Around 1000 artists and makers, including more than 200 who are new for 2013, are preparing for nearly 500 exhibitions and events across the county this spring as Oxfordshire Artweeks heads into a fourth decade, making it the longest-running and biggest open studios event in the UK.
Painters and photographers, glass workers, metal sculptors, wood turners, stone carvers, jewellers, print makers and textile artists will all be opening their homes and studios across the county to the public for free and showcasing their talent through demonstrations, exhibitions and workshops throughout May.
From award winning silverware and jewellery from a V&A exhibition by East Oxford’s Stella Campion, paintings inspired by The Punting Map of Oxford and silk-printed gig posters by young artists working with contemporary bands to photographs documenting the secret life of Trappist White Monks, an interactive installation in an old fire station, two hundred large sculptures in a thriving Oxfordshire vineyard, and film and TV creatures made over a 30 year period, there’ll be plenty to surprise and amaze everybody this Artweeks.
Visitors are invited into hundreds of interesting spaces, many of which are usually closed to the public, including four Oxford University colleges, new studios in the heart of Wytham Woods and at a Cropredy coal wharf, Manor houses, medieval barns and churches; and several contemporary art venues are taking part in Artweeks for the first time. Art aficionados and everyday enthusiasts, adults and children alike will be able to follow art trails through Oxford streets, Cotswold villages or down to the Ridgeway to find art inspired by far flung locations, or scenes closer to home.
And with an art talk by BBC arts editor Will Gompertz, street parades and music events, there’s something to capture everyone’s imaginations. Visitors will have the chance to see the art produced in their own communities, to ask local artists about their inspirations, techniques and materials, and even have a go themselves.
The definitive festival guide will be available from libraries, Hamptons branches and local information from April or visit www.artweeks.org.
Artweeks is celebrated across Oxfordshire in partnership with local arts centres, museums,and other Oxfordshire organisations, with support from
The Riverly Club, The Oxford Times and Hamptons International.
Notes to Editors
Oxfordshire Artweeks www.artweeks.org
Artweeks is Oxfordshire’s largest visual arts festival, a three-week celebration in May each
year of the county’s artistic and creative talent., and the UK’s oldest and biggest Open
Studios event.
Almost 1000 artists open the doors to their homes and studios and welcome the public to
see their creations and watch them work. In 2012 approximately 100,000 people visited nearly 500 exhibitions and events across the county.
All exhibitions are free
Oxfordshire Artweeks 2013 will run from Saturday 4th – 27th May 2013
and is organised into three geographical areas
City Exhibitions: Saturday 4th – Monday 12th May
South Oxfordshire Exhibitions: Saturday 11th - Sunday 19th May
North Oxfordshire Exhibitions: Saturday 18th - Monday 27th May
The Oxfordshire Visual Arts Festival (Artweeks) is a non profit-making company, limited by
guarantee and owned by its members. Everyone is welcome to take part and there is no
selection process for artists wishing to participate.
Further press information & photographs from Esther Browning 01865 821090 or
07776 196967 esther@artweeks.org
Esther Browning, and dozens of artists, are also available for interview.
Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OxfordshireArtweeks
Or Twitter @OxonArtweeks
