fbpx

Suffolk SketchFest 2023

Suffolk SketchFest is a 3-day celebration of sketching the maritime heritage & wildlife of the River Deben area of outstanding natural beauty at Woodbridge.  Over 60... Read more

£40 registration + £15 for each workshop & £10 for demos - over 60 events to choose from!! Bookings are now open!
Calendar Icon

Date
04 Aug - 06 Aug 2023


Map Icon

Location(s)
River Deben, Woodbridge
Suffolk / Woodbridge


Brush Icon

Workshop content
Outdoor sketching along the River Deben - art, learning, birds, boats, river, water meadows and fun


Person Icon

Tutor(s)
Mary-Anne Bartlett, Claudia Myatt, Mark Boyd, Maxine Relton, Julia Cassels, Karen Pearson, Roger Dellar, Alice Angus

Learn and sketch, having fun with the wildlife, boats, landscapes and history of Woodbridge.

Suffolk SketchFest is a 3-day celebration of sketching the maritime heritage & wildlife of the River Deben area of outstanding natural beauty at Woodbridge.  Over 60 sketching events to join including artist-led walks, demonstrations and workshops.

SEE PROGRAMME HERE

Suffolk SketchFest’s inspiring artist tutors include:- Mary-Anne Bartlett, Claudia Myatt, Mark Boyd, Julia Cassels, Ian Sedge, Lorna Hamilton, Karen Pearson, Roger Dellar, Maxine Relton and Alice Angus…  We’re here to share our knowledge, experience and skills of drawing and painting outdoors – and to celebrate the River Deben.

Suffolk SketchFest is open to anyone who would like to have a go! 

Join for one, two or all three days

Book now and register, then choose your workshops (some are free, some are at extra cost), and simply bring your paints and sketchbooks along…  We have artist led sketch walks for you to join as well as other events to help you lean the joys and the skills of sketching outdoors.

Sketching outdoors is a great way to understand, interact with and share our appreciation of the natural world.

Prizes for different categories – announced on Sunday pm

Let’s use art to reconnect with natural beauty and the wild places on our doorstep, as well as to reflect our enthusiasm, interest and identity with our tidal river.  Art Safari Artist Tutors will show you how to preserve moments in time through sketching and painting.  Spending time sketching and painting on the River Deben, we aim to catch experiences and moments of wonder.  The three days can help you appreciate the river more and bring attention to the outstanding landscape of Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Your sketches will become lasting reminders of special time spent in nature.

Art Events as part of Suffolk SketchFest, 4, 5, 6 August, include:

  • Artist-led sketching walks along the river wall at Woodbridge (upriver to Melton, along the quayside and downriver to Kyson Point and Martlesham Creek)
  • Artist-led art workshops and demonstrations
  • Free Storytelling event
  • Free Music event
  • Art tutor challenges
  • Prizes!!

SketchFest participants include artists from across the UK, local residents and businesses, children & families, art groups, artists, wildlife enthusiasts and birders.

Friday Timetable

Saturday Timetable

Sunday Timetable

Suitable for all abilities, equipment list will be provided.

 

 

Saturday 2023 Timetable

Itinerary

FRIDAY 4 August25 sketching events to choose from throughout the day! Only 10 people per group!
Music on the Quayfree for you to listen and sketch
Friday eveningoptional al fresco dinner
SATURDAY 5 August25 sketching events to choose from throughout the day! Only 10 people per group!
Free talkfree for you to listen and be enthralled
Saturday eveningoptional al fresco dinner (fish and chips!)
SUNDAY 6 August15 sketching events to choose from throughout the day! Only 10 people per group!
Suitcase Icon

Bookings will open at the end of March.

Cost: 

£40 registration (includes registration, 1x free sketch walk, group crits and final event)

Extra workshops, demos and art walks:

  • £15 per workshop (50mins)
  • £10 per demo (30mins)
  • £40 per half day workshop (3hrs)

Places must be pre-booked.  Please enquire or call us on 01394 382235


Food:

Join us for al fresco dining on Friday and Saturday evening.  On Friday a local restaurant brings a delicious meal here to eat at tables here on thequay, £20 per head including a glass of something cheerful.  On Saturday place your order (and pay in cash on the day before 4pm) for a Fish & Chip supper which we’ll bring to you by pedal power to eat at tables here on the quay.

There are many enticing cafes to eat at and find refreshments during the day.

Venue:

The River Deben outside the Art Safari Studio, The Harbourmaster’s Office, Ferry Quay, Woodbridge, Suffolk 1P12 1BW

There is no parking available at the Art Safari Studio.  There is however a pay and display car park at the Woodbridge Railway Station.  It is a very short walk away!

PROGRAMME:

BOOK TIME WITH OUR ARTIST LEADERS

There’s many exciting choices including demos, workshops, warm up sessions and guided sketching walks!!!!

It’s three days of socially distanced artistic activity with time to meet other artists, drink coffee on the quay, eat and draw in your own time.

ACCOMMODATION: 

Woodbridge is a picturesque Market Town on the Deben Estuary.  Find out more about the town on the Visit Woodbridge website.  Ipswich is not terribly far away and has larger hotels.

Here is a small selection of places to stay which Art Safari guests have enjoyed around Woodbridge:

There are many more options available, including boats and holiday cottages – have a look through Suffolk Secrets and Suffolk Hideaways for holiday rental cottages in the area.