Jenny Tozer provides fulsome details of an exciting event at the end of June, the Bonsall Arts Trail.
AFTER a successful first Bonsall Arts Trail in 2022, this year’s event is gearing up to be even bigger and better.
Over the weekend of 29th and 30th June, more than 120 artists are gathering to showcase their work in up to 30 venues around this beautiful, historic village.
As well as painters, sculptors, printmakers and many other creatives, the trail promises a fun-packed day out for all the family. At just £5 a ticket – under-18s admitted free – it offers fantastic value for money.
Along with workshops for all ages and drop-in, hands-on sessions for children, there will be live music and an exciting range of street food and drink. Music will be provided by the Derby-based group Heron Brothers and Uke Words, a ukulele group from Matlock.
Hundreds of visitors are expected to attend the weekend-long trail which will be housed in large marquees, the church, school and in the homes of Bonsall residents.
To make getting there easy, there’s a free park-and-ride option with a ‘hop-on, hop-off’ minibus service from Via Gellia with two buses circulating around the village throughout the event as well as extra parking at the top of the trail.
Bonsall Art Trail Chair Julie Leggett said: “We’ve been amazed at the quality of the artists that are joining in with this year’s trail. The event is proving more popular than ever with local artists and some from further afield.
“Together they will display a vibrant collection of work including fine art, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, wood turning, sculpture, mixed media and photography.
“We have tried hard to include something for everyone, from hands-on experiences at our workshops to a full range of food, drink and entertainment around the village.”
Longcliffe Group managing director Paul Boustead added: “We are proud to sponsor the Bonsall Arts Trail for a second time. This year’s trail is set to be an even bigger success story and a cultural highlight for people of the Derbyshire Dales.”
The best display by an artist over the weekend, as voted for by visitors, will be awarded a £100 voucher by Turners. Bonsall Primary School pupils will also be competing for £50 and £25 Turners’ vouchers.
To find out more or book your tickets in advance, visit: www.bonsallartstrail.org
Among the creative workshops are Susie Botting workshops for children and adults – make your own tiles – both days 10.30am-1pm; Liz Wellby workshops – wire fish on Saturday 29, 10am-12.30pm; metal embossing on Saturday 29, 1.30-4pm; create with a gel plate – Sunday 30, 10am-12.30pm. To book, email enquiries@lizwellby.co.uk.
There is also a Treasure Hunt on Saturday, June 29: find the ’T’owd men’ loaded close to the artists’ venues to make up a well-known quotation from a famous artist. First correct answer out of the bag wins £10.
Editor’s Note: Artists taking part in the trail can enter can enter the Longcliffe Award and win £200 (sponsored by Longcliffe Quarries), with artwork that references the environment.
Peak District Artisans’ events
PEAK District Artisans (PDA) are showcasing an exciting exhibition of their contemporary artwork. Art the Crescent is to be held for the third year running at the Assembly Rooms in Buxton’s iconic Crescent Hotel. This diverse exhibition features paintings, prints, ceramics, jewellery, photography and textiles.
The show runs from Friday, 5th to Sunday, 7th July and is open 10am to 5pm daily.
The PDA’s premier event of the year – the Great Dome Art & Design Fair – is on the weekend of July 20 (10am-5pm, admission £3) and 21 (10am-4.30pm, also admission £3).
Nearly 50 professional artists, including several new members, will be at The Great Devonshire Dome in Buxton.