Village lays out welcome mat as Pittenweem Arts Festival begins

Thousands of people are expected to descend on a Fife village over the next nine days.

Pittenweem Arts Festival, which starts today, draws visitors from all over the world.

Around 100 artists and makers will exhibit in houses, studios, galleries and other venues in the East Neuk village.

The festival was launched 35 years ago by a group of local artists and has grown into an event which is estimated to provide a boost of more than £1 million to the economy.

This year’s guest artists are Graham Rich, Anna S King and Paul Furneaux and its bursaryaward-winning artist is Nicola Wiltshire.

A new venue will be Ovenstone 109, an under-development microbrewery, where a dozen artists will exhibit.

As well as exhibitions, the festival includes a series of events, including talks, workshops, concerts, children’s activities and guided walks.

Among the musical performances will be one by the Boyle Klöfver Duo at Kellie Castle, while members of the public will become the music makers at a samba drumming workshop led by Beats of Brazil.

A geological walk will be led to the Rock and Spindle volcanic outcrop east of St Andrews and children will be able to take part in the festival’s popular fossil treasure hunt.

Visitors will also be able to follow a trail of animal sculptures through Pittenweem.

Once again, Kev Paxton and ArtFe have created a trail, featuring metalwork bulls, stags and other creatures.

Their pieces are so popular that some of them have become permanent additions to the community.

Festival brochures are available at Art@47, 47 High Street.