Bull Hotel hosts Art event launch

Just a few days to the start of the Bridport Open Studios event, taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend, Sat 28 to Mon 30 August.

The new Bridport Open Studios website is now up and running, and you can find out about participating artists and download a PDF of the event.

To kick things off we've got the official launch of the event at the Bull Hotel, Bridport, on Thursday 26th August, from 6-9pm, to which everyone is invited.

We will have an exhibition called "Six by Nine" in the Ball Room, showing examples of small works from many of the participating artists. Join us for a (discounted) drink in the Vena bar, and grab a bite to eat at their award-winning restaurant or get a freshly made pizza from their Stable Cider House.

Other art events worth checking out include an exhibiton of Walker Evans photographs, part of Burr Projects at Axen Farm, on until September 5.

Here's an introduction from the Real West Dorset Blog:

"The exhibition has around 40 black and white photographs taken by Walker Evans in the Deep South of the USA in 1935-36, during the Great Depression.

Evans was employed as an Information Specialist in President Franklin D Roosevelt’s Resettlement (later Farm Security) Administration. His job was to record the work of the FSA and document the lives of farmers and flood victims.

Evans travelled to Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina photographing sharecroppers’ homes, churches, graveyards, busy streets, shops, cafes, signs and billboards. He also took portraits.

The show is on tour from London’s Hayward Gallery. It’s accompanied by an exhibition book, with examples of Evans’ writing, interview excerpts and articles written by James Agee and Lincoln Kirstein."

Here's a further review from Bridport Radio.

Meanwhile, in Morecomblake, there's the Artwave West Summer Exhibition - Featuring work by Linda Mattock and gallery artists. It's on until 11th September, open Tuesday to Saturday 10-5pm.

Down the road in Sladers Yard there's the "Voyages" exhibition, on until Sept 12th. Artists include Simon Garden, Alfred Stockham and Stephen Jacobson paintings with David Worthington sculpture.

Of course the other major local event is the Melphash Show, taking place at the Showground, West Bay, Bridport.

The Melplash Show is the premier agricultural show in the South West and is a great day out for the whole family. One child is admitted free for each adult ticket purchased. Public opening is 7.30am to 6.00pm. This year's show welcomes celebrity Guest Valentine Warner who amongst other things will be signing copies of his popular What to Eat Now books.