Open Studios: 9-11 July
Wednesday, 7 July 2021
Visit over 80 artist's studios and workshops throughout the Upper Calder Valley. From Todmorden to Mytholmroyd, Old Town to Cragg Vale and many more of the surrounding villages.
A lot of creativity has been happening so come and see finished work and pieces still in progress and learn about how the artists work, techniques and our inspiration.
Full details about all the participating artists, maps, directions and opening times are online here. There's also an A6 booklet with an accompanying map you can pick up from any of the studios and lots of the shops and cafes.
Generally opening times are 11am – 5pm Friday to Sunday and you can just turn up. One or two studios require appointments so do check.
This year, there are lots of new artist collectives taking part including the Handmade Parade, who will be inviting you to come and meet some of their giant puppets, reminisce with storyboards depicting thirteen years of parades and watch their film 'We are Here".
Or take a stroll along the canal to visit the 'Creatives at Callis Gardens', where you can browse beautiful artwork and watch demonstrations of traditional crafts whilst relaxing in a stunning community garden setting.
Local painter Kate Lycett's new book 'The Nightingale Project' will be launched at Hebden Bridge Open Studios on July 9th. The book contains 42 tree paintings alongside handwritten diary entries and lists from a year of lockdown in the Calder Valley.
Head up the hill to Wainsgate Chapel, for an introduction to 'The Medicine Spoon Memorial', a collaborative art project led by artist Caren Thompson, which aims to commemorate the 4000+ women who were persecuted during the witch trials.
Several of the studio collectives taking part are also putting on group exhibitions during the Open Studios weekend. Visit the Linden Mill Gallery to see work from the Ebor Studio Group, consisting of 17 artists, designers, makers and performers. 'Showcase 21' is an exhibition of work completed over the last year by the resident artists at Northlight Studios, in the centre of Hebden Bridge.
The exhibition of work by Open Studios artists is on at the Town Hall 8.30am – 4pm daily and ends this Saturday if you want to view a taster of the artwork that will be on display during the main event.
Covid safety measures for the exhibition and visiting the studios are similar to visiting your local shops; facemasks, social distancing and hand sanitizer, you know the drill.