Event 'bringing art to the heart of Gloucester'

(From left to right) Artists Wendy Golding, Gilly Hill, Deborah Harrison and David Finch hope to establish Gloucester as a centre for contemporary art

A cultural event celebrating the work of local artists is hoping to "bring art to the heart of Gloucester".

Throughout August, Gloucester Open 2024 will showcase the work of artists in their own studios and in selected venues throughout the city.

The event is broken down into three areas, an art trail, an Adopt an Artist showcase and a series of open studios at the end of the month.

Local sculptor, Debs Harrison, who is helping to organise the event, said the city was "a little black hole [for art trails] and now we've helped to fill it".

The event has been organised by Gloucester Contemporary Artists CIC (GCA) with support from Together Gloucester.

The GCA is a newly formed independent network of artists who hope to establish the city as a centre for contemporary art.

"Last year I discovered that Gloucester was the only city in the UK not to have a dedicated art gallery," Ms Harrison said.

"I was really shocked... so I put out a call and got a response from almost 30 artists and we thought what can we do to bring art into the heart of Gloucester and this is what we've decided to do."

Businesses, including banks, building societies, shops and cafés will display work by local artists

The art trail sees Gloucester artists’ work being exhibited across five venues - Gloucester Framing, St Mary de Crypt, Museum of Gloucester, Cathedral Quarter Hub and Roots Community Hall.

A further 20 businesses, including banks, building societies, shops and cafés will display work by local artists as part of the Open’s Adopt an Artist campaign.

From 24 August to 1 September six Gloucester artists will then open their studios for the public to visit – showcasing work from nine different artists.

Event organiser David Finch said: “Gloucester has a wealth of talented artists but, without an art centre, exhibition space or gallery, their work is seldom seen in their home city.

"Gloucester Open is our first step towards creating more visual arts opportunities for the people of Gloucester.”