This August, the Guernsey Art Network is transforming the Inner Street of Market Buildings into a giant gallery for the third annual Skipton Art Festival.
With two on-going exhibitions and a series of workshops, this year’s festival celebrates Island Life and the artistic talent present in Guernsey.
The exhibitions include the ‘Wall of Art’, a non-judged free exhibition, open to all entrants regardless of ability, and the ‘Island Life’ open exhibition, for which there is a prize, donated by Mike Barnaby of Quay Gallery, for most outstanding piece of work. Both exhibitions are centrally located at Inner Street Market Building.
Vivien Ferneyhough, Joint Coordinator and Deputy Chair of the Guernsey Art Network, said: “We have accepted 32 pieces for the Open Exhibition and the standard, as always, is incredibly high. I hope families, tourists, and workers will pop in throughout August to see what our Guernsey artists have to offer.”
The programme of events has something for all. From 1-31 August Islanders are invited to visit the exhibits and partake in the free adult and children’s workshops on offer. This year the workshops are sponsored by Saffrey Champness with funds from their Rotary Walk. From learning how to make beaded jewellery, to creating sculptures of bats, the workshops are designed to teach skills and bring out creativity.
Aaron Walden, Commercial Manager, Skipton International, said: “The Skipton Art Festival is a fantastic way of celebrating Guernsey’s artistic talent and giving Islanders the opportunity to see what local artists are doing, and to have a go themselves. The central location of events makes the festival even more accessible so hopefully even more Islanders can enjoy the works of art.”
Guernsey Art Network patron, His Excellency Sir Ian Corder, Lieutenant Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and Lady Corder, will be attending the Skipton Art Festival preview evening, with His Excellency formally opening the festival on 1 August.