Paint Jam returns to Ludlow for Fringe Festival opening

The Ludlow Paint Jam will return for its fourth year on Saturday, June 17, from 10am to 4pm, once more as part of the Ludlow Fringe Festival's opening weekend.

About a dozen artists of different styles and backgrounds are set to congregate in Ludlow’s Castle Square to give visitors and townsfolk alike a taste of how they create their work, making artwork on six-foot boards in front of the eyes of onlookers.

The Paint Jam is organised by the Ludlow Arts Society for the Fringe Festival, which will see a host of exhibitions, comedy, music, theatre and street events taking place across the town over the next two weeks.

The idea came former chairman Sam Manley, who said he wanted to bring something “new and dynamic” to the festival when he ran the first event in 2014.

Current chairman John Jarvis said it was now a well established part of the summer festivities.

He said: "You can either watch artists at work, or bring your own paints and board and join in. Both small and large paintings will be painted, in all sorts of styles. If you have no paints you can still have a go on the public boards.

"The annual event brings together some of the area’s great artistic talent. This year a silent auction of the paintings will take place throughout the day as they are painted, and a main auction will take place at 4pm on Castle Square on the day.

"20 percent commission will go to Famine Aid in Africa."

His said this year the event would be held also as part of the Big Get Together weekend in memory of Jo Cox MP.

On Sunday, June 18, there will be a Big Tea Party on the Square from noon to 4pm to mark the Big Get Together.

Mr Jarvis said to take part in the Paint Jam is free, but anyone wanting to have their own board should email organiser Tom Crowe beforehand at tomcrowe1@yahoo.com to ensure they have a space.

Last year saw the likes of Charlie Adlard, best known for illustrating the Walking Dead comics on which the hit TV show is based, join in.