The Belper Arts Christmas Trail

For one day only and by special request…the hugely successful Belper Arts Trail is hosting a Christmas event featuring 34 of our artists and makers on Saturday, 10th December.

Final touches are now being put to the event which will take place at three of our venues making this an ideal ‘short trail’ to take in some excellent Christmas shopping along Chapel Street and Bridge Street. The three venues are at The Old School House, Belper Community Cottage and the Baptist Church.

There will be a huge variety of arts and crafts on view and for sale.

In the Old School House which is opposite De Bradelei Mill on Chapel Street we have a great mixture of creatives.

Artists include Tarnia Magee, Andy Mayers, Kate Beinder and we also have Stephen Coates and Steve McLoughlin demonstrating in watercolours and Acrylics.

There will be some fabulous gifts just in time for Christmas including ceramics by Heather Duncan and Tracey Holt Walkden; jewellery by Gwin Kerry and glassware by Stable Glass. Intriguing bespoke wooden pieces by Ingrained will be there and black and white photographer Natasha Braithwaite joins us in the Old School House again, as does wildlife sculptor Lynn Hazel.

In the Belper Community Cottage, which is opposite the bus station, you can find photographer Emma Clinton, ceramics by Farah Batool and jewellery by Karen Fentem. There will be glassware by Angela Ashton and willow sculptor Emma Carr will also be with us alongside artists Jayne Nemeth and Sheila Guyatt.

Just along Bridge Street to the Baptist Church (next to the Devonshire pub) you will find Santa’s Grotto. Look out for his sleigh outside the church. Here you can enjoy some refreshments, take a Santa selfie or even an “elfie selfie”. There is a small charge of £3 to say hello to Santa; children can have a good chat and receive a gift from him too. Thank you to the Belper and Duffield Rotary club for prising Santa away from making toys to be with us for the day.

Also in the Baptist will be a fabulous mixture of creativity with artists Clare White, Nansy Ferrett, Lizzie Adcock, John Hammond, Katy Doncaster and Claire Simpson. Textile artists include Mermaids Purse, Detta Textiles and Laura Marriott.

Along with art and textiles we also have printmaker Steve Wragg, illustrator Sophie Cartmell, photographer Sara Gaynor, jewellery by Zoe Adamson and wood carvings by Simon Turk.
34 very talented local creatives

This is a fantastic opportunity to buy that special unique Christmas present you wont find on the high street and direct from local artists and makers. You can chat to artists and see demonstrations. Inspiration will never be more than a few feet away.

And that is not all – as at a couple of times during the day the delightful sounds of Christmas tunes will be heard as Rough Truffles and, then, QHQ will be lending a festive atmosphere along the mini trail.

The Belper Arts Trail was created to promote the growth of local artists, engage with the community and enhance Belper’s reputation as a beautiful and inspiring place to visit. Next year, the Arts Trail will be in its 4th year and is already attracting artists from across the country whilst still keeping local artists at the forefront. Look out for more of this next year…

…in the meanwhile our Christmas event is an excellent ‘taster menu’ and will be with you very soon. Don’t forget…put 10th December in your diaries.

Belper Arts Christmas Mini Trail
Date: 10th December
Times : 10.00am to 4.30pm
Free entry
Father Christmas: £3 with gift

by Kelly Nixon