News
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Artweeks: The County's Oldest and Biggest Open Studio Event
From 7th to the 30th May 2011, Oxfordshire artists and craftspeople will open their studios to the public for one of the county’s most important arts festivals. More than 500 free exhibitions and events across the whole of the county enable visitors to view spectacular art in a huge variety of different locations, from barns and halls in Cotswold villages, to city studios, galleries, open spaces, schools, homes and even the a castle.
For three weeks, you will be able to visit open studios in towns and venues across Oxfordshire for free. The first week of the festival will take place across the south of the county, with exhibitions along the Thames from Faringdon to Henley and the Ridgeway from Wantage to Thame. The second week will focus on beautiful North Oxfordshire, where venues can be found nestled from Burford and Chipping Norton in the Cotswolds across to the historic market towns of Bicester and Banbury. The final week of the Artweeks 2011 is centred on Oxford itself, where nearly 200 art spaces in and around the city open their doors to the public.
Artweeks is the opportunity for a wonderful day out: expect the unexpected, be inspired, diverted and delighted – and come home with a unique artwork of your own. You’ll be able to meet artists, talk about their work, watch demonstrations and maybe have a go yourself. Or simply feast your eyes on a huge range of creative activity, from painting, photography, textiles, sculpture and ceramics to furniture, glass, mosaics, jewellery, digital art and much more. Established in 1981, Oxfordshire Artweeks is the country’s oldest and biggest open studio event.
Highlights of the Artweeks programme:
Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot
Saturday 7th - Sunday 22nd May
A first exhibition for artist Jerry Hancock of aerosol art showing imaginative abstract scapes of cities and countryside.
Cumnor Arty Party, St Michael’s Church
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th May
The Saxon church of St Michael’s celebrates the richness and diversity of artistic expression with live performances of poetry, story telling, music, bell ringing, singing and home-made cakes.
Witney Art Studios
Saturday 7th - Sunday 22nd May
12 working studios demonstrating and exhibiting drawing, painting, jewellery, photography and stained glass.
