7th annual Oxton Art Fair
For the 7th year, the Oxton Artists are taking over 4 gallery rooms at the Williamson Art Gallery in Birkenhead for their annual Oxton Art Fair on the weekend of the 20 and 21st of November. The fair has a wonderful reputation of showing a mixture of artists who exhibit regularly in Liverpool and beyond, and those who only participate in the Oxton Art Fair, exhibiting a balance of contemporary art and photography alongside craft and design in a relaxed, friendly environment. There is plenty opportunity to talk to and buy directly from 19 local artists, designers and craftspeople so bring your chequebook!
All the artists lived in Oxton at the time of joining the group although a few have moved away and still return to exhibit. Some have exhibited recently as part of a sister project called The Six Rooms Gallery in Argyle Street, Birkenhead. Our exhibitors this year are Alan Chape, Alison Bailey Smith, Daniel James, Desdemona McCannon, Eimear Kavanagh, Eleanor Suggett, Jacqui Chapman, Janine Suggett, Jayne Turner, Judith Brown, Lisa Waldman, Liz Hadwin-Glover, Lynda Roberts, Marie Mairs, Mark Wayne Barrett, Patsy Taylor, Roger Sinek, Sherilyn Halligan and Theresia Cadwallader.
There is a lovely café available and the whole exhibition space is fully accessible for all. This year, our café is provided by The Green Community Shop & Centre and two local catering companies. Both caterers have a long association with the fair. “Chilli and Chive” who will be catering for the café on Saturday, is part owned by Melanie Routledge, daughter of Janine Suggett and sister of Eleanor Suggett who are both exhibiting in the fair for the 3rd time. Green Eats is run by Nicola Burns who has been involved with helping with the fair since 2004. The show is very much involved with the community of Oxton and always maintains links with local businesses, local schools and community groups. This year, the Oxton Artists are hoping for a wider audience than ever as they have partnered with the Liverpool Independents and the Liverpool Design Festival as well as running The Big Draw at the Williamson Art Gallery for the public on the 24th of October. The fair is run and financed by the artists and has generated huge interest over the years from the press and public alike.
There are many free activities organised within the event including poetry reading, an art competition in memory of Ken Peacock - one of the original Oxton Artists, a stall with artwork for sale by the children of the Oxton Artists and a visit from “Fred” star of Get Ahead Fred” as well as a history walk around Oxton.
Schedule of free events
Saturday 20th: Exhibition open 10am until 5pm
Ken Peacock’s art prize workshop all day Saturday
The Ken Peacock Prize is open to all children who produce an artwork in the gallery. Categories are 5 to 8, 9 to 13 and 14 to 16
Under 5’s hat workshop with parents 10.30 am to 11.30pm. Drop in (10 spaces)
Local author of “Get Ahead Fred”, Daisy Dawes and “Fred” will help your under “5’s” make an autumn hat from leaves and sparkles.
Wirral Alliance of Poets will be weaving poetry through the galleries on Saturday from 11.30am, many taking inspiration from the artwork of the fair and the gallery.
Winter Guided Walk around Oxton starting at 11 am from the Oxton Society noticeboard in Oxton Village, lasting an hour ending at the gallery (to book contact: info@oxtonsociety.org.uk)
Sunday 21st: Exhibition open 10am until 4pm (Williamson Art Gallery closes at 5pm)
Ken Peacock’s art prize workshop all day Sunday
See Saturday for details
Under 5’s hat workshop with parents 10.30 am to 11.30pm
See Saturday for details
Local poet Eleanor Rees will be reading and selling of her books 2pm
Eleanor’s father, Paul was involved as a non-artist in setting up the Oxton Art Fair in 2004
Award ceremony for Ken’s art prize and presentation of 3 awards at 3pm
Judged by 3 distinguished and much loved local artists, Sian Bailey, Peter Bailey and Laura Weston. Awards will be given by Mrs Gail Peacock
Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead, Slatey Rd, Birkenhead, CH43
Sat 20th and Sun 21st of Nov 2010
Opening times: Sat 10.00 til 17.00 | Sunday 10.00 til 16.00
T: 0151 652 4177 E: arts@oxtonartfair.co.uk
Oxton Artists: 0796 222 9653 (in business hours from the 1st of November)
Website: http://www.oxtonartfair.co.uk
Blog: http://oxtonartfair.blogspot.com/
Facebook Group:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10383492379
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