See acclaimed photographer John Miles’ new ‘anti-digital’ series of collages, as well as maverick artist Kit Glaisyer’s striking “Dark Cafe” painting, and Jon Adam’s dramatic sky and cloud studies. These are just three of the twenty Bridport artists opening their studios over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. This follows the success of similar Open Studio events in August and December that have established Bridport as the new St Ives.
The small West Dorset town of Bridport is currently undergoing a remarkable cultural renaissance, with a vibrant art community comprising of dozens of artists, studios and galleries. As word of the ‘Bridport Art Scene’ continues to spread, collectors are taking note, and several top London Galleries are already showing the most promising artists.
At the heart of the creative renaissance is the St Michael’s Trading Estate, which has seen an explosion of artistic activity in recent years, as artists, sculptors, furniture makers and designers move into the rabbit warren of factories and warehouses that was once a proud rope-making industry.
St Michael’s Studios is the largest complex on the estate, established for nine years, with sixteen artists, and still growing. Twelve artists, all painters, are taking part in this Easter event, showing contemporary landscapes, figurative and pop art, abstraction and surrealism. The contributing artists are Kit Glaisyer, John Charlesworth, David Brooke, Caroline Ireland, Ian Dunn, John Rabbetts, Charles Hallsworth, Anna Sullock, Jo Barnes, Petra Hughes, Andrew Leppard and Prue Heward-Morgan.
https://bridportradio.co.uk/radio/Queen of England.mp3
Studio 14, also on the St Michael’s Trading Estate, has been running for four years, with seven artists taking part, showing photography, jewellery, glasswork, printmaking and painting. Artists include Kate Adler, Naomi Singer, Ronnie Cresswell, Marion Irons, John Miles, Sally Miles and Catherine Whatling.
Then head down the road to the Back Yard Studios at the Old Timberyard in West bay, where Jon Adam will be showing some new oils on canvas and board; and next door at Sladers Yard there’s a major painting exhibition “Robin Rae: A retrospective at 80”. Back in Bridport you can visit “Diversity”, an exhibition at the Bridport Arts Centre, and there’s a mixed exhibition of paintings and sculptures at the Pierrepoint Gallery on South Street.
https://bridportradio.co.uk/radio/01 _Superstar!_.mp3
David Ross, a keen collector of Bridport Art sums it up: “You can see why artists flock to Bridport – land & seascape, lots of places to drink, eat and relax and a genuinely welcoming community. The net result is wonderfully varied and exciting artworks – a wonderful and efficient showcase for all this artistic talent.”
St Michael’s Studios will be open from 10am – 5pm from Good Friday to Easter Monday, and on Saturday 22nd March from 3-5pm David Brooke & Caroline Ireland will be serving tea and cakes as refreshments for visitors.
Studio 14 will be open from Good Friday until Easter Monday, from 9am to 5pm every day.
Backyard Studios will be open 11 – 4, from Saturday 22nd to Easter Monday.
Website: www.bridport.org & Contact telephone: 0798 34 65 789
