Painting the town orange for Buxton Fringe

PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release June 22nd 2020

One of the largest categories of entertainment at this year’s unusual Buxton Fringe (July 1-19) is Visual Arts.

While much of the Fringe is online this year, Visual Arts has managed to be just that bit more diverse even including physical exhibitions. There is a chance to see experimental photography, prints and paintings by Jennifer Hart and Louise Jannetta at Louise’s friendly studio off Dale Road, Buxton, and mountain and landscape photography by Geoff Shoults at Jo Royle Outdoor in the Market Place. Both events will have social distancing measures in place.

People will also be able to see art in shop windows with Buxton Adult Community Education class members planning to exhibit in Hargreaves and award-winning local artist Pam Smart exhibiting Buxton and Derbyshire-themed artwork in the window of the Green Pavilion cafe.

Chapel Camera Club is organising its regular Buxton Photo Challenge via Facebook but participants have the option to wander round the town as usual in search of creative subject matter for the six themes set.

There are several trails. Some imaginative flowerpot creations will be popping up around the town in a trail organised by Funny Wonders which is asking people to get involved and make their own to be added to the map. Meanwhile Two Left Hands has created a number of homemade alternative well dressings across town, and artist Lindsey Piper is bringing her trail of 25 Smiles to Buxton with a chance to win an eye-catching Smile of your own if you find them all!

A couple of other trails have gone online - Lindsey Piper’s Sculpture Trail now features some fascinating links to sculptors demonstrating their work, while charlieanneart is offering a virtual tour of sketchbooks created by local artists before, during and after lockdown. Pam Smart meanwhile is inviting Fringe-goers on a virtual trip to Bangkok, India and beyond via her colourful 100-page sketchbook.

Having to go online has opened up new opportunities for some Fringe entrants. The long-established Burbage Art Group now has a full virtual gallery plus art demo links while the prestigious Buxton Spa Art Prize has been able to accept art on a variety of different subject matter this year, all created in lockdown. Buxton and District U3A Beginners Art Group make their Fringe debut with more than 60 works also made in this difficult year. Untitled, The Deep Sleep, an unforgettable performance installation that has visited many towns and cities including Buxton, goes online with some beautifully films of its travels.

One positive aspect to lockdown is that more people are making their own art. Buxton Fringe Award- winning magazine collage artist Giles Davies is offering an enticing one-day online workshop on July 18 where he will share his skills and help you develop your own.

Fringe Marketing Officer Stephanie Billen says: “Art has proved one of the most resilient categories at Buxton Fringe this year and there are some really inspiring artworks to see as well as a chance to have a go yourself!”

Further information on over 70 Fringe events can be found on www.buxtonfringe.org.uk or on the free Buxton Fringe App.

The Fringe wishes to thank its sponsor The University of Derby as well as financial supporters The Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust and High Peak Borough Council, its Fringe Friends and the town’s many Fringe supporters and venues.

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