An award-winning art trail is returning next month marking a significant milestone as it celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The Wylye Valley Art Trail was founded by Nick Andrew at the dawn of the new millennium. Once a twinkle in Nick’s eye, it’s now considered one of the brightest and best open studios events in the country, let alone Wiltshire.
Taking place this year from Saturday 3rd to Sunday 11th May, the trail boasts 82 venues across southwest Wiltshire and over 250 exhibitors.
There is plenty for visitors to see and enjoy, with open studios and workplaces, galleries, exhibitions by art groups and student groups, virtual exhibitions, hands-on activities, demonstrations, workshops and talks.
Nick Andrew said, “From the start, we were strong in our desire for an event that was all-inclusive, non-selective, entirely run by volunteers, and embracing the work of long-established artists and makers, as well as those just starting out on their creative journeys.
“There really is something for everyone on the Trail: for those who like more traditional things, there are exquisite portrait, landscape, and still-life painters taking part, while for those who like their art more contemporary in feel, there are explosive abstract painters, digital, installation, and video artists, as well as those using recycled materials. There are craftspeople working in ceramics, leather, and textiles; there are jewellers, furniture makers, glass artists, and sculptors. Think of a category of art or craft, and there’s probably somebody on the Wylye Valley Art Trail who’s doing it.
“From the start, we were strong in our desire for an event that was all-inclusive, non-selective, entirely run by volunteers, and embracing the work of long-established artists and makers, as well as those just starting out on their creative journeys. I’m so pleased that in this 25th year, that original ethos still holds firm.”
For those who want to visit places on the Trail but don’t know how, they can pick up a Wylye Valley Art Trail guide at Tourist Information Centres, arts centres, libraries, and many other places, while the Trail app is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. You can also visit www.wvat.co.uk.
