Sarah Mayhew finds plenty to be excited about in a new event bringing together more than 100 artistic folk at Oxford Castle

THE impetus to create, and exhibit fascinates me; regardless of the discipline, or whether or not someone is trying to make money out of their practice, it’s the urge to do it in the first place, and the frequent impression that I get from so many individuals is that they just can’t help themselves – they need to make.

When looking at the creativity spanning all of its ever expanding disciplines it’s the selection process that I find most intriguing, the necessity of finding the most appropriate format for one’s desire to convey a message or a feeling. Looking out at the world, wondering, and whittling down until the aesthetic, textural or conceptual jackpot is hit – the process in itself is an artform, though it can appear overwhelming and leave the uninitiated viewer somewhat at sea not knowing where to start.

This weekend sees Keeping It Local arrive in Oxford Castle Quarter. Billed as being an urban village fete in the heart of the city the event has more than 100 exhibitors coming from Oxfordshire or an adjoining county descending upon the quarter. Those exhibitors will span makers and bakers to performers, artists, and musicians. From sculpture, performance art, craft, jewellery, art-inspired storytelling, and woven fabrics, you can experience it all in Oxford Castle Quarter this weekend.

Encapsulating the idea that the breadth of creative practice on offer presents something for everyone, Oxfordshire-based sculptor Christopher Townsend, main picture example, currently exhibiting at O3 Gallery in Oxford Castle Quarter, says: “Art defines a lifestyle. It is an expression of a personality or brand. In public places, beautiful objects can intrigue, calm and inspire. Some simply bring on a smile...”

Townsend’s work certainly caused me to smile as I wriggled through the great looming sculptural stalks of his work dwarfed like an earthworm rummaging around in garden foliage.

Intrigued by his work, West Oxfordshire based actress and storyteller, Lucy Walters, will unleash her imagination among the sculpture and materials spanning Townsend’s work, and share a selection of readings and poetry with audiences, whereas the ladies behind Talking Horses and Other Stories will use the botanical backdrop to explore a more interactive approach to storytelling, learning and self-expression in O3 Gallery this weekend as part of Keeping It Local.

Taking place beyond the gallery walls the weekend will commence with a premiere of a performance piece, Entrance, a series of poetic gestures that will act as offerings of greeting to visitors to Oxford Castle Quarter between 10am and 1pm on Saturday.

Artist Clare Carswell will use action, sound and objects to perform Entrance, the first of her four part Siren series of performance works that the she will make at the sites of the city gates. The first one, taking place on the site of the city’s original West Gate will invite passers by to pause in their own journey and reflect on the nature of arrival and departure and the rituals that can mark such threshold experiences.

Among the other exhibitors is a marquee full of ‘craftsuperheroes’, as the Handmade Makers Market describe them, in Castle Gardens. The Handmade Makers Market is a roaming market set up by Sam Osborne and Michelle Miles, who says: “We love handmade, independently designed, cleverly crafted stuff. From prints to pincushions, jewellery to jumpers, Keeping It Local is exactly the kind of event we want to be involved with and bringing our craftsuperheroes to; we’re really proud to support the craft superheroes of the UK!”

Miles and Osborne encourage visitors to look out for Claire Gaudion’s handwoven willow baskets and textiles, The Brice sisters’ (aka Betty Brice) pretty, fun and eclectic leather fashion accessories, local illustrator Phillip Jones’ natural history inspired prints and last but most certainly not least, Crumple Design’s unique paper jewellery.

Made in Oxford from beautiful eco materials it celebrates the power of nature and the beauty of wild flowers, bees and icy glaciers.

Ahhhh, art – something for everyone, and that’s why I love it so! Come on folks, dive in!

  • The Christopher Townsend exhibition at the O3 Gallery exhibition continues until Sunday October 7, and all works are for sale. Contact the gallery for details. O3 Gallery, Castle Street Square, Oxford Castle Quarter. Email info@o3gallery.co.uk
     
  • See o3gallery.co.uk
     
  • Call 01865 246 131
     
  • Open weekdays 12-5pm, weekends 11am-4pm.