22nd September 2011

LYME REGIS: ArtsFest starts with a hugely successful opening weekend

By Francesca Evans

THE eighth Lyme Regis ArtsFest got off to a successful start at the weekend, with a huge range of exhibitions, workshops and open studios across the town.

The festival was launched at a party on Friday evening in the Town Mill Malthouse, where work from all participating artists has been displayed, and was officially opened by the Mayor, Councillor Sally Holman, who is also the festival director, on Saturday morning.

Following her opening speech in the Marine Parade shelters, the Mayor went on a tour of the town, stopping at the Shed Photography exhibition in the Lister Room, a joint exhibition in the Baptist Church, shop windows displaying art in Broad Street, the Malthouse and the Woodmead Halls, where Axminster Artisans were hosting a craft fair and children’s art activities.

On Saturday evening, Chelsea Davine, creator of the Shed Photography - a platform for local artists to display their work to a wider audience - launched her new venture with a reception at the Lister Room exhibition.

The first day of the festival was a huge success, with artists exhibiting in the Baptsit Church selling £1,400 of work and over 500 people visiting the Marine Parade shelters where ArtsFest information and activities were held.

Other events during the opening weekend included a Mass Drawing Extravaganza themed “Lyme Bay”, with Woodroffe School art teacher Dot Wood, a Japanese fish rubbing workshop with local artist Christine Allison and a concert from the Bridgend Male Voice Choir at St Michael’s Parish Church.

Events will continue throughout this week until Sunday, September 25th. Workshops will cover subjects from stained glass, hand felting and peg looming to typography and writing your own life story.

On Friday, September 23rd, the Marine Theatre will host an evening of poetry, sea shanties and more called “Wordfest!”, featuring entries in the Rotary Club’s poetry competition open to local primary school children.

Activities on Saturday, September 24th will start bright and early with a sunrise sketching and sizzling breakfast event at By The Bay restaurant on Marine Parade with Christine Allison. The annual Mary Anning Day will also be held on Saturday, with a a whole programme of events scheduled at the museum and Marine Theatre.

Youth music group B Sharp will be holding a busking festival on Saturday, from 11am to 8pm. Musicians of all ages are invited to perform at selected spots around the town and a piano will be installed in the Marine Parade shelters for all to have a go on.

More details on all events can be found at www.lymeregisartsfest.co.uk or in the ArtsFest programme, available at many local outlets.

PICTURE 1: FROM ACROSS THE BORDER: Co-founders of Axminster Artisans, Lisa Lyman and Wendy Fountained, at their art and craft fair

PICTURE 2: ON DISPLAY - Lyn Whiteman from Axminster Artisans at the art and craft fair in Woodmead Halls

PICTURE 3: CELEBRATING MUSIC - A b Sharp saxophonist entertained during the Mayor's your of the town

PICTURE 4: HANDS ON - Local artist Hugh Dunford-Wood showed his printing and painting skills in the Marine Parade shelters

PICTURE 5: MUGSHOT - Photographer Peter Wiles showed the Mayor his new printed mugs as well as his display of photos