Bowland Arts
The Forest of Bowland has attracted a multitude of high quality artists and craftspeople that live and work within the AONB.
Whilst you will find many Bowland artists and craftspeople working in a traditional manner, don’t be surprised to come across some contemporary and innovative work – abstract oil paintings, temporary environmental works, installations, brilliant community and celebratory art which responds to and celebrates the sense of place of the Forest of Bowland.
The northern part of Bowland hosts pioneering rural arts organisations such as Green Close Studios in Melling, Pioneer Projects in Bentham & Maiden Bridge Arts Centre in Tatham. The Lunesdale Studio Trail holds an annual Open Studio event in the spring, (usually during May & June) and across towards the southern part of Bowland New Form Arts artists’ group are growing in membership and vision. The unique high quality crafts which the Platform Gallery in Clitheroe has on exhibition and for sale, is an excellent opportunity to see quality contemporary craft. Further south artists and craftspeople based at Higherford Mill in Barrowford are amongst many enjoying the beauty of Pendle Hill.
A new initiative to draw together the range of talent across this wild and beautiful landscape can be found at the Bowland Arts website (www.bowlandarts.co.uk)
For further information on some of the groups mentioned here visit:
- Green Close Studios website (www.greenclose.org)
- Lunsdale Studio Trail website (www.lunesdalearts.co.uk)
- Maiden Bridge Arts Centre website (www.maidenbridge.co.uk)
- New Form Arts website (www.newformarts.co.uk)
- Pioneer Projects website(www.pioneerprojects.org.uk)
- The Platform Gallery website (www.ribblevalley.gov.uk/platformgallery)
Bowland Arts Festival
The 2010 Bowland Arts Festival, which runs from the 1 May until 30 June, features a diverse programme of creative trails, performance, exhibitions, walks and workshops.
With events dotted throughout The Forest of Bowland, the festival is a perfect opportunity to discover more about this beautiful area, which is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, straddling both Lancashire and North Yorkshire.
Visit www.bowlandarts.co.uk to download a programme, which has full details of all the events. The Bowland Arts Festival has been developed and is co-ordinated by Green Close Studios - printed event guides are available from the studios tel 015242 21233, email info [at] greenclose [dot] org
Ascot Studios
Ascot Studios is one of the leading independent contemporary art galleries in the North West. Based at Bee Mill in the historic village of Ribchester, the gallery is over 2500 sq ft in size and enjoys an abundance of natural light. Exhibitions are held throughout the year from talented emerging artists working in the region.
Two of these artists include Angela Wakefield from Chaigley & Rebecca Ann Wilmer from Dunsop Bridge. They have been living, working & drawing inspiration from the Forest of Bowland now for over a decade, and their paintings can be viewed at the Ribble Valley gallery.
Admission is free, and gallery opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 11am until 5pm.
Bee Mill, Preston Road, Ribchester, PR3 3XL
01254 878100