TYWI Valley Open Studios Arts Trail has been running since 2013. 31 Artists and makers are looking forward to welcoming visitors to their studios to share their working methods, show work in progress and completed pieces and some offering a chance to join in an artistic activity.
Most of the artists live in spectacular rural settings, using their creative imagination to make studios in such places as a shepherd’s hut, a railway carriage, sheds & outbuildings. One has joined Wales’ ‘One Planet Development Scheme’ to live off grid. Using the large fold out leaflet with map, visitors can explore our beautiful Towy Valley.
As one of the artists says: “I remember as a child entering an artists studio. This was so exciting, so ‘other’, the feel, the inspiration. Being able to see how it all happens was truly magical and set me forth on a long path of painting and singing.
In Adulthood, I still have a thrill to see a ‘personal’ space, a place of exploration, a place of work that is rarely shared. Artists love solitude to contemplate and evaluate thoughts, potters in turn develop shapes and forms with textures and glazes in much the same way.
“A felter may be discussing with themselves a new way of manipulating wool, a woodworker how best to enhance the beauty of natural wood, the materials’ colours melded into pure joy. This is why it’s so exciting to visit an artist’s studio – it’s where the alchemy happens.
“We are fortunate to have within our group very well known artists and makers and some for you to make your own discoveries. Studio visits stay in the memory. There is special atmosphere waiting to be shared.”
Each studio is unique in what it has to offer. Artists will be demonstrating the current pieces on which they are working while some are also offering workshops and activities for visitors. Joining one of these workshops that range from half an hour to a whole day can be a good way to relax while learning something new.
There are sculpture workshops, drop in pottery activities such as throwing a pot on a wheel or making a hand built pot, wet felting and willow making, as well as decoupage, collage, glass fusing, stone carving, furniture restoration, French polishing and metal forging sessions and watching the book binding process.
Taking place in the first week of the school holidays, many activities are suitable for children – a myriad of possibilities can unfold during a visit to an artist’s studio.
The free brochures with a map are available from shops & cafes in Llandeilo & Llandovery, galleries and tourist information centres.
Full details are on the website www.tywivalleyopenstudios.wales.
