DARTMOOR Arts Project is holding a series of exciting evening events between July 24 and 30, including talks from renowned British artists.

The project was founded in 2006 with the idea of combining lively critical debate with the best teaching of skills and techniques.

The series of evening programmes marks the Dartmoor Arts Project Summer School, where a vibrant community of artists meet in Drewsteignton to explore their art and realise the possibilities of their work.

Each event on the summer evening programme takes place at the Drewe Arms in Drewsteignton at 8pm and costs £5, apart from the final event, which is £7.50. Booking is advised but not essential.

The first event will be the 'Desert Island Images' on July 24. The evening will give three artists, Atul Vohora, Jill Smallcombe and Simon Thomas, the chance to talk about eight art works that have inspired them.

A night of conversation between Laura Ford and Leah Kharibian takes place the following night on July 25. Ford is one of the foremost female sculptors working in the UK.

Her socially and politically charged figures exist between the realms of fantasy and reality.

She will be discussing her work and methods with Kharibian, an independent writer and art historian who has published many books, including 'Passionate Patrons: Victoria and Albert and the Arts.'

On July 26, a discussion with author Dame Margaret Drabble will offer an intimate insight into her work and processes as a writer. There will also be an opportunity to get an advance copy of her latest novel, 'A Day in the Life of a Smiling Woman'.

On July 27 there will be a night of storytelling with Wilf Merttens and Stephen Park. Live music will be provided by folk singer and fiddle player Jackie Oates, winner of the BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award in 2009.

On July 28, internationally renowned sculptor and painter Peter Randall-Page will be holding a discussion with Professor Semir Zeki.

Randall-Page has undertaken numerous large scale commissions and exhibited widely, with his work part of public and private collections around the world. Prof Semir Zeki has written four books, relating to art and the brain. His main interest is the organisation of the primate visual brain.

Sculptor Bill Woodrow will give a talk the following night on July 29. Woodrow emerged in the late 1970s and is well known for his works made from waste materials found in dumps, used car lots and scrapyards. He has been showing work around the world since his first solo exhibition in 1972.

The evening events finish on July 30 with a special screening of short films made by 2011 documentary filmmaking students, followed by live music and dancing by local band Hazaar.

To book a place call 01647 281295 or e-mail admin@dartmoorarts.

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