Dozens of treats on arts trail (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Dozens of treats on arts trail

AN ARTS trail will be launched in west Wiltshire later this month, with 112 artists getting involved.

The debut Cloth Road Arts Week, named after the area's close links with the cloth trade, will include 36 venues in Melksham, Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon and the surrounding villages.

The free trail launches on September 24, and runs until October 2, featuring landscape oil paintings, photography, pottery and textile art.

The trail, which follows the successful Wylye Valley Art Trail held earlier in the year, will give the public a chance to meet local artists and discuss the artwork on show.

There are also a number of practical hands-on sessions.

Galleries have already contacted some of the contributing artists to inquire about their work.

Ron Pybus, coordinator of the arts trail, said: "Preparation is going very well. The artists are busy getting their work ready, and everybody is looking forward to it.

"We have all been amazed at the number of artists working in the area, Bradford is known to be a home for artists but no one suspected that there were so many others from Trowbridge, Melksham and surrounding villages."

The Lottery and Arts Council and local town and parish councils have provided financial support to pay for a 24-page colour brochure advertising the event, which is available in libraries, local shops and Tourist Information Centres.

Artists include:

Adam Young, pet portraiture, Woodside, Trowbridge

Graham Newing, stoneware and porcelain, West Ashton, Trowbridge

Susannah Way, jewellery using precious and non-precious materials, West Ashton, Trowbridge

Nick Matthews, metal work, Wingfield, Trowbridge

Jean Bending, textiles, Bradford on Avon Library

Sandra Porter, abstract paintings, Kingston Road, Bradford on Avon

Graham Hobbs, buildings in tone and shade, Budbury Close, Bradford on Avon

Society of Friends, photographs of Bradford on Avon, Whiteheads Lane, Bradford on Avon.