First town art event to showcase area’s talent
A SUMMER extravaganza showcasing the talents of artists of all ages as well as dancers and singers is to be held in Swadlincote town centre for the first time.
Swadlincote Art is organising the artthemed event to put on display the talents of local schoolchildren and help highlight what South Derbyshire has to offer.
Ami James, of Swadlincote Art, has claimed there is not much for artists or performers in the Swadlincote area – and, with the help of friends, has been organising the weekend of activities since November.
Named the Swadlincote Art and Architecture Trail, businesses in the town centre, as well as the town hall and Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, will be displaying some of the artwork. Visitors will use a trail guide to work their way through the many points of interest.
Among other attractions for all ages will be a bake-off competition judged by Delicious Dishes and Bluebell Tearooms, as well as performances by local dance groups, along with an appearance by dancer, acrobat, musician, singer and DJ Ras King Bobo, while children can have their pictures taken with Alice in Wonderland stiltwalkers.
There is also expected to be music from Jon Kensett, as well as Swadlincote’s very own Kirby Frost, who narrowly missed out on the live finals of this year’s The Voice.
Ami James said: “The trail will be a platform to showcase artists’ work within businesses, public spaces and in ptured ifferent perspective of oppies rowing in el outh erbyshire. Take from he image shows the flowers lit by the .
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“We are a small voluntary non-profit group that came up with the idea to start up an art-themed event.
“So, in November, I grouped a few friends together and we started organising (with absolutely no money).
“We have really been working on a tight budget and we have managed to pull it off from a grant from Foundation Derbyshire and support from Roger Bullivant Ltd.
“The event has grown quickly purely down to kind people helping us out free of charge.
“We have around 30 artists plus secondary schools exhibiting through the town on both days.”
Burton and South Derbyshire College has also designed the graphics for the trail guides. Year 10 pupils at Granville Academy, in Burton Road, Woodville, have designed the trail’s logo and Swadlincote Ski Slope donated the prize to the winning pupil
Rosliston Forestry Centre has teamed up with the Magic Attic to set up a walk round and talk about the heritage of the town.
Trail guides cost £3 and these include all the details on the artists, and a history competition form.
The activity weekend will run from 10am to 4pm on July 21 and 22 in Swadlincote town centre.