Sunshine and Crowds as Henley Arts Trail Hits Record Numbers

The Henley Arts Trail hit record numbers of visitors this year, as people came out in the sunshine to join the trail and enjoy the wide variety of art on display in Henley and the surrounding area.

At The Castle House on St Andrew’s Road, The Castle House Creatives were displaying their art in a beautifully sunny, sheltered spot in the glass roofed annex to the side of the house. On display were Lucy Willson’s beautiful stoneware – described as decorative but useable ceramics – Diana Estornel’s jewellery – produced using precious metals and gemstones – and Sara Painter’s street based, Asian-inspired photography.

Lucy, who exhibited for the first time last year, said “It’s lovely to open up this area to the public so that local people can have the chance to see what we create. Making is my passion, but it’s also a good opportunity to sell as well. The Arts Trail is so well supported and the organisers have made it a very easy process and nurturing environment.” As with many of the venues, refreshments were available, in a beautiful garden setting. Lucy’s son Josh, who recently started his own pizza business fori oza pizza, was selling sourdough pizzas from the driveway.

At The Old Fire Station Gallery, there were lots of visitors right from when the doors opened to the last hour on the final day. Barry Wall, one of the exhibition coordinators who was involved in the planning and work required in the run up to the event commented: “It’s been a wonderful turn out. There are lots of happy people enjoying the art, and making purchases too – which is great for the artists. We have over 60 artists this year and more than 450 items on display. There’s a real buzz – and it’s great for the town as well. I’m pretty sure the weather is helping too!”

In The Green Room, three artists had work on display: Rachel Wallace, who uses analogue, digital, and alternative photography to engage the viewer with the natural world; Karen Musgrave Hill, whose work with glass vessels and Japanese paper was highly acclaimed and talked about all around the art trail; and Suzie Tonkinson, a multi-disciplinary contemporary artist. Karen, who began as a botanical artist, has taken to creating the glass pieces in the last couple of years as a new way of using her images and expressing her creativity. A natural and engaging lady, Karen was happy to explain how her creations take form and also how the direction of her work may change tack as she feels the creative inspiration hit. She said, “I love to create and none of my pieces will ever be the same – each one is unique. I may use the same images or papers, but never in the same way and each piece of work always has a little surprise!”

Among the many visitors enjoying the trail were three Henley ladies. Frequent visitors to the Arts Trail, they make a point of attending as regularly as they can explaining, there is always lots of talent to enjoy. One said, “I moved here from Yorkshire where we had an arts trail as well, but this one is so professional. I’m really enjoying my day.”

The exhibitors finally packed up on Monday at 5pm, however, if you missed out this year, three of the venues have longer viewing schedules. These include Grey’s Court, Kirsten Jones and Friends (at 35a Hart Street) and The Old Fire Station Gallery – viewing end dates are available on the Henley Arts Trail website.