Press release May 2019

The popular and free to enter family friendly Arts Festival continues to go from strength to strength when it takes place from 1 – 2 June at the historic Stratford Town Hall. This year the Festival has attracted 40 award winning artists and craftspeople who will be showcasing a selection of high-quality paintings, prints, jewellery, textiles, photography, sculpture, ceramics and designer furniture. Now in its 6^thyear, the Festival is an unmissable fixture in the craft, art and design calendar and cultivates eclecticism and authenticity with an unparalleled passion and flair within the region’s artistic community.

Escape Arts will be hosting workshops for both children and adults over the weekend at the Old Slaughter House in Stratford-upon-Avon. Visitors can recreate their pet in the style of Lichtenstein or Warhol on the Saturday and on Sunday ceramic artist Ros Ingram will teach visitors how to create terracotta garden hens.

Curator, Judith Layhe-Cook said “Each year I discover some fantasticinnovative emerging artistic talent and this year is no exception! I want our Arts Festival to be open to all, for our visitors to have engaged with the artists and their work, to have bought something that makes their heart sing, to share a coffee and cake with friends, to relax into the supportive atmosphere and for each and every visitor to go home a little happier and inspired”.

The Golden Cup Café is open throughout the weekend selling tea, coffee and homemade cakes served on a collection of golden vintage china. Once again, the Arts Festival is supporting ‘Shakespeare’s Puppies Appeal Guide Dogs for the Blind’. Any donations would be gratefully received.

The private viewing is held on 31 May between 6pm & 8.30pm. The Festival is open to the public on Saturday 1 June from 10.30am – 5pm and Sunday 2 June from 10.30am – 4pm. There is no cost for the Saturday workshop although donations are appreciated.The Ceramic Day Workshop costs £65 per person.To book please visit www.eventbrite.co.uk.