PRESS RELEASE 1st June 2014 - for immediate release
The Visual Arts component at this year’s Buxton Fringe (July 11-27) is stronger than ever this year with artists putting their heart and soul into their work.
Take Kate Pheasey whose exhibition Taken from the Landscape at Buxton Museum uses the ancient art form of mosaic to create works exploring her emotional response to a place or terrain. Or Michaela Wrigley, also at the museum, whose Landscapes for Dad ceramics show is inspired by her father’s love of the local scenery. Memory is also at the heart of Harry Ousey Pops in at the Fringe, Sue Astles’ show of paintings by her uncle. His atmospheric landscapes can be seen at one of the Fringe’s out of town venues – Spring Bank Arts Centre at New Mills.
Buxton’s spectacular Peak District setting also inspires Square Roots at The Green Man Gallery, a group exhibition in which each artist has considered a one kilometre square from the White Peak or Dark Peal Ordnance Survey map. Grinlow Art and Storytelling Trail 2014 invites you to get into the countryside yourself as a host of local artists, makers and creators create a magical trail in Grinlow Woods with some actual storytelling along the way.
If you are feeling a little land-locked, try Sea Fever by High Peak Artists at the Pavilion Gardens Art Cafe, a show creating spectacular seas and stormy skies in a variety of 3D and 2D media. It goes without saying that you can enjoy some refreshments here while you look, as indeed you can at Burbage Art Group’s annual exhibition, renowned both for the quality of its work and also the quality of its free cakes!
This Burbage show is a family affair as are many other Fringe Visual Arts shows including Paula Hobdey’s Acrylic Paintings exhibition in her own home at 9 Wye Head and featuring a children’s workshop. Perhaps leave the kids at home though if you are hoping to attend Dr Sketchy Sheffield Does the Fringe at the Old Clubhouse. New to the Fringe, this is a cheeky life-drawing workshop involving some exciting burlesque performers!
Still wondering what to see? Big group exhibitions are always hugely worthwhile. Try The Green Man’s Within the Fringe featuring up to 40 artists and running throughout the Fringe, or the ever-popular Derbyshire Open at the Museum featuring independently judged works on a Derbyshire theme. The Great Dome Art Fair at the town’s local university is also a prestigious event with over 55 members of Peak District Artisan exhibiting and demonstrating.
Says Fringe chair Keith Savage: “Visual Arts have really taken off in Buxton over the last few years with the Green Man Gallery and also a new competition the Buxton Spa Art Prize showing what a hub for artists this town has become. It’s also worth noting that most of the Fringe’s Visual Arts shows are free!”
The Fringe wishes to thank its sponsor The University of Derby as well as financial supporters The Osborne Group and High Peak Borough Council, its Fringe Friends and the town’s many Fringe supporters and venues.
NOTE TO PRESS
For further information, pictures or interviews about the Fringe Send message to Marketing or tel: 01298 79351