The Wivenhoe Art Trail has swelled with more life each year and this year several hundred visitors strolled up the high street and along the charming riverfront between the 25 artists’ venues.
Growing from just six artists to an incredible 43, the trail sees local artists and makers offering themselves, their space, and their art to the world.
Alison Stockmarr is one of the trail’s organisers and said this year “seemed to have an extra oomph to it.”
She said: “It was incredible, and absolutely ridiculous how busy it was. It was non-stop all the time, we’re all just about recovering.”
Artist- Alison Stockmarr’s work has been featured in the Royal Academy, and may be again in the summer. (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)
“Our reach is really growing each year,” she added, sharing people travelled from Ipswich, Chelmsford, Woodbridge, Felixstowe and London to see the trail.
Alison said there was a “real buzz” in the quaint town, with queues out the front doors of the eateries so that despite preparing for the high footfall, The Wivenhoe Deli ran out of food.
Wivenhoe was saturated with colour and life, and the view of sweeping green hills across the sparkling river could have been a painting itself.
Many artists sat peacefully painting in their studios while hundreds of visitors passed through.
Colourful- Art from the children of Wivenhoe’s primary schools made one of the stops on the Trail. (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)
“It was so joyous,” Alison added. “The world is quite chaotic at the moment, so people coming and seeing beauty and art and craft and really appreciating it was heartwarming.
“We have many people return each year who know it’s established now, so that’s particularly nice that they’re recognising there’s always something new to see.
“Even with the people who open every year, there’s new work and new artists and makers.”
Up-close- Anthony Jones was one of many artists painting in his studio while visitors viewed his work. (Image: Claudia Bradley, Newsquest)
Alison added: “Quite a few people said to me that this trail is Wivenhoe at its finest. And I think they’re absolutely right.”
Many visitors chose to spend the night in the area to fill their weekend with the event.
There are two art trails every year, with the next one scheduled for November 15-17.
Alison said: “At Christmas you have the added bonus of wrapping up and wandering around, having the odd mulled wine and chocolate and mince pie here and there.”
The Trail’s website has links to all the artists and makers: https://www.wivenhoearttrail.com