Free art festival at the Royal William Yard!

9th October 2024

Artistic talent is being celebrated at Royal William Yard this Autumn during a festival of art. During Artober, a vast variety of events are taking place at one of Plymouth’s award winning cultural destinations.

Running from Friday 18 October until Sunday 3 November, Artober will include a free to attend exhibition, featuring locally and nationally renowned artists, some in residence for the duration and others with shorter pop-up shows, creating a constantly evolving exhibit.

From contemporary art and large-scale oil portraits, to landscape photography and interactive installations, Artober will showcase a broad spectrum of styles and array of talent – and invite visitors to get involved. There will be opportunities to watch artists at work, learn or hone skills in workshops, and contribute to exhibits.

For those looking to take a piece of Artober home, original art will be available to buy from some exhibitors.

What to expect

Dozens of artists will exhibit at Royal William Yard during Artober, including:

Artober Exhibition

Friday 18 October – Sunday 3 November

10am - 4pm every day and open until 8pm on Thursdays

New Cooperage building – Royal William Yard

• View the work of contemporary portrait artist, Mick Hand. His ‘Ink to Oil’ series celebrates Plymouth’s diverse community, in a unique and evocative collection of large oil on canvas portraits. To date, there are 14 completed portraits in the series, with the 15th being created in situ during the exhibition.
• From the West Midlands comes an installation from PHORM, a progressive partnership between artists, designers, curators, publishers, cultural organisations and institutions.
• Work by Stephen Smith of Neasden Control Centre will embody his distinctive style that blends hand-drawn elements, organic patterns and vibrant colours.
• Get lost in the wilderness and wild space of Dartmoor and coastal landscape, with Contemporary painter Kate Bosence.
• Karen Evans of Conscious Sisters will display a series of hanging textiles. Entitled Colour Shroud, this is a textile collage with rope and willow, symbolising vitality and life.
• Erica Ankers Art will display her contemporary pastel paintings. Semi abstract, dynamic depictions of South West landmarks, she captures the mood of a place and moment in time.
• Alison Stott creates transformative, immersive experiences with blown glass. Her installations play with glass, light and sound.
• Grace Beswick is a printmaker who explores ideas across prints, drawings and paintings, often autobiographical in nature.
• Enjoy the South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year Exhibition, with 22 images of the iconic coastline printed on large-scale panels. Watch the Trailblazer Walk film, chronicling the 55-day epic relay along the national trail to celebrate the 50 anniversary of the South West Coast Path Association.
• Keep younger visitors busy at a pop-up children’s Art Zone during half-term (28 October -3 November), this is a free drop-in arts and crafts creative space within the Artober exhibit.  
• Plus many more artists planned in this evolving programme of exhibits.

Workshops:

• 22 October, 9:30am -12:30pm, Ocean Studios: Introduction to linocut printing. Learn the basics of linocut printing and create your own unique print. Book now
• 23 October, 7 - 9pm: Create Mandalas and Zentangles with artist Jayne Ashenbury. Book in advance to avoid dissapointment. 
• 26 October, 10:30am - 1pm, Ocean Studios: PrintKIN Social with CAMP - for people who are interested in or would like to learn more about printmaking. Make your booking now.
• 27 October, 10am - 2pm, part of the Artober exhibition in New Cooperage: Children’s Autumn Art and Crafts and pumpkin carving. This is a free half-term activity, book a place here
• 30 October, 7 - 9pm: Paint like Picasso session with Jayne Ashenbury. Book your spot today.
• 2 November, 1-2pm Print Run at New Cooperage. Make your mark in a fun, fast-paced, hands-on screen-printing experience with Ocean Studios artist and founder of Colossal Sue Lewry. Create a print to take home for FREE! You don't need any experience. Everyone welcome!

Find out more at www.royalwilliamyard.com/artober