Shropshire hills come alive with art
Artists across rural south Shropshire are getting ready to open their workshops and show off their craft for a week of art starting on Monday.
The 2017 Shropshire Hills Art Week will take place from June 3 to 11 and involve more than 70 diverse artists living and working in and around the Shropshire Hills AONB area, which covers much of south Shropshire and boasts one of Britain’s finest landscapes.
Started in 2014 by Jules McRobbie, this year more artists than ever are opening their homes and studios or joining in group shows across the region.
MR McRobbie said: "The Shropshire Hills Art Week has become a highlight in the early summer calendar. Visitors have an opportunity to buy art direct from the maker, and discuss the inspiration and methods which motivate artists, while visiting interesting places and maybe having a slice of cake and a cuppa.
"Now in our fourth year, we are very excited about the range and variety of excellent work on offer, and we want people to feel able to come and talk to our artists, to look and ask questions, and to find out more about how art is made. Everything is for sale, and many artists also take commissions, so you could take something truly unique home with you.
"The event runs from Bishop’s Castle, Norbury and Church Stretton in the north to Broseley and Bayton in the east, Craven Arms in the middle, Brampton Bryan in the south, and Knucklas, Knighton, Bleddfa and Clun in the west.
"We really do have something for everyone. Many of our venues and artists also offer coffee and cake or light lunches, so you can relax and enjoy a day out in beautiful surroundings".
Featured art will include painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, book binding, felting, upholstery, woodcarving, folk art, digital works, sculpture and pottery.
New for 2017 is the Bishop’s Castle Sculpture Trail, a tour of the town on foot to spot all creatures great and small made by Roj Williams, mainly from, waste metals.
Also new for this year, the Bleddfa Centre in the Radnorshire Hills will be taking part, hosting Russell Morris's touching installation ‘All the Days She Can Spare’, a mix of drawings, prints and poetry in response to his mother’s gradual decline with Alzheimer’s during her final years in hospital.
Brochures for the Shropshire Hills Art Week are available in libraries, cafes, tourist information centres and other venues, or online at www.ShropshireHillsArtWeek.co.uk.
