Press Release

Bridport November Open Studios 14-22 Nov 2009

The Bridport November Open Studios event features 28 artists from towns & villages across West Dorset and takes place in the third week of November alongside the Bridport Literary Festival.

West Dorset is now recognised as being one of the most thriving art communities in the country and Bridport is widely hailed as the new St Ives, led by the dozens of artists based at the renowned St Michael's Studio complex in the historic rope-making district.

Artists exhibiting at St Michael's Studios include Kit Glaisyer, Caroline Ireland, David Brooke, Philomena Harmsworth, Prue Heward-Morgan, Paul Richmond-Derby, John Rabbetts, Ian Dunn, Alessandro Botto, Marion Taylor, Jemma Thompson, Sally Davies and Marion Irons.

Artist Kit Glaisyer, who started St Michel's Studios in 1999 says the reason he thinks the Bridport Art Scene has become so popular is because "Bridport still has something that has been lost in most other towns - a friendly community that supports individuality and encourages everyone to excel at what they do."

Also in Bridport you'll find popular artists Wendy Poole, Anthony Dover and Colin Granger,
but visitors are also recommended to seek out the dozens of artists hidden away across the beautiful West Dorset countryside - up in the hills towards Powerstock and around the woods, villages and valleys of the Marshwood Vale.

Head north-east towards Mangerton Mill to discover painter Michael J Chappell and see recent sculptures by David Risk Kennard in Powerstock. Then north to Beaminster where you'll find award-winning batik paintings by Betty Paulson as well as paintings by Brian Cocks.

Head west to the village of Marshwood and the studio of R Leonard Holland a wild-life artist and author, then explore Fishponds (near Hawkchurch,) where you'll find Greta Berlin, winner of the Marshwood Vale 2008 Prize for Sculpture.

To the south you'll find painter Annalisa Renee in Chideock, then head south-east along the coast road to Abbotsbury where you'll find painters John Meaker in Abbotsbury Studio, Debbie Veitch, and textile artist May-Clare Buckle.

Bridport November Open Studios runs from Sat 14 to Sun 22 November. The standard opening times are 10am - 5pm. See free map for more details