7 things you won’t want to miss during Art Week in Exeter

Art week it the city’s visual arts festival, in its second year, its purpose is to widen access to, and participation in, the diverse forms of contemporary and traditional art in Exeter.

There are lots of events and exhibitions happening in venues all over the city but here are my don’t miss bits..

1. If you head to RAMM you will find the Sea Life – Glimpses of the Wonderful Exhibition (13 May to 17 Sep)

This free exhibition celebrates Devon’s glorious coastline through a playful mix of live creatures, historical objects, film and art for visitors of all ages. More info here.

To kick it off on Saturday 20th the museum has teamed up with Paddleboat Theatre Company to create a day of inspiring workshops for 4-12 year olds with a grand finale show by Paddleboat, tickets available here.

2. In the cafe at RAMM you can check out the exhibition by the brilliant Exeter Illustrators (read about that in Liz Finnie’s blog here.

3. At Exeter Cathedral you’ll find Stretch – an interactive artwork for all ages with Sophia Clist with Nick Burge

Made of hundreds of strands of fine elastic stretching across a space. Stretch is a sound sculpture and an interactive installation. During Art Week Exeter, Stretch has been installed across the nave of Exeter Cathedral using 8 miles of elastic. There are workshops and live performances, more info here.

4. While you’re there check out ‘Hope and renewal’ outside Exeter Cathedral.

In October 2016, Exeter’s Royal Clarence Hotel burnt out, leaving a scar that was both physical and psychological.

After destruction comes renewal, a theme being explored through sculpture by ‘Morth’ (Martin Staniforth). 2-3 tonnes of burnt timbers have been taken away from the site to build an organic, emerging, edifying sculpture for Exeter Cathedral Green.

5. At the Phoenix, amongst other exhibitions they have an Art Vending Machine

The art vending machine brings art designed in the size of a cigarette packet from local and international artists to a vending machine at Exeter Phoenix.

6. There is a lot to take in on the Quay too, including;  Juneau Projects: Makers of the multiverse at Spacex

A sculptural pavilion, located for four weeks at Exeter Quay on the Piazza Terracina. Developed with Spacex as a project that aims to expand the way artists and makers can show and sell affordable multiples. It proposes alternatives to more traditional art world structures and hierarchies by considering artists’ engagement with the role of distribution, pricing and accessibility of artwork.

7. Meanwhile The Boatshed are making abstract art cocktails…

Six artists blind-tasted six delicious cocktails and then recreated them artistically in the medium of their choice!

Read about my visit to the Art Fair here.

For full details of what’s on in Exeter during Art Week in Exeter head to their website here.