South Devon provides colourful inspiration for creative tourism
Visit South Devon has identified an exciting new holiday trend that is seeing visitors coming to locations like South Devon to get their creative juices flowing. Creative Tourism is one of the reasons that Visit South Devon is supporting the Contemporary Craft Festival at Bovey Tracey in Devon (15 -17 June). The Festival provides a spectacular creative focus for visitors who cannot help but be inspired by over 200 of the finest designer makers from all over the country. craftsatboveytracey.co.uk.
Stephanie Cherrett, Marketing Manager from Visit South Devon, comments, "We have a number of South Devon based makers who will be exhibiting at the Festival and we are keen to give our support to an event that is attracting visitors to the region from all over the UK and features some truly cutting edge contemporary craft."
From silversmiths to glassblowers, textile artists to furniture makers, this annual showcase of the best of British craft is set on the edge of Dartmoor with a relaxed atmosphere allowing visitors to appreciate pieces made by the country's most interesting craftspeople, as well as meeting the artists and discovering the techniques and stories behind the objects on sale.
Lea Phillips is one of the South Devon based potters who will be at the Festival displaying her passion for ceramics - taking inspiration from the sunny South Devon skies and seas and reflecting the energy and movement in her work that comes from the throwing process. leaphillips-pottery.co.uk
Other South Devon makers at the Festival include weavers, Holly Bradley-Gill from Dartington, hollybradleygill.co.uk, and Susie Gillespie from Yalberton, susiegillespie.com, furniture maker John Luff from Kingsbridge johnlufffurniture.co.uk, Penny Simpson from Moretonhampstead pennysimpsonceramics.co.uk, Taja from Moretonhampstead tajaparcelain.com.
The Festival really lives up to its name with great live music, street entertainers and mouth watering food and drink as well as the opportunity to learn a new craft skill in the Making Tents, plus an array of craft-making activities and entertainment for children. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the spectacle of international furniture designers Chris Eckersley and William Warren going head to head in a challenge to create classic Windsor chairs in the Great Windsor Chair Race.
It is also a great place for shopping with a fabulous selection of contemporary craft to buy including: ceramics, glass, jewellery, interior and fashion textiles, wood, silver and much much more. For full event information, tickets and workshop bookings go to: craftsatboveytracey.co.uk.
For visitors coming to the Festival for a short break or for those wanting to come to South Devon for some creative inspiration, visit: visitsouthdevon.co.uk for accommodation and further details on events and attractions.