Staithes Festival: Meet the artists opening their doors in Yorkshire fishing village

Back in the late 1890s it was a colony of impressionist painters that centred themselves in the North Yorkshire village, while today it draws a much wider sphere.

There are to be ceramicists and jewellery makers, textiles artists and sculptors taking part in the three-day festival, then music shows with jazz and fisherman’s choirs.

Workshops, with Outlaw printmaker Sean Starwars from Mississippi, and former Eton College art master Ian Burke. Then photography exhibitions, lobster pot making, and dramatic clifftop lights.

To Jackie Ambrosini, one of the organisers with chairman David Linley, Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage brings together some sense of its creative charm.

"It celebrates the rich history and creativity and heritage of the village," she said. "It has been, over the years, a cultural highlight of the region.

"We are proud that people are interested in Staithes, and that they want to find out more. It's a fantastic place to live, it is beautiful. And it's wonderful that artists still come and paint it. It's exciting to see so many people who are interested and who love the area."

Staithes has been a magnet for artists since at least the late 19th century, when a colony regarded as the Staithes Group lived and worked in the village for years.

That same spirit continues today with a rich vein of flourishing creativity, and the festival is aimed at supporting local businesses and employment and features many local artists.

Last year's event was cancelled, but it returns this year with a new format for artists meaning some can share pop-up gallery spaces in the village's quirky cottages. The result was to "surpass all expectations" with the highest ever number enrolled.

"It's a celebration of the history and the heritage of the village," said Ms Ambrosini. "That is one of the reasons why artists are drawn to come here. But it stands out because it's cottage galleries, with different artists opening up quirky little galleries and inviting people in.

"Part of the charm of the festival is is all these quirky cottages, and as well as seeing art and meeting the artists people do like to look around," she added.

The festival runs from today until Sunday, and runs this year with an expanded heritage programme.

There are to be 10 heritage talks, shining a light on the village's history from those original artists to its alum industry, and the growth of Skinningrove village with iron mining.

Archaeologists are to share recent discoveries, while old photographs are to be projected onto one cottage's walls.

Antique valuations are also to be held with television auction expert Caroline Hawley, while fisherman John Cole is to share his tips into the traditional art of lobster pot making.