2 – 10 September

Artists, craftmakers and creative businesses open their private studios everyday from 11am – 5pm at least. Galleries put on special events, whilst groups get together to put on one-off exhibitions, in a wonderful mix of interesting venues.  

Since 2002 their county wide art trail has taken place every year in the second week of September. h.Art has become part of Herefordshire’s rich cultural calendar, with a huge variety of art and art forms on show in Open Studios, Group Exhibitions and Gallery Events. With the vast majority offering FREE admission to visitors, h.Art promises a fun day out in one of England’s most beautiful counties. 

Meet hundreds of individual artists, see an array of artwork across the county in the city and countryside, in fabulous locations such as manor houses, historic barns, farms, churches and beautiful gardens. h.Art is really special for art lovers, promising personal encounters with some of the UK’s finest artists and makers in the intimacy of their own homes and studios. Discovering new work, as well as being able to buy or commission exactly what they want, all direct with the artist. All the elements combine to attract people who want a high quality, memorable experience.  

Their website promotes participating artists all year round, so keep up to date with your favourites.

Your feedback

Please let them know what you think and feel about h.Art, by completing the short visitor questionnaire on the link found here.  You may be the lucky winner of the annual prize draw.  They pull out one completed questionnnaire, the winner recieves a voucher for £100 to spend with a participating artist. If you prefer to communicate directly you can contact them by email here. They welcome your comments and they help shape the event year on year. 

Background

h.Art was founded as part of Herefordshire Council’s ‘Creative Industry’ programme, managed by Mel Potter in the Arts Team. The vision for h.Art was to:

Offer personal life enhancing experiences through art, whilst stimulating a vibrant local economy

It has certainly grown to do that. From 2013 to 2017 it was part of Brightstripe – Cultural Health CIC. Now it’s run by h.Artists Ltd, an independent organisation led by Mel Potter.

Since 2006 h.Art has had valued support from an artist Steering Group and now Advisory Group, currently Amanda Wright, Ann Johnson, Claudia Petley, Jenny Williams, Maggie Davis, Marion Campbell, Mark Sanderson and Sian Gibbs. All practising artists and designers themselves, they offer experience, advice and support, whilst representing the artist in their local area.

And of course h.Art isn’t possible without the financial commitment of all the artists and venues who take part. “Many parts make the whole”

h.Art is an enjoyable, special experience not to be missed, and its purely down to all the artists’ talents, welcoming openness and huge creativity, which you take in along your way, through the stunning Herefordshire landscape.