Festival showcases art alongside architecture

The Isle of Man is currently hosting a unique festival that brings together both art and architecture, giving people the chance to experience many different types of creative work. The Isle of Man Art and Architecture Festival began on August 23 in the southern part of the island, and more events are planned for the central and northern areas this weekend. Around 50 artists and architects are participating, displaying their work in a variety of venues. The festival is organized by Creative Network in partnership with the Isle of Man Society of Architects. Myra Gilbert, the chairman of Creative Network, explained that the festival allows visitors to meet the artists and architects, ask questions, and learn about the creative process behind each piece.

The festival features a wide range of art forms, including clay sculptures, landscape paintings, photography, and architectural designs. One exhibition includes an illustration of a green dragon underwater, its wings wrapped around a rocky island. Other displays show beautiful landscapes and creative clay sculptures. The festival is spread across 23 venues, including seven private properties that are notable for their architecture. Some of the artwork is on loan from the Isle of Man Arts Council, adding even more variety to the event. Ms Gilbert emphasized that the festival is designed to appeal to people of all ages, making it a family-friendly event. This year marks the eleventh time Creative Network has organized the festival, which started as an effort to open up more public spaces for art displays.

Including an architectural trail was a way to attract a wider audience, according to Ms Gilbert. She said that feedback from visitors shows that people enjoy experiencing all the different forms of media, and that the artists benefit from the interaction as much as the public does. The festival will end on Sunday, but an exhibition featuring work by Creative Network members will continue at the Hodgson Loom Gallery in Laxey until September 27. The BBC is inviting people to share stories about the Isle of Man, and more information about local art and artists can be found on the BBC website. The festival also highlights the island's rich artistic history, with paintings of local landscapes and portraits of famous figures like Archibald Knox, a well-known designer from the Isle of Man.