Art in North Devon
We love to be surrounded by high quality artwork. No home – or hotel – feels right without it, which is why we really care about what goes on the walls of The Carlton. We’re always keeping an eye out for new artists and their work.
It just so happens we can count the world’s most famous living artist as a ‘local’! Damien Hirst is a big supporter of Ilfracombe and his sculpture, Verity, is an incredible sight on the Quay. So many guests ask us about it and it’s a real conversation starter!
Creative trekking
But it’s not just Hirst, North Devon is full of artists and their creations. Oftentimes these creative types may be hidden away in their studios, so it’s great to have the big Art Trek event in September . Masses of studios are open to the public and there’s lots of special exhibitions, so you can travel all around the area seeking out artists. There’s a booklet that comes out nearer the time, but allow for a few days to see as many as you can. It runs from Sep 14-30.
Feeling arty in Ilfracombe
If you can’t wait that long, there’s the Ilfracombe Art Trail in May. This is a fabulous event, taking place over the weekend of May 5 to Monday 7. It’s springtime and it’s gorgeous wandering around our town’s little streets, discovering artists and craftspeople in their studios. We can’t get over how many of them there are! You’ll find artists’ gardens open too and live music. It would be a perfect weekend to visit the town and of course come and stay at The Carlton.
Along from us, opposite the theatre you’ll find the Ilfracombe Art and Craft Society gallery. It’s brimming with artists who’ve been inspired by the gorgeous place we live in, and has all sorts, from paintings to pottery, glassware, jewellery – even musical instruments.
Finally – we did say we loved art, which is why we commissioned Paul Swales to create a painting of The Carlton. (And if you pop in for a coffee you can see more of Paul’s work on the walls of our coffee lounge).
Don’t forget to book up quick if you plan on visiting for the art events in May and September!
