Henley Arts Trail… Showcasing Local Artist Talent
The Henley Arts Trail organised by the Henley Arts and Crafts Guild was first started in 2006 by Kate Findlay (chairman of the Henley Art & Crafts Guild), Judith Fletcher and Kirsten Jones. This every increasing popular event will take place again this year over the first May Bank Holiday weekend 4-6 May.
The trail is a showcase of the finest local talent, with artwork by over 150 professional and up-and-coming artists. It includes painting, drawing, jewellery, wood turning, textiles, ceramics, glass, sculpture and photography. Whether you’re looking for a centrepiece for your home, a present for someone special, or just some bank holiday entertainment, it has something for everyone.
In 2013 there are 25 venues along the trail including galleries, village halls, a manor house and a museum as well as artists’ home studios. Visitors can go to as many venues as they like and entry is free. Refreshments will be available at a number of the venues.
The Grand Opening for the Trail is at the Henley Old Fire Station Gallery on Friday 26 April between 6-8pm. The exhibition at the gallery will be a varied and interesting display of work by the Henley Art & Craft Guild members. This exhibition will then run from 27 April to the 7 May.
Henley Arts Trail venues in Henley open over the Bank Holiday include…
River & Rowing Museum 
Artists Diana Seidl and Judith Fletcher will be joined here with friends. Henley painter Judith draws inspiration from both natural forms and man-made objects, seeking an underlying flow and pattern. Current interests are still life, and a series of collages mixing words and found objects with water and sea shore themes. Diana, previously Head of the Arts Faculty at Pangbourne College, says “I am still torn between the abstract and figurative image and find much that inspires me in landscape.” Also on display will be ceramics by Bronwen Coussens, sculpture by Kay Singla and photographs by Mike Taylor. www.judithfletcher.co.uk and www.dianaseidl.co.uk
Christchurch Centre, Reading Road
Jo Sinclair who specialises in silver handmade jewellery will be joined by 20 professional artists exhibiting and selling handmade, original work including fused glass, needle felt and many more. Jo’s jewellery designs centre around silver clay art and silver smithing techniques. She says, “My inspiration comes mainly from nature, I use the wonderful textures and patterns prevalent in flora and fauna to create my pieces.” www.jojojewellery.me.uk
Also at the Christchurch Centre in the Pither Hall will be Sarah Pye from Henley who will be exhibiting her original paintings and will be joined by Liz Chaderton, Maria Meerstadt, Christine Morgan and Anthony England displaying jewellery, furniture, ceramics and sculpture. www.sarahsart.co.uk
Badgemore Park Golf Club
A group of Shiplake Arts and Crafts invited artists and craftspeople will be exhibiting their paintings, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture, glass, wood and millinery
Lady Sew & Sew – Farm Road
The largest patchwork warehouse in the UK, displaying quilts and textiles art from world famous authors and artists, local teachers and their very own customers! www.ladysewandsew.co.uk
Outside of Henley there are venues at Shiplake, Bix and Wargrave to name a few. To check out the full programme go to www.henleyartstrail.com
