The Saltaire Arts Trail is all about meeting people, at least it is for me.  My fiancé tells me it's all about buying earrings, so I may be wrong.

Saltaire Arts Trail Preview Evening

For me it's all about the people.

In the last 24 hours I have, attended the preview event in the ever amazing Salts Mill, manned 19 Herbert Street where I'm exhibiting, and strolled the sunny streets of Saltaire peeking in the other houses, exhibits and Makers' Fair. 

During this period I've made a few notes on some of the people I've come in contact with, and thought I'd share those notes with you now.

Nigel, a composer of contemporary concert music, who is proudly presenting a new composition as part of the Alice Fox exhibition

June, printmaker, choral singer, and archery enthusiast who's passion for all she does is an inspiration.

David, an Open House sponsor, Saltaire resident, prolific Tweeter and business man

Chris, a smartly dressed illustrator and family entertainment sponsor who also designs greetings cards

Richard, a gentlemen in a wicker beret who works with green wood out at Bolton Abbey

Laura, an ever willing Saltaire Arts Trail volunteer and smiley welcoming face

Andy, a new friend, who has so modestly grown his business to be best in show

There's probably nothing unique about this list, with every event like Saltaire Arts Trail having it's own  share of visitors, volunteers and exhibitors.  

My list consists of people I have met, I'd be interested to see other people's lists, and to hear their stories.

by James Bywood

Do you fancy adding your thoughts on this years Saltaire Arts Trail? We are looking for visitors, artists, volunteers and bloggers to add their own perspective to our blog here.  If you have an interesting article you'd like us to share then please send a copy to hello@saltaireartstrail.co.uk.  We'll try to publish the best in the coming weeks.

Saltaire Arts Trail iOS and Android app - new for 2013

This year Saltaire Arts Trail has its own specially commissioned app. Funded by Arts Council England and created with the help of students at Leeds Met University it is an digital counterpart of the brochure.  Through the magic of GPS users are guided using their iOS or Android smartphones to every location ‘on the trail’, learn all about the artists or makers involved, preview their work, compile their own list of favourites and even drop into their virtual workshops!

Available for devices running Apple iOS or Google Android the app is a fun addition to what will be a fantastic weekend.

Click on the logos below to be taken to the relevant app store for your device. 

Q&A with printmaker Sarah Harris

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I create limited edition silk screen prints from my drawings of local places of interest.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I’m lucky enough to have a studio not too far away from Saltaire which I use for the drawing, preparing paper for prints and mounting work. For printing I go to Inc Workshop in Leeds.

My studio doesn't really act as inspiration, I take this from my day to day life and things I have seen and heard about, I then get to go on day trips with my camera.

Is your art your main job?

At the moment I am a full time artist after recently receiving financial support through the New Enterprise Allowance after a period of unemployment. This has allowed me to get started and support myself while I concentrate on my work.

How did you get started?

In 2011 I took an evening class at Leeds College of Art and design to learn about printmaking techniques. After becoming unemployed I gave prints to my family for Christmas presents and was encouraged by my brother to look at selling my work, but it was a while after this that I even considered that this was something I could do.

What work will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

I will be producing a few new pieces especially for Saltaire Arts Trail, but expect a mixture of local images with subjects ranging from natural beauty spots, ruins and mills.

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?

Not currently, but I would like to produce some lino and etching work in the future.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

My work can currently be bought at Art Parade in Saltaire, Hand Made in Bradford, Studio Seven in Otley, The Weaverbird Workshop in Ilkley, The Juju Shop in Leeds, The Craft Centre and Design Gallery in Leeds, Chirpy in Chapel Allerton and also I have Shipley Glen Tramway work at their shop close to Saltaire.

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?

It’s early days for me so I have only had one commission which was to do a set of two drawings of someone’s sports cars. I’d never drawn a car before so it was an experience but I am happy with the results and it’s nice that even with a different subject type they still reflect my style of drawing. I’ve been testing my male friends to see if they can guess the cars, luckily with a good success rate so they can’t be that bad!

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?

Living near to Saltaire it’s an event I always look forward to, it really is a unique location to have such an event. Even from a fairly young age I’ve wanted to support young artists and makers but never dreamt I’d be participating one day.

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before?

Visited lots of times but this will be the first one I will have exhibited my work at, which is all very exciting! I will definitely be having a look round too.

