Art: 'the activity of painting, drawing and making sculpture' or in the case of the Bradford on Avon Arts Festival it can be defined as anything from feasting and sunflower floats to Dr. Feelgood…
 | | Ex-Specials Neville Staple |
The Bradford on Avon Arts Festival, launched last year, is back at the end of September for a second helping of visual arts, events, music and activities. And this year the 10 day arts festival is serving up everything and the kitchen sink… So take a deep breath and here goes: On the line-up, this year, there's a 'Graffiti Wall' going up at St. Margaret's Car Park for wannabe taggers (spray paint provided) to make their mark and there's a 24 hour record breaking singathon. You can learn how to break-dance or opt instead for a 1940's 'Tea Dance'. There's an open air film screening, a Festival Feast in the medieval Tithe Barn and a tour around a vineyard. There's an art safari that will take you into the studios, workshops and homes of over 100 local artists and in the beautiful garden and meadow at Wellclose House there's a temporary Festival sculpture garden… There's Neville Staple from ska legends The Specials headlining at the Music at the Marquee as well as Dr. Feelgood and a bevy of local bands. There's the 'Happening' on Market Street which is being transformed into, quote, "a surreal, totally unexpected pastoral scene" whilst on Church Street a St Laurence teacher is being lined up for a ceremonial gunging.
 | | Break-dancing |
There's food tasting, wine tasting, writers workshops and poetry 101s. There are quizzes, fancy dress picnics, stand-up comedies and sit down concerts. And to round it all off, at dusk, there's a launch of a flotilla of sunflowers and candles in the traditional 'Sunflower Float'. And if you were wondering about the kitchen sink…' Junk Sculptor' Anthony Wilson will probably be making use of one, along with a pile of other bits of metal, in his junk sculpture of 'The Moonrakers'. You are well advised to tackle this arts festival with a complementary brochure... The Bradford on Avon Arts Festival runs from September 24 through to October 2, 2005. For more information and ticket details call the Tourist Information Centre on 01225 865 797. | 
