A collaborative arts trail launched in 2012 to showcase the best of Ceredigion's creative talent is back for the second year running, this time with twice as many artists involved.
The Ceredigion Art Trail kicks off on 17 August, runs until 1 September, and will feature 200 artists across 79 different venues in the county.
Work across a variety of media is being exhibited everywhere from commercial galleries to chapels, shops, cafes and pubs, with visitors also asked to take a trip through the stunning countryside to see artists at work in their studios.
Interlocking tea set, ceramic by Ian Rylatt. All images courtesy of the artists
This year the county has been split into three geographical areas, each with their own hub, where those visiting the trail can access more detailed information about what's on in each area and plan their visit accordingly.
The Ystwyth Rheidol Group is operating out of the new Gas Gallery in Aberystwyth, while the Cambrian Mountains Group is based at Y Talbot on The Square in Tregaron and the Aeron Teifi Group is based at Pendre Arts at 35 Pendre in Cardigan and May's Number 8 Gallery in Margaret Street, New Quay.
Chair of the trail committee, Paula Rylatt, who is herself a glass artist, said that apart from the revenue generated by advertisements in the trail booklet and some generous sponsorship, the artists and their friends were the "backbone" of the income to cover costs.
Paula said: "The Ceredigion Art Trail provides the unique opportunity for visitors to experience the pleasure of art in a relaxed informal environment.
"Artists are generous people, who want to share their enthusiasm with others; consequently there is no pressure whatsoever to buy, although I am sure artists will be delighted if they do sell some of their work.
"The main aim of the trail is to allow visitors to step into a different world, looking, asking and learning, and hopefully feeling uplifted by the experience.
"Ceredigion is blessed in many ways, one of them being the number of gifted and varied artists whose separate personal work collectively weaves a vibrant creative spirit. The trail allows those threads to join and strengthen and offers to all of us the gift of stepping onto the fabric and being carried by it for a while."
There was a Time, kiln formed glass by Paula Rylatt. All images courtesy of the artists
Highlights include an exhibition at the start of the festival by the printmaker Judy Macklin at her studio Hen Beudy in Llangwyryfon, Aberystwyth, as well as work from Jude Riley at her studio at Ynys Blaenplwyth in Aberystwyth which will be showing throughout the festival.
Trail-finders who take a trip to Cardigan can also enjoy the Colony 13 project, with more than 40 local, national and international artists exhibiting via installation, film, photography, sculpture and painting at four non-gallery venues in the centre of Cardigan.
There will also be a whole host of workshops, with introductions to stone sculpture and various craft activities for children, as well as a youth art exhibition.
Ceredigion is rich with artistic talent and many of its local arts groups have collaborated to offer exhibitions of their work throughout the trail, including the Aeron Teifi and Nanternis groups as well as work on show by 30 craftsmen and women at the Waunifor Centre in Llandysul.
Organisers are delighted with the public enthusiasm for the event and plan to make it an annual fixture in the summer arts calendar, with many of the artists volunteering and funding the trail behind the scenes either through generous donations or raffle events featuring their work.
The Bandstand Aberystwyth, lino print by Jude Brett
A launch party to celebrate the start of the trail is being held at the home of the poet Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch in New Quay from 6-7pm on 16 August, the eve of the event.
Visitors will be able to view the latest work and many sketch books by her aunt, the artist Lilwen Lewis.
Samantha will be reading from her latest collection of poetry, Banjo, which was shortlisted for the 2013 Wales Book of the Year prize, while her sister Francesca will be promoting her first novel The Rice Paper Diaries.
Samantha added: "Ceredigion is rich in talent - perhaps it's the landscape or the people or both. Whatever the reasons I really wanted to celebrate the start of the art trail and provide space for Lilwen's fantastic work.
"Combining it with what my sister and I do is a great way to make other forms of creativity accessible to a wider audience."
The exhibition of Lilwen's work at Hafod Arthen will also be open on 17 August from 11am-5pm.
For more information visit the trail website ceredigionarttrail.org.uk.
