened in Teignmouth, and includes a ‘taster’ of a much bigger forest-based arts project for 2027.

‘Unearthing Haldon – Forest, Heath and Folk through painting and poetry’ opened on Saturday, May 30 at TAAG (Teignmouth Art Action Group)’s gallery, and runs until Friday June 12.

It’s part of the ongoing Haldon Traces project by the Teign Contemporary group of artists and poets, who said: “We are researching and walking the Haldon Forest, sketching, writing, collaborating, workshopping and already exhibiting our work in progress.

“We are learning together, bringing new ideas to the group and experimenting collectively. The wide headings of Forest, Folk and Heath are proving incredibly fruitful. We have found a 14th century serial killer, our Mad Monk, a history of prehistoric settlers in search of unusually precious flints, a wartime prisoner camp and an airstrip. Words and pictures are arriving apace and are splendid.”

The ‘work in progress’ will be developed as part of a collaboration between Teign Contemporary and Forestry England. The group will be creating a large, long-term outdoor exhibition in Haldon Forest Park, and will hold art and writing courses in Forestry England’s yurt in the park throughout 2027.

Further information about this project is on display in the TAAG exhibition.

Teign Contemporary’s Haldon Traces project follows their ‘Unearthing Templer Way’ exploration of the 18-mile route by which granite was transported from the quarries at Haytor to Teignmouth’s seaport docks. This work produced exhibitions, performance, workshops and a coffee table book.

One of the group, Rachael Bennett, was previously a leading artist in the “Unearthing Dartmoor” project in 2021, which produced a book and several exhibitions, including a long partnership exhibition and events at The Dartmoor Centre in Princetown.

The Haldon Traces exhibition is at TAAG Arts, 4-5 Northumberland Place, Teignmouth TQ14 8DD, open 10am-5pm daily.