RAT 21…

The number of open studios and other events making up ROSSENDALE ART TRAIL 2021 have been growing and the programme now looks very good. There are still one or two to add, so in terms of the number of participating venues the new-style Art Trail we can say that it has been a success.

I’m aware that we all now need to help in publicising the event, as we don’t have brochures or posters to distribute in the way we’ve had in the past. This website and, in particular, the ART TRAIL 2021 page is one of the main ways of doing this, so please forward links to it to you contacts, whenever and wherever possible.

All best wishes…

MOTHER RED CAP

In the first of two live theatrical adaptations, the tale of ‘Mother Red Cap’ will be brought to life by David Chatton Barker and Sam McLoughlin. Narrated by the poetess Emily Oldfield | With an ensemble cast | Sets designed by Vincent James | Masks designed by Helen Davies | Percussion and voice by the Turney family | Featuring members of The Whitworth and Healey Vale Brass Band.

The Tale of Mother Red Cap tells of the vengeful witch in red and her raven who curse passers by from the top of Monstone. The innocent couple Ted and Grace fall victim to Red Cap’s wicked ways and it only the astronomer and alchemist John Dee who can lift the curse.

Adapted by David Chatton Barker from the book ‘Tales of the Monstone’ with artwork by Bob Frith and Lucy Atherton. The Rossendale legend of Mother Red Cap will be brought to life in a thrilling theatrical experience!

ANALOGUE FARM – Slacks Farm, Acre St, Whitworth OL12 8XH

PARKING: please be aware that Analogue Farm is a 5 minute walk from the nearest road parking. It’s at the top of Acre Street, and you can only drive part way up the road. Road parking is available at the bottom of Acre Street, Long Acres Drive and Market Street – please be mindful of our neighbours.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Analogue Farm is a real farm! There are no steps to the venue but the road is uneven. If you require wheelchair access please contact us on analoguefarm@gmail.com.

TOILETS: our toilets are compost toilets only. There are no baby changing facilities or disabled access toilets.

October Wellness Event

We’ve had an email from Stephie Jessop who is organising an arts event on the 28th October in Rawtenstall. There’ll be a range of creative and art activities and various things are planned throughout the day. The theme of the event is wellness – and taking the time to appreciate what’s on your doorstep.

Stephie is hoping to have some of the Rossendale Arts Trail Artists involved in the day.

One idea she has is to have various artists based around the town painting and sketching different buildings/sites, and encouraging passersby to take notice/have a go themselves.

She has a budget to pay artists for this work, so would like to get an idea of people’s fees so she knows how many people she could ask to help in this way.

Her contact email is stephie@culturapedia.co . You can see that she works for culturapedia – please contact her if you are interested in helping

Illustration courtesy of Alan Birch

Jill’s Sheds at The Bug!

Jill Randall will be showing a set of her shed constructions at The Bug from 23rd July until 20th July 2021.

The Bug is on Tong Lane, in the centre of Whitworth, and will be open Wednesday 4pm – 6pm, and Saturdays 10am – 12 midday.

Jill’s Sheds are an ongoing series of small constructions inspired by the almost infinite number of ad-hoc constructions found locally – on allotments, in gardens, and industrial sites.

The Dave Pearson Studio

Dave Pearson died in 2018, but he is still well remembered among the local arts community. Remembered for his warmth and support for other artists, but also because of the quality (and quantity) of his work.

The Dave Pearson Studio still exists and, until recently, it has also been home to Apna Rossendale which supports the local South Asian community. It also the place where Dave’s work is stored (see the Art Venues page on this website) and where, in normal times, exhibitions of his work are held.

The D S Pearson website has been down for a few months, but we’ve now redesigned it. It’s a great place to go for an introduction to Dave’s work. There’s also various writings about Dave, and a link to Derek Smith’s very special film, To Byzantium, about the artist….

www.dspearson.org