The brochure is now available for RAT Autumn 25, and you can find an on-line copy here.
R.A.T. October!
The brochure is now ready for the Autumn 2025 Art Trail. We’ll be posting it as a PDF on this site in the next few days….
RAT forthcoming!
You’ll probably have already seen the link on our main RAT webpage, but we’re pleased to announce that the programme for the Spring 2025 Rossendale Art Trail is now at the printers….however, you can download a pre-press copy now, directly from the website.
Special call out to Scott Sadler for his amazing work on co-ordinating the event, as well as putting together this years programme. It’s full of exciting work, some familiar names but also a large number of new and up-coming artists. Remember the dates – 30th May through to 1st June, and don’t forget to pick up or download the programme!
2025 UPDATE!
After a few years of change at the Art Trail, Scott Sadler is now taking a lead on managing the Art Trail programme in 2025.
The first big change is to hold a Spring Arts Trail which will take place over the weekend of the 30th May to 01st June 2025. As usual we are inviting all Rossendale based artist to get involved by opening their studios to the public or displaying/performing their work in other public venues (to be arranged by the artist).
In addition to the usual visual arts that the Art Trail is well known for, this year we would like to invite artists of all kinds to participate. Are you a performance artist, a musician, band, poet, writer? We’d love to hear from you. These events can be in the daytime or evening.
Let Scott know if you’re interested or have any questions email him at info@horseandbamboo.org – mark the email RAT25. Thank you.
Its this weekend! (24/25th Nov)
Pick up a brochure at the Whitaker, Horse & Bamboo or other studio spaces….
Dave Pearson Book Launch
Dave Pearson’s ‘The Ritual Year’ book is being launched at Todmorden’s Centre for Folklore, Myth and Magic on Saturday 24th June.
The Centre is on the main road to Hebden Bridge, in the centre of Todmorden. Postcode his OL14 5BB. Dave’s close friend Margaret Mytton will be saying a few words about the Calendar Customs work of the 1970s which form the basis of the book. The event is being organised by Folklore Tapes (recently at Analogue Farm in Whitworth) and the evening will include music by their Folk Root band.
Please join us!
The Art Trail is coming!
The weekend of the 26th and 27th November will see the return of Rossendale Art Trail.
Venues will be open from 10am until 4pm.
There’s some new features this year including Stubbylee Greenhouses in Bacup hosting the Rossendale Collective Group. There will be 12 different venues in all, and 30 artists are showing their work. Hot food and drinks will be available at The Whitaker, Horse & Bamboo and Stubbylee.
Ella Cole has compiled a smart brochure with support of all the participating artists – you can pick up a copy from the RAT venues. There’s information in the brochure about a host of events and workshops associated with the Art Trail. These include Wagon Tales at Irwell terrace, Bacup; The Whitaker’s contemporary art exhibitions; Screen Printing with Matt Davies; Mandala Drawing at Valley Artists – and more!
RAT 2022?
I’ve been asked by a couple of local studio venues about our plans for an Art Trail in 2022.
I’m not able to take a lead on it this year, largely because we’re moving from our farm to Haslingden to Dave Pearson’s old studio. So far as I can tell the final stages of the move will be in October, which appears to remain the preferred time for RAT. I’m also keen on others taking the lead on the organisation of the Art Trail, so this is likely to be the perfect opportunity!
After last year’s November dates, opinion gathered from the feedback was that October was definitely the preferred date. It would be particularly useful to hear from the main venues, including the Whitaker and the Boo, to find out what they’re planning this year. Remembering that on the whole participating artists liked the idea of a longer Art Trail, perhaps a couple of weeks and 3 weekends long, and individual artists and studios opening whenever suited them within that period.
I’m happy to act as a go-between for this and pass on any group messages. Of course this website is now well established and artist’s addresses can be found on it, so it’s easy to communicate with one another.
David Tomlinson at Towneley Hall
David Tomlinson is having a solo exhibition at Burnley’s Towneley Hall, starting in June. Click on the link here to go to the Towneley page and see full details…
Artist Residency Opportunity
Mary from Analogue Farm in Whitworth has written to tell us that they are now open for a funded Artists Residency this summer at their farm.
Go to their website for full details and the info pack, at https://www.analoguefarm.com/artist-residencies