ref: dRq Sep 7-9 2012 HELFA GELF / ART TRAIL North Wales Open Studios - Open a 'pdf' of this press release - return to Galleries PR Index

Helfa Gelf 2012

The Artistic Adventure Begins

The biggest ever Helfa Gelf /Art Trail begins next month in North Wales, with artists throwing open

their doors to allow visitors to experience their normally private creative world. Studios from

Gwynedd, Conwy, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham have signed up to be part of North

Wales’ biggest annual art event.

“I am taking part in Helfa Gelf again this year and it is fantastic. I work on my own in my studio all

year and in September it feels really nice to be with a larger group of colleagues, the Helfa Gelf

team. I love meeting my visitors and being part of something bigger,” said Laura Capper, master

upholsterer and upcycled furniture designer, from Laura’s Attic, Mold.

Over 300 artists select which days they open their studios over the Fridays, Saturdays and

Sundays throughout September, commencing Friday 7 September 2012. An invaluable help in

planning your free artistic adventure is ‘The Art Trail Map’, an online interactive guide including

information on studio location, artist profile, a gallery of images, directions to the studio, satellite

map, access information and opening times. The free printed guide featuring all the artists is widely

available from local libraries, schools, tourist information centres, hotels, shops, galleries and Helfa

Gelf Information Points.

“I am totally committed to Helfa Gelf this year; I am open every weekend. I am getting out the flags,

the large A-boards and posters to advertise my studio. There is going to be cake and a little launch

party. I am going to GO FOR IT and have a good time,” says Laura. The Helfa Gelf artists all offer

a very warm welcome to those curious to find out what artists get up to in their studios, visitors

wanting a chat to discuss the artistic process or callers who would like a chance to buy art direct

from the maker.

New funding from project supporters has allowed the artists access to professional development

workshops, support and promotion of the event. The Helfa Gelf Art Trail project has received

funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007–2013, which is funded by the Welsh

Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

“As with anything you throw yourself into, it is always a challenge; it is hard to mix my creative side

with my business side. I have a clear idea in my head and I want to get this across to visitors.

Having the support of Helfa Gelf is important to me; you aren’t just working on your own, that is

what Helfa Gelf is for me,” said Laura.

Studios spaces are found in every imaginable situation including sheds, barns, chapels, galleries

and artists’ homes. Some are located in quiet residential streets and some are high up in the hills.

Using ‘The Art Trail Map’ online, you can plan a visit to include a mix of studio locations and artists

working in different media. Using the map or guide, you can quickly see which artists are situated

together by county and location, enabling you to plan an enlightening and interesting day.

“Last year I gained so much from opening my studio, the networking more than anything. Visitors

who came to see me told their friends and the friends brought more friends. It was talking to

visitors about my work, which was invaluable. During Helfa Gelf this year, I want to generate a lot

more conversations,” said Laura.

The artists are preparing for September and you are invited to join the Helfa Gelf /Art Trail to begin

a conversation, gain more understanding, have an opportunity to buy and experience this normally

hidden world. Come and visit a studio on your doorstep or plan visits every weekend in September;

travelling through beautiful North Wales, your artistic adventure begins.

Ends

Picture titles

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Laura Capper, master upholsterer and upcycled furniture designer

Laura’s studio

Photos by Simon Proffitt, Greenlanddesign

Mrs Jo Quinney MCIPR Accredited Practitioner

Q Marketing & PR Ltd

Ffôn / Tel: 01248 715 611

Symudol / Mob: 07748 155 116

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