Exciting New Visual Arts Festival to launch in St Albans
The inaugural St Albans Visual Arts Festival (SAVAF) takes place in St Albans from Friday 29 April until Friday 6 May 2022, bringing together and showcasing the work of local artists in a celebration of visual art.
Local artists whose work will be shown in the festival include Dawn Elliott, Antonio Medina and Reena Patel.
St Albans is a historic city which attracts many visitors throughout the year. SAVAF aims to add to the allure of the city by showcasing creativity and engaging the public with a variety of events and exhibitions which are free to attend.
Throughout the week visitors will have the opportunity to view artwork in many different settings. There is an exhibition taking part in St Albans Cathedral as well as public art display outside this historic building.
Adjacent to the Cathedral in the Vintry gardens, the public will be able to enjoy a local school music ensemble as well as a pop exhibition by a Herts Visual Arts a local arts organisation.
In St Albans Museum + Gallery, visitors will be able to view the work of artists Jo Eden and Renee Rilexie and can take part in an artist talk and workshop that will take place there. There will also be a public art display outside the building.
Trestle Arts Base will be hosting an art exhibition in collaboration with Herts Young Homeless, a charity which supports young people who are at risk of homelessness. 50% of all proceeds will be given to charity to help fund their important work. Local school children will also be taking part in an arts competition hosted by the charity.
A solo exhibition is taking place in the Collective Gallery on Hollywell Hill which explores the theme of womanhood by artist Marianne Frank an artist talk will also accompany this show.
During the festival there will be a large-scale mural installed in Drovers Way by local artist Ant Steel. The public will have the opportunity to see this mural take shape over the course of the week.
On the last Friday of the festival internationally acclaimed sculptor and environmental artist Diane Maclean, a St Alban’s resident, will host a talk at Trestle Arts Base where one of her many sculptures is installed. Diane has been commissioned for many public sculptures and her work has been displayed at Salisbury Cathedral, Leeds castle and is shown in many other public collections in the UK and overseas.
There will be an opportunity to purchase art not just at Trestle Arts Base but also at the St Albans Art Fair which will take place on 1 May at Market place.
Artwork will also be available to view in a selection of local businesses across the city.
Families and young people will have the opportunity to take part in workshops in St Albans library where artwork will also be displayed throughout the festival.
Sarah Gillow, a Board Director of St Albans BID which is sponsoring the festival, says: ‘We are thrilled to support this fantastic festival which celebrates local St Albans artists. SAVAF will not only enhance our city centre – keeping our streets vibrant and adding colour and beauty – but it will make art feel inclusive to all. We hope it brings joy to visitors and our St Albans community alike.’
The festival has been organised by Aisha Adi, a local artist who curates exhibitions in St Albans and supports local creatives.
More information can be found at www.collectivegallery.co.uk.