The much-loved annual event will run from September 21 to October 6, with bright yellow signs appearing throughout the county to signal its start. Artists working in a wide range of mediums are preparing to showcase their exciting new work. There are 100 venues exhibiting artwork and putting on events across every part of the county, from the coast of Exmoor to Frome and as far south as Chard.
Each festival event has a theme to create a dialogue between artists and their audience. This year, the theme is 'Landscape: Flux and Flow', in light of the climate crisis. Exhibiting artists will respond to this theme in various ways within their work.
They will be joined by several sponsored artists who have been awarded bursaries as part of Somerset Art Works’ Artist Development programme. This year’s SAW-sponsored commissions and projects include immersive installations within the landscape and creative collaborations with a scientific laboratory. (Image: Edie Evans) The first event kicked off with the launch of the 'Spinning a Yarn' exhibition on September 13, put together by SAW and the South West Heritage Trust, at the Rural Life Museum.
Here, visitors can see a spectacular hanging installation by artist Nicola Turner in the tithe barn, as well as work by several other Somerset-based artists, including Penny Wheeler and Gladys Paulus. The work will be displayed throughout the SAW Festival along with several accompanying events, the first of which is a family-friendly weaving .