Devon Artists Collaborate on New Business Venture to Promote Local Art

26 March 2008 – ‘Part of the Country’, a new business based in Moretonhampstead which facilitates the collaboration and promotion of local artists, will launch to a public audience on the 11th April at The White Hart Hotel, Moretonhampstead.

The exhibition, which will be open for three days from the 11th-13th April, will present a selection of fine art prints and host a number of workshops featuring artists and photographers who are passionate about Dartmoor and the wider Devon region.

Anne Middleton, Co-founder and Director of Part of the Country said, “The philosophy behind our business is to provide our audience with a taste of the region, or our “Part of the Country” through art. We wanted to create a collaborative vehicle with which to expose local artists to a wider audience including the many tourists that visit the area.”

She continues, “It’s often the case that an artist’s individual productivity can be hindered by the amount of time and effort required to market their work via exhibitions and promotional activities. Part of the Country unites the marketing effort, offering maximum exposure so that more time can be spent on being creative.”

Part of the Country wants to further immerse their audience in the experience of locally produced art by hosting interactive workshops. These are designed to provide any visitor or art enthusiast with a greater understanding of the chosen subject matter and the tools and methods which have been used to portray the region.

To expand the interest in the business further, Part of the Country will sell their work at exhibitions and via the web where customers can buy online and order to the door as gifts. The prints are produced locally to the Fine Art Guild standards and even the exhibition frames are hand made by a local cabinet maker.

The portfolio includes the work of Michael Buckland’s oil paintings depicting sunshine and movement; Suzy Fasht’s – vibrant colours; Mary Gillett’s representation of the mood of the moor and sea; and the illustrator Chris Molan’s water colours. A number of photographers are also part of the collaboration including Jennie Hayes who has captured unique images of life in Devon and on the farm; and Mike Rego. Other featured artists include Maureen Pakenham, Joanna Radford, Richard Thorn, Jane Vaux, and Nicky Walker. 

The exhibition will be open Friday and Saturday from 10am-5pm, and Sunday from 12pm-4pm.