CREATIVITY will be celebrated this weekend and next thanks to the return of the Henley Arts Trail.
It aims to showcase the vibrant visual arts and crafts scene from Berkshire and Oxfordshire and usually attracts around 10,000 visitors.
There are 40 venues across Henley and Wokingham’s northern parishes open for art this weekend and next. This includes Charvil, Hurst, Twyford and Wargrave, with a clutch in Twyford all within walking distance of each other.
The trail sees the doors of artists’ studios, garden sheds, garages and village halls flung open to reveal the wealth of artistic talent.
From skilled amateurs to award -inning professionals, the trail covers the full gamut of arts and crafts. Larger than life sculptures, sit alongside delicate jewels; abstracts are juxtaposed against detailed botanical art.
And on show will be paintings, prints, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and glass all from around 200 local artists.
They include Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year runner-up Shelagh Casebourne, who will be exhibiting in Victoria Road in Wargrave.
Organisers say this year will be the biggest ever, and due to covid has been moved from its usual date of the May Day bank holiday weekend.
All venues are free, with no obligation to buy and artists will welcome guests to talk about their work.
Many venues offer refreshments; some have demonstrations or workshops for visitors who want to have a go themselves, and all provide a stimulating and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Highlights include The Henley School of Art which is providing an open studios exhibition in Hart Street in the Oxfordshire town.
There will be local artists, live art demonstrations and creative entertainment.
Organisers promise affordable art for sale, including oil paintings, handmade jewellery, original ceramics, prints, linocuts, screenprints and ‘weird and wonderful delights’.
Artist Harriet Riddell is offering sittings for her unique stitched portraits using her sewing machine.
“The creative crew taking part are putting their best artistic foots forward and putting on an exhibition to really engage and delight its visitors,” a spokesperson said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to buy affordable art and talk to working artists for inspiration, commission or just to pass the time of day. The Henley School of Art studio artists are all looking forward to meeting local art loves face-to-face.”
For more details, or to see the venues and artists, log on to www.henleyartstrail.com
