Art, hidden gardens, food and entertainment - The Frome Festival 2013

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Eleanor Swinhoe

This is my third year in Frome and therefore my third Festival. I love the vibrancy of this town and the way that so many people support and get involved in the events - it is even more evident over the days of the Festival. I've been rather immersed in the Artists' Open Studios over the last couple of years and will be again this year, but also intend to get out there and enjoy as much of the entertainment as I can, plus I will certainly be indulging my curious nature by exploring the Hidden Gardens.

Speaking of gardens, Exploring Eden, is the thread pulling together the work of the artists exhibiting at Venue 24 on the Open Studio trail. Fine Artist Nicky Knowles is hosting the exhibition in her Lower Keyford home (her garden is also one of those gorgeous hidden ones!).

My work for the exhibition reflects a rather quintessential Britishness based around my love of the garden, but primarily the joy that I get on those all too rare days where you can "take a little tea" among the blooms, dunk a biscuit and admire the colour, scents, and quirky individuality of whatever little patch of land we call the garden!

"I like to dunk mine" - copper, ceramic, resin

Nicky and her son Xavi will be exploring the more natural side of Eden with drawings of dragonflies, bumble bees, birds and landscapes. The brilliant Ingrid Hatt has used egg trays as sculpting material, and explores the structure of the material to create amazing patterns - chickens are a big part of the Keyford Eden! Ingrid's daughter, Holly, will be installing a sculptural piece in the garden, and ceramicist Craig Eyles will be displaying his lovely pots.

Frome Festival runs from 5th - 14th July, the full line-up is on the website. Our Open Studio show will be open on 6th/7th July and 13th/14th July at Venue 24 (21 Lower Keyford, Frome, BA11 4AP).

To download a digital copy of the Open Studios Visual Arts map click here