Bridport’s Visual Arts scene really is the envy of the West Country, which is hardly surprising as the area has been attracting artists since the 60’s, giving rise to a flourishing and diverse art community. The Spirit of Bridport Festival of Culture is a showcase for much that is going on in this remarkable little town, and runs from 11-27 August. Visit www.festivalofculture.com for more details.
The annual “Bridport & West Dorset Open Studios” event is one of the largest events taking place during the Festival, with over 100 artists from across Bridport and the surrounding area opening their doors, so we encourage art lovers to take a look inside and see the artists in their natural habitat!
The Open event takes place over the three weekends of the Festival and plays host to wide range of artists from well-known names to emerging artists and keen new-comers. Works on show include abstract, landscape and figurative paintings, film, photography, graphic design, illustration, textiles, furniture and ceramics. The event is on this weekend, Sat 18, Sun 19, and continues over the Bank Holiday weekend, Sat 25, Sun 26 & Mon 27 August. Visit www.bridportopenstudios.co.uk for more information and pick up a Free Guide from Bridport Arts Centre, the Tourist Information Centre or from St Michael’s Studios in the Art & Vintage Quarter.
An exciting new exhibition is “Eype Contemporary”, which presents a selection of some of Bridport’s most innovative and inventive visual artists, curated by artist Kit Glaisyer. Participating artists include Jollyon Carter, Nicholas Kalinoski, Wendy Poole and Daniel Bendel. The exhibition takes place at Eype Centre of the Arts – which is also where PJ Harvey recorded her recent Mercury award-winning album “Let England Shake”. Visit www.eypechurcharts.co.uk for more details.
Then head down to ”John Miles & George Wright” at the Salt House in West Bay for an exhibition by these two highly-renowned photographers. John Miles is a photographer and writer who has lectured extensively and been exhibited in England, France, Chile and America. George Wright has travelled from Djibouti to Irian Jaya, and his work is in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery and Dorset County Council. www.richmondhouseeditions.com
While you’re in West Bay, be sure to visit “Sladers Yard” Gallery & Café, which will be showing two exhibitions over the Festival. On the first weekend catch new paintings by Julian Bailey, whose exhibition centres on paintings of Weymouth and Lulworth, many of which have a nautical theme. Also showing Martin Miller’s reclaimed metal and wood ships, and Ian Mckay’s tiny and playful Mal de Mer Automata. Then from the second weekend explore “Classical Elements” a major solo show of paintings by Vanessa Gardiner, who won the Prince of Wales Bursary for the Arts by the British School at Athens, enabling her to embark on a series of trips to Greece. Her British perspective on Olympian architecture and landscape is bold and rigorous. See her work alongside contemporary furniture by Petter Southall, a former traditional boat-builder in his native Norway. Visit www.sladersyard.co.uk
Also, taking place at Sladers Yard on Saturday 25th August at 8pm is ‘Bearing Greek Gifts’, with poet and actor Margaret Eddershaw performing classic Greek poetry (Homer and others), alongside poems inspired by the current Vanessa Gardiner exhibition. Tickets £8 or £23 with supper. Advance bookings: 01308 459 511
Back in Bridport you’ll discover “CounterSpirit”, a transgressive trans-media art project with installations and events by half a dozen artists that will occupy shops and other venues across the town, led by artists David Rogers and Nigel Slight. For more information about this cutting-edge event visit www.electricbackroom.org.uk
Another key exhibition that we’ve already covered in a previous Blog is “HOME”, an exhibition by photographer Robert Golden at the Allsop Gallery, Bridport Arts Centre. This is described as “a compassionate and hauntingly powerful exhibition recording key moments of social and political change caused by globalisation over the last forty years and the impact of these events on the lives of most people.” Visit www.bridport-arts.com for more details.
Robert Golden will also be leading a Masterclass on Monday 20 August, 10am – 4pm, which presents an opportunity to explore, with Robert, the how, what and why of taking pictures. This event is suitable for both professional and amateur photographers. Tickets £15 and booking is essential, on 01308 424204.
