The biggest open studios event in Wales is entering its last weekend this Friday as the Helfa Gelf Art Trail 2013 draws to a close. There is still an opportunity to visit over 300 artists in 171 studios and pop-up galleries across the counties of Gwynedd, Conwy, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 September.
This year the Helfa Gelf Art Trail has included bus tours and an artists in residence and workshop programme at the Ruthin Craft Centre, and the bursary scheme has enabled artists in every county to open temporary pop-up studios.
The residencies and workshops at the Ruthin Craft Centre have been very popular. “Mandy Coates’ workshop was excellent. She is an engaging, eloquent maker and an excellent teacher; it was fantastic. I think we may need to do this again!” said Philip Hughes, Gallery Director of the Ruthin Craft Centre.
The bus tours were well attended with everyone enjoying the day. Hannah Fleck, who went on the Conwy bus tour, said, “Many thanks to the Helfa Gelf team and the artists involved in the Conwy bus tour today. We had a fantastic time. I’ve often seen the open studios advertised but have not felt confident to visit; next year I look forward to planning our own family tour. I hope that we might be able to see some more studios this September. The tour was very well constructed with a wonderful variety of styles and media.”
Temporary galleries have been popping up in every county with 14 studios receiving bursary award to help artists pay the rent. Alison Englefield, an artist who lives on Anglesey, joined a dozen other artists who have been exhibiting in pop-up galleries at Parc Glynllifon, near Caernarfon.
“I have been heartened by how people relate to my images of conscientious objectors in the first and second World Wars. It unlocks viewers’ own memories and emotional responses. Many visitors have insisted I must get this work out to a wider circle of people. Without having Helfa Gelf this year, I wouldn’t be meeting such a wide audience,” said Alison Englefield, artist.
Funding has allowed the Helfa Gelf Art Trail residencies and workshops at the Ruthin Craft Centre, the bus tours, the pop-up gallery bursary scheme and the wider promotion of the event to take place. The Helfa Gelf Art Trail project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007–2013, which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
“This year has been amazing, with a record number of artists taking part, representing a diverse range of art forms from the traditional to the very contemporary. All our efforts concentrate on encouraging artists to engage with their audience. Opening your studio or creating a pop-up gallery takes time and effort. I am so glad that this year we have had many visitors and every event has been enjoyed by everyone who attended. We have one last Helfa Gelf Art Trail weekend and I encourage everyone to join the trail and have an art adventure,” said Sabine Cockrill, project co-ordinator for the Helfa Gelf Art Trail.
The last three Helfa Gelf Art Trail days are on Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September, with studios and galleries open from 11am to 5pm, and it’s FREE to visit. To help you find artists and plan your visit this weekend, ‘The Art Trail Map’ is an invaluable online interactive guide, available at http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/en/map/. It includes information on every studio’s location, directions, satellite map, opening times, the artist’s profile and a gallery of their images.
“I would encourage everyone to visit their nearest artist or plan a day trip out on the trail. We have a huge number of artists working and living in North Wales, so get out there and support them,” says Sabine.
Photograph: Alison Englefield at Parc Glynllifon, near Caernarfon
http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/en/artists/alison-englefield
