Emsworth Arts Trail's first weekend off to great start

More than 60 artists exhibited their work at venues across the town and are preparing for the second leg this bank holiday.

In Emsworth Community Centre, the museum and the artists’ own back gardens, there was an incredible range of work to see.

Deborah Richards, former exhibitions officer at Portsmouth City Museum Service, is now a full-time artist and loves exhibiting her screen prints and sculptures on the arts trail.

She has taken up an extended residence at Emsworth Museum, above the fire station in North Street.

Around 200 people visited her show on the first day alone.

Award-winning artist Deborah said: ‘This is my third arts trail and it’s always been very successful for me.

‘The beauty is I am here the whole time and people can come and talk to me about my work.’

Deborah took early retirement last November to concentrate full-time on her artwork, which includes stoneware wolves.

Just around the corner in Emsworth Community Centre crowds of people gathered to admire the work of artists Barbara Jones, Izzy Hutchinson and wood turner Peter Cheyne.

Debra Hodgson was exhibiting her work for the first time.

She said: ‘I’m a children’s illustrator and I do more detailed water colours.

‘I visited the arts trail last year and realised I wanted to take part this year.

‘I’ve really enjoyed it.

‘The people have been lovely and 
very encouraging and I’ve sold some paintings.’

The arts trail is now in its 15th year and has been growing bigger and bigger.

Most of the artists exhibit over two weekends and many open their own private studios to the public.

There is also jewellery, photography, ceramics, furniture making, print making and weaving to admire.

Go to emsworthartstrail.org.uk.