Easingwold Art Fair

On Your Doorstep chats to Lynda Bullus and Madeline Hall-Jackson, organisers of the Easingwold Art Fair, an exciting new event for 2015 from the Easingwold and District Art Society.

The Easingwold Art Exhibition in the Galtres Centre is a local institution, but this year, something different is afoot. The event planned for May Spring Bank Holiday weekend is quite a bit more than an exhibition. Easingwold will be hosting an Art Fair.
“We wanted to be able to share art with everyone,” explains Madeline Hall-Jackson from EDAS, “so that it can benefit all of the community. The objective is to promote art in all its forms, so as well as looking at other people’s art work, there’s now the possibility of having a go yourself and finding out more about the various media – watercolour, acrylics, oils, et cetera. It should appeal both to the beginner, and to the established artist looking at trying a new medium or new materials.”

The Art Fair takes place on both the Saturday and Sunday, so there are two full days of events. What can people expect?

“Anyone interested in art will be able to have a really good day out,” says co-organiser Lynda Bullus, “– or even two. There will be demonstrations on a rolling basis, for example brush making and watercolour painting, and pre-bookable workshops led by professional artists. Quality art retailers will have stalls for perusal and purchasing, with everything from basics to the Rolls Royce of materials for those ready to take their work to the next level.”

So how did the idea for the new art fair come about?

“Lynda and I got together, wondering how to expand the art exhibitions,” says Madeline, “both geographically and in terms of artists’ development. Ilkley hosts an art fair every year, and there’s an annual fair in Nottingham called Patchings. We looked at those as models when we were planning this. This is obviously on a much smaller scale, but it will provide that all important interaction between artists. The Committee and many other people have been working very hard to make sure it all comes together.”

“We thought it would be great to bring some of the benefits of these other fairs to this area.” says Lynda. “Hopefully it will attract visitors to discover Easingwold, which is at the centre of a beautiful area. The businesses in town have welcomed the idea, and some have also sponsored it, which we’re delighted about. And the Galtres Centre is a wonderful venue for an event like this.”

So is this Art Fair going to be the first of many in Easingwold?

We’re hoping so,” says Madeline “and did you know, in this area there have been pockets of artists producing some wonderful work over the years, such as the Staithes Artists in the 1920s?” She smiles. “Who knows, maybe Easingwold Art Fair 2015 could be start of a new North Yorkshire Art Movement …”

Lots more information on the EDAS website: www.easingwoldartex.org.