The 20th Herefordshire Art week is due to kick off September 3 and is shaping up to be a treat for residents and visitors.
Whilst the art week takes place in many locations across Herefordshire, there are a substantial number of Ross artists and Ross venues opening up their doors and showcasing their work.
Centre stage amongst the talented Ross artists is Made in Ross at the Ross Market Hall. From Saturday, September 3 to Sunday, September 11, they’re putting on their contribution to Herefordshire Art Week, also known as h.Art. The gallery is open everyday from 10am to 4pm, even outside of art week.
Made in Ross featured artists include: Julie Canon, water colour artist; Rosie Cannon, mosaics and mixed media artist; Chris Champness, knitting and jewellery; Sarah Freer, hand weaver; Steve Freer, ceramics; Eleanor Kercher, wood-craft; Jan Matthews, contemporary felt maker; Louise Pilditch, painter; Jackie Poulter, silver jewellery designer; Tara Slater, print maker; Nigel Street, water colour artist; Frances Warren, stone and glass artist; and Sue White, silk artist.
There are plenty of other venues around Ross opening their doors for art week, full details for all venues can be found on h-art.org.uk.
Unique etched and oxidised jewellery, inspired by nature, as well as contemporary reduction lino print and hand-cut paper art will be on show at the Garden Studio on Edde Cross Street in Ross.
St Mary’s in Ross is proud to showcase the work of local artists working in a variety of media in the splendid surroundings of Ross Parish Church in the centre of town. Artists include Simon Blundell, Sally Boehme, Lisa Dear, Mary Deaville, Caz Holbrook, Phil Powell, Fiona Reynolds, John Sherahilo, Karen Tacey, and Sharon Yorke.
A friendly open studio, featuring paintings, drawings, and collages, including explorations of the Wye Valley are on display at Kingfisher, Rope Walk entrance on Trenchyard Street in Ross.
Bespoke Mosaic wall hangings both decorative and fine art based, as well as small oil paintings are on display at Freshwater Mosaics, 41 New Street in Ross.
Run by hand-weaver Gaby Devitt, The Basement on Gloucester Road in Ross is showcasing makers living in and around the town. Displays include woven and printed textiles, pottery, felting, paper cut work, beeswax candles, and handmade mirrors.
Crowsfeet, on Cantilupe Road in Ross, is a venue with a difference; a shop of treasures which claims to be a must visit at all times of the year and now boasts Claire McKnight as a regular part of it.
Visitors to Whitchurch are invited to view the outdoor sculpture garden at Norton House B&B on Old Monmouth Road, where a number of wire sculptures will be on display.
Round Oak Cottage on Hoarwithy Rd will be showcasing domestic and decorative stoneware, glazed with local clay slips and interactive celadons, as well as landscape paintings of the Welsh Marches and Wales in oil and acrylic.
There are countless more venues opening their doors for Herefordshire Art Week and the full range can be found on their website.
Steve Freer, ceramics artist and one of the featured artists from Made in Ross, told the Gazette: “Why it’s so good, is that people across the county look forward to it, get the brochure, and then plan road trips around different areas. We always love taking part and it brings a lot of the artists together.”
Peter Horroks from Venue 27 said: “Twenty years has flown by. I cannot believe I feel just as enthusiastic as I did when it started. Nothing has matched h.Art for increasing the profile of visual arts in the county.”