Henley Arts Trail…Draws in the Crowds

Organisers of the The Henley Art Trail were really pleased with the turnout over the lovely Bank Holiday.  The weather brought people out and most of the venues were very well attended.  Over the 25 venues, there was a showcase of paintings, drawings, jewellery, wood turning, textiles, ceramics, glass, sculpture and photography by over 150 professional and up-and-coming artists.  A selection of the art from the Henley venues; the Old Fire Station Gallery, The Christ Church Centre and the River & Rowing Museum are shown on the slideshow above.

The Old Fire Station Gallery had 600 visitors over the weekend and about 1000 visitors over the 10 days of the exhibition.  Visitors to the exhibition were asked to vote for their favourite piece which would be awarded the Molly Staley Award.  The Award was won by Robin Spencer, a local young Art Teacher for his oil done en plein-air “Shiplake Floodwater” (pictured here) which sold. Visitors could add also add their own detail to the Mad HATers’ Painting which will be presented to Falaise in Normandy as gift to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the two towns being twinned.  The painting was started by pupils of St Mary’s School.

Lots of work was sold across the venues including 13 of the mini-canvasses which raised enough funds for three schools to be given children’s art workshops; Nettlebed, Polehampton and Hurst.

The River and Rowing Museum had a steady stream of visitors as did the Christ Church Centre in Henley and the high standard of work displayed at both venues was very impressive.