Helfa Gelf/Art Trail, North Wales’ biggest Open Studio Event, has had an unprecedented number of applications this year, bringing the total number of artists taking part to 171, with 125 studios opening their doors to the public this September.
The project is also opening some studios by appointment throughout the year
for the first time, giving the public a chance to visit as many of the artists as
possible.
Helfa Gelf/Art Trail is a unique chance for visitors to experience the normally hidden world of the artist and get to chat to them about their work. It aims to make art more accessible to the community and to get the public involved in the creative processes taking place. There will be drop-in workshops taking place in a number of the studios, so people can try their hand at anything from painting and collage to lace making.
There is a huge variety of artists taking part this year, ranging from the traditional to the contemporary, from the figurative to the abstract and conceptual. The unique studio spaces are located in every kind of venue, from purpose-built studios and galleries to garden sheds and back rooms, in wild countryside and busy towns all over North Wales.
Sabine Cockrill, Project Coordinator for Helfa Gelf/Art Trail says: “I really think there is something to suit everyone. Over three weekends in September, you can call in on painters, sculptors, photographers, jewellery makers, woodworkers, potters, textile artists, glass makers, basket weavers, digital artists and many more, each one with a highly individual skill.”
Helfa Gelf /Art Trail runs from the 10-12th, 17-19th and 24-26th September in Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire. Studios are open from 11am-5pm daily. For further details about the event, maps and information about the artists please visit the website at www.helfagelf.co.uk.
This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural fund for Rural Development.
