Great Dome Art & Design Fair

Buxton’s Great Dome Art and Design Fair is returning to the Devonshire Dome this summer, with a new visitor engagement opportunity.

Peak District Artisans’ (PDA) annual event at the Devonshire Dome showcases a wide range of affordable, original art by local artists, providing insight into the region’s creative talent.

Part of the Buxton Festival Fringe, The Great Dome Art & Design Fair will see over 40 members of the group exhibiting their original artwork, handmade products and unique gifts. One of the exhibiting members is magazine-collage artist, Giles Davies from Derby who featured on BBC One’s Home Is Where The Art Is (pictured below).

Speaking about the event, PDA chair and member, Sue Prince (pictured below) said: “The Great Dome Art Fair is the most popular event in our exhibition calendar, offering visitors a huge range of locally designed and created work with prices ranging from £25, up to £2000.”

Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to watch live demonstrations of artists at work. For the first time this year, in a live participation feature, people will be able to contribute to a community folk art painting.

Sue, who specialises in creating and leading community folk art projects, explains: “We’re giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the creative atmosphere and capture the event. People will be invited to personalise and paint themselves onto a canvas using basic pre-prepared sketched outlines, they’ll also have the opportunity to add their names to the artwork.”

This year’s event is sponsored by Trevor Osborne Charitable Trust.

Speaking about the sponsorship, Trevor said: “Buxton holds a significant influence surrounded by the beauty of the High Peak and it is the appropriate host for the annual Great Dome Art Fair.  The topography of countryside and the beauty of the town combined to attract and influence artists and gifted artisans who are inspired to create unique work – an abundance of which brings joy and pleasure to the thousands who attend the fair. The art on display not only adds to the town’s cultural reputation but it brings visitors and makes a positive contribution to the local economy.  Where art goes, people follow, and I am delighted to be a supporter of Peak District Artisans.”

The exhibition runs 19 – 21 July

Friday Preview Evening – 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Saturday and Sunday – 10am – 5pm.
Admission is £2 per person.

In addition to the timetabled talks and demonstrations in the lecture theatre and classroom (see right), there will be an additional 10 members doing demonstrations taking place throughout the weekend at their stands.

For the full listing visit www.peakdistrictartisans.co.uk