Bridport events for Dorset Art Weeks

The two-week festival, marking its 30th year, celebrates all the fantastic art in the county.

The event, running from May 14-29, continues to evolve from the challenges of the past few months as more than 250 artists look forward to opening their doors again, and larger venues present group shows.

In Bridport, St Michael’s Artists are opening their studios to the public. The nine artists are based in five distinct studios on St Michael’s Estate, where a vibrant hub of visual arts, crafts and design is located in the heart of Bridport. Visitors are welcome to relax and experience the eclectic mix of studios in an authentic, creative environment, with the opportunity to get first-hand insight into each studio practice. Original pieces, with something for every taste, are available to purchase direct from the artists and makers.

The group consists of David Brooke, mythical acrylic paintings; Isla Chaney, contemporary sculpture; Peggy Cozzi, contemporary abstract paintings; Sally Davies, unique bespoke splashbacks; Caroline Ireland, brightly coloured pastels; Fiona Neylan, stylish vibrant textures; Jenny Penney, relief-sculpted landscapes; Russ Snedker, contemporary visceral sculpture; Elizabeth Sporne, bold characterful portraits.

Caroline Liddington will be showing an extraordinary series of drawings and paintings created entirely from memory, depicting her early life in the 1950s and 60s. These pictures will be exhibited for the first time, alongside many additional paintings depicting interiors and objects from the past and present, at her Shipton Gorge studio.

Farrs house and garden in Beaminster, the home of furniture designer John Makepeace will be open to visitors from 10.30am-4.30pm on Sunday, May 15. John and Jennie Makepeace are raising funds for Dorset Visual Arts, started 30 years ago at John's suggestion. There will be talks at 11.30am and 3.30pm in the house for those who would like to hear more about John's design practice and furniture making for clients around the world. The several gardens, including Jennie's potager, a riot of fruit, flowers and vegetables, the rolling lawns and sculptured hedges around the house, and the garden of architectural grasses are all looking their best. Tickets £10, children free.

Photographer James Loveridge is exhibiting his work in the new showroom at Heavers in Bridport.

He said: "This is the first time I have ever taken part in an exhibition and shown off my work in this capacity. Heavers have a fantastic new showroom that opened towards the end of last year.

"I will have aluminium and canvas prints on display, as well as mounted photo prints and greeting cards. These will all be available to browse and purchase. I will be there personally on Saturday 14th, Saturday 21st and Saturday 28th from 12 noon to 3pm and it would be great to meet those who can make it."

Lucie Milner will have original artwork on display and for sale, limited edition prints and greetings cards, as well as some decorative pieces too. The exhibition space is at her home at Back Street, Portesham and will be an outdoor, undercover event.

Sian Evans, Liz Somerville and Emily Myers are showing in a new venue this year - Higher Chalk Barn near Nettlecombe. Expect new jewellery, pots and pictures. Brendon Murless is still up the road at Browns Farm showing his sculpture and Ali Herbert further up the road at Mappercombe Farm with her ceramics.

Eeles Pottery at Mosterton will host Raku firing demonstrations and workshop tours. The demo on May 28 is sold out but there are still places for June 4. Workshop tours take place on weekdays. For more information visit www.simoneelesceramics.com

Bridport artists will be among those exhibiting work at Poundbury's Jubilee Hall from Saturday as part of Art in Poundbury's It’s Up to Us exhibition.

The Dorset Art Weeks guide showing a list of all exhibitors is available free at Bridport TIC and elsewhere, or online via an app or at dorsetartweeks.co.uk