Art collective heads to The Bell Gallery

Opportunity to see the work of diverse group in one location

An art collective from the picturesque Waveney Valley is heading to Bungay for a one-off exhibition.

Harleston & Waveney Art Trail collective (HWAT), based on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk, will be exhibiting at The Bell Gallery this winter.

It’s the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors alike to explore the work of this diverse group in one location.

Visitors to The HWAT Winter Show will be able to see works from 28 artists who ordinarily host an art trail through south Norfolk and north Suffolk each summer.

Group chairman Malcolm Cudmore said: “This will be the largest, most fully representative exhibition we’ve mounted in a long time and will be quite a show.

“As we approach our 20th anniversary as a group, this is a wonderful chance for members to show their work together. Usually, each artist exhibits in their own studio during the Art Trail each year and visitors move around the region to see their work.

“Now, regular and new visitors will be able to appreciate the scope and quality of members’ work in one wonderful show.

“We look forward to seeing old and new friends of the Trail at The Bell Gallery.”

Works on show will include large and small figurative and abstract paintings, landscapes, prints, drawings, sculpture, textile art and hand-made books.

There will be work with a wide range of sizes and prices. This is an ideal opportunity to view and purchase high quality artworks created by this selected group of professional Waveney Valley artists.

The artists taking part are Nicci Dedman, Kath Wallace, Barbara Bernard, Christina Greathead, Caryl Challis, Malcolm Cudmore, Rosemary Elliott, Rosie Anderson, Isabel Auker, Liz Taunt, Sara Johnson, Rachel Wiles, Rhonda Whitehead, Chris Mound, Lisa Henshall, Diana McKenna, Dom Theobald, Nell Close, Carolyn Moulton, Paul Zawadzki, Noelle Francis, John Ogden, Gill Levin, Ingrid Duffy, Rose Martin, Val Lindsell, Tim Summerson and Vicky Townley.

Artist Barbara Bernard said: “The Bell Gallery is such an attractive space. I’m looking forward to showing some local work as well as plein air painting from my travels in USA and Italy.”

The exhibition is open from Monday 27th November until Saturday 23rd December, 10am – 4.30pm seven days a week.

Dom Theobald, who has recently rejoined HWAT said: “I’m delighted to return to HWAT after a period of flux and temporary working space. It is a great pleasure to show some work at The Bell Gallery for the first time, my works are landscapes of sorts, reinvented versions of where I live – the Waveney Valley.

“Into these scenes I have placed forms: houses and rivers, trees and paths, boats and clouds. These are rhythmic images. To my mind they are as full of sounds as colour. Both solid, both ethereal.”

The Bell Gallery has been open for nearly a year and owner Jackie Bell said: “We are delighted to be hosting the HWAT group of artists at the Bell Gallery for December. With 28 members exhibiting, there is going to be an amazing variety of artistic styles on show, so definitely something for everyone.

“The celebration of the Gallery’s first birthday coincides with this, our 12th exhibition and what a wonderful first year we have enjoyed. It will be a pleasure to round off a successful year by exhibiting work from HWAT.

“When we opened, it was our aim to provide a space to come and enjoy contemporary artworks in a relaxed, friendly setting, without feeling intimidated or put off by the formality that can sometimes surround an art gallery.

“We encourage people to grab a coffee and look around the exhibitions at their leisure, whilst having a chat with one of the on-duty artists or one of our own gallery assistants if they would like to know more about the artworks.”

A private view supported by the group’s long-standing sponsor, Durrants – the region’s leading estate agent – will take place on the evening of Thursday 30th November from 5pm until 7.30 pm. All are welcome to join HWAT for a drink and a chat while browsing the range of work on show.

A “Meet the Artists” day on Saturday 9th December will see HWAT members on hand to show and talk about their work to visitors throughout the day. Visitors are most welcome to call in and enjoy a complimentary drink while browsing the exhibition.

The show will also be open all day throughout the Bungay Winter Street Market on Sunday 2nd December.
The majority of works will be for sale at the event which takes place at The Bell Gallery, Earsham Street, Bungay, For more information, please visit www.hwat.org.uk

About Harleston & Waveney Art Trail

The Harleston & Waveney Art Trail collective (also known as HWAT) is a diverse and lively community of professional artists who live and work in the beautiful Waveney Valley, all within reach of Harleston, a small market town on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Harleston & Waveney Art Trail has taken place every summer since 2005. Each year the group opens their studios and workshops for two or three consecutive weekends. Entry to all studios and workshops is free, browsers are very welcome, and work can be purchased direct from the artists. All the studios are within ten miles of Harleston.

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