Artists travel from Europe for Rossendale Art Trail

The trail saw nearly 60 individual artists producing a spectacular showcase with everything from photography to paintings, music to murals, poetry to prints and ceramics to clothing.

As well as galleries and studios, art was on display outside a former toilet block in Edenfield, on show in Ninja coffee shops and at Velvet Elvis – a tattoo shop in Crawshawbooth.

On Saturday and Sunday, two Paint Jams were held, one at The Whitaker Art Gallery in Rawtenstall and a second at Waterfoot Square. Artists created their murals while visitors watched.

Valley Artist Alastair Price created a thought-provoking polluted ocean scene with a swimmer navigating a sea of litter.

Also on the Square Emily Breeze, from Lobster House Studio provided children’s craft activities to create a collaborative banner of self-portraits.

Helmshore-based artist Find Your Pink Krissy Dooley was delighted to welcome people to her own studio on the top floor of Park Mill, and many people walked up the many stairs to see her.

She said: “I used to be based in my garage, but 18 months ago I moved into this space; the light in here is amazing.”

Covid led her to the career change, and her daughter Gracie, now three, is also an inspiration.

Arts Trail Co-ordinator Scott Sadler said: “I think the paint jams were a massive success and the weather has been really kind to us.

“We are very grateful to the local artists who got involved, we also had one mural painted by someone who used to live in Great Harwood, is now in Glasgow and another artist came from Blackburn.

“A friend from Japan came over to see the festival and we had people travel to watch the live music, one from London and another took three busses from Bolton and many from Todmorden and Manchester.

“Valley Artists did a really great group show and their preview on the Friday evening was really well attended.

“I would also like to thank Grane Mill in Haslingden for opening up specially so that Mike Kelly could show his new work which was inspired by the Weavers’ Uprising.”

At the Horse and Bamboo Theatre W.E.T. Waterfoot Electronic Transmissions, nine artists created electronic music which was set to imagery.

The following day saw performances by Rebelski and Steward.Exe (Luca Severino), who travelled from Italy to perform, as did his drummer who headed over from Holland.

Graphic designer Andy Buttery, from Helmshore, is inspired by nature and landscapes and digitally draws his art in vectors.

He displayed his work, both illustrative and semi-abstract, in the Refectory at St Thomas Church, Musbury.

Owner of Ninja Coffee Matthew Devlin provided space in his coffee shops in Crawshawbooth and Bacup to showcase the work of three artists.

Matthew said: “I think it is really nice to be able to showcase local art by local people. It gives me a sense of pride to have the space available and people wanting to use it to exhibit.”

Rossendale Art Trail is a grassroots event which is predominantly organised by the artists themselves.

Everyone gives their time for free, the mural artists worked for free and all the musicians played for free and even funded their own transport.

The Paint Jam was made possible by Rossendale Council and UK Government Funding, which enabled the volunteers to build the mural walls and supply paint for the artists; a second art trail will be held in the Autumn.