PRESS RELEASE: Cheltenham Open Studios
May 2015
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Original Art Made Here
Among the festival event highlights taking place in Cheltenham this year is COS15. This
biennial celebration of the visual art being made in the area has become an important part
of the cultural landscape for artists and art lovers alike. When it started, in 2001, just 46
artists took part; in 2013, the last time the event was staged, over 11,000 people visited
the studios, workrooms and exhibition spaces of over 200 artists working in Cheltenham
and its surrounds. It will run from 13 to 21 June. And with the boost of some Community
Pride Fund to print more guides and market the event, this year’s event should be even
better.
Organised by artist-run association, Cheltenham Open Studios, this is the ninth such
celebration of the visual art being made here. The art trail links together 65 different
exhibition venues, where you can meet the artists, view their work, learn about their
practice and even have a go yourself. Artist PJ Crook, said: “This inspirational biennial
event gives the people of Gloucestershire the rare opportunity to take a glimpse at that
intriguing relationship between heart, head, hand, and eye that forms the creative
process and the diverse environments in which it occurs. For so many artists to open
their studios or gather together to show the fruits of their labour all at one time, is a most
glorious celebration of the visual arts.”
The Wilson will also be hosting a range of hands-on workshops, talks and artist
demonstrations throughout the event, plus a free after-school workshop designed to
encourage the next generation of talent, run in association with local social enterprise Art
Playground.
Glenfall Primary School, Charlton Kings, will also host an all-age workshop day along
with a number of practising artists on Saturday 13 June, for. Thanks to an award from the
Gloucestershire County Council’s Children’s Activity Fund, anyone can come and have a
go at willow weaving, textiles, printmaking and a host of other art activities for all the
family to join in.
COS has also joined forces with the University of Gloucestershire, who will be opening
its Special Collections Archive for the event. There will be an exhibition of winners from
the internationally recognised Cheltenham Illustraction awards at Frances Close Chapel,
plus a talk from John Randle of Whittington Press. The Hardwick Gallery is also a venue
on the trail, hosting a specially extended run of the University’s Fine Art Graduation
Show.
Focused on the centre of Cheltenham the art trail radiates out as far as Overbury and
Broadway, in the North, Bourton, in the East, Syde to the South, and Longlevens, to the
West. Free, colour, art-trail guides will be available from The Wilson Tourist Information
centre or the COS website www.cheltenhamopenstudios.org.uk from the middle of May.
ENDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------About Cheltenham Open Studios
Cheltenham Open Studios is a not-for-profit association run by artists. Like other Open
Studios organisations around the country, it is evolving out of an art festival event into a
thriving community of artists. With over 100 artist members, it aims to network artists
together to promote the visual arts in Cheltenham and its surrounds, engaging people
directly with the wonderful work being created on their doorsteps.
Contact
Niki Whitfield
Project Manager
T: 07821 098171
E: niki@cheltenhamopenstudios.org.uk
'Original Art Made Here'
Meet the artists, view their work, learn about their practice.
COS15, 13 - 21 June
To join in, visit:
cheltenhamopenstudios.org.uk