ABOUT US
ArtMakers is now just over three years old at the start of 2025. I started out with 10 members and now has 210, and the New Atlantic Wave of artists and makers in north Devon* is now recognised as the third largest visual arts group in England. Committed to improving the role of art in people’s lives ArtMakers now not only supports an artist managed gallery in Bideford – complete with virtual gallery option, but holds open exhibitions across the region, runs workshops including for people suffering from mental illness, and business seminars for artists and makers plus supporting numerous art initiatives in north Devon.
When we surveyed artists in the area at the beginning of this process the priorities were ‘getting work seen’; easy access to information, and support and training. We have not succeeded in meeting all these requests but we continue to strive to do so.
The ArtMakers website features the work of over 200 artists and makers, provides information sheets on key topics and updates on our work, and the work of others. Every month we publish a newsletter featuring local artists, and key arts events in the region. In addition we publish a monthly members update with details of up coming exhibitions, competitions, sources of funding and members news.
- northern or north Devon includes Torridge and North Devon District Council areas.
A Little History
ArtMakers is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company – Reg. No. 13269909 set up in March 2021 to tackle the economic and social impact of artists and makers during the COVID period.. We launched the website in October 2021 and our first virtual exhibition ‘Into the Light’ curated by Quiet British Accent, opened in November 2021. We were supported in this work by InnovateUK .
By the end of November 2021 we had over 50 artists and makers on the site. Our second virtual exhibition ‘Our Environment’ curated by Ian Danby, director of the Burton at Bideford, opened in Jan 2022. Later in 2022 we held our first ‘live’ exhibition at the Appledore Book Festival – to great success with over 1000 visitors.
In 2023 and 2024 we expanded on all this work with the opening of the ‘Art Upstairs’ gallery in Bideford, a partnership with the National Trust property at Arlington Court, plus further live exhibitions, and workshops. In addition, we exhibited five artists at the Battersea Art Fair in 2023. This work was supported by the Art Council England, the Lottery Community Fund, the Bridge Trust, and local Councillors.
Northern Devon?
So why have we chosen to focus so closely on promoting the work of artists just in northern Devon?
First and foremost it’s because it is the home of the New Atlantic Wave, who remained unnoticed until ArtMakers researched the region.. Artists and makers with great talent, and imagination, who except for a few, have limited opportunities of reaching audiences .
Second, northern Devon is ArtMakers home, so it’s an excellent place to start.
Third, the experience of northern Devon artists and makers is not unique. The situation faced by creatives here is also an example of other talent clustered in dispersed communities in rural/coastal parts of Britain. Areas which have been in economic decline and suffered from the metrocentric nature of funding and focus.
Right now our aim is to broadcast loud and clear that artists and makers in northern Devon create great art that can enhance anyone’s lives.
Once we have proved that, we want to become a hub for other dispersed rural/coastal communities. So come and talk to us if you love art and want to buy or if you are an artist/maker anywhere.
Contact: admin@artmakers.uk
See also the ArtMakers ‘Origins Story’ to learn how ArtMakers came about.