As part of a county-wide ‘art gallery’, more than 100 artists in and around Didcot are part of a group of 1000 artists and designer-makers who are preparing to turn the whole county into a giant art gallery for the Oxfordshire Artweeks’ 40th anniversary in May.
With over twenty venues in a six-mile radius from the town opening their doors locally over a nine-day period there’s ever so much to see. You are invited to visit artists’ open studios and pop-up exhibitions – all for free – in interesting and welcoming venues where you’ll find paintings and pottery, sculpture, photography, jewellery and more. And not only that, but you’ll also have the chance to talk to the makers about their methods, materials, and inspiration. Just drop in; no appointment necessary.
Charlie Davies and Denny Webb
(Artweeks venue 229) Cornerstone Arts Centre, 25 Station Road, Didcot OX11 7NE
Kicking things off from 4-31 May, The Cornerstone Arts Centre presents Didcot favourite Charlie Davies and her co-exhibitor Denny Webb. Their love of nature and the local landscape is celebrated in a diverse selection of paintings of local landscapes, nature, and the concept of ‘bringing the outdoors inside’. Through clever design and stylish compositions, Denny’s contemporary paintings capture favourite jugs, kettles, and quirky household items in a beautiful amalgamation with local Oxfordshire landscapes. While Charlie is a passionate Plein air painter who ventures out in all weathers to portray the changing moods of the seasons in her landscape paintings, she also enjoys capturing the fleeting ephemeral moments of still life.
4-31 May (closed Sundays), 11am-4.30pm (Fri/Sat 10-6pm)
Valentina Gonzalez
(Artweeks venue 228) 33 Cornflower Close, Didcot, OX11 6ES
Also in town, visit the studio of Artweeks newcomer Valentina Gonzalez whose balanced abstract compositions made with collage and drawing are inspired by construction sites, the sunny south of Spain and simplicity.
14-15 and 20-22 May, 11am-5pm
And there’s more, in every direction. Here’s an Artweeks compass to help you choose where to go!
HEAD NORTH
Jane Duff
(Artweeks venue 169), The White Cottage, Little Wittenham OX14 4RA
In an airy gallery in a charming garden, Jane Duff shows her latest paintings of landscapes of Oxfordshire, Snowdonia and the west coast. Entry between red telephone box and church.
14-22 May 11am-6pm
Liz Gascoigne and BeakerB
(Artweeks venue 170) Clumps Orchard Barn, Little Wittenham OX14 4RE
Right next door, visit Liz Gascoigne and newcomer Becky aka BeakerB whose contemporary paintings, porcelain and stoneware pottery are on show in a beautiful barn gallery with orchard teas and walks in all directions.
14-15 and 18-22 May, 11am-6pm
Sylva Wood Centre
(Artweeks venue 171) Sylva Wood Centre, Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham OX14 4QT
If you’re inspired by wood in all its forms – and bespoke furniture too – then Sylva Wood Centre is the place for you. It’s a whole community of artists and artisans who design and make in wood and related crafts and would love to show you their craft.
14-15 May, 10am-5pm
Clare Owen and Nandi Ablett
(Artweeks venue 172) 42 Little Wittenham Road, Long Wittenham OX14 4QS
In Long Wittenham, there’s also a selection of ceramics to explore by Clare Owen and paintings on wood and more by Nandi Ablett – expect a variety of hand-built decorated large and small jars, plates, and small items, such as egg cups, often showing images from nature and travels.
14-15 19-22 May, Sat/Sun 11am-5pm, Thu-Fri 2-5pm
LOOK EAST
Josie Clouting
(Artweeks venue 242) 84 Papist Way, Cholsey OX10 9QJ
In Cholsey, Artweeks newcomer Josie Clouting promises vibrant colours and intuitive paintings inspired by the natural world.
14-15 19-22 May 11am-6pm
The Wallingford & District Art Club
(Artweeks Venue 243) The Great Hall, Fair Mile, Cholsey, OX10 9GW
The Wallingford and District Art Club are showcasing more than 60 original paintings in all mediums with handmade crafts and jewellery too.
13-15 May 10am-5pm
Wallingford centre
(Artweeks venue 246) Ayres House Studios, Ayres Yard, Station Road, Wallingford OX10 0JZ
In Wallingford centre, there’s also the chance to explore a set of sixteen artists’ studios in a historic old rectory, a beautiful and intriguing space where you’ll find everything from mosaics, jewellery, and art restoration, to sculpture, multidisciplinary work, and upholstery.
14-15 and 19-22 May, 11am-4.30pm (11am-6pm Fri/Sat)
Brightwell Village Hall
(Artweeks venue 248) Stewart Village Hall, West End, Brightwell cum Sotwell OX10 0RY
Over in Brightwell Village Hall, you’ll find another six artists exhibiting diverse paintings from stylised landscapes to colourful people, batik prints and pottery.
20-22 May, 10am-6pm
The All Saints Artists
(Artweeks venue 241) All Saints Church, Wallingford Road, North Moreton OX11 9AT
And in North Moreton, the All Saints Artists are showing paintings, textiles, printmaking, ceramics and mixed media in a wonderful 13th Century Church.
