The ‘Diss Pub Scrawl’ showcases pubgoers’ artworks in a new exhibition
Some of the contributions to the Diss Pub Scrawl project. Picture: Stuart Anderson - Credit: Archant
This is certainly not the first time pub-goers have flipped over a beer mat to doodle away or scribble a message.
Some of the contributions to the Diss Pub Scrawl project. Picture: Stuart Anderson - Credit: Archant
But the Diss Pub Scrawl is, perhaps, the first time some of these tiny art creations have been included in an art exhibition in a Norfolk town.
The team at the Diss Corn Hall launched the project in September, leaving hundreds of beer mats, along with pens and markers, in pubs around the town, and at their own in-house bar, the Grain.
Most of the mats have now made it onto the Corn Hall's walls, and arts and heritage outreach officer Justine Moss said she was impressed with the result.
Ms Moss said: "There's a mixture of doodles, designs that have been really well thought out, caricatures of friends and observations.
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"I was a little bit worried that people wouldn't take it seriously, but everyone has put a lot of thought into it and they have created some wonderful artworks - we have some really creative beer mats here."
Some of the mats contain a simple message, such as 'Steven Seagal has been to Diss, have you?' or 'I love Corn Hall', while other feature drawings of animals, local buildings, and even a colourful skull design.
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Ms Moss said the project was also about making art more open and accessible.
She said: "It shows that art is open to everyone, and it's a good way of getting people involved in art who wouldn't normally do so.
"If you can write, you can draw, and sometimes when you're not thinking too hard about it, or if you've had a few beers, you can make something really nice."
Ms Moss said the idea for the Pub Scrawl came from a colleague, Jess Johnston, who had seen a similar exhibition elsewhere.
Diss pubs that took part in the project included the Saracen's Head, Thatcher's Needle, the Greyhound, the Cock and the Waterfront.
The Diss Pub Scrawl is free to visit in the Corn Hall's upper gallery until October 18.
The beer mats will be showcased - and people will have the chance to draw more - at the Corn Hall Beer, Gin and Rum Festival, which is taking place from Friday to Sunday alongside the Diss Food and Drink Festival. There will also be demonstrations and workshops happening at the Corn Hall.
