Visual Art Highlights

The Frome Festival's programme of Visual Arts perhaps does more to reflect and express the cultural life of the town, than any other aspect of the programme. The exhibition venues are often a delight to visit in themselves.

A closer look at the relevant pages will detail the extensive range of artists exhibiting at the Blue House on the Bridge in town. The Blue House is a wonderful and much loved building in Frome. The setting, and the access to natural light make it the perfect exhibition space. The garden also has sculptures on display and, in addition, will also host to the play "Blue Remembered Hills" during the Festival.

Rook Lane Chapel at the top of Bath Hill was built in 1707, and has been restored to its original magnificence. The exhibition and performing space is becoming increasingly utilised throughout the year. For this year's Festival, we are delighted that Rook Lane is hosting the Evolver magazine's Prize Exhibition as well as examples of Brazilian and Cuban art.

Black Swan Arts  by the Market Yard Car Park, houses Frome's longest established galleries. The exhibitions there can be taken in alongside the "Trees and Clouds" exhibition at the Frome Museum Studios close by. Both venues provide studio space for some of Frome's extraordinary colony of working artists. The Black Swan also has an excellent, recently refurbished cafe.

The private galleries are a delight to take in: Towards the far end of Frome's famous Cheap Street is Cafe La Strada and just beyond, The Gaunt Gallery. A little further on, is the exciting new space at the Weaving Shed called The Silk Mill Studios. In addition to these, Studio Prints Long Window Gallery is has an exhibition entitled "Going to the Dogs"; St. John's Church is hosting the SODA exhibition; and the Holy Trinity Church is opening its doors to view the fascinating Burne-Jones Windows. Marsaili Mackenzie in Stony Street comprises the Small Picture Gallery which will be presenting "The Life and Times of Miss Smith" during the Festival.

Following the Map of venues, visitors to the town will find not only the fascinating exhibitions, but will discover the wonderful buildings and ancient streets of Frome, and see for themselves just why the town's artisitic and creative community continues to grow and flourish.

Click here for more detail about Visual Arts Events