You will find artists at work in their own studios, art exhibitions in public venues and an art trail of retail outlets hosting displays of work. The Creative Network is an island-wide, cooperative group of artists working together to promote visual arts in the Isle of Man. This is the network's latest major public event, showing the work of 46 artists in 30 assorted venues in the west of the island. It builds on the success of the inaugural WOSAT last year when 1000 visitors took to the trail.
We are pleased to announce that His Excellency the Governor, Adam Wood, will officiate at our formal weekend opening event at 10.00 on Saturday 11th May at the Isle Gallery in Tynwald Mills.
Visitors will be able to follow our new trail to meet artists and see their work in every form and medium eg. sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, wearable art, textile art, mixed media, ceramics and wood carving.
Seven resident artists in Peel, St Johns, Glen Maye and Dalby are going to open up their individual private working spaces, studios and workshops to the public. Many more artists, compared to last year, will hold demonstrations and workshops in the Corrin Hall, Peel, Patrick Church and The Isle Gallery, Tynwald Mills. This is a unique opportunity to come and talk to artists about the way in which they work and what influences them, and to see work in progress as well as finished pieces which may or may not be for sale!
The art trail offers a range of public venues where Creative Network artists will be displaying their work in group shows during the weekend. In Peel the venues are the Corrin Hall and St Germans Cathedral, in Kirk Patrick, in the Holy Trinity Church and at St Johns, in the Isle Gallery at Tynwald Mills and Greens Cafe.
As an additional visual feast, the majority of Peel shopkeepers will be hosting window displays along the Art Trail. This will lead visitors from one side of the town centre to the other, with the chance to view a wide range of different types of artwork, with something to appeal to everyone. Children will be able to try out different techniques in taster sessions such as printing, collage, drawing and painting. Having recently been validated as a learning destination by the Children’s University, children’s artwork will be on display in the House of Manannan. We are also pleased to have performances by Soundcheck who will play at Corrin Hall, Patrick Church and the Isle Gallery.
Admission to venues is by Trail Guide, costing ?2.00 for each adult visitor and children join in for free. The Trail Guide and Map may be purchased from May 1st onwards from any of the following: Celtic Gold, Patrick Church and the Isle Gallery at Tynwald Mills.
Laurence Skelly MHK, Chairman of the Isle of Man Arts Council said, “The Arts Council are delighted to once again support the Creative Network with this event. We have a large and diverse artistic community on the Isle of Man and this provides an opportunity to see them at work within creative environments. This work fits well with one of our aims for Island of Culture 2014 in promoting our local creative industries. I am delighted to see the event has been extended this year and hope it will be supported by the local community.”
Photo - His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood opening last year's event.