What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

The standard of work has is always really high and a vast array of mediums and styles are on display. It’s accessibility and relaxed nature allows the public, who may be daunted by going into a gallery environment, to experience and purchase artwork in a different way, and it’s a wonderful day out.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

I originally studied Fashion Design at university but found the industry just wasn’t for me, then I found myself working in marketing and printmaking was just something I’d wanted to try. Strange how things work out.

Q & A with Jane Bevan, first time Makers' Fair exhibitor

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I make vessels and small sculptures using found, natural materials which I collect in local woodlands each day. For example birch bark from fallen trees, twigs, thorns, seeds and feathers. I look for the humble, overlooked materials which would otherwise be trodden on or thrown away. I then stitch, bind, tie and twine the materials together to make my work which is painstaking and slow but very satisfying to make!

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I work from my home in rural South Derbyshire and walk every day in the area searching for materials. When possible I also beachcomb and forage in other countryside areas for new ideas including the Yorkshire Dales where I am a frequent visitor.

Is your art your main job?

Yes although this year will also see the publication of my art book instructing users on making art with found, natural materials published by Bloomsbury. Previously I worked in museums and galleries as a curator ( including many years at Cartwright Hall in Bradford)

How did you get started?

After a 25 year career in the arts as a curator and event organiser I went back to Derby University as a mature student to fulfil my dream of being an artist. It was a perfect time to undertake the studies after seeing so much artwork over the years made by others. I am a passionate visitor of museums and galleries including the Yorkshire Museums, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Hepworth. I gain a great deal of inspiration from collections such as Pitt Rivers in Oxford and the British Museum where natural materials have been used in innovative and exciting ways.

What work will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

Pots and vessels made of bark, feathers, twigs and horse chestnut leaf stems! These range in size from 10 cms to 30 cms high. All are stitched by hand. Framed collaged work Some pebble/ beach debris jewellery

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?

I am exploring making temporary artwork in the woodlands which I will be photographing

Where else can we see and buy your work?

My work can be seen on the Seek and Adore and Craftfinder website. I have showcase exhibitions currently in Lincolnshire( South Holland Arts Centre) and at the Djanogly Gallery in Nottingham. My work is stocked by Derby Art Gallery and Museum and the Dansel Wood Gallery in Abbotsbury, Dorset. I will be exhibiting at Lustre Craft Fair in Nottingham in November this year for the 3 rd time and also at the Melbourne Festival which I also help to organise. I have a showcase exhibition at the 20 21 Gallery in Scunthorpe in September called ‘Walking with Nature’.

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?

From my degree show the University of Derby bought my work as a Purchase Prize and the Few and Far Gallery in London purchased work.

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?

Having lived in Bradford for many years I have long been a supporter of the arts in the area and have a great nostalgia and love of Saltaire, in particular since seeing Opera North perform in the mill in the 1980s!

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before?

Visited last year

What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

The friendly, intimate and warm atmosphere, the Yorkshire hospitality, the houses and architecture.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

I have recently overcome any squeamishness after a taxidermy course. I also like to pluck the feathers which I use from road kill or a friends bird stock.

Explore more of what Saltaire has to offer

Apart from Open Houses, The Makers’ Fair, exhibitions and family activities – what else is happening across Saltaire during the May bank holiday weekend?

Saltaire will be a-buzzing with local Yorkshire choirs singing about the village on Saturday 25 May from 2pm to 3.30pm. See them all at The United Reform Church from 3.45pm. There are more exhibitions too with Shipley College Pop Up exhibition showing new work by the BTEC students, and The Vicar at Vicars, paintings by The Reverend Robin Gamble at Vicars Café.

Kath Libbert jewellery, in the prestigious Salts Mill, will be exhibiting the work of thirteen contemporary metalsmiths and artist Hannah Lamb will be opening her studio to the public at The Butterfly Rooms on Bingley Road, a short walk from Victoria Hall.

Finally, once you have enjoyed and exhausted all our family art activities why not visit Shipley Glen Tramway? Only a short walk from Roberts Park, this is Britain’s oldest working cable tramway at 117 years old, taking passengers through the woodland at the bottom of Shipley Glen.

With so much going on inSaltaire from 25 – 27 May, why go anywhere else?

Discover the full detail of the extra activities happening in Saltaire over the weekend of the Saltaire Arts Trail by visiting our website and downloading a copy of the 2013 brochure.

Saltaire Arts Trail in Craft & Design Magazine

We've recently had a lovely article written about us in Craft & Design Magazine's May/ June issue.  We are so proud of this we thought we'd make a pdf of the spread available for you to download.  Happy reading!