Optical Illusions at Buxton Fringe

In the weeks leading up to the 26th Buxton Fringe, we will be trying to bring you a flavour of the different categories in our programme.

The Visual Arts component of this year’s Fringe is a good deal bigger than it looks with the revival of Buxton Art Trail bringing a host of artists and exhibitions to the town, many to be seen in their own homes and studios.

By the same token, Grinlow Art and Storytelling Trail, last year’s Fringe Visual Arts award winner, is an event that features many different artists, creators and storytellers in its quest to turn Buxton’s local Grinlow Woods into something magical.

Equally massive in a different way is The Great Dome Art Fair, a prestigious annual gathering of over 60 members of Peak District Artisans and featuring free talks and demonstrations. Another Fringe regular is the Derbyshire Open at Buxton Museum presenting traditionally very high quality works on a Derbyshire theme.
Lest all this should feel faintly overwhelming, don’t forget that Buxton is a small place. One visit to the Museum will also allow you to check out the fascinating collection of 1920s’ famous-names artwork amassed by Arto Funduklian, as well as some atmospheric landscape photography by Brian Adams. And just behind the Museum is The Green Man Gallery - our Fringe programme launch hosts - where you can see the exhibition Fragile Dreams in Solid Stone inspired by the history of the gallery’s new home, Hardwick Hall.

Exhibition-going is thirsty work so why not enjoy a break at the Pavilion Gardens Art Café where you can also see Derbyshire Stone, an exhibition from High Peak Artists? The nearby Pavilion Gardens conservatory will be blooming a little more than usual thanks to High Peak Community Arts’ Making Your Garden Grow show of ceramic flowers. A one-off exhibition by Burbage Art Group on July 18 at Burbage Institute meanwhile offers free tea and cakes alongside plentiful art works.

And if all this inspires you to have a go yourself, Dr Sketchy Sheffield is returning to the Fringe for one of its cheeky cabaret evenings where burlesque performers will pose to be sketched. Buxton Fringe - naughty but nice? We like to think so...

  Buxton Fringe

Website: www.buxtonfringe.org.uk
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