ON TRACK FOR A RECORD YEAR
With Create Longridge on the horizon artists are registering to participate and the fringe programme is being developed. Photography: Sarah Valentine
Over 30 artists, professional and amateur, have already registered and Create Longridge, now in its fourth year, is on track to have over 50 artists painting in and around Longridge on Saturday 13th July. Artists have one day to create a brand new piece of artwork from scratch within a three mile radius of the town centre. Clitheroe professional Keith Parkinson will be competing for the fourth time.
“Create Longridge is such a fun event to take part in,” notes Keith. “It’s great to be painting away from the studio where people can come and see what you’re doing. The atmosphere in Longridge is always friendly. Last year I decided not to stay in one spot but to roam around the town centre painting various scenes, which visitors seemed to like.”
It’s not just Lancashire artists who are registered. The first to register this year were husband and wife team Peter and Stephanie Spalding from Romsey in Hampshire. Peter and Stephanie each has their own painting style and they are looking forward to their weekend staying in the Ribble Valley. All styles are welcome.
Longridge artist Ricky Young was runner-up in 2016 with an expressionist view from the recreation ground. Last year Ricky painted a conceptual piece based on the spoken word, recorded at Future Sound Music in the town. What will Ricky paint this year we wonder?
Create Longridge is much more than a painting competition though. A lively fringe programme is being developed to encourage as many people as possible to get creative on the day. Children’s art classes will again feature and take place at St Wilfrid’s and Barnacre Road schools. These classes are always fully subscribed and result in smiling faces all round!
For the adults, Longridge art teacher Laura Dent will be holding a class where participants will paint a local scene in a Fauvist style. That will be a colourful session and we hope to discover the Longridge Matisse!
And of course it wouldn’t be Create Longridge without a large scale collaborative textile work led by Cath Reid from Oh Sew Crafty. What will Cath do this time?
Further activities are being finalised so please keep up to date on the event website: www.createlongridge.co.uk
