Next Trail: 17-19 November 2023
Welcome to Wivenhoe Art Trail!
The Wivenhoe Art Trail is non profit making event designed to support and promote artists and makers who reside in Wivenhoe and wish to open their studios to the public. It is run by a team of Wivenhoe artists and makers for Wivenhoe artists and makers. We conduct two trails per year, charging a nominal fee to collectively cover leaflets, advertising and promotional material. Our website and social media platforms promote participating artists and show a flavour of their work and contact details. The event is open to established and emerging artists with no vetting procedure. There is no specific venue or assistance in finding spaces to exhibit. We simply ask for all exhibitors to be currently residing in Wivenhoe and actively promote each event.
If you live in Wivenhoe and wish to take part please do get in touch....
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Thank you once again Wivenhoe!
We are thrilled to report that our discerning local art lovers once again came out in full force. On the Saturday the 10:23 from London was reported to have disgorged an army of visitors and we can only think that that may have had something to do with us! Throngs of people could be seen with Trail maps in hand visiting the 16 venues displaying the work of 30 artists and makers around Wivenhoe’s streets.
We really did push our publicity far and wide this year, advertising in local newspapers in Suffolk and Essex and on their parent online local “What’s on” listings. Our reputation continues to grow further afield and we feel Wivenhoe has well and truly been planted on the creative map. Wivenhoe businesses reported welcome knock-on effects, especially pubs and eateries.
The Art Trail team commissioned Noah Carter, local artist and professional videographer, to cover the three days. We’re so excited to see this fly on the wall view of the Trail as it’s always difficult to have documentation of our event whilst showing work at the same time and a few stills are included to give a flavour of his film.
We feel this will be of great benefit to promote future events for all of us. Not only will this be ideal for promoting the next Art Trail but it will also act as a promotional tool for individual artists. Video clips and stills from the filming will be distributed to all participants for their personal use.
We will have a stall at the Wivenhoe Regatta to promote our twice-yearly Art Trail and have a small representation of work from a few organisers. This offers an excellent opportunity to come and meet a few of the team and discuss how to take part should you wish to do so. In brief, our only criteria, is that you live in Wivenhoe, apply and pay our nominal fee on time and contribute to publicising the event. Alas, we are not able to assist with finding suitable venues.
Talking of promoting creativity, we were delighted to represent both Millfields and Broomgrove primary schools by showing their work in St Mary’s churchyard. It was a joyful sight to see and we’re keen to encourage the next generation of creatives in Wivenhoe.
We extend a huge thank you to Michaels Property Consultants for providing us with boards once again. This is such an asset for identifying studio locations and in turn we often overhear visitors exclaiming how they would like to live in Wivenhoe!
We have already set the date for the next Art Trail, 17 - 19 November and begun to promote and share the date on social media. There’s a wealth of information for you to utilise on our website and we recommend you follow us on social media and/or sign up to our newsletter to ensure you don’t miss a thing.
The only criticism we have encountered was the clashing with the Open Gardens event. This crossover was unknown to us and we will endeavour to ensure this doesn’t occur again. We completely understand that these two events are eagerly awaited in the town and each deserves full focus, indeed many of the artists would like to visit or take part themselves. With this in mind we are announcing next Spring’s dates early to help avoid this, so please put 17 - 19 May 2024 in your diaries now. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Thank you once again Wivenhoe for your support, it is truly valued.
xxx
