This is Henley getting it’s art on good and proper. We love how the Henley area is crammed to the rafters with the most amazing creative and artistic people. Not only do we have wonderful art galleries that people can visit all year round but we also have the wonderful Henley Arts Trail.

Experience Henley is delighted that The Henley Arts Trail 2022 has returned to it’s normal spot in the Henley cultural calendar and is running throughout the whole of this May Bank Holiday weekend 30th April – 2nd May.

What a fabulous way to experience art and meet the artists, plus each exhibition/venue is free to enter.

The Henley Arts Trail was the brainchild of (left to right) Kirsten Jones, Kate Findlay and Judith Fletcher when they got together back in 2006 with the aim of creating a platform to showcase the creative work of local artists in the Henley area.

With the support of other artists and sponsors over the years, the Trail has become something that visitors now look forward to, either to view the latest work of their favourite artists or to see who is new on the Trail… and this year there is a number of newcomers that are a must see.

The artists are usually on hand to welcome guests and show their work. Some artists will be doing demonstrations or workshops for visitors who may want to have a go themselves and many venues offer scrummy refreshments.

Early opening on 26th April, a few days before the main Henley Arts Trail weekend, an exhibition of work specially created for and inspired by The National Trust Property, Greys Court. The exhibition is being held in the former ‘Cromwellian Tea Room‘. Entrance fees apply for non National Trust members. At this time of year as well as some wonderful art, visitors should be able to see the amazing Wisteria in full bloom.

Also, there are a number of new venues on the trail this year that are worth a visit, a chance to see work by artists who may not have exhibited on the Trail before Greys Court, Hollow Art, Caron Light Art, Studio 51, North Myrtles Art Group, The Garden Gallery at 13 New Road, HaaHoos Ceramics and Artists at Albert.

Artist: Robin Reynolds at The Hollow

There are some fantastic venues in this years line up including once again Art at Pheasants. An exciting variety of work by 15 local artists and sculptors, displayed in a stunning RIBA award winning contemporary home set against the serene green landscape and waters of Henley-On-Thames including painting, paper-cutting, photography, printing, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, cards, collage. Also each day there is a free Portrait Photography workshop by Martin Cook (pre-book by email: hiddenhenley@talktalk.net) and Creature Ceramicist Alison Pink will demonstrate her techniques.

Look out for the pink ‘Arts Trail’ signs on roadsides and coloured bunting outside each venue.  A few facts about this year’s event:

• Over 200 artists
• 33 venues
• Over 20,000 leaflets distributed
• Over 10,000 visitors expected

The Henley Arts Trail is sponsored by Buratta’s, The Big Plant Nursery, The Blue Moose Graphic Company, RG10 Marketing, Rupert House School, The Picture Framer, Blandy & Blandy and Bovingdons.

For more information visit THE HENLEY ARTS TRAIL 30 APRIL 1 & 2 MAY 2022