OPEN ART FAIR 2026

There will NOT be an Open Art Fair 2025

The reason is NOT that the 2024 Art Fair failed; it was a terrific success.

The Creative Melbourne Gallery has been appointed the Creative Hub for South Derbyshire; this is very good news as it means we can take our programmes for community workshops (the 2024 Blossoming programme) and developing start-up creative businesses (Spaces to Create) outside Melbourne and guarantees their future.

It does mean, however, that the managers and volunteers are flat-out, at least for the next few months, ensuring these ventures are executed in the same professional manner visitors to the Gallery and the Melbourne Festival expect.

Our commitment to encouraging community creativity is total, so we intend to hold an Open Art Fair in Spring 2026.

We have retained the web domain and contact details of the art groups and artists, and we will let everyone know of our plans as they develop.

We have learnt many lessons from the Open Art Fair 2024 and intend to offer a much better experience to artists, creatives, and visitors in 2026.

The Inaugural
Melbourne Open Art Fair
2024 - Review

A Brilliant Success

We have achieved all our objectives:

  • we got 350 pieces of excellent art in front of hundreds of art-loving people;

  • we have raised a good sum to support the next round of our 'Blossoming' community workshops;

  • we met a terrific community of artists with whom we can plan for next year;

  • we have discovered half a dozen new artists for our Creative Melbourne Gallery and the Melbourne Festival...........and

  • we had a good - albeit knackering - time.

Below are details about the 2024 Open Art Fair.
We will begin to update the below as our 2026 plans form up.

SPRING BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND

SAT 4 - MON 6 MAY (AT THE ATHENAEUM)
OPEN 10-5 SAT/SUN & 10-4 MON

POTTER STREET, MELBOURNE, DE73 8DW

Don’t miss -

EXHIBITION

by Creative Melbourne Emerging Artists

BLOSSOMING

Exhibition of artwork by participants in community creative workshops

SATURDAY

DERBY POETRY FESTIVAL 1.30-3.30
Write The Wilderness: Strolling Poetry and Nature Walk for Children and Adults

SUNDAY

BLOSSOMING FAMILY WORKSHOP 12.30 - 3.30
MUSIC TIME with Tracey Ridley 1.30 - 2.15

More than 300 works of art from over 80 artists, amateur & professional

All for sale


All proceeds to support FREE community creative workshops for Phase 2 of Blossoming

Entry Fee: £2

(under 16s free)

Refreshments

Sold in aid of Melbourne Methodist Church

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