Bideford gallery celebrating photography with new event

An art gallery in Bideford is set to host a captivating celebration of photography and rural life with the launch of Bideford Photomonth. 

Running from May 3 to June 2, the gallery will celebrate the works of rural photographers and run a series of events throughout the month. 

With this, the gallery is inviting members of the public to submit their own photographs which will be shown on a screen in the gallery. 

A spokesperson from The Burton Art Gallery expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating: “North Devon boasts outstanding natural beauty, and through Bideford Photomonth, we aim to celebrate the allure of the British countryside. We encourage everyone to share their photographic perspectives by submitting their images via Instagram using the hashtag #ruralconnections. Each day in May, a curated selection of these submissions will be showcased on a screen within the gallery.”

Held by The Burton Art Gallery, this exciting event promises to showcase the works of acclaimed photographers, both seasoned and emerging, offering a unique perspective on the essence of rural existence.

The highlight of the exhibition will be the display of works by two photographers spanning generations: Martin Parr and Robert Darch. 

Together, they will present their distinctive visions of rural life, offering a juxtaposition to the iconic prints of James Ravilious from the Burton’s own collection.

To complement these exhibitions, Bideford Photomonth will feature a series of engaging events throughout May. 

“Visible Bideford,” a collection of portraits by Anita Corbin, will feature on shop windows, guiding visitors from the Burton Art Gallery to the Bideford Pannier Market.

The gallery said: “This work, commissioned by Beaford in 2023, depicts local children aged 9 or 10 years old wondering about what their favourite place will look like in 40 years time, raising questions about the climate and our local environment.”

Another exhibition to view will be Anita Corbin’s “Visible Bideford” collection.

Captured in October 2022, the collection will celebrate the spirit of friendship and community, showcasing the diverse faces of both locals and visitors in Bideford, famously known as the ‘Little White Town.’

Throughout the month, the Burton Art Gallery will host an array of workshops, talks, and events to engage and inspire visitors. 

Notably, the Art Box will undergo a transformation into a Camera Obscura by local artist Stephen Raff. 

Additionally, workshops conducted by Foto-Now will encourage members of the public to participate by submitting their own photographs, capturing the essence of rural connections.