Select a region
The inaugural Skipton Art Festival has been hailed a success after Guernsey came alive for the celebration of art, which saw the public and artists immerse themselves in the event.
Nearly 800 people visited the Festival HQ itself with over 100 artists taking part at more than 20 venues across the island.
It is the first time that an art event on this scale has been held in Guernsey and it was organised by passionate volunteers of the Guernsey Arts Network.
Skipton Art Festival Director, Emma Griffin said: "We are so pleased with the response, both from local artists and the public. It’s great to see the art scene thriving in Guernsey. For me, it has always been about bringing the local artists together. Many new connections have been made while artists kindly volunteered at the HQ venue alongside other artists they previously had not met."
Along with various exhibitions at the Festival HQ in Royal Terrace, the Gatehouse Gallery, Sarnia Arts & Crafts Summer Show and various Open Studios, there were also talks, walks and a series of workshops which were over-subscribed.
Frances Lemon, artist and organiser of the workshop programme, said: "We had 100 people on the adult and children workshops alone and had to turn more away. One aspect of the workshop programme involved showing children around the main exhibition area and to explain how each artist approached the same theme in a different way by using colour and technique. This surely is the finest legacy of this first festival; by introducing creative and diverse thinking at a young age, these children are going to grow up confident about taking creative risks in the future, as important in business as anywhere."
There is to be an evaluation of this year’s festival on 7 September at 6.30pm in the Frossard Theatre, Candie Gardens. Artists and visitors are invited to give their feedback to the committee.
Jim Coupe, Managing Director of Skipton International said: "We are delighted to have been the principal sponsor of the 2015 Skipton Art Festival. The festival has only been made possible through the passion and dedication of those involved, whether it’s been the contribution from the artists or the committee, in particular, Emma Griffin, Bridget Spinney, Frances Lemmon and Christa Puch Nielson who have all worked together towards strengthening the artistic community."
The Guernsey Art Commission and Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery also supported the festival. Specsavers sponsored the workshop series.
If you want to relive the experience of the Skipton Art Festival again, you can view coverage at: www.skiptonartfestival.com.
