Events for the Spring and Summer Rossendale Art Trail will begin on Friday, May 29 from 6pm to 8pm when 13 members of Valley Artists open their studios in Clarke Holme Mill, Burnley Road East, Waterfoot.
Over the weekend of Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, a total of 14 venues will host artists who will showcase their work.
Volunteer organiser Scott Sadler, who has been involved since 2021, said: “We have 58 artists who feature in the free brochure, some have individual exhibitions and many have collaborated.
“I remember coming here as a visitor to the art trail previously and not being able to get around the whole event because there were so many different venues.”
A highlight of this year’s trail will be a Paint Jam, being held at The Whitaker, Rossendale Museum and Art Gallery, Rawtenstall, and also on Waterfoot Square, behind the Waterfoot Yard.
This is on all weekend during the art trail event.
Scott said: “Last year we did a smaller version of the Paint Jam on Paramatta Street in Rawtenstall when the carpet shop allowed eight artists to paint boarded up windows on the side of a building.
“I love street art and Rossendale is quite sanitised. This weekend will see eight artists, four of whom are local to Rossendale and others who are nationally and internationally known, creating huge works of art; it will be a little bit like the Common Walls that were created in the centre of Rochdale.
“When the boards are finished, they will not be hidden away, but will go on show at various venues. We have a grant to cover the materials and the artists are showcasing their talents for free.”
In contrast, in the Horse and Bamboo Theatre, Waterfoot Electronic Transmissions, WET, will be presenting ‘adventures in electronic music’ on May 20 from 2pm, while Candi Martin will host a poetry pop-up on both days from 1pm-2pm.
As part of a collaboration ‘Bin Collective’, Scott has been working with artists, P&V and Helen Davies, on Arts Council-funded puppet rave workshops which started as part of the trail.
He said: “These were a huge success and exceeded all our expectations. We went on to do Waterfoot Wakes and then took it to The Lowry and have another five more workshops and raves this year, so art started in Rossendale can be a catalyst.
“I want to make the Arts Trail open to much more than just visual arts so it also involves music and events.
“The trail is the launch of Gather@Festival, which will take place from June 26 to 28, at Haslingden Market and various other venues across Rossendale.”
Free copies of the Rossendale Art Trail booklet have been distributed across Rossendale.
