Arts Trail!

Two weekends ago I had a stall at the Saltaire Arts Trail Festival. It was a truly excellent and very busy couple of days. The atmosphere was great, I chatted to friends old and new, met lots of new customers, started Christmas shopping* and generally had a fine old time. I sold lots of jewellery and Tiny Tile Paintings - I even picked up a little teaching gig - more about that nearer the time.
*Early I know but there were sooo many beautiful things and I've booked lots more events on the weekends approaching Christmas time is short.

The collection of snaps above shows my table and images of the very many public art events happening around Saltaire over the whole two week event.

After a weekend working we spent the next weekend visiting. There was a fabulous continental foods market, with just about every food imaginable! There's just a few examples below. It was difficult to take photos as there were so many other visitors too! There was live music and a vintage fair, a fun fair, lots of interactive arts activities...the list is endless.



Although the children were a little overwhelmed just before we left we even managed to visit a couple of the Open Houses. This is were residents of Saltaire village display works of art by a collection of Yorkshire based artists and literally open their houses to the public to come in and look around. This may sound a little strange, a twist on open studio events I suppose, but it is really successful. The woodturned vessels in the pic above are displayed on a kitchen table, there were canvas' above the cooker, sculptures standing on the hearth. Next year I'd like to see all of the houses that take part.

All in all it was a great festival, even better than last year. I feel very lucky to have this virtually on my doorstep! The organisers are an amazing group of people:)

5 comments:

Hand Knitted Things said...

Hi Leigh. This sounds like a lovely day you all had. Great way to show it with the mosiacs! Nice stall too! Julia

Swirlyarts said...

It looks great - I wish I'd had the opportunity to look round this year - maybe next year. How do you apply to be a vendor there just out of interest :D

Leigh Shepherd said...

Hi Lynsey,
It's for makers' living and working in Yorkshire. The call for makers' goes out from their website in Spring and the panel meets to make a decision in mid June.
I think you are fairly local aren't you?
'Tis the Skipton Puppet Festival this weekend (25th-27th Sept) always good fun for the kids!
x

Addison said...

Looks like a fun day! Nice photos too.

ARTISANNE DESIGN said...

Hi Leigh, this looks like such fun!!! My tiny tile painting is constantly admired by the way :0)