Modernism and Architecture, Illumination and Animation will be the focus for
visual arts in Festival 2009. Using traditional and new media, there will be an emphasis on contemporary art in public spaces.

This year we have new work from established artists including Alec Finlay, Matthew Houlding, Ben Cove, Raphael Daden, Kate Genever, Charles Monkhouse, Michael Branthwaite, Ghislaine Howard, Martyn Blundell, Lorenzo Madge, Peter Hoon, Maxine Hall, as well as featuring the best Fine Art and Decorative Arts graduates in the region.

Exhibitions and installations: 

New work is being shown across all of our main venues, both indoors and in the public realm:

Newbridge Works, the Market Place, the Parish Room, the National Stone Centre, Memorial Hall Gardens, St Mary's Church, Wirksworth Heritage Centre and shop venues and Windows throughout the town.

Contemporary Art Focus - A weekend of exploration - 19th & 20th September

Weekend two is a new venture for Wirksworth, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the contemporary work in our Key Venues, galleries and public spaces. Many of the exhibiting artists will be talking about their work, including ‘dark words | white words | a poetry performance’ –a performance by Alec Finlay together with John Sewell and Judy Kendall, a panel discussion on the enduring influence of Modernism and the relationship between Art and Architecture, tours of the exhibitions and food and drink.

Contact the office direct for further details and to book tickets.