University of Bolton 'art trail' to be set up in town centre

The trail will be organised by the University of Bolton with several partners for Saturday, June 15 as a way of showcasing the town’s arts and cultural venues.

The arts trail follows on from another event this year held by the Standard Art Collective and the Hive Gallery in the Market Place Shopping Centre.

University of Bolton associate teaching professor Donna Claypool said: “But this time it is even bigger, bringing together this range of arts and cultural partners really shows how Bolton-based arts organisations can work collectively to offer something distinctive and positive for the town centre.”

Andy Smith with one of his works (Image: University of Bolton)

Activities and events will be set up at the train station, in the town centre, at Bolton Sixth Form College, the University of Bolton and elsewhere.

The trail will include the P5 Gallery on Platform 5, which is hosting an exhibition of selected poems by Dave Morgan, together with illustrations by artist Alison Timmins.

Dave Morgan with some of the exhibits (Image: University of Bolton)

 Bolton Sixth Form College will have work displayed in the windows on the ground floor of the college building, while Bolton College will have a selection of work presented outside.

Senate House at the University of Bolton will host the Creative Show 2024 Open Day.

This will showcase student work from including fine art, photography, animation and illustration, special effects for film and television, textiles and surface design, graphic design and fashion.

The Medusa's Head (Image: University of Bolton)

Alongside these will be a schools showcase window features art and design work from the Chorley New Road Primary Academy from Victoria Square to Corporation Street.

Opposite Neo will be artists offering an ‘open studios’ where visitors can drop in to view the artists at work in their studio spaces.

The Market Place shopping centre will also be hosting a range of exhibits including the Hive Gallery on the upper ground floor.

Here artist in residence Andy Smith will present his new works while next door Future Furnishings will present an exhibition of work by University of Bolton students.

Charlotte Wood at work (Image: University of Bolton)

Further along in the Community Hive Gallery B artist Richard A Hall will exhibit a selection of paintings of place in Bolton while a Community Hive Gallery is hosting RÉFLEXIONS.

This will be an exhibition of photography showcasing work from the second-year undergraduate students at the University of Bolton.

Alongside all these, Bolton Central Library and Museum will be hosting events including film screenings from 11am to 3pm and graphic novel appreciation day from 11am to 3pm.

There will also be a nature into art exhibition and ARChive Stories – Talks and Tours by Donna Claypool which will feature at the temporary gallery on  the second floor from 1.30pm to 3pm.

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Hive Artists CIC co-director Julie Levy said: “Hive Artists are delighted to be partnering with the University of Bolton to deliver this exciting multi-site event.

“As part of the Bolton Town of Culture programme, the arts trail spans art from the reception class of a primary school through to work from university degree courses and college students and their tutors.”

“We also have established working artists and writers.

“This trail really has something for everyone!”