East Yorkshire seaside resort Bridlington is set to host its biggest visual art showcase to date, next spring, with a vibrant festival of traditional, digital, contemporary and urban art.
Back for 2021 after this year’s festival was postponed, the ArtWaves Festival returns with artist favourites alongside an eclectic mix of new artists and attractions to create the biggest festival line-up yet – as well as bringing back its popular Artwaves Fringe, as well.
The full programme for the sixth visual arts event has just been revealed, but festival goers are being advised to book early for some of the events because of reduced capacity in line with government guidance.
Aimed at local families, as well as visitors with a passion for the arts – whether experienced artists, or those simply looking to try something new and get creative – it has ensured that the resort’s premier events space, Bridlington Spa, is once again a hub of activity.
Visitors heading to the Festival (6 and 7 March 2021) will be able to watch free demonstrations from award-winning artists, sign up for workshops, check out free drop-in sessions, explore immersive installations and even interact with larger than life puppets, as well as browse the ArtMarket.
For 2021, new partnerships are adding a narrative to the Visual Art Trail with artist-designed birds that will fly the nest and settle across Bridlington waiting to be discovered throughout the festival and Fringe week, which starts Monday 1 March, 2021.
By the harbour you can catch artists exploring open-air painting in the returning ‘ArtWaves Paint Out’ under the guidance of professional fine art painter, Julia Borodina, while new for 2021 will be an urban sketching event on the final day of the Festival under the creative eye of artist John Harrison.
ArtWaves prides itself on offering a wide range of activities for all the family as a key focus of the event. Young creatives can pick up their art pack with activities and a festival map to tick off attractions like street art, messy activities and creative sessions as they go.
Special ‘strands’ include The Environmental Project with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, featuring two new commissions exploring current environmental themes; and Submerge, which will see four emerging artists bringing an edge to the event through performance, doodling and a ‘creature’ installation. The Urban Twist strand will integrate the work of Hull Beats Bus – award-winning hiphop workshops in a mobile recording studio – for much more than street art, with street dance and music.
For full details of the Festival programme, visit www.artwaves.co.uk.
Tourist information about the area in general is available at www.visiteastyorkshire.co.uk