Tuesday 23 February 2016

Welcome to landscapes in Buxton

Photo by Charlie Waite - talking at Buxton Festival Fringe on 21st July


Our Festival is a little over 4 months away now and the programme is beginning to take shape. About 25 shows and events are now listed - expect a bit of a rush in the next few days as the cheapest entry rate comes to an end. More than 100 further events are to be anticipated before we close for entries on 17 April, of course.

Already we know that some tremendous artists from previous Fringes will be back - New Orleans-style pianist Dale Storr, the High Peak Magicians, the Jacques Brel musical among many. There are some newcomers who we will be delighted to welcome to Buxton. Celebrated landscape photographer Charlie Waite will be talking about his work and career as well as offering 20-minute 1:1 tutorials to photographers who would like to learn from him.

Just in case you have missed the news - and you are a Buxton regular - Underground Venues will be open for business 'as usual' for 2016. The annual guessing game - 'will it, won't it' with regard to the availability of The Pauper's Pit in The Old Hall Hotel - has been resolved. Work on the redevelopment of The Crescent as a 5* spa hotel starts in earnest later this year - and this should mean that the Pauper's Pit will not be a theatre or cinema in 2017. Performers who want to be at part of the Underground Venue show for 2016 have just a few weeks to submit their bids. It is bound to be an exciting and emotional party - so get to it!

The Buxton Spa Prize is one of the newer events in the Buxton calendar - 2016 is the third running but it is firmly established in the visual arts season. The Prize is for artists working in any 2D media (except photography) who are over the age of 17 on 31st August 2016. The winning artist will receive a grand prize of £5000. The Buxton Spa Prize 2016 is proudly sponsored by ‘The Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust’. ​People can enter on the website from the 1st April 2016 or at the Buxton Office from the 6th May 2016. Winners will be judged by a panel of experts from the town and art world. The exhibition includes sale of work and runs from Friday 1st July until Sunday 31st July 2016 at The Green Man Gallery – Hardwick Hall, Hardwick Square South, Buxton.

On the subject of The Green Man Gallery we had sad news recently. One of the founding members of the Gallery, Doug Agnew, died following a short final illness. Doug had been head of the art department at a High Peak school and after retirement continued to work as an artist and a teacher. With his late wife, Chris, he was instrumental in founding Funny Wonders the Buxton-based puppet theatre group. Doug and Chris were much loved, respected and admired by all those who had the pleasure of working with them. Doug's funeral service will be held at Buxton Methodist Church on Friday February 26th at 10.30. The church will surely be full and there will truly be a tremendous life to celebrate.

Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
Facebook: buxtonfringe
Twitter: @buxtonfringe