Applications are now open for artists to apply to take part in a popular sculpture trail which is set return to south Norfolk August 2017.

The Waveney Valley Sculpture Trail annually attracts thousands of visitors to the region to see the work of artists from around the country.

Organised by Waveney & Blyth Arts, the event, which has taken place at the River Waveney Study Centre near Bungay for the past three years, will this year take place at The Raveningham Centre, four miles south of Loddon.

The trail is part of ‘Celebrate the Waveney & Blyth 2017’, an annual programme of events that highlight the unique character of the two valleys situated in north Suffolk and south Norfolk.

The Raveningham Centre offers a very different location with new opportunities for site specific work and sculpture in the grounds of Castell Farm, a Tudor farmhouse with an old orchard and kitchen gardens.

Over the years Raveningham has become known as a unique venue for a number of arts activities including Festival in the Garden, Easter Folk Day, Antiques Fairs and Musical Events.

Nicky Stainton from Waveney & Blyth Arts said: “We are very excited by the opportunities that the new site at Raveningham will bring to the Waveney Sculpture Trail.

“The site is very different to previous years and includes an orchard, pond, shrubberies and lawn areas, which will provide a wonderful variety of spaces for artists to respond to.

“There are a lot of other attractions on offer with the Ravenous Cafe, East India

Trading Company’s wonderful rugs, Cannell Antiques, Helen Howes Textile Artist and other units nearby. Visitors will discover a real treasure trove.”

In 2016 more than 3,250 visitors visited the trail to see the work of 45 artists, generating around £7,000 worth of sales.

Both established and up-and-coming artists are encouraged to apply to take part in the 2017 trail.

Curator Sarah Cannell said: “I am thrilled to be curating the sculpture trail again and am really looking forward to the challenges of the new space.

“I can’t wait to start working with new and familiar artists on the project to develop ideas over the next few months.

“We have a lot more work to get the site ready for the public, in a similar way to the first year at the Earsham site, but it’s already started to feel magical as the snowdrops and aconites are starting to flower in the orchard.

“My overall vision is to continue to encourage public interaction with contemporary art in a rural setting and to this end we would like to invite applications from artists and sculptors keen to respond to this beautiful site.”

All artwork on the trail will be available for sale and there will be an opportunity to sell cards, prints and books related to the artwork.

This year there will be two awards for participating artists, The Visitor’s Choice award and The Curator’s Choice award.

To apply email Miss Cannell via [email protected] for an application form.

The closing date for applications is Sunday, February 26 2017.

More information can be found on the Event page at

www.facebook.com/WaveneyBlythArts

Exhibition Dates

Press preview: Tuesday, August 15 2017
Preview: Thursday, August 17 2017
Exhibition open: Friday, August 18 until Sunday, September 3 2017 (open daily 10am until 5pm)