The organisers behind the well-established Herefordshire Art Week are encouraging any professional or semi-professional artists living or primarily working in Herefordshire to get involved in this year’s event.
The event, which runs from Saturday, September 10 to Sunday, September 18, is run by Herefordshire council’s Cultural Services team.
“We’re currently at the planning stage and membership forms are currently being sent out to everyone who took part in previous year’s events,” said Mel Bateman, Herefordshire Council’s Principal Arts Officer.
“h.Art Herefordshire Art Week has established itself as a major visual art event attracting local, regional and national visitors to open studios, special exhibitions and galleries around the county.
“The event provides a great opportunity to meet face-to-face and buy work from the diverse and exciting artists and craftspeople that work in Herefordshire,” added Mel.
Last year’s event proved how the arts can make a real contribution to the local economy, mainly by attracting visitors who not only spend on local art and craft but who spend on other goods and services whilst they are in the county.
h.Art was a great success last year and Cultural Services hope, with the support of even more artists to build on last year’s impressive figures:
· 34 special exhibitions/events involving an estimated 300-350 artists
· 70 artists in 57 open studios
· 11 galleries/craft shops took part
· 15 artists in the h.Art Open Exhibition
· A piece of public art – h.Art Apple was commissioned from Ian Berrill, sited permanently outside Hereford County Hospital
“We’re also looking for expressions of interest for someone to fill the post of the freelance role of h.Art Co-ordinator. We’re interested in someone who is extremely organised, has marketing experience and an enthusiasm for the arts,” added Mel.
Anyone interested should contact Anna Morgan, Arts & Culture Information Officer for the Co-ordinator’s brief or for a membership form. Tel: 01432 260182
Email: amorgan@herefordshie.gov.uk
Deadline for receiving membership forms to take part in this year’s event is February 28.
Membership forms can also be downloaded from http://www.h-art.org.uk/
h.Art is part of the Creative Industries programme run by Herefordshire Council’s, Cultural Services and is funded by artists with partnership funding for three years from Creative Industries in Herefordshire, Herefordshire Council and Arts Council England.
Herefordshire Council has invested money in 60 creative businesses, given advice to 150 and helped 350 artists sell work during h.Art, Herefordshire Art weeks over the past three years.