FINAL preparations are being made for the Church Stretton Arts Festival, which attracts visitors from all over the country.

The Opening Reception for Exhibition 2019 – a prominent part of the Church Stretton Arts Festival, will take place on Monday, August 5, at 7.30pm at Church Stretton School. Admission is £2.50, including refreshments.

This year the exhibition is in four galleries and is open from Tuesday, August 6, to Saturday August 17, 11am to 6pm. Admission is £1, free to children, students and exhibitors and free to all from 6pm to 7.15pm when there is an evening performance at the school (except for Saturday, August 17). The £1 entry fee allows them to return as many times as they like during the two weeks.

Sue Mitchell, a member of the exhibition team, said: “We are delighted to welcome Claire Carter, landscape photographer, as our guest artist this year. Claire is based in Shropshire but her passion for landscape photography has taken her far and wide, including Norway, Iceland, Patagonia, Poland and across the UK. Her display will include works from these diverse locations as well as closer to home in the Shropshire Hills. Claire will also be presenting Dancing Lights – a decade of aurora hunting on Sunday, August 11.

“This free event at 2pm at the school is a wonderful opportunity to find out more about Claire and her award-winning photography skills.”

Exhibition 2019 will be hosting two workshops again, and these are Printmaking using stencils, led by Di Purser (Thursday, August 8) and Felted landscape painting, led by Susan Mulcock (Tuesday, August 13). In addition, Margaret Tremellen, a Member of the Shrewsbury Guild for Spinners, Weavers and Dyers will be demonstrating Natural fibre spinning on Wednesday, August 7 and Wednesday, August 14. Workshop places can be booked online on the Festival website.

Timetable… Monday, August 5: Opening Reception

Tuesday August 6 to Saturday August 17: Exhibition Open Daily

Wednesday, August 7: Natural fibre spinning demonstrations by Margaret Tremellen: 11am – 1pm

Thursday, August 8: Printmaking using stencils – workshop led by Di Purser

Sunday, August 11: Dancing Lights – a decade of aurora hunting – Presentation followed by Q & A session by Claire Carter 2 – 4pm Free admission.

Tuesday, August 13: Felted landscape painting – workshop led by Susan Mulcock

Wednesday, August 14: Natural fibre spinning demonstrations by Margaret Tremellen: 2pm – 4pm

Saturday, August 17: Last day of Exhibition

Sunday, 1August 18: Artwork Collection Day.