News - Art for everyone
By Karen David
Artweeks, Oxfordshire’s biggest annual open studios event moves around the county for three weeks from 3rd May. Look out for the familiar Artweeks blue and yellow flags in South Oxfordshire for the first week, North Oxfordshire for the second and the week of the 17th in Oxford city.
Artweeks really is a festival for everyone; whether you’re a serious art buyer or simply interested to see the creative work that is going on in our county and meet the artists. It never fails to amaze how many artists and arts organisations there are in Oxfordshire and this year there will be around 1,000 taking part. With these numbers it’s no surprise that the variety is outstanding, and there are works in virtually every type of medium imaginable, from oil paintings to ceramics to bookmaking, digital art and textiles. There are even whole communities staging Artweeks events, such as the village of Appleton, where everyone’s involved in a large exhibition in aid of the Speedwell Wellbeing Trust and the Summertown Street Festival, where there will be live music, performing arts and a party atmosphere on Saturday 17th May.
If you want a taster for what’s on show around the county then drop into the O3 Gallery at Oxford Castle, where an exhibition from a variety of Artweeks artists is on show. And while you’re in the city, walk over to the Said Business School, where Artweeks artists are showing works created inside CD cases. Or take one of the Artweeks walking tours to explore Oxford’s creative heritage in modern architecture and the legacy of William Morris.
There are more children and the elderly involved in Artweeks this year. Artweeks charity Kids@Art, which raises funds for artists’ residencies in schools and elderly care homes, is exhibiting work from recent projects at the North Wall Arts Centre in Summertown. Children from “The Art Room,” the charity that helps children experiencing difficulties overcome them through art, have created fish from shoes that will be on show at Sassi in Oxford High Street.
The best way to plan your trek around Artweeks is to pick up the free Artweeks guide, which catalogues every exhibition and event with clear maps and colour pictures, and available in public places like libraries, information centres and hotels. Or visit the website at www.artweeks.org, where you can download the Guide and easily search for artists, type of work and location.
Whatever your interest, Artweeks is the best opportunity of the year to experience visual arts in Oxfordshire. It’s one not to be missed.