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News Archive
May 16, 2024
A Journey Through Creativity: From Pop-Ups and Open Studios to World Class Music
This article originally featured in Dorset Magazine.
At the heart of the Festival lies a vibrant spectrum of artistic expression, each stroke, sculpture, and creation tells a story. As visitors embark on this year’s Festival trail – between May 25 – June 9 – they are not merely observers but participants in a vibrant, enriching experience, where every step unveils new insights, sparks fresh perspectives, and kindles a sense of inspiration.
Begin your journey at Rollington Barn (near Corfe Castle) for our extensive collective exhibition, showcasing established and emerging artists alike, working across a range of mediums including textiles, metalwork, glass art, woodworking, and ceramics. And in the Byre you’ll find the inspiring pieces from our Purbeck Young Artists programme. Don’t miss ‘The Spirit of Rollington’ – an intriguing installation by artist Charlotte Fereday, where you can even become part of the artwork itself.
Artists across the region will also be opening their studio doors, some for the first time, to welcome you. Look out for the small yellow and blue PAW direction signs and be sure to grab a brochure so you can plan your trail using the PAW map at the back.
PAW is not just about the visual arts. We also come alive with a series of enchanting concerts and events, promising unforgettable musical experiences against the backdrop of Purbeck’s beautiful landscape. From brass flourishes to soul-stirring vocal performances, there’s something for every music lover. There will also be an illustrated talk by Festival President and world renowned sculptor, Philip Jackson, on The Changing Face of Beauty, Wednesday 29 May.
This year’s festival is sponsored by The Lulworth Estate.
Celebrating the Dorset Landscape
Kimberley Day creates paintings that are in part a celebration of the Dorset landscape but also an exploration of the human state – that constant search for meaning which seems almost always over the next horizon. Through her work she endeavours to capture an essence of that innate curiosity and desire to make clear what evades us. Her paintings are both a literal interpretation of travelled local landscapes and an expression of sensation and memory through mark making, composition and the play of colour – an attempt to capture both our internal and external landscapes… ever changing, shifting and surprising us.
She uses acrylics, pastels and charcoal on paper or gesso board – and you can see her finished work and the artist in action in her Open Studio exhibition at the secluded and beautiful Coombe Keynes Church near Wool during the upcoming PAW Festival. She combines working in the Film industry as a freelance Concept artist for her day job, with painting and making jewellery in her spare time. Kimberley has an MA from the RCA and a BA in Fine Art, exhibiting at local galleries as well as London.
A sculpture with a powerful message
A remarkable 24 ft ‘Water Bottle Tree’ will be making an appearance at various secret locations across Purbeck during the Festival. A towering testament to environmental awareness by Purbeck-based sculptor Robert Marshall, the tree is crafted from used plastic water bottles and seeks to shed light on the detrimental impacts of single-use plastics, the alarming misuse of water resources in our society and industries and the huge impact on the planet. Share your sightings on Facebook and Instagram by tagging #PAW2024 and @purbeckartweeks in your post.
Captivating music
The Festival opens with a celebration of summertime with German music from the instrumental ensemble, In Echo. Go to purbeckartweeks.co.uk for the full programme of events and concerts. For tickets and the full programme of concerts and other events go to purbeckartweeks.co.uk
Pop-up studios
Rollington Barn in Corfe Castle hosts the Pop-Up Studios where a variety of artists will be demonstrating their skills throughout the PAW Festival weeks. Come and watch them in action or even have a go yourself.
March 18, 2024
Purbeck Art Weeks Festival Delighted to Welcome The Lulworth Estate as Main Sponsor for 2024 Festival
Purbeck Art Weeks Festival is thrilled to announce that The Lulworth Estate will be its main sponsor for this year’s festival (25 May – 9 June).
As a Festival dedicated to showcasing the incredible talent and creativity within the Purbeck area, we couldn’t be happier to have the support of The Lulworth Estate. We are delighted that they will be supporting our mission to foster a vibrant and diverse arts scene that inspires, engages, and uplifts our community, particularly young people.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to The Lulworth Estate for their generosity” said Charlotte Heath, Chair of Purbeck Art Weeks Festival. “Their sponsorship allows us to expand our reach, enhance our programming, support local artists and further our mission of promoting creativity and cultural exchange across Purbeck. This support also allows us to continue to grow our Purbeck Young Artists (PYA) project, offering young people free workshops in their schools. We’re looking forward to seeing their artwork at Rollington Barn as part of this year’s Festival and creating many unforgettable moments that celebrate the diversity and vitality of our creative community.”
“We are delighted for Lulworth to be involved in fostering the wealth of artistic talent we have in Purbeck and we hope that our contribution will help to encourage many more, particularly the young, to take the opportunity of the Purbeck Art Weeks Festival to show everyone what they can achieve” Added James Weld, The Lulworth Estate.
