THE Big Arts Weekend will return in November for a two-day programme of exhibitions and workshops, showcasing the work of 11 local artists and offering visitors the chance to meet creators, take part in activities and enjoy refreshments.

This year’s event will take place at East Harptree Theatre and Arts Hub on Saturday, November 8, and Sunday, November 9, running from 10am until 4.30pm each day. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of art forms, from painting and sculpture to printmaking and textiles, as well as participate in hands-on workshops designed to engage all ages. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes will also be available throughout the weekend.

The event is now in its second year, building on the success of a similar exhibition and workshop weekend in 2024, which was organised as an alternative to the Chew Valley Arts Trail.

The exhibition will feature local artists, including sculptor Patrick Barker, creative mentor and collage artist Ali Brown, and painter and tutor John Darvill. Also participating are printmaker and photographer Chris Head and portrait artist and textile creator Jackie Head of the Potts Cottage Collective, pastel artist Kevin Hemmings, and abstract painter Cheryl Herrington.

The line-up is completed by printmaker and mural artist Amy Hutchings, sculptor and illustrator Emma Powell, figurative painter and etcher Mary Liddell, and intuitive artist Pauline Palmer. Together, they represent a wide range of artistic styles and media, reflecting the richness of creative talent in the area.

Many of the artists exhibiting at the Big Arts Weekend also have work on display at the Waldegrave Arms pub in East Harptree, where pieces are available for sale. The display features the same group of artists who organised the Big Arts Weekend in October 2024, offering a continuing opportunity for the public to engage with their work.