Art Trail Set to Return to the Waveney Valley this Spring

An Art Trail is set to return to the picturesque Waveney Valley this Spring.

Harleston & Waveney Art Trail (HWAT) will take place throughout the valley that forms the border between Norfolk and Suffolk in May.

Nineteen artists, including three new to the group, will open their studio doors to visitors across the weekends of 20-21 May and 27-29 May.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for locals and visitors alike to explore how and where artists work in the stunning landscapes of south Norfolk and north Suffolk.

The free event features a range of artworks including contemporary and traditional paintings, abstract work, batik, mixed media, lino prints, drawings, collage, textiles, wire sculptures plus greetings cards and prints made from the artists’ original artwork.

HWAT chairman Malcolm Cudmore said: “This year, nineteen of us from Harleston and Waveney Art Trail will be opening our studios for the last two weekends of May. We are very happy to return to the late bank holiday Monday as a final, bonus day.

“This year, we’re very pleased to welcome three new members to the Trail for the first time. Bringing with them a distinctive approach to figurative and abstract painting and exquisite book-binding, they are a terrific addition to the wide range of high-quality art and sculpture that will be on show (and for sale!) direct from the artists’ studios on the Trail.

“Across the Trail, visitors can expect to see traditional and contemporary landscape and other subjects in a variety of media, abstract painting, prints, wire sculpture, textile art and more. Members love to show and talk about their work and visitors always enjoy the experience of chatting in the very place the work was made.

“Of course, work is for sale – but greetings cards and other smaller items are usually also available as souvenirs of a visit. The whole Trail is accessible by cycle, with clusters of some studios even within walking distance.

“We welcome all visitors – regulars and first-timers to join us on the Trail – to see art, talk about art and buy art direct from the maker.”

The artists participating in the Trail are Kath Wallace, Lisa Henshall, Caryl Challis, Rachel Wiles, Caroline Moulton, Barbara Bernard, Noelle Francis, Sara Johnson, Rosie Andersen, John Ogden, Liz Taunt, Paul Zawadzki, Malcolm Cudmore, Lin Patterson, Ingrid Duffy, Nell Close, Rhonda Whitehead, Nicci Dedman and Chris Mound.

The artist’s studios are dotted around the valley – in Harleston, Redenhall, Denton, Ditchingham, Bungay, Thwaite St Mary, St Cross South Elmham, Homersfield, Wortwell, Mendham, Weybread and Syleham.

Three new artists will take part in this year’s trail – children’s book author and book-maker Rosie Anderson in Thwaite St Mary, painter and sculptor John Ogden in Ditchingham and painter Rhonda Whitehead in Mendham.

The group and the event is sponsored by Durrants Estate Agents and supported by The Imperial Wine Company, Bungay and The Old Kings Head, Brockdish.

Malcolm Cudmore said: “We’re very pleased to continue our association with Durrant’s, our sponsors.

“Copies of the Trail brochure will be available from a variety of locations around the region from early April and full information is on our website. The website includes a detailed Google map which enables anyone with a smartphone to obtain directions between any of the studios at any time.”

The brochure will also be available from every branch of Durrants in Harleston, Halesworth, Beccles, Diss and Southwold.

All studios are open across the two weekends between 10am and 5pm. For more information visit www.hwat.org.uk

Later this year the art collective will be exhibiting at the Bell Gallery on Earsham Street in Bungay in the lead up to Christmas.