What is the Shrewsbury Arts Trail?
Now in its third year, the Shrewsbury Arts Trail continues to grow in scope and ambition with even more venues, organisations, workshops and events involved this year.
Driven by their passion for art and the desire to make art accessible to a larger community while at the same time promoting the work of local artists, the small but dedicated Arts Trail team led by founder, Jess Richards, have selected ‘Movement’ as the theme for this year’s trail.
This theme has been chosen to coincide with the 350th anniversary celebrations of the birth of John Weaver. Born in Shrewsbury, John Weaver is regarded as the father of English ballet and pantomime and there will be a number of dance and music events in July to commemorate his life and work.
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery will be hosting a ‘Special Exhibition’, focusing on movement and featuring the work of internationally renowned artists, kindly loaned by local collectors. Artists featured this year include Salvador Dalí, Banksy, Damien Hirst, Barbara Hepworth, L S Lowry, Fabian Perez, JPR Stitch, Jacob Chandler and Michael James Talbot.
Throughout July and August, local artists work interpreting the theme of ‘Movement’ will be displayed at three main locations; Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery, Theatre Severn and The Parade with a host of exhibitions and events taking place at other participating venues. See What’s On and the venue pages for full details.
Building on the success of the Andrew Logan Sculpture Trail last year, which was enjoyed by thousands of visitors, we are thrilled that the Sculpture Trail this year will feature works by Salvador Dalí, loaned by The Dalí Universe AlP S.L, and Jacob Chandler. See the Sculpture Trail page for full details.
As in previous years, there will also be a Children’s Treasure Trail with prizes kindly donated by local businesses.
Open Call to Regional Artists!
We are inviting regional artists, including those from Shropshire's neighbouring counties, to submit work relating to this year’s Arts Trail theme of ‘Movement’. Artists of all ages using any medium are welcome. Come and join a community of established and emerging artists, making new connections and gaining exposure, with your work being seen by thousands of people.
Within this year’s theme, we are not just looking for figurative dance pieces; we want to present all interpretations of movement - think Van Gogh’s dancing lines of paint, Turner’s turbulent seascapes and Boccioni’s abstracted bodies in motion. We want to see it all!
Successful candidates will be exhibited at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery along with Theatre Severn and The Parade throughout July and August 2023.
This year, in line with established practice of other arts organisations and to sustain the trail we are introducing a fee for submissions:
£5 for 1
£8 for 2
£10 for 3
To apply, please follow the link below where you will find the submission form. You will also need to email images of the work you are submitting to shrewsburyartstrail2023@gmail.com.
The deadline for submissions is 1st June 2023