Art in the Courtyard

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Sue Vincent

One of the joys of any visit to Glastonbury is, for me, the artwork. It is everywhere in the town, from public art to glorious graffiti. Almost every shop sells handcrafted work in every imaginable medium, from paintings and sculpture to clothing and jewellery… with the weird, wild and wonderful in between.

The buildings themselves are, for the most part, very old and date back centuries. The Tribunal and the George and Pilgrim, for example, date back to the 15th century. Many buildings are carved with strange creatures or enigmatic figures. There are odd door-knockers and narrow alleys… but everywhere there is something to catch the attention.

As most people had followed the maypole up the hill, there was a lull in proceedings and the town was suddenly quiet. We took the opportunity to pay the obligatory visit to Star Child. I would have gone there, just to breathe, even if we hadn’t wanted to buy incense; it is a delightful place… and, not being enamoured of the whole retail experience,  that is not something I often say of a shop!

Their front door alone is worth seeing, carved in sinuous lines from a huge piece of wood, it is a thing of real beauty that leads into a place that smells like paradise. I can’t help it if this sounds like an advert for the shop… just go there, if you are ever in Glastonbury and breathe for yourself. I love the innumerable drawers stuffed with dried herbs; it reminds me of the old herbalist in my home town where I first started to learn their medicinal uses.That too was a place of delight where Latin and common names came together to give a clue to the student,  but although it too smelled wonderful, the blending and burning of incense and fragrant oils in Glastonbury gives the shop a whole other dimension.

Star Child is to be found in the tiny Courtyard off the High Street. There are a number of other shops, but it is always the artwork that delights me, and for that there is no need to cross any threshold…it is everywhere.

Glastonbury is, by nature, a town that attracts the artist and the Bohemian as well as the seekers of light and legend. There is a ‘feel’ to the place that is hard to describe, but I know very few people who have not felt the spirit of the land run her fingers down their spine there. It is not in the town itself, nor in the shops…not even in the arts and crafts that you find it; they are just an outward sign of something much more subtle and I think, it it that which draws the artists, seekers  and creators to the place… something in the land itself, that knows it is revered and sacred. In Glastonbury, Avalon is never far away.

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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59 Responses to Art in the Courtyard

  1. barbtaub says:
    May 30, 2017 at 07:00

    I love the art as part of life approach. And especially love ” In Glastonbury, Avalon is never far away.” Now I really need to go to Glastonbury!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Henrietta Watson says:
    May 30, 2017 at 07:13

    A very good post and nice art. Thanks for sharing!

    Like

    Reply
  4. jenanita01 says:
    May 30, 2017 at 08:00

    Everyone should visit Glastonbury, they won’t be disappointed!
    I have often meant to look up what the name of the town actually means…

    Like

    Reply
  5. dagreenway says:
    May 30, 2017 at 08:10

    Enjoyed reading this and seeing the photographs. As Town Crier, there is no better place to be on a busy, sunny Saturday in the summer.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. claire says:
    May 30, 2017 at 08:17

    One of my favourite places also. Though I have only been there once in my youth it was a life changing experience, definitely a spiritual hub and where I got my first glimpse of true Christianity. Thanks for sharing the pictures i saw none of them during my long ago visit – maybe I should return.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. TanGental says:
    May 30, 2017 at 09:19

    Everything you say about Glastonbury is true, a wonderfully quirky, often kitsch and borderline crackers place that makes your shoulders relax even without realising it…. except the bloody incense. I must have a plebeian nose because I’m often overwhelmed by the assault. A bit of rosemary, or a vanilla pod and I’m your man but this supercalifragilisticacious discombobulation blows my sinuses…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Jessica Bakkers says:
    May 30, 2017 at 09:34

    Hang on a mo’ … I’m packing my bags….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Cathy says:
    May 30, 2017 at 10:37

    I love Glastonbury and went there a lot when we lived in Somerset. Hoping to visit again soon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. paulandruss says:
    May 30, 2017 at 11:12

    Gosh Sue, I went to this place when I visited Glastonbury about 10 years ago on Christmas eve. I had forgotten all about it til I saw the photographs. It was a fantastic and magical courtyard. Thanks for the memories.

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  11. stephrichmond says:
    May 30, 2017 at 11:49

    You should have stopped by and said hello.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Susan Scott says:
    May 30, 2017 at 12:07

    Avalon is never far away – another said my very words I wanted to make in this comment. Lovely post Sue thank you!

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  13. noelleg44 says:
    May 30, 2017 at 14:26

    How absolutely charming! The art of outside wall art is catching on Chapel Hill. We have murals on almost all the large buildings and little objets d’art here and there.

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  14. Sarah Brentyn says:
    May 30, 2017 at 17:38

    I love that door! And…just everything. The shop’s website… I’d have to leave my credit card at home. I could spend hours in there.
    I will never, ever, forget the feel of Glastonbury. It is… I have no words. But, yes, this: “In Glastonbury, Avalon is never far away.” ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. macjam47 says:
    May 30, 2017 at 21:58

    Your photos are outstanding. It’s so much fun to go on a tour with you.

    Like

    Reply
  16. willowdot21 says:
    May 30, 2017 at 22:47

    What a fabulous place. xx💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    May 31, 2017 at 06:32

    NOW I want to go shopping! I love your stories! I hope you are feeling better, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Adele Marie says:
    June 1, 2017 at 17:32

    I clicked on the link for Star Child. I agree it will be a place to visit for me. I can imagine entering the shop and just being.

    Like

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  19. supriwahyu says:
    July 10, 2017 at 14:01

    sweet.. its preety..

    Like

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  20. Lines of Lila says:
    August 3, 2017 at 18:06

    This is amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Darruda says:
    August 7, 2017 at 23:59

    The door reminds me of Dali, so inspiring to my works. Beautiful:)

    Like

    Reply
  22. vickisteward says:
    June 4, 2019 at 17:30

    Great article and photos Sue. You might like my blog too, as I write about and photograph this quirky little town, http://www.normalforglastonbury.uk

    Like

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