Private View Invite

We’re proud to announce that the opening of Art Trek 2008 will be at the Beggars Roost pub near Lynton, our new venue. If you are interested enough to be looking at this blog you should be at the private view on Wednesday 18th June 6-9pm, just turn up you’re welcome, you don’t need an invite. All the information you need is on the invite, designed by Peter Ward, above. This is a time to look at the work, talk with the artists, enjoy a free drink, socialise and have a good time. There will also be the opportunity to pick up details of other Art Trek venues and artists business cards, statements etc.

Beggars Roost to the Rescue

We’ve gone through a turbulent time over the last month; our venue, a brand new barn complex conversion Alta Lyn Studios became months behind in completion, and then the builders took their tools and everything not fixed down and walked out on the job. It left us in a precarious position within weeks of the opening with no venue! And a legal wrangle has prevented us from even using part finished buildings.

An emergency meeting was called and a desperate call out for help was issued. By this time the brochure was already printed and we were really worried about visitors turning up at the venue, after possibly a long drive, to find a building site.

Fortunately the Beggars Roost pub, at the entrance to our original venue, lent us a hand and is hosting most of the artists in their impressive upstairs room. There will still be a couple of artists at the studios, minutes down the lane along the side of the pub. So we’re extremely thankful to the Beggars Roost for coming to our rescue and a drink and pub lunch could well be another incentive for perspective visitors to our venue.

Stella Levy, Art Trek organiser

For the last few years I have been organising the Art Trek Open Studios as part of the North Devon Festival. Each year sees this event grow in popularity, with the visiting public as well as the artists involved. Over sixty of the area's top artists and makers are taking part this year, welcoming visitors into their homes, studios and other assorted venues; from West Exmoor along the dramatic coastline to Ilfracombe, down to Bucks Cross and North Tawton and across to South Molton; you will find yourself directed to places off the beaten track, set in the beautiful countryside of North Devon.
Visitors are encouraged to chat with the artists about their work in a relaxed atmosphere over a cup of tea, with no obligation to buy. (Of course should you be seduced into buying from the artists they would be over the moon!).
For further event details contact; stella@widgerystudios.com
For more details about the artists, the Art Trek leaflet will be available from May 1st, or visit the Art Trek pages on the North Devon Festival website; http://www.northdevontheatres.org.uk/northdevonfestival/eventinfo.asp?eventid=19
As well as organising various art events I instigate and manage art projects such as; 'Walk in the Woods', a textile installation created in a small North Devon wood, working with artist Emily Garnham Wright. 'A Year in the Life of the Sheep Fair Field', a body of work produced with creative writer Mary Stephenson and includes photos, interviews, sound, calligraphy, graffiti art, prose and documentary material, focusing on one field in South Molton.
I am open to brain storming ideas about art projects and commissions and welcome discussion regarding art events that may need progressing or co-ordinating.
A full design and photographic service can be offered though Widgery Studios, a partnership with photographer/designer, John Andow (designer of the Art Trek leaflet).
I am a director/trustee of the North Devon Theatres Trust, Chair of North Devon Arts and director of the North Devon Regeneration Co. and aim to raise awareness of the Arts and for artists working across the area.