Findhorn's Universal Hall complete at last as phoenix mosaic unveiled after community link-up
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THE finishing touch has finally been put in place at the Findhorn Foundation's Universal Hall – more than 40 years after it was built.
A team of 40 artists, stonemasons and volunteers – including helpers from outwith the spiritual community – have been working since April on a large-scale phoenix mosaic terrace outside the distinctive events venue.
The artwork is designed in the old Findhorn pottery style to honour the foundation's past. Each ceramic piece was designed, shaped, glazed and fired from recycled clay in the community's pottery.
Simon Steadman, the Findhorn Foundation's chief financial officer, said the team had created "a legend" and the phoenix symbolism of rebirth and transformation was apt for these times.
The mosaic was completed on Sunday, November 15, and officially opened this morning – the 58th birthday of the Findhorn Foundation community. Donors from within the community and around the world contributed to funding its creation.
Mr Steadman said the unveiling marked a watershed moment in the relationship between the foundation and the wider Moray community.
He said: "I'm really hopeful of what might come out of this in terms of greater collaboration and working together in partnership between the foundation and the wider community."
Caroline Matters, chief executive of the foundation, said it was wonderful to see the initial vision for the venue realised.
She added: "It's been such a community effort. We have amazing artists and craftspeople here who have come together to create this. It was a complete labour of love."
Caroline Shaw and Alessandro Daboni co-managed the project. Caroline said: "I worked on the hall but we never had the money or the time to complete the terrace, so for me this is the completion of a vision that was created in the early seventies."
Alessandro added: "The mosaic is a testament to collaboration. With collaboration we've created something of a wonder."
The pentagon-shaped Universal Hall was built over a decade starting in 1974 by thousands of people – mostly volunteers visiting or living at the community.
Located at the edge of Findhorn's sand dunes, the Universal Hall was built as the theatre, conference centre and meeting point for the foundation and community.
Designed by British architect George Ripley, the hall has a hand-carved stone exterior, stained-glass entrance, geodesic roof construction and five enormous wooden ring beams holding up the roof. At its heart is an auditorium that seats 280 people.
Pre-Covid, the auditorium was primarily used for music, drama and dance performances and as a conference venue.
Chief executive Caroline said the foundation, which runs courses and residencies, had seen 85 per cent of its income wiped out by the pandemic.
She said they were looking anew at how to fundraise, engage with people online and keep the foundation thriving in incredibly challenging times.
