30 June - 16th July 2023
Pride of Place Malmesbury festival from 30 June to 16 July 2023. We love our hometown and the festival will celebrate all that makes Malmesbury and the surrounding area such a special place to live, or visit.
Starting with a series of linked exhibitions across the town, called In Living Memory, the festival will show how artists have represented the town, capturing its people and places, from the 1940s to the present day. There will be accompanying art walks, talks and participatory activities for all ages.
Following in the footsteps of JMW Turner, 20th century luminaries such as John Piper and the engraver and printmaker Robin Tanner produced important work here in the post-war years, which will be on display. In recent years, many artists have made Malmesbury their home, including the landscape painter Julian Barrow, ceramicist Mary White and acclaimed Scottish sculptor James Castle. The local area continues to inspire many artists living here, working in painting, textiles, photography, ceramics, glass, metal and mixed media.
The second weekend will focus on the legacy of Sir John Betjeman, in words and music. Britain’s most noted poet, writer and broadcaster was the first President of the Malmesbury Civic Trust when it was founded 60 years ago. He described Malmesbury as ‘a perfect English medieval limestone town’. Looking at the town through contemporary eyes, a photo mini-marathon and poetry event will encourage participants to creatively explore the locality and respond to the theme Pride of Place.
The third weekend, which we’re calling Source, will include a street market on Market Cross featuring a rich selection of locally produced food and drink. There will be cookery demonstrations by award-winning chefs, guided pub walks and tastings, and the opportunity to enjoy the best of local hostelries and restaurants.
Find out more www.caerbladon.co.uk/projects/pride-of-place-malmesbury
