The Crickhowell and Area Arts Trail ‘Open Studios and Galleries’ which is funded by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s Collabor8 project and organised by the Crickhowell Resource and Information Centre celebrates the exceptional quality and craftsmanship in the local area showcasing everything from art to sculpture to pottery to jewellery making.
The Arts Trail runs during the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend from Friday 28th May until Sunday 30th May showcasing over 50 eclectic artists and craft makers at more than 31 different venues throughout the picturesque market town of Crickhowell.
Open to everyone, the trail offers the attractive opportunity to talk to and buy straight from artists and craft workers who in turn benefit from selling direct to the public. A beautiful 40 page free colour guide has been produced and is available from Tourist Information Centres to help people explore the area, savour the work that is on offer and appreciate the landscape that much of it has been inspired by.
Suzette Pratton, Arts Trail Coordinator said: “This long weekend celebration of art should be an all round success and it will showcase some of the best local talent in the arts. It is great to see so many businesses working together with community groups to bring together a fantastic programme which encourages more visitors to Crickhowell. We are grateful to Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Collabor8 which help support the exceptional quality of art and craftmanship on offer in the heart of Brecon Beacons National Park and the Black Mountains. Artists and craft makers will welcome visitors warmly to their studios and exhibitions and we’re sure visitor won’t be able to resist taking something home!”
The Crickhowell Arts Trail and Guide is supported by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s Collabor8 project, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. This project aims to work with local businesses on initiatives that promote what’s local, distinctive and special about our National Park and help visitors discover the best of the local area. Collabor8 will also be supporting the production of a short video to help Crickhowell promote the event on internet sites like YouTube and Facebook to attract visitors for future events.
Nick Stewart, Collabor8 Officer for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority said: “Collabor8 helps us supports projects focused on great visitor experiences that contribute to the economic vitality of the area by enabling more people to benefit directly from the visitor spend. The Trail of Open Studios and Galleries is an excellent example of businesses marketing themselves collaboratively to create an event which will make tourism work for the local economy. Crickhowell has worked really hard to put this event together and we are pleased to be supporting them.”
Entry to all studios and galleries is free. The Open Studios and Galleries booklet, with information about the venues taking part, opening times, works on display and special free workshop, is now available from all Tourist Information Centres in Brecon Beacons National Park (including Abergavenny, Llandovery, Brecon, Crickhowell and Hay on Wye). For further information on the Arts Trail please contact CriC by telephoning 01873 811 970 or email facilities@crickhowellinfo.org.uk
For more information about Collabor8 contact Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s Collabor8 Officer Nick Stewart on 01874 620490 or nick.stewart@breconbeacons.org
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NOTES TO EDITORS
The COLLABOR8 Project is 50% funded by the ERDF Interreg IVB North West Europe Programme. This partnership project involves nine different partners from Ireland, Wales, England, Netherlands and Belgium. It aims to actively involve clusters of small businesses in developing quality, sustainability and services that promote local ‘sense of place’. In this way each tourism cluster will be able to capitalise on the uniqueness of their regions to compete better in the EU and global markets.
The partners involved in the COLLABOR8 project are: South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. (IE) -(Lead Partner); DLG Government Service for Land and Water Management: Office of the National Project New Dutch Waterline Department (NL); Stichting Studio VMK (NL); Flemish Land Agency (BE); Tourism East Flanders (BE), Westcountry Rivers Trust (UK); South Downs Joint Committee (UK); Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (UK); and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (UK).