Summer art is in full swing for the visual art organisers Artreach Studios at the Isle Gallery.

In July the all-girl team kicked off their summer with demonstrations and art workshops at the Dark Horse Festival followed by a fun filled, comprehensive art making timetable for children throughout the holidays.

Now they spread their wings off-island in a bid to showcase some of the island’s great artistic talents.

Early in September, the team travel to the cultural and creative centre of Bristol to represent eight of the island’s leading artists at the iconic Affordable Art Fair.

The artists who are to be represented at the arts fair feature some of the most well-known painters on the islan, including Vici Blackburn, Anna Clucas, Colette Gambell, Eileen Schaer, Kate Jerry, Jeremy Paul, Graham Rider, and Shelby Sandyford Sykes.

Exhibiting at the fair is by strict application process and the Artreach team were delighted to be accepted with their inaugural bid.

Established in 1999, the Affordable Art Fair has sought to provide an open, friendly atmosphere showcasing the very latest in affordable, contemporary art from exciting new talents and well-established names.

With 14 Affordable Art Fairs worldwide, an uber cool vibe and between 8,000 and 25,000 visitors per event, the fair aims to make art accessible on a large scale.

It also offers both galleries and art Agents an enviable International platform and an audience who are serious about buying art.

This is the first time a group of artists from the Isle of Man have been showcased at an Affordable Art Fair and it’s hoped to be the first of many opportunities to promote Art by Manx based artists, gaining that valuable international exposure, sometimes lacking on our little island.

Artreach Studios have been assisted by Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, whose chief executive, Mark Woodward, said: ’We’re delighted to help Artreach Studios attend the fair, by assisting with travel costs, and hope the trip will generate increased awareness of the Isle of Man’s artistic offering and perhaps encourage people to visit our shores to see more artworks and the Island that helped inspire them.’

If you’re interested in popping along to the Affordable Art Fair in Bristol between 8th-10th September, Artreach Studios would be delighted to welcome you to their stand under the banner of ’Isle Contemporary’.

They have a limited number of free entry tickets on offer, please register your interest asap by joining the mailing list on islecontemporary.com

Alternatively, if you or your children are interested in making some of your own art why not join in some of their therapeutic and creative art workshops.

There are still a few more art experiences for all ages next week as part of their Summer Art programme.

A new schedule of workshops for Autumn through to 2018 will be released very shortly, beginning with printmaking options for adults and term time art workshops on Saturdays for children.

Information and contact links can be found on the website artreachiom.com

by Kate Jerry

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