Art Walks Teesdale 2009

Cotherstone Village

Teesdale Co Durham

Art Walks 2009 New to Open Studios for 2009 we have developed two “art” walks to make a perfect day out in Teesdale. Combine a walk in the morning with visits to studios nearby in the afternoon. Bring your own lunch or visit one of the local pubs or cafés nearby, view art in shops and meet the artists. There are two walks for 2009 one from Barnard Castle and the other close to the village of Cotherstone, just 4 miles from the town. Booking is required as numbers are limited to 10-20 people per walk. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Art on the Rocks Date: Sunday 25th October at 10.00 meet at car park area on Moor road from Cothersone to Bowes, 1.5 miles north side of Northgill Bridge opp. Battle Hill Ranges. Boots, rainwear and refreshment required, no dogs please, animals in fields. Join local authors Paul and Barbara Brown to look at the phenomenal 5,000 year-old rock carvings on Cotherstone Moor. The carvings were created using only basic stone tools and carved into the area’s outcrop rock and boulders by our stone-age ancestors who travelled the hills and dales of the North Pennines. The decoration and variation of the basic motif, the cup and ring mark, is outstanding. The subject is known today as Rock Art, however in the prehistoric the carvings would have had a more ritual meaning to the people of the time.

In the footsteps of Turner with Dr Michael Rudd Date: Wednesday 28th October at 10.30 am, meet at the gates of the Bowes Museum, car parking is available at the museum or alternatively at the long stay car park on Birch road. Walk length approx 4 miles and duration 2.5-3.00 hours. Join writer Dr Michael Rudd as he takes you from Barnard Castle to Egglestone Abbey pointing out the views sketched by Turner on his visit to the area between 1797 and 1816.

Michael Rudd's interest in landscape dates from his study of geography at Durham University in the early 1960s. While teaching others to understand the landscape, Michael's interest turned to how artists and writers had interpreted that landscape. Michael's writing started with articles on teaching, but developed into the study of artists visiting the region, especially J M W Turner and John Sell Cotman, with more articles, walks leaflets, and contributions to exhibitions at The Bowes Museum. After trying to interest publishers in his work, Phillimore & Co. eventually suggested 'The Discovery of Teesdale', which was published in September 2007. Cost: Adults £4.00 and Children: £2.00. Book tickets by telephoning Annalisa or Chris on 01833 631107.