May 16, 2024
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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.