Month: September 2020

Somerset Arts Week 2020

Somerset Open Studios 2020 in West Somerset

19th September to 4th October

Somerset Open Studios fortnight sets out to offer an opportunity to meet local artists and makers in their studios and workshops, to learn first-hand about their creative processes. This year Covid 19 safety restrictions has inevitably affected the event. There are fewer studios opening to the public and, for most of these, calling in advance is necessary. But with just a little planning there is still plenty to enjoy and Watchet is an ideal base for exploring studios in West Somerset. There is also an enhanced online experience featuring images, films, stories and demonstrations relating to artists’ studio practices across the county, that everyone can enjoy safely.

 

In Watchet itself there are two artists welcoming visitors: Jenny Barron, whose richly realistic still life painting sometimes has a whimsical or surreal aspect, and Jan Martin,  whose prints combine traditional and digital techniques and encompass portraiture, caricature, and landscapes. Jan is also offering bookbinding workshops.

 

A short drive in any direction out of Watchet will take you to several more venues. Going west on the A39 towards Minehead you can visit Jane Hood (paintings and prints) in Washford, Sarah Fox (jewellery) in Withycombe, Leo Davey (painting) and Joanne Horrobin (enamelled copper vessels and sculpture) both in Minehead, then on to Luccombe on Exmoor for Sarah Easter Collins (painting). Taking the A358 south find Annabel Anderson (painting) in Bicknoller and Emma Duke (driftwood art and design) in Crowcombe. A round trip through the Brendon Hills will take you close to Lyn and Magnus Mowat (painting, sculpture, woodworking) in Brompton Ralph, or take a scenic drive across the Quantocks rejoining the A39 near Holford to visit Kate Hammond (mosaics).

 

These are just a few of many artists venues open across Somerset. Visit www.somersetartworks.org.uk for a detailed online guide and an interactive map of venues

‘Lucy’, drypoint print, Jan Martin, Watchet, Venue 107

‘Quinces and Cup’, watercolour, Jenny Barron, Watchet, Venue 108

Jane Hood in her studio, White Horse Cottages, Washford, Venue 109

‘Let’s Talk’, copper and vitreous enamel, Joanne Horrobin, Minehead, Venue 118.

Sarah Fox in her studio, Withycombe, Venue 115

‘Good boy on Bossington Hill’, mixed media, Sarah Easter Collins, Luccombe, Venue 119

 

Here comes 2021….

It all starts the year before………

In January we publish the Welcome to Watchet leaflet. The biggest part of the leaflet is the Calendar, the diary of events, the Whats on in Watchet! We spend the end of the winter collating all the local information about dates and whats happening and when. The leaflet then goes off for production and at the end of February a lovely glossy leaflet arrives for distribution. This is handed out all over West Somerset, taken to leaflet events, delivered to businesses and Visitor Centres countywide.

Our delivery arrives………..

In February 2020 I received 15,000 leaflets for distribution. We had no idea what was to follow very quickly after that delivery.

And mayhem begins…………..

Sorry we have to cancel Watchet Summer Time!

Sorry the Street Fairs will have to be cancelled!

Sorry we have to cancel Watchet Carnival!

Sorry we have to cancel Watchet 40s Weekend!

Sorry we are cancelling the Market until further notice!

Sorry we’re closing the pubs…………………….Nooooooooo!

Due to Covid-19 Watchet has had to cancel all of its amazing events and activities over the past 6 months.

PARTY CENTRAL

Known locally as ‘Party Central’, Watchet has reverted to a quiet harbour town. The tourists have visited and most have enjoyed the peacefulness that this town has to offer, the safety of a town that has fortunately missed much of the horrors of the pandemic. But for those of us who are used to a town full of action and fun, for those of us who love the normal weekends of activity and mayhem it feels like we are a town in waiting, a town waiting to emerge from the chrysalis of Covid 19. Watch out 2021 the residents and regular visitors of Watchet are itching to take central stage once more. Watchet the coiled spring of West Somerset feels ready to be released, ready to emerge once more into the amazing, lively, fun filled place it can be!

There are rumors of new things to be added to an already full calendar.  Of Fringe Festivals, of Reenactment weekends, of Drama and YES things will need to be different, but with so much time to forward plan we are all hoping that events organisers can start to make arrangements, can start to make announcements. The dates of the Watchet Festival have been announced this week and we wait for all the other groups to start adding their voice.

Over to you………….

If anyone has anything to add to the 2021 calendar please contact me I’m itching to get started. Here’s to a bigger and better line up, more events more fun and far lest Covid -19.

PS. If anyone has any ideas what I can do with 15,000 Whats NOT on in Watchet leaflets 2020 let me know!!!!