Art at the End of the Arrow

by Jo Quinney
(Menai Bridge)

Open Studios and Galleries Weeks: 31 March – 15 April 2012. During the Anglesey Open Studios and Galleries Weeks, beginning on Saturday, you have a fantastic opportunity to visit artists and galleries on your doorstep.

This is the ninth year the event’s black-on-white logo signs have been put up on lamp posts, houses and gates all over the island, directing you to find Arts Forum members.

"This year I encourage you to get a Guide and travel to meet the artist or visit the gallery at the end of the arrow. You will get a unique chance to meet and talk with the artist, often over a cup of tea, and gain a glimpse of the artistic process", said Mike Gould, Chair of the voluntary Anglesey Art Forum Committee.

The event, taking place over the Easter holiday period from Saturday 31 March to Sunday 15 April, has a handy Guide listing artists in a circular geographic order and the galleries/events by date order. The 2012 Guide is available at www.angleseyartsforum.org.

When artist Laurie Kitchen sold a painting at the Ucheldre Centre in last year’s exhibition, he was surprised to find out where the painting went. "I walked into my neighbour’s house and saw my painting hanging on their wall. It was very funny. They could have popped next door and purchased it from my Open Studio, but they didn’t realise it was my work", said Laurie.

The Open Studios event is an ideal opportunity to visit your artistic neighbours. Perhaps you always see the signs up in your street, maybe you have spotted an inviting arrow at the top of a country lane or perhaps you could have an artist living a couple of fields away.

The artists warmly welcome all visitors following the signs. "Knowing many local artists throw open their doors every Easter is very exciting. I make a point of visiting other studios, my opening hours permitting", said Laurie.

There is never any pressure to buy, just an invitation to follow the arrows and meet the artist for a chat. The arrows lead to a wide variety of art at venues all over the Island, including studios, chapels, barns, sheds, galleries and artists’ homes.

"It is a good idea to use the Guide to plan your trip to a variety of artists. I guarantee you will find something to inspire you as well as having a great experience seeing the Island", said Mike.

This year the event is bigger than ever and has gained new financial support from the North Wales Open Studios Network (working in co-operation with Helfa Gelf/Art Trail), which has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007–2013, funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

This funding has enabled the printing and distributing of the annual Guide listing all the artists, galleries and events, with opening times and directions to help you plan your visit.

If you wish to become a member of the Forum, please contact Heather on 01407 763361 or he(at)ucheldre(dot)org. The website also has information about the Anglesey Performing Arts Weeks from Friday 19 October to Sunday 4 November 2012.

The Anglesey Arts Forum is also supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Isle of Anglesey County
Council, and Menter Môn.

The Guide, further additions and unavoidable alterations to the Guide will be posted on the www.angleseyartsforum.org website.

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