A new online Spring Show designed to whet the appetite ahead of the Oxfordshire Artweeks May festival opens on Friday, featuring 200 top Oxfordshire artists, designers and makers.
“Spring is an inspirational time so we’re delighted to present this online show ahead of the Oxfordshire Artweeks festival next month,” says Esther Lafferty, Festival Director.
“There will be a choice of nearly 500 venues to visit so our online show is a great way for people to choose where to head first,” she adds.
“you’ll need a head start to make sure you don’t miss anything”
And considering as many as 2000 artists, ceramicists, sculptors, jewellers, furniture-makers, milliners and more than 200 new exhibitors will be showcasing their work at nearly 400 different Oxfordshire locations in May, you’ll need a head start to make sure you don’t miss anything.
So make use of this new online facility to see what you like, want to see in person and plan your art route in advance! https://www.artweeks.org/latestshow
“There’s so much talent out there so we hope this sneaky preview of so many beautiful pieces will get everyone excited,” Esther adds.
From studios, galleries, gardens, potteries, churches, woods and other fascinating venues such as The Bibliographical Press in the Bodleian Old Library and the National Trust Heritage and Rural Skills Centre in Coleshill, 2023’s Oxfordshire Artweeks is one to watch.
So what to expect? A stroll along the waterside with canal boats in paint and pastels, a dreamy riverbank abstract from Goring’s Roberta Tetzner, and a beautiful wooden boat handcrafted by boat-builder Colin Henwood who will be exhibiting in the Sylva Wood Centre in Long Wittenham during Artweeks.
Other pieces in the collection evoke a trip to the beach from a hand-printed and embroidered textile collage A Fish Called Chips to a characterful ceramic seagull, Sarah Bond‘s energetic shipwreck painting, and calligrapher Gaelle Jolly‘s message in a bottle.
Potter Jan Morter‘s stoneware was inspired by tulips in the Netherlands, while Artweeks newcomer Micah Hayns‘ painting Bliss captures the warmth of the sun on your face.
A number of birds make an appearance too, from a nuthatch drawn at speed, to a life-size eagle owl at sunset, its wingspan nearly 2 metres wide, painted by East Hendred’s Greg Whiteman.
To see the Spring exhibition visit www.artweeks.org/latestshow
Oxfordshire Artweeks runs from May 6 – 29. See https://www.artweeks.org for more details.
