#SaltsMill #Bradford #DavidHockney #AYearInNormandie

A few years ago we visited Salts Mill for the first time and enjoyed our visit. Having arranged to go to York Races, as part of my Father in Laws birthday present, we decided to take our daughter to see the exhibitions in the mill on the way.. Having negotiated the route, with a confused Satnav, we finally arrived a little later than we anticipated. 
Deciding to go to the top floor first before making our way down to the other galleries, we set off. On entering this floor we realised this was a new addition and were impressed with the restoration work undertaken. Here was  'a new 295ft (90m)-long artwork by David Hockney depicting the changing seasons of his French garden in lockdown'

Apart from the exhibition space, our daughter wasn't impressed, although having just started experimenting with an iPad I could see how this was an ideal tool for this type of painting.
Moving on, we made our way to the next floor where his earlier iPad work was on show as large prints. We liked several of these but still no joy with our daughter. The most impressive work on display though was this industrial landscape made up of tiles depicting local the local area.

After an expensive drink and cake we looked around the new shops, that had been added since our last visit. These featured antiques, books, jewellery and clothing etc. The place had certainly been developed since or last visit.

​Eventually, we reached the ground floor where, as well as books and art materials on sale, a range of Hockney's work over the years was on display. Unfortunately,  our daughter still wasn't impressed!

A shame we couldn't get her to appreciate his art, considering he was one of our favourite artists. However, I suppose it is not too surprising as she hadn't followed his career as we had done and hadn't seen how his art had developed over the years.  
​Like a lot of people art is a personal taste and this wasn't hers.

 #frodsham #Castleparksartscentre #exhibition #builehillmansion

When we go to visit our daughter, who lives near Chester, we often stop off at the Castle Park Arts Centre. This centre, I believe, is the ideal building for the arts and it is a shame more towns don't have these facilities. The development of Buile Mansion could do well to look at this type of set up when deciding on their future plans for the site. The centre offers other creative workshops such as writing groups and a folk group meet there every Friday evening. There seems to be a vibrant creative culture within the centre and for such a small town this is fantastic. Salford take note!
​
There is a nice walk from the car park to the gallery. A pathway takes you past a Victorian House and gardens on one side and a woodland walk on the other. Following the path you pass a café overlooking the sports field with an excellent children's playground next to it.  Finally, you cross a courtyard where there are a few craft shops and an outside seating area. This area has been made into an eating and entertainment venue where musicians are often to be found. You then enter the café where drinks and light meals can be purchased.

Passing through there you enter the downstairs gallery, which is a nice light exhibition space. Here In Gallery 1, Eddisbury Artists, a small Cheshire based group, were exhibiting a range of different styles. 
Leaving there you can go down a corridor, where display cabinets show local artists' work, to Gallery 2, where Steve Bayley's Atmosphere paintings are on show.  Frequent art classes are often held in this room as well.

Upstairs, and this is the only fault with the gallery, as there is no lift, is Gallery 3. Here a group of gifted  carvers, turners and wood artists were exhibiting their work. This was our favourite exhibition and as a  woodwork teacher, in my past life, I really appreciated the effort and talent on show. We event purchased a small piece. Unfortunately, the other one we wanted was not for sale. The only problem with this exhibition was the lack of information about the group or any means of contacting individuals to order pieces.

After lunch, we left the centre and walked back to the car. An enjoyable break to our journey and we look forward to our next visit.
​
I now have a little friend, as a birthday present, to remind me of this trip.