The biggest open studios event in Wales begins on Friday the 5th September with the launch of the Helfa Gelf Art Trail 2014, where 184 studios and pop-up galleries throw open their door to welcome visitors across the counties of Gwynedd, Conwy, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham.
Friday the 5th September also sees the launch of Undegun’s newest exhibition featuring a diverse mix of painting, photography, print, sculpture and applied artwork from some of the 300 artists involved in this years event. We will also play host to performances from some of the areas finest acoustic performers. This diverse show conveys a sense of the range of work participating artists offer visitors to the event. The exhibitions runs from the 5th September to the 27 September, with a preview on the evening of the 5th from 7-9pm, that all are welcome to attend. The Glyndwr Collective are taking part again this year, based at the North Wales School of Art & Design further up Regent Street and will be launching thier show on the same night from 5 – 7 pm too. The Regional Print Centre is taking part too, opening its doors on Saturday 6th and 20th September 2014 between 11am and 5pm
There is a link to the facebook event page HERE
Sarah-Jane Harper
There are 12 Helfa Gelf Art Trail days on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during September. Studios and galleries are open from 11am–5pm and it’s FREE to visit. Studio spaces take every conceivable form: from disused shops to garden sheds and barns, from spaces in cafes to artists’ front rooms. This event offers an insight into this normally hidden world and allows the public to meet the artists and talk about how they create their work.
With more and more galleries and craft shop springing up across North Wales, this event offers the public the chance to meet the artists creating work in studios and workshops across the region. It is a way for the artists to step out of the shadows and take centre stage.
Sabine Cockrill, project co-ordinator for the Helfa Gelf Art Trail, says: “This is our ninth year and it is the biggest event we have ever held. There are over 300 artists in 184 locations taking part, representing a diverse range of artforms, from the traditional to the very contemporary. Helfa Gelf Art Trail is a fantastic opportunity for people to gain a real understanding of what goes into creating something. We hope this year will be our biggest and best yet and that lots of visitors support our local artists and makers. We think it is fantastic that the public are becoming more discerning and buying unique things that are produced in North Wales. It is such a boost to the local economy. ”
Tara Dean
“All our artists, with examples of their work, are listed online at www.helfagelf.co.uk/en/artists/. You can find artists on your door step or plan a trip to a different county. Just use the ‘Art Trail Map’ online at www.helfagelf.co.uk/en/map/,” says Sabine.” There is an artist working within a few miles of most people visiting or living in North Wales. There is such a thriving arts scene here.”
Helfa Gelf also promotes artists through exhibitions. We’re hosting this one at Undegun throughout September but there are also the following:
Oriel Pendeitsh
5 Sep – 3 Nov 2014
Castle Ditch
Caernarfon
Gwynedd LL55 2AY
Private view: 5 September
6.30 – 8.30pm
Denbigh Library Gallery
15 Nov 2014 –10 Jan 2015
Hall Square
Denbigh LL16 3NU
Private view: 14 November
6 – 8pm
Oriel Clwyd Theatr Cymru
6 Dec 2014 – 17 Jan 2015
Mold
Flintshire CH7 1YA
Private view: 6 December
5.30 – 7pm
And taking place all year:
MOSTYN Caffi Celf
Helfa Gelf in partnership with MOSTYN present a series of three month showcase exhibitions of artists’ work. All works are for sale and available through Collectorplan.
12 Vaughan Street
Llandudno LL30 1AB
Art in Hospitals
in partnership with
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
This is a great opportunity for artists to enhance the hospital setting for staff, visitors and patients. Look out for our exhibitions this year at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Maelor.
Funding has made the residencies, exhibition programme, publication of the Helfa Gelf Art Trail guide, the website www.helfagelf.co.uk and the wider promotion of the event possible. The Helfa Gelf Art Trail project has received funding through the Arts Council Wales and through the local Authorities across North Wales.
Sara-Jane Harper, an artist who also helps organise Helfa Gelf and worked with us on this exhibition says : “It is a fantastic event. Helfa Gelf has done a huge amount to support and promote artists in North Wales. We’ve got some really interesting artists taking part here in Wrexham and the open studios are a great way to showcase them.”
All studios are free to visit and if you want to start a collection of interesting art or craft, you can buy direct from the makers on the trail and chat to the artists and craftspeople about their creative process and materials.
For more information please contact :.
English: Sabine Cockrill 07715755567 /sabine@helfagelf.co.uk
Cymraeg: Gwenno Jones 01352 702 471 / Gwenno_E_Jones@flintshire.gov.uk
