Huge Somerset Art Festival Returns This Month

South Somerset is readying itself for an explosion of creativity as Somerset Art Weeks returns to the region later on in the month.

Over a third of the art festival's 100 venues are within the district, and the work of 400 artists will be on open display in our county's largest visual arts festival to date.

Be sure to check out the events and exhibitions that run from 17 September to 2 October.

The events are being supported by the district council, which works with organisers Somerset Art Works to bring high quality arts activities into local settings.

Venues range from private homes and studios, museums, outdoors, village shops and public spaces, and this year the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton will be transformed into a display for artist Jon England, who has based his work on the museum's world renowned aircraft restoration programme.

Lanes Hotel at West Coker is joining the list of venues for the first time in a collaboration with a new artist studio, the Old School Room, which has just opened in the village.

Yeovil itself plays host to seven venues this year, including Yeovil District Hospital, town centre cafes, Vintage Fair, Art Gallery Cafe, Number 50 Cafe, The Octagon Theatre, Oaklands Children's Centre and Yeovil Innovation Centre.

Pauline Burr, Arts Development Officer at SSDC said: "We are very pleased with the opportunity to give visitors a glance at the quality work that South Somerset offers.

"The work ranges from figurative to abstract, traditional to contemporary, and even includes some performance and interactive work. People can pick up the guide from any of the participating venues or the Tourist Information Centres and take this opportunity to enjoy some of the talent and creativity right here in South Somerset."

Cllr Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Health and Well Being added: "There are thousands of creative artists in the area and the district council aims to help them to develop and open doors for them. We want to create opportunities for them.

"The events also give visitors the chance to see a wide range of art for free. It's not just for art experts – anyone can go."

 

Click here for more information on Somerset Art Weeks, and to find an event near you click here.

Photo: Manchester Library, Flickr