Visit to the Castle Parks Arts Centre Frodsham

 #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!
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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.
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I now have a little friend, as a birthday present, to remind me of this trip.

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