Saltaire Arts Trail Programme

A jam-packed 3-day programme of art and creativity in Saltaire & Shipley over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

Running over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend from Saturday 27 – Monday 29 May, the annual Saltaire Arts Trail once again brings the UK’s finest artists, makers and designers to the unique spaces of Saltaire and Shipley, showcasing the work of over 140 artists in total across a busy 3-day programme of events.

The Open Village will show an eclectic range of contemporary artwork by over 60 artists selected from across the UK in homes, businesses and creative spaces in Saltaire and Shipley. Visit Saltaire homes and businesses, resident artists showcasing their own work in their homes and studios, as well as the area’s creative spaces, who will be hosting artists, running open studios, and offering drop-in activities.

Visit the stunning Victoria Hall to browse over 65 exhibitors across 3 rooms in the Saltaire Makers Fair – a showcase of fresh, contemporary handmade art, craft and design for sale or commission. Browse and buy unique, hand-crafted jewellery, ceramics, textiles, homewares and more. Entry is £3 (under 16s free).

The busy programme of twelve exhibitions offers plenty more to explore. Touring Shipley in the week before the Arts Trail, Wild Bee Cafe by Freddie Yauner and Max Fraser is a pollinator-inspired, hand-painted drinks kiosk. Freddie Yauner’s accompanying exhibition Pollen Paintings featuring live painting will be in the roof space at Salts Mill over the Arts Trail weekend, where visitors can also see David Hockney’s recently re-opened A Year in Normandie. Students from the FdA Textiles Practice course at Bradford College are taking up residence in Wash House Gardens with an exhibition of textile installations – Habitat – as well as drop-in workshops. Meanwhile, at the United Reformed Church, don’t miss Saltaire-based artist Chrissie Freeth’s large-scale tapestries.

And for visitors of all ages who are inspired to get involved and try out a new skill – maybe sparking a new creative hobby – try the free artist-led workshops in printing, weaving, drawing and crafts.

Information on the full programme can be found at saltaireinspired.org.uk and trail guides are available to buy for £3 at outlets in Saltaire and online, as well as throughout the Arts Trail weekend.