Tue, 27/08/2024 - 11:40
Although summer is coming to an end, there's still time to enjoy the last of those brighter days at some of Derbyshires best local Art fairs.
Wirksworth Festival - 7th & 8th September
A major event of the Festival, the Art Trail involves local people opening their homes to turn the town into a multifaceted gallery with over 100 artists & makers exhibiting and selling their work in more than 70 venues. The exhibition spaces are in buildings ranging from charming stone cottages to impressive Georgian townhouses, historic and quirky buildings, gardens, courtyards, shop windows and civic buildings and churches.
The Trail is the perfect way to meet artists; talk about the work and buy affordable contemporary art whilst visiting some of Derbyshire’s charming homes. If you want to understand the thinking behind a piece of work the artist is there to explain. If you have ever considered commissioning artwork for your home the Trail provides the perfect place to discuss the creation of a special piece and see a wide range of work.
Melbourne Festival – 14th & 15th September
This year the Melbourne Festival Art & Architecture Trail features work by some of the Midlands’ best creative artists exhibiting their work in gardens, halls and local homes not usually open to the public in the heart of Melbourne.
The trail consists of easy-walking loops around the central streets of Melbourne and can be started at any point. Each adult will need a Trail Wrist Band and a Trail Guide to enter the buildings, they are available from street sellers and cost just £5 per adult, under 18’s free. The Trail Guide consists of a map of Melbourne with festival sites marked and details of buildings and the artists they are hosting.
As always there are a few Banks Mill tenants and members to look out for on this year's art trail, keep your eyes peeled for:
Stevie Davies Glass
https://www.instagram.com/stevie_davies_glass/
Visit Stevie at her creative workshop and studio gallery in the beautiful market town of Wirksworth. Stevie has a permanent display of contemporary art and craft by some of her favourite makers, selecting work she feels is ideal to browse for your homes, offices and gift giving needs. The studio is also home to her own glass fusing workshop, where she will teach you to make your own glass art and accessories. Go and explore all things handmade by Stevie's selected makers or even talk about commissioning something extra special for yourself.
You’ll also be able to see Stevie and her work at Melbourne in the main hall at the Assembly Rooms.
Steph Trethowen
https://www.instagram.com/stephtrethart/
Steph Trethowan is one of our new members at Banks Mill. She is a contemporary artist based near Burton who paints in oils. Steph is delighted to have been selected to exhibit at the Wirksworth Festival for the first time and will be showing her recent work at 48 - 49 Greenhill over the weekend of 7th - 8th September. She has been working on a range of abstract landscapes and cityscapes over the past year, some of which are inspired by the Peak District. Steph also paints contemporary florals. In a separate stream of work, she is currently working on some pieces that express something of her feelings about current world conflicts and politics. Here are some examples of the work she will be exhibiting at Wirksworth; she would be thrilled to be able to say hello to some of you there.
Zaza Lewis
https://www.instagram.com/artizaza/
Zaza Lewis will be exhibiting her unique mixed media textile artwork for the third year, you’ll be able to find Zaza and her beautiful creations at 4 Church Street in Wirksworth.
If you can’t make it to Wirksworth you can still catch Zaza the next weekend at the Melbourne Festival, 14th & 15th September, where she will be in the Main Hall, Wesley Hall, on Potter Street in Melbourne.
Studio Skellet
Paul and Jason Skellet create evocative and mystical sculptures that capture the ethereal essence of lost souls residing in the mythical realm of Elysium. Their work exudes a moody, atmospheric quality, characterised by a haunting beauty that blurs the line between the tangible and the transcendent. It’s the first time that Studio Skellet will be exhibiting at Melbourne Festival so go along and check out their fantastic ceramic sculptures.
https://www.instagram.com/skellettstudio
Sarah Perkins
Sarahs paintings are lively with layers of colour, her preferred medium is acrylic paint on canvas. Her techniques are self-developed, using the paint with a mixture of dense layers, dry dragging & layered washes of colour to create vibrant and inviting animal portraits.
You can find Sarah at Melbourne Festival at The Wesley Hall, Potter Street, DE73 8DW.
