A NINE-DAY festival celebrating visual arts and crafts is back from today.

Wylye Valley Art Trail is taking place from Saturday, May 1 to Sunday, May 9.

It is set in 48 venues across south west Wiltshire with more than 140 exhibitors, ranging from award-winning artists, to those just starting out.

There will also be demonstrations, workshops and talks.

The trail is an opportunity to view a range of work, from painting to print-making, furniture making, photography and sculpture, to ceramics, as well as contemporary art forms such as digital art, installation, video and art using recycled materials.

All venues will be following current Covid guidance with maximum visitor numbers, requirements for wearing face coverings, social distancing and providing hand sanitiser.

Nick Andrew, the founder and coordinator of the Wylye Valley Art Trail, said: “I hope you enjoy following the 11th Wylye Valley Art Trail. I can’t believe that it is 20 years since the first event in 2001, when 34 studios, workshops and makeshift galleries threw open their doors, stretching a vibrant trail across this beautiful corner of Wiltshire.

"Since then it has taken place every two years, growing in size and bringing a wonderfully colourful and varied patchwork of visual creativity across the landscape to the attention of enthusiastic and art hungry visitors.”

Organisers hope it will be an “uplifting glimmer of creative light in the cultural life” of the area and insist safety remains a priority.

Visit: wvat.co.uk for more information.

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