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Sculptor carves out national recognition

FORMER student and current lecturer at Moulton College, Mark McDonnell has won a national competition run by the Worshipful Company of Masons to create a sculpture to raise money for the British Red Cross – a charity offering support to people in crisis.

Supporting the British Red Cross Christmas event, the Masons funded and ran a competition to contribute an item to raise money for the cause. Stonemasons from all over the country were asked to submit an artist’s impression of their proposed design. Mark’s design was chosen by the Competition Committee and has been sold at auction for over £2,000, raising money for the British Red Cross.

The sculpture, carved by hand from a block of Portland limestone portrays a draped stonemason climbing a tracery window. Mark dedicated over three months to produce the piece, which stands 900mm tall, and 500mm wide.

Giles Clapp from the Worshipful Company of Masons said: “The Christmas fair by the British Red Cross offers a wonderful opportunity for the Masons to get involved and raise money for such a worthy cause as well as showcasing the fantastic work of artists in the country. Mark’s design stood out to us for its intricacy, poignancy and humour as a fellow stonemason at work – basically it made us both smile and think. Since its arrival at our offices, the sculpture has received considerable praise and interest, and we had little doubt that the piece would do very well in the auction.”

Mark, who won his very first prize as a stonemasonry student at Moulton College, has since won numerous prizes for his work, including the European Stone Carving festival in 2017 and 2018.

Moulton College is one of only five venues in the UK to study this unique trade. To find out more about stonemasonry courses at Moulton College call 01604 491131 or visit www.moulton.ac.uk

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