Hi art fans! I'm back! Apologies for my long silence but sadly this blogger has been ill recently. However, I'm on the mend now so its back to business. Well, pleasure really!
This is just a mini post to make you aware of some fantastic art events coming up in the North West (and Derbyshire), but I'll be working on some proper posts during this week and next.
HOST
HOST Weekend is this coming weekend, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September, starting 11am and finishing at 5pm on both days.
It is an Open Studios Trail in Kirklees (West Yorkshire), 'which brings together a wonderful
showcase of the district’s finest artists and blossoming new talent
offering a great weekend of visits and workshops to the public and a
chance for artists to share their work in their own unique settings and
group venues.
It is an opportunity to step inside the work spaces of artists across
Kirklees and learn about their practice, watch them in action, ask
questions and put faces to the artists behind the huge variety of
fantastic art being created here.'
Long time readers will remember me blogging about HOST last year, but sadly I will be unable to attend this time. I'd still highly recommend it though. There's nothing quite like hopping from venue to house to gallery and seeing artists at work or alongside their exhibitions, giving you the opportunity to question them on anything you want directly, gain real insight and perspective on their art work, inspirations and methods, pass on your compliments face to face, be inspired or try/ see something new. And its pretty much all free! In addition to the trail there are work shops and talks going on all this week throughout Kirklees, including, for example, Huddersfield's first ever Art Walk last night.
If you'd like more information on HOST or to plan your visit check out their website at http://hoststudios.co.uk. They're also on Twitter and Facebook.
If you go please get in touch and let me know what you saw and your thoughts, I'd be happy to feature any pictures you take and your thoughts/ feelings/ findings on a blog post too (all credited to you of course), so do let me know if you go.
A taste of HOST is pictured below; art work from the participating artists being displayed in Huddersfield Train station right now. Take a look if you are passing through.
Saltaire Festival
Another fantastic art event in West Yorkshire starting this weekend. Again, regular readers will know I went to and loved this event last year, but sadly I may not be able to attend this either in 2013 (although, I will see what I can do :) ).
Running from Saturday 14th to Sunday 22nd of September there is literally tons going on to satisfy all tastes and interests. For more information take a look at http://www.saltairefestival.co.uk/ and again, this event is on Twitter and Facebook. There's everything from live music and comedy, to a maker's fair, seminars, art exhibitions, children's events and a treasure hunt.
I was recently in Saltaire and caught site of some Fiona Clai Browns in window of one of the shops near the mill. There's always lots of beautiful art on display or available to buy around Saltaire. If it had been shop opening times I don't think I could have resisted popping in and buying something to go with my own Fiona Clai Brown Trojan horse, I simply adore her work.
Beyond Limits at Chatsworth House
Slightly further south in Derbyshire, this superb annual event kicked off on Mon 9th September and runs all the way until 27th October- so no excuse not to fit in a trip. The website isn't very illuminating as to whether or not a single artist is featured again this year or if it is a mix of artist, as is usually the custom. But, either way, myself and the Mr will be going in the next couple of weeks to check it out. What could possibly beat walking in the beautiful gardens of Chatsworth House, looking at sculpture in the open air, during the wonderful season of autumn? Not much :) Truly one of the highlights of my annual art- event calendar.
The website you need for more information is http://www.chatsworth.org/whats-on/events/beyond-limits-sculpture-exhibition-in-the-garden, although as I said, its not very illuminating!
Wakefield Art Walk
Judging by this event's enthusiastic and regular tweets the Wakefield Art Walk is getting bigger and bigger every time. I loved this event when I got to attend and certainly want to get over to it again (another West Yorkshire gem). The next art walk is on Wednesday 25th September and takes place in the evening. Not to be missed if you can get along to Wakefield on a week night
Don't be put off if the weather is bad either- the venues are all pretty close together, so you won't be out in any rain or wind for too long, and all the hosts at the venues are so friendly and inviting its worth the effort, with most venues offering light complimentary refreshments to visitors. Good old Yorkshire hospitality :)
For a venue map and venue details head to the website http://artwalk.org.uk. Also, as is the modern way, this event is on Twitter and Facebook.
Can you help?
If you know of any art events that I haven't mentioned on my blog please get in touch and let me know of them, particularly any going on in Lancashire (where I actually live!). I'm always keen to try new things/ places/ events. I can be contacted in the following ways- @BekhaG on Twitter, I'm on Facebook or email me at rebecca.greensides@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you!
Random exhibition banner photographed from the Grand Canal.