Whether you’re a seasoned art aficionado or just looking for some inspiration we invite everyone to join us for a two-week celebration of art, music, creativity, and community spirit at Purbeck Art Weeks Festival 2024. Keep a look out on our website for our full programme of concerts and other events.
March 1, 2024
A sneak peek at what’s coming up during Purbeck Art Weeks Festival!
This article featured in Love it Local’s Spring Issue 2024.
Purbeck Art Weeks Festival (25 May – 9 June) is just around the corner and the team are busy gearing up for another exciting annual celebration of creativity in Purbeck. You can expect an array of experiences, from eclectic exhibitions to Open Studios, captivating concerts and events, and even some surprises sprinkled along the way.
Prepare to be immersed in artistic wonder as painters, sculptors, textile artists, metalworkers, glass artists, woodworkers, ceramicists and more eagerly throw open their studio doors to welcome you. Rollington Barn, nestled near Corfe Castle, will be a buzzing hub throughout the two weeks, hosting our eclectic collective exhibition, featuring eight new artists this year, as well as artwork created by young people participating in our Purbeck Young Artists programme. Here, amidst the exciting artworks, you’ll also find our wonderful stewards ready to tell you more about what else you can do and see. And be sure to check out ‘The Spirit of Rollington’, – an intriguing installation by artist Charlotte Fereday, where you can even become part of the artwork itself.
And speaking of surprises, keep your senses sharp for the mysterious Water Bottle Tree – a sculpture by Robert Marshall. It’ll be popping up in Purbeck during PAW! Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for clues and updates.
PAW Festival is not just about the visual arts. We also come alive with a series of enchanting concerts and events, promising unforgettable musical experiences against the backdrop of Purbeck’s beauty. From brass flourishes to soul-stirring vocal performances, there’s something for every music lover.
We have a full programme which includes I Fagiolini singing works by Benevoli and Monteverdi on 27 May, the Fieri Consort with ‘Dawn Chorus’ on 31 May, followed by award winning soprano Helen Charlston and Toby Carr (theorbo) who bring a selection of Dowland’s songs and more to us on 7 June. The Purbeck Poets will host their open mic poetry night in the Globe Inn on 3 June, and back by popular demand we close the Festival with the fantastic Gesualdo, vocal ensemble on 8 June. Tickets to all of our events and concerts will be available on our website.
We are also delighted that our PAW President and distinguished sculptor Philip Jackson will be speaking on The Changing Face of Beauty on 29 May. Do come along to what will be a fascinating, insightful evening.
So, whether you’re a seasoned art aficionado or simply looking for some inspiration, join us as we celebrate creativity in all its forms. We look forward to seeing you on the Festival trail!
Laurel Hart
Director of Strategic Communications, Purbeck Art Weeks Festival
March 1, 2024
PAW 2024 Concerts and Events
- Saturday 25 May – Kingston – 6pm – “In the Summertime…”, a celebration of summertime with the instrumental ensemble, In Echo (cornettos, violins, violas, violone and organ).
- Monday 27 May – Wareham – 6.30pm – “From Venice (to Rome), with Love”, – I Fagiolini return with a concert including one of the wonderful, but little known, four-part masses by Benevoli.
- Wednesday 29 May – Swanage – 6pm – “The Changing Face of Beauty”, an illustrated talk by our President, world renowned sculptor, Philip Jackson.
- Friday 31 May – Kingston – 6pm – “Dawn Chorus” – a magical exploration of music inspired by birdsong from the 17th to 20th centuries, by the Fieri Consort.
- Monday 3 June – Swanage – 7.30pm – open mic poetry session.
- Wednesday 5 June – 10.15 for 11.30am – flute, violin and cello trios at Encombe House with Miranda Fulleylove and friends.
- Friday 7 June – Corfe Castle – 6pm – Helen Charlston (mezzo soprano) and Toby Carr (lute) celebrate English song from the 17th century to today.
- Saturday 8 June – Wareham – 6.30pm – “Fading”, closing concert of contemplative music inspired by the ancient service of Compline with The Gesualdo Six.
Stay tuned for updates on when tickets will be released and how to book.
February 19, 2024
A message from PAW on the passing of Tony Viney
We were very sad to hear that Tony Viney passed away on Feb 16th. He was a founding member of PAW back in 2001, and we are profoundly grateful for all he has done for us and for the arts in Purbeck. Tony stepped down as a PAW Trustee in 2016. In 2017, in recognition of his unique role in the foundation and development of PAW, and his passion for young peoples’ involvement in the arts, we established the Tony Viney Prize for Creativity as part of our Purbeck Young Artists scheme – which delighted him.
In recognition of his unique role in the foundation and development of PAW, and his passion for young peoples’ involvement in the arts, we have decided to dedicate our Purbeck Young Artists scheme to his memory – and continuing legacy
