Published 7th Jul 2023, 07:31 GMT

Updated 7th Jul 2023, 07:32 GMT

And more than 100 artists have banded together to show why by staging what will be the largest ever Hebden Bridge Open Studios. It is as a spokesman for the group puts it: “Hebden Bridge stands out as a vibrant, happening little town in the Upper Calder Valley in West Yorkshire. We are famous for our art scene.”

So from Today (Fri) to Sunday, artists and makers in and around Hebden Bridge will be opening their doors to the public, inviting all to “chat, see, buy and learn”.

One of the artists involved is Angie Rogers of the Linden Mill Studios in Hebden Bridge.

Hebden Bridge Open studios. Artist Angie Rogers pictured at work at Linden Mill, Linden Road, Hebden Bridge. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme

She said she created “artwork that brings the spirit and atmosphere of the beautiful South Pennines into your home or workplace. Printmaking, drawing and painting connecting you to the natural world and wild spaces.”

Martha Breeze, who works from the Northlight Studios, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge, under the name Kellertur, said: “My work is motivated by a love of objects and materials. Kellertür presents jewellery and hairpins with a rough and textured finish.”

And photographer Linda Hodges, who works from Linden Mill, said: “As a digital photographer I enjoy both the conventional and more artistic approaches to my work. I'm currently excited by and exploring layers, realms, secrets, stories, magic and wonder.”

Julia Ogden, whose art is at Melbourne Street in the town, said: “I paint local landscapes, birds and florals. Always a fan of a good sky I focus on colour and atmosphere . I also hand print homewares and gifts from my drawings. Discounted items available.”

And Don Myers, of Northlight Studios, Valley Road, Hebden Bridge, said: “This year I’ll be showing some of my recent ‘Echoes of the Valley’ watercolour and gouache paintings along with drawings, paintings and prints from my other collections. There will be postcards and greetings cards and ‘Hebden Homage’ books for sale.”

The event organiser John Noble-Milner, also known as wildlife sculptor Geckoman, said 107 individual artists are taking part plus groups such as the Brier Hey Potters, Square Route Weavers and the Portrait Club.

“Hebden Bridge has a wonderfully eclectic and unique art scene and this year we are delighted to see more than 20 new artists opening their studio doors to join the event,” he said.

“We’re very lucky to have artists from all walks of life and this is why HBOS - even after 19 years - continues to be one of the UK’s most popular art events.”

He said Hebden Bridge was a “melting pot” which draws in new artists.

“If visitors walk away from this year’s Open Studios with an inkling of inspiration to create art themselves, or perhaps with a piece of artwork they fell in love with during a studio visit, or having built a relationship with an artist to commission something unique for themselves, then we’ll be over the moon!”

The event began with Hebden Bridge Open Studios window trail which opened on June 30 and runs until Sunday.

It involves local venues - from art galleries and quirky independent shops to food stores and barbers – featuring artwork by Open Studios artists in their windows, creating Window Trail of art through the town.

Last year it had 40 windows. This year it has risen to more than 60.

People can find details of the art on show and a map of the window trail on its website: www.hebdenbridgeopenstudios.org.

Hebden Bridge Open Studios: The small Yorkshire town which will be the centre of the art world this weekend