Rye hosts East Sussex Contemporary Arts Fair

This year showcases a wide variety of paintings, prints, photography, sculptures, ceramics, soft furnishings, jewellery and hand made greetings cards. Exhibitors include more than 50 artists with a wealth of new faces from as far afield as Devon, alongside many local favourites including Brenda Hartill and Steve Duffy.

Local charity ARRCC will be exhibiting its latest mosaics and ceramics while Rye College students will show a selection of photography and Ghanaian bead jewellery.

All exhibits will be for sale and there promises to be something for everyone from oil paintings and original prints by nationally and internationally recognised artists for the serious collectors to hand-knitted tea cosies and finely crafted ceramics.

Rye College Bloco Feu will kick off proceedings at the private view with spectacular carnival dancing and drumming tonight (Friday) at 6pm.

Admission is free and ‘Café Delf and Dufy’ will be serving delicious cakes, tasty lunches and afternoon teas throughout the weekend from 10am-5pm.

Funds from last year’s Art Fair supported the partnership of Rye College with Presec Tema – a secondary school in Ghana.

The inaugural visit took place earlier this year when Rye College staff and students were welcomed at the school in Tema and celebrated the school link with local dignitaries at the Chief’s Palace.

Intrepid students and staff ate breakfast beside crocodiles, walked above the rainforest canopy on rope bridges, joined in tribal dance and musical ceremonies and students discussed global issues on sustainable energy, marriage and education will their new Ghanaian friends.

The partnership hopes to be endorsed by the British Council later this year and will continue an annual, reciprocal partnership of visits and shared vision in education. Rye College hopes to welcome the students and staff of Presec Tema School Rye in 2013.

The School Creative Centre is at New Road in the former Freda Gardham School.

For a full list of exhibitors, an online catalogue of works, sales and for further details go to www.67contemporaryart.co.uk.