More than 80 artists will be bringing their work to the Bath Pavilion this month for the third Bath Art Fair
If you fancy the idea of buying work directly from artists, but don’t have the opportunity to travel round the country visiting them in their studios, then there’s a good opportunity coming up in Bath in March.
The Bath Art Fair was set up in 2016 as a way of gathering artists and their work together in one place. People can view the art and chat to the makers who come from a range of disciplines and geographical area.
The idea for the fair came from Alce Harfield who, tired of travelling and exhibiting her work at other art fairs, decided to bring the concept back to her local area.
The two day event will be held at Bath Pavilion from March 1-2; artists can come from all over Europe, but many are local to South West England.
Alce says: “Our artists are only too happy to explain their inspirations and processes and discuss commissions. Our visitors enjoy meeting the artists and find that emotional connection with their work that galleries just can’t offer.
“We have an inclusive policy which means we have professional artists with many years of working behind them, to young fresh new talent exhibiting for the first time side by side. We also specialize in a lot of ‘nurturing hand-holding’ to help our artists get the best from the fair.”
Alce, a former winner of Somerset Life’s Landscape Painter of the Year, will be showing her 3D acrylic paintings. Other returning artists include Steve Yeates from London who uses recycled bus shelter glass to cast beautiful figurative sculpture and Dawn Reader from Somerset who works in oil on linen and has been featured in Vogue and Homes and Gardens.
New for 2019 is animal photographer Lisa Saint from Hampshire who won the animal portrait category in the Master Photographer of the Year; landscape painter Mel Cormack-Hicks from Gloucestershire who was artist in residence at Slimbridge Wetland Centre and Dee Walker from Cheshire who was shortlisted for the MS Amlin Prize in the National Open Art competition for her rich abstracts.
The Bath Art Fair has also teamed up with the Holburne Museum’s Pathway to Wellness programme which supports local people who have experienced mental health issues, social isolation and homelessness by offering free creative, museum-based opportunities.
The aim is to raise £500 through a stand of donated ‘pre-loved’ art as well as displaying work for sale from the Pathway to Wellness programme.
The Bath Art Fair, Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, BA2 4EU, is on Friday, March 1 (11am-7pm) and Saturday, March 2 (10am-6pm). Entry £5.
Find out more at bathartfair.co.uk.
