Artistic talent is being celebrated at Royal William Yard this Autumn during a festival of art. During Artober, a vast variety of events are taking place at one of Plymouth’s award winning cultural destinations, kicking off with the return of Plymouth Art Weekender.

Running from 18^th October – 3^rd November, Artober will include a free to attend exhibition, featuring locally and nationally renowned artists, some in residence for the duration and others with shorter pop-up shows, creating a constantly evolving exhibit.

From contemporary art and large-scale oil portraits, to landscape photography and interactive installations, Artober will showcase a broad spectrum of styles and array of talent – and invite visitors to get involved. There will be opportunities to watch artists at work, learn or hone skills in workshops, and contribute to exhibits.

Artober begins by welcoming Plymouth Art Weekender back to the city, after a four year hiatus. The relaunch of this contemporary arts festival, which celebrates local talent, will take place between 18^th – 20^th October across Royal William Yard.

There will also be the chance to get hands on and have a go. A variety of art workshops will take place, a free Art Zone for children will be open over half-term, and Royal William Yard’s iconic cow sculptures will become an interactive art piece that visitors can add to. For those looking to take a piece of Artober home, original art will be available to buy from some exhibitors.

What to expect

Dozens of artists will exhibit at Royal William Yard during Artober, including:

Friday 18^th October – Sunday 3^rd November

10am - 4pm every day and open until 8pm on Thursdays

New Cooperage building – Royal William Yard

• View the work of contemporary portrait artist, Mick Hand. His ‘Ink to Oil’ series celebrates Plymouth’s diverse community, in a unique and evocative collection of large oil on board portraits. To date, there are 14 completed portraits in the series, with the 15th being created in situ during the exhibition.

• From the West Midlands comes an installation from PHORM, a progressive partnership between artists, designers, curators, publishers, cultural organisations and institutions.

• Work by Stephen Smith of Neasden Control Centre will embody his distinctive style that blends hand-drawn elements, organic patterns and vibrant colours

• Get lost in the wilderness and wild space of Dartmoor and coastal landscape, with Contemporary painter Kate Bosence.

• Karen Evans of Conscious Sisters will display a series of hanging textiles. Entitled Colour Shroud, this is a textile collage with rope and willow, symbolising vitality and life.

• Erica Ankers Art will display her contemporary pastel paintings. Semi abstract, dynamic depictions of South West landmarks, she captures the mood of a place and moment in time.

• Alison Stott creates transformative, immersive experiences with blown glass. Her installations play with glass, light and sound.

• Grace Beswick is a printmaker who explores ideas across prints, drawings and paintings, often autobiographical in nature.

• Enjoy the South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year Exhibition, with 22 images of the iconic coastline printed on large-scale panels. Watch the Trailblazer Walk film, chronicling the 55-day epic relay along the national trail to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the South West Coast Path Association.

• Keep younger visitors busy at a pop-up children’s Art Zone during half-term (28^th October -3rd November), this is a free drop-in arts and crafts creative space within the Artober exhibit.

• Plus many more artists planned in this evolving programme of exhibits – visit the website for up to date information throughout Artober.

Friday 18^th – Sunday 20^th October

10am - 4pm

New Cooperage building, Melville building, Ocean Studios – Royal William Yard

• Studio Paradiso features artists from across studio spaces in Plymouth. The exhibition dissolves the walls between studios and opens up new dialogues between the artists and their work - a celebration of the dynamism and calibre of creativity in the city.

• Plymouth Art Weekender with RAMP. Over 25 local artists and makers will transform Ocean Studios into a vibrant showcase of what happens behind the scenes at Royal William Yard’s creative hub, and across the city. Discover open studios, exhibitions featuring the incredible work of talented artists, makers and collaborators. Book here.

• Plymouth Artists Alliance will show a series entitled ‘Uprooted’. The aims is to engage visitors in creating 2D and 3D artwork, promoting discussion about what uprootedness means to them.

• Environmental artist and activist, Judy Harington, connects people emotionally with nature and environmental issues. She will exhibit The Insatiables, spiral plastic ammonites Fossils of the Anthropocene and the film Unnatural Tides.

• An installation by William Luz, whose illustrations and drawings celebrate flowing lines and bold yet delicate, colourful abstract compositions.

• 19^th October, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm - 30 minute sessions, (New Cooperage) Modern Calligraphy Taster Session with Wild Sea Calligraphy. Guided session to create simple and elegant calligraphy shapes. Book here

• 22^nd October, 9:30am -12:30pm (Ocean Studios) Introduction to linocut printing. Learn the basics of linocut printing and create your own unique print. Book here

• 23^rd October, 7 - 9pm (New Cooperage) Create Mandalas and Zentangles with artist Jayne Ashenbury. Book here

• 26^th October, 10:30am - 1pm (Ocean Studios) PrintKIN Social with CAMP - for people who are interested in or would like to learn more about printmaking. Book here

• 27^th October, 10am - 2pm, part of the Artober exhibition in New Cooperage, Children’s Autumn Art and Crafts and pumpkin carving. This is a free half-term activity, book a place here

• 30^th October, 7 - 9pm Paint like Picasso session with Jayne Ashenbury. Book here

Find out more at www.royalwilliamyard.com/artober