A series of events designed to promote and celebrate art in Bicester will take place in the town this weekend.
Cherwell District Council has organised the event, featuring an illustrated talk, wood carving workshops and an arts and crafts market.
The event has been supported by international artists Diane Gorvin and Phil Bews of Gloucestershire who designed the crows in Crown Walk and who will lead two free workshops and an illustrated talk.
Nicola Riley, Cherwell’s arts and visitor services manager, said: “The events in Bicester this weekend will be a great opportunity for people to come along to browse and buy from the artists who are selling their work. People can also find out more about the inspiration behind the public art in and around Pioneer Square from Phil and Diane.”
The event will get under way on Friday, 16 May with a free wood carving workshop at the Age UK Pop-In Centre in Manorsfield Road from 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Visitors aged eight and over will be invited to carve a crow – similar to those in Crown Walk – onto a large wooden panel which will be displayed in the town at a later date.
Later the same day, Phil and Diane will give an illustrated talk at the Coles Bookshop in Crown Walk at 7pm. The couple will discuss the inspiration for their work in Crown Walk and invite questions.
The following day on Saturday, 17 May, the town will host an arts and crafts market in Sheep Street from 9am – 5pm with stallholders selling a range of unique items including textiles, paintings and jewellery.
Alongside the market Phil and Diane will be repeating the free wood carving workshop at the Age UK Pop-In Centre from 10am – 5pm on Saturday.
Tickets for the talk cost £5 and can be purchased from Coles Bookshop by calling 01869 320779 or by emailingshop@coles-books.co.uk
The woodcarving workshops are free to attend but must also be booked in advance through Coles Bookshop.
For more information visit www.cherwell.gov.uk