The North Somerset Arts week was hosted throughout 31 different venues all across North Somerset, with a varied and eclectic range of art on display; commencing on September 10th for 10 days the arts trail offered an insight into the work local artists created since the last arts week in 2019.
I spoke to a number of the artists on how the arts week was going for them, with many of them saying it was a relief to be out displaying their art again; and for most it being the first show they had displayed at in over 18 months.
“I’m so happy to see so many returning people; it’s great that they’ve come back and they’re still so interested in the art.” Laughed Gabbie Gardner, when asked how she had found the first few days of the art trail.
The excitement surrounding the events was felt by both the visitors and the artists, who’s sales have been impacted by the pandemic.
“It was hard to be motivated when you’re just sitting at homemaking stuff and not selling any of it. You get to the point where you think there really is no point in me making anything else.” Gabbie continued. “On the plus side I’ve got an awful lot of jewellery to give away as gifts if I don’t sell anything haha!”
Whilst the pandemic caused a lot of uncertainty around the 2021 arts week, for most artists lockdown provided time for them to focus on creating their art.
“Covid, for me, has actually been a bit of an advantage. It’s meant I could get on and develop some of my ideas.” Said Julie Ackerman, who displayed her work at the Sovereign Centre in Weston-Super-Mare.
As a newcomer to North Somerset arts week Julie wanted to pack a punch with her art and ensure she was making a statement through using only recyclable materials to create her work. “I wanted to try and make a positive contribution. To make people look at their waste and think ‘I could do something really creative with that’ instead of throwing it away.”
The venues ranged from single artists opening up their own homes and studios for the public, to bigger venues hosting larger groups of artists. Including the venue with the most art work, Portbury Church, which hosted 10 artists over the 9 day period.
The main co-ordinator for Venue 26 Portbury Church, Julie Mainstone, spoke to me about the art she was displaying.
“Watercolour has been a lifelong passion for me.” Julie told me, smiling widely. “My real love is painting outside. I’m a natural painter. There’s something that’s very spontaneous about painting outside, and I adore just being out in nature as well. I’m used to being sat out in all weathers, it helps me capture the feeling of the piece.”
Despite the different mediums and varying sizes of the venues, the sense of community felt throughout the arts week trail was undeniable. When asked to summarise how the week was going, many of the artists spoke about their sense of purposed and belonging in a post-covid world.
“I love being involved with other artists and paintings because creating art can be a little isolating, so its lovely to have like-minded people around you, and an opportunity to meet and get feedback if nothing else. They [the visitors] come in and are always bubbling over when they leave which is just so lovely, it really creates a wonderful atmosphere.”
The variety of art on display was vast and unique with some incredibly complex pieces up for sale. As well as the marvellous canvas and watercolour work, there was also a huge catalogue of 3D work up for sale this year; including wood work, wire work, ceramics, jewellery, glass work and textiles.
Glass worker and co-chair of North Somerset arts week Claire Hall opened up her brand new studio for the public to sample her work.
“We’ve had lots of visitors and people coming through; this is my working studio and its been really lovely to change it into a gallery. So, yeah, people have been interested in coming to see something a little different, something off the beaten track.” Claire explained to me.
“Arts week has been so important this year because you can share what you’ve been doing and especially with local people and to be able to talk about the process and the thoughts behind it. Often when you see things in a gallery you don’t get to talk to the artist or see how things are made, so the fact that you can communicate and talk about your thoughts behind the work is really special.”
Overall the arts week was a resounding success, even though the footfall was down from previous years, many of the artists found that the sales remained frequent and the atmosphere hopeful.
If you would like to be involved with future North Somerset Arts shows or for more information on the organisation, contact us here.