Welcome to ArtsFest 2007. The fifth in a successful line of vibrant community festivals celebrating local arts and crafts and bringing visitors to our town as the summer season draws to a close. The resident artists have combined to create a trail of Open Studios in locations throughout the town (turn over this brochure for the Open Studios section) and nearby which you are invited to visit. Seeing artists and craftspeople at work in their studios is a fascinating experience in itself, and has led many to experiment with their own creative endeavours subsequently, and take the plunge to ‘having a go’. You will find opportunities for further workshops and courses on offer in the area, and be introduced to a thriving, growing arts community of which you might well choose to become a part. Start at the Town Mill, where an exhibition will show you a piece from each of our Open Studios participants with links to websites, contact and venue details.

Workshops and events, attractive to visitors and locals, run through the week and cover a range of creative arts, performance and visual. Take part, or just come and enjoy. An exciting project for young people, by Fran Williams and Lyme Youth Arts, you will see the items (recognised by the Youth Arts Logo and coloured backgrounds) and can contact Fran directly to participate. All ages are welcome to join our Raku and Big Draw ‘Message in a Bottle’ at the Town Mill, and Grist to The Mill is a new, dynamic artist-led experience, or select a more focussed workshop on your own particular interest.

The Marine Theatre offers a variety of concerts and workshops, including the reading of the spectactular ‘Western Women’ community play by Ann Jellicoe which many of you will remember when first performed. Ann is joined by Tim Laycock, see Thursday 27th September. Other events based on Lyme’s uniqueness include Pete Linnett’s commissioned piece, Linzi’s Pirates and Mermaids, Gail’s Grist to The Mill, Alex’s Community Concert and indeed, much of the programme! But read on for yourself, and perhaps you’ll be inspired to take part as a contributor next year, when Lyme Regis ArtsFest Artists’ Open Studios will once more be welcoming your visit.

Our thanks to our sponsors, West Dorset District Council and Lyme Regis Town Council, who enable us to cover insurance and a little publicity which enables us to bring together and proudly present ArtsFest 2007, combining our social and economic aims in its delivery.

Enjoy Lyme, experience the creativity of the Lyme scene, take part and be inspired!

Sally Holman, Co-ordinator, for the ArtsFest Committee.