24 May – 8 June - All the artists exhibiting at Weymouth Old Town Hall will be on site at various times during Dorset Art Weeks.
They will be actively working on projects and happy to talk to visitors about their inspiration, techniques and give insight into their practices. All artwork will be for sale, with a proportion of the takings donated to the Guardians of the Old Town Hall CIC. For further details and opening times please check artwey.co.uk or dorsetvisualarts.org.
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Artwey member Caro Lester reveals what her local art group will be doing during Dorset Art Weeks
Composed of artists and makers practising in a wide range of media, Artwey has become a key promoter of quality exhibitions and community projects in the Weymouth and Portland area. From its biennial Open Studios to pop-up shows in restaurants and cafes, Artwey has helped add to the cultural buzz that has been building in the area since the 2012 Olympics when Weymouth and Portland hosted the sailing events.
Set up as a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2008, Artwey currently has around 40 members with varying backgrounds from professional stage-set design to high-street jewellery production. The benefits of being a member include opportunities to exhibit, including professional publicity, support from other members and a personalised gallery on the website. The next event on their calendar will be this year’s Dorset Art Weeks (24 May - 8 June). During these two weeks members will be exhibiting both individually and as groups. You can see full details of all participating artists in the Dorset Art Weeks brochure or online dorsetartweeks.co.uk.
A co-operative of ten Artwey members (see side panel) will be hosting a show at Weymouth Old Town Hall, with an eclectic range of work featuring paintings, photography, textile art, printmaking, digital illustration, stone-carving and sculpture. The diverse subject matter and styles cover landscapes, graphic prints, seaside scenes, floral studies, abstract images, stone sculptures and textured wall hangings.
The venue itself in High West Street is worth a visit. Situated in the original High Street near the quayside, Weymouth Old Town Hall dates back to Elizabeth I and played a vital part in the Crabtree Conspiracy during the English Civil War. Its restoration and care is enthusiastically carried out by a group of volunteers, the Guardians of the Old Town Hall (weymoutholdtownhall.co.uk), another Community Interest Company. The Old Boot Inn, dating from 1346 is the oldest pub in Weymouth, conveniently located across the road, provides a welcome break for refreshments, food and proper West Country scrumpy.
For more details about the event visit artwey.co.uk
