INNOVATIVE and groundbreaking projects, new work from acclaimed artists, and exciting emerging talent are being prepared across West Somerset and Exmoor ahead of this year’s Somerset Art Weeks.
The annual event starts on September 21 and continues until October 6 with this years’ theme being ‘Landscape, Flux and Flow’.
Among those taking part is Exmoor geologist and artist Elizabeth Woodger, who has been working on an artistic experiment which takes windfall lichens from ancient Exmoor woodlands and transforms them into mysterious crystalline ecosystems.
A short walking trail can be visited in Horner Wood, near Porlock, with a photography exhibition in Minehead Library displaying her thought-provoking work.
Science and the environment also play a vital part in an innovative collaboration between East Quay Studio, Watchet, artist Zoe Snape and the laboratory of Roadwater-based Singer Instruments, in Minehead.
People can visit the laboratory to see how Ms Snape has used inspiration from Turner’s Somerset and North Devon Sketchbook to make ‘Bioart’ using natural materials found on Minehead Beach.
A talk will be held in the laboratory on September 26.
Walking, cycling, and driving routes will help visitors explore the venues across West Somerset with opportunities to see many other groups of artists.
Among them will be ‘Nine at Bossington Green’, in Bossington Methodist Chapel, showing a mix of painting, mixed media, print, and textiles echoing the area’s stunning landscape.
Further along the A39, Leo and Andrew Davey will be showing new work in watercolour and mixed media in Minehead.
A new show, ‘Earth, Pigment and Thread’, will be held in Townsend House with artists working in clay, paint, print, and textiles.
The day can be finished in Dulverton, where the heritage centre has ‘Four on the Moor’, which makes the most of all that Exmoor has to offer in paintings and ceramics, with an option to take tea and cake in one of the town’s many cafes.
Watchet and the surrounding area also offers a variety of venues for an inspiring day out, including ‘Eight at Old Cleeve’, an array of work ranging from painting and print to stone and jewellery, in St Andrew’s Church Rooms.
‘The Roadwater Eight’ will also have something for all interests with jewellery, pictures, ceramics, and woodcraft all inspired by nature.
Torre Cider Farm will be showing sculpture inspired by folklore and landscape, while Orchard Cottage, in Williton, has a secret garden, paintings, illuminated calligraphy, and enamelled copper sculpture.
Emma Duke will be in Crowcombe with driftwood sculptures and paintings inspired by local wildlife.
Watchet’s East Quay will spoil visitors for choice with studios, galleries, and events, including Lucy Large in studio10 for her residency, and Two Rivers Paper Mill at work.
Artists will be in their studios showing their practice and work as well as the new exhibition ‘Wild Apples’, by Serena Korda, which opens in the main galleries.
Albatross Print Studio will show work from 10 member artists showing the diversity of printmaking.
More information is available on the website here and there is also a Somerset Art Works app which can be downloaded.