THE upcoming Heritage Open Day weekend has inspired Oswestry Town Council to embrace the theme of ‘Creativity Unwrapped’.

The open day weekend takes place from Friday, September 8 to the following Sunday, with Oswestry’s ART-efact then running until September 17.

A spokesman for Oswestry Town Council explained how the two events will work together across the weekend to help celebrate creativity in the area.

They said: “Oswestry has always been a creative town and this summer we are celebrating art in its many forms in a ‘Summer of Art’.

“Oswestry’s Summer of Art programme takes its inspiration from the 2023 Heritage Open Days theme, ‘Creativity Unwrapped’.

“This has inspired Oswestry’s Cultural Consortium to ‘artify’ Oswestry for the entire summer with a finale built around the Heritage Open Days festival from September 8-17.

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“The centrepiece of Oswestry’s Summer of Art is the ART-efact exhibition, which launches on the evening of Friday, September 8 at 6pm and continues through to Sunday, September 17.

“ART-efact is funded by Arts Council England and Oswestry’s Cultural Consortium and is led by local artist Holly Maries.

“ART-efact has recruited four talented local artists to work with Oswestry’s cultural partners and places, telling the stories of the town through their work.

“Artists have used the fascinating collections housed at Oswestry Town Archives and Oswestry Town Museum to inspire their art.”

The four selected ‘artists in residence’ are Emma Cummings, Jean Atkin, Joseph Schneider and Paul Bohanna and they will showcase their work in a two-week exhibition, taking place at Shropshire Cycle Hub at Cross Market Hall during Heritage Open Days.

In addition to the ART-efact exhibition, there are several events that celebrate Oswestry arts and culture during September.

‘The Lettermen’ film will be shown at Designs in Mind on September 9 at 12, 1 and 2pm, followed by a Q&A.

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This eight-minute film presents the love story of two soldiers during the Second World War, one of whom was based in Shropshire and were bought at auction by Oswestry Town Museum.

On September 12, local historian Sandy Best will lead a gentle walk of the town and share stories of Oswestry’s poets and authors, among other free events.

Culture Fest takes place in the streets of Oswestry on September 9 from 10.30am to 1.30pm and celebrates Oswestry’s vibrant and diverse communities.

Oswestry guided walking tours are held every Saturday at 11am from the Tourist Information Centre during September, so there is plenty of art and culture for residents and visitors to get involved with.