A SUMMER celebration of Oxfordshire’s art talent is to hold a pre-Christmas weekend of events for the first time.
Oxfordshire Artweeks will showcase the work of 100 artists across as many venues on Saturday and Sunday.
Every May more than 1,000 artists display their work at about 500 venues.
The new event is aimed at Christmas shoppers seeking an arty gift for loved ones.
Organiser Esther Browning said: “During the Art Weeks in May, people said it would be great if there was a Christmas exhibition.
“This is testament to the success we have had over the last 30 years, but also the change in circumstances for artists.
“Times are tough so this is another opportunity for them to show and sell their work, which is fantastic.”
Among those set to take part is Eynsham’s Jane Tomlinson, who has created a quirky map of Oxford complete with famous city characters, historical references and the changing fashion styles.
She said: “I had the idea some years ago when I had a guest staying who was from the USA and she wanted to know all the things you could see in Oxfordshire.
“So I started doodling and first produced a map of Eynsham and the surrounding villages and thought that was fun, so decided I would also do Oxford.
“When I went out to start sketching it, I found some amazing stuff. It took me 10 weeks to finish.”
She added: “It’s marvellous Art Weeks is extending its reach into winter because it’s the time when people want different stuff.
”People want a bargain and want something unusual and meaningful – and can get those from Art Weeks in a city which is blessed with a fabulous range of artists.”
- For details, visit artweeks.org/ festival/2013/search
- Jane Tomlinson
Highlights on the map of Oxford Jane Tomlinson, has created include:
- Augustus Lane-Fox Pitt Rivers – the ethnologist who collected many of the objects which are now housed in the Pitt Rivers Museum
- The St Scholastica’s Day riot in 1355 – a riot between students and Oxford residents which started over the quality of beer at the Swindlestock Tavern at what is now Carfax
- Sir Thomas Bodley – founder of the Bodleian Library
- The Radcliffe Camera and the Bridge of Sighs
- The original Morris Garage in Longwall Street
- Oxford Bags – a loose-fitting baggy form of trousers named after the city
Artists combine to show off their work
- Furniture maker Lu Rahman, weaver Valerie Opher, painter and printmaker Melanie Donaldson, jeweller Valerie Mead and photographer Gordon Stokes
Eight artists from the Edith Road Workshops, off Abingdon Road, South Oxford, will work across five workshops
Jewellery artist Valerie Mead said: “It will make people aware that art and craft work is going on all year and does not just pop up in May.
“Christmas is the best time for most jewellers and so it’s good to be part of Art Weeks from that point of view.”
Artists taking part are:
- Sarah Spackman – oil and watercolour paintings
- Oxford Furniture – makers and desigers of furniture
- Valerie Opher – wool weaver
- Melanie Donaldson – painter and print maker
- Gordon Stokes – landscape photographer
- Jo Dixon – Mix media artist
- Dominic Enwonwu – sculptor in ceramics
Highlights
Seven artists will be explore the theme of ‘Boundaries’ using ceramics, collage, painting, photography, print making, sculpture and textiles at West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road.
Open at 11am on both days to meet all the artists.
- Kennett Road Artists is an impromptu group, bringing together artists, located in and around Headington, working in a variety of media. Their work will be on show in the afternoons at 13 Kennett Road, Oxford.
- There will be an open workshop by the Jewellery and Silver Society of Oxford in Abingdon with classes and demonstrations of silversmithing and jewellery making.
- It will be taking place at the Old Stable Block, Peachcroft Farm, Twelve Acre Drive.
- Six artists will be opening their studios in Witney showing glass, textiles, printmaking, painting and drawing.
- There will be workshops and demonstrations at Witney Art Studio in High Street.
- Ten artists will be exhibiting their own work at the Cool Contours arts and crafts centre in Chipping Warden, near Banbury, where they and other tutors run a variety of arts and crafts courses throughout the year.
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