14-22 May 11am-6pm (Sundays 11-4pm)
GO SOUTH
Linda Benton
(Artweeks venue 230) Hagbourne Village Hall, 53 Main Road, East Hagbourne OX11 9LR
Linda Benton is showing her illustrations for the Poets' Trail, busy artwork for jigsaws and more, including originals, books, prints, cards, and jigsaws.
14-15 and 21-22 May 10.30am-5.30pm
Chloe Romanos, Mandy Reid, Adrian Smart and Helen Young
(Artweeks venue 234-237) Springfield House, Baker Street, Aston Tirrold OX11 9DD
At Springfield House discover stunning delicate and unusual designer jewellery by Chloe Romanos using gold and silver with colourful gemstones, see lifelike and engaging pet portraits by Mandy Reid, breathtakingly detailed watercolour paintings of birds and still life images by Adrian Smart and painter Helen Young’s abstract oil paintings and cards inspired by her polar adventures.
14-15 and 21-22 May, 11am-6pm
Hedley Thorne and Anna Dillon
(Artweeks venues 238 and 239) Heathersage, Aston Street, Aston Tirrold OX11 9DJ
You can also explore the Ridgeway through drone photography and the contemporary landscape paintings inspired by them, with Hedley Thorne and Anna Dillon.
14-15 and 21-22 May, 11am-6pm
Susanna Brunskillin
(Artweeks venue 240) Twitten, Aston Street, Aston Tirrold OX11 9DQ
And find artist Susanna Brunskillin an attractive cottage garden showing characterful wildlife paintings and a rainbow of still lifes in oils.
14-15 and 20-22 May, 11am-6pm (Sat/Sun, Fri by appt only)
The Blewbury Club House
(Artweeks listings 231-233)
The Blewbury Club House is host to three more Artweeks artists, Yvette Phillips, Charlotte Houlihan and Eleanor Wong who together promise a stunning exhibition of delicate embroidered pictures and textile collage from vintage fabrics with colour and character, whimsical birds and animals in an elegant, subdued palette and the beauty of the human figure in sweeping brushstrokes.
Chilton Jo Marshall, Lisa Wallis and Lin Kerr
(Artweeks venues 222 and 223) 41 Limetrees, Chilton OX11 0HY
There are also three artists inspired by the local landscape and earth elements in Chilton Jo Marshall, Lisa Wallis and Lin Kerr who are exhibiting colourful handmade stoneware ceramics, bespoke handcrafted silver jewellery by Lisa and expressive Oxfordshire landscape paintings and sparkly watercolours in Lin’s studio. Browse and chat.
14-15 and 20-22 May 11am-5.30pm
Jay Fox-Davies
(Artweeks venue 225) Pillar Lodge, School Lane, Harwell OX11 0ES
Artist Jay Fox-Davies invites you to see a mixture of 2D art in her home/studio.
14-16 and 20-22 May, 10am-4pm (Mon/Fri 11-6pm)
Diamond Light Source
(Artweeks venue 490) Diamond Light Source, Fermi Avenue, Harwell Science & Innovation Campus OX11 0DE
There’s an outdoor photography exhibition at Diamond Light Source, to celebrate their 20th anniversary and 15 years of research and innovation: a series of striking pictures gives viewers an insight into what goes on inside their iconic building and the UK’s national synchrotron.
14-22 May Daylight hours (parking at weekends)
HEAD WEST
Fired: Clay and Glass
(Artweeks venue 222) The Cobb, Muster Point, Featherbed Lane, East Hendred OX12 8JF
In East Hendred, you’ll find a large exhibition Fired: Clay & Glass by a group of ceramicists and other artists with demonstrations, outdoor firings and lots to see. You can discover more about clay with Oxford Archaeology, join a clay or glass taster session, or sit in the sunshine and soak up the festival-style atmosphere!
14-22 May, 10am-6pm
Six Artists at St Blaise Church
(Artweeks venue 226) Saint Blaise Church, High Street, Milton OX14 4EW
You’ll find art by six talented local artists: painters, printmakers, a weaver and a potter at St Blaise Church. St Blaise is the patron saint of hand weavers and Angela Pawlyn will be demonstrating her weaving techniques on different traditional hand looms and displaying her beautiful woven designs. Expect also colour and flair in paintings of local scenes and Africa, portraits, colourful prints alongside stylish pottery.
14-15 18-22 May, 11am-5pm (Sun 12pm-5pm; 21)
You are also invited to join their Meet the Artists session on Saturday 14th 11am-1pm.
Sarah Keogh, Karen Lewis and Debbie Sutcliffe
(Artweeks venue 227) Chestnuts, School Lane, Milton OX14 4EQ
Just a few hundred metres away in a glorious garden setting you’ll find three artists, Sarah Keogh, Karen Lewis and Debbie Sutcliffe and their beautifully crafted ceramics with linocuts and wood engravings exploring the strength and beauty of line.
14-22 May, 12pm-6pm
Bees in the Meadow
Bee House, 140 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park OX14 4SB
Also, in a new contemporary co-working space with café, Bee House, Milton Park, enjoy a varied exhibition Bees in the Meadow featuring Sally Stern, Sophie Long & others for World Bee Day on 20 May.
16-20 May, 11am-5pm
For more details on these open studios and exhibitions and dozens more visit artweeks.org to see further details or to browse an online art showcase.
