A CELEBRATION OF WILDLIFE
​
IN ART, MUSIC, POETRY, TALKS, IDEAS, BOOKS, EXHIBITS, FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHY
OTLEY WILDLIFE ARTS FESTIVAL 2023
A massive thank you to everyone who got involved with our third very successful festival,
including the artists, speakers, workshop leaders and sponsors:
Otley Town Council Sinclairs and Art Works
Ilkley Gazette
Third Otley wildlife Festival hailed its quality, variety and scope
Wharfedale Observer
Otley Wildlife Arts Festival inspires creatives of all ages
£10
Friday October 6 -
“These Hills Are Ours" featuring Boff Whalley (Chumbawamba) and Daniel Bye
A show that explores the relationship between town and country, between wild and controlled, of land ownership and why we're drawn to wild places. Local musician and ex-Chumbawamba stalwart Boff and his good friend Dan have written a show that is both funny and moving. Followed over the weekend by a run with them both into some of Otley's wild places.
7.30pm at Otley Courthouse
FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER - OPENING EVENT
MUSIC
SATURDAY 7th OCTOBER - DAYTIME ACTIVITES
Saturday Daytime October 7 - Free Exhibition
The wonderful world of wildlife celebrated in new work by local artists, photographers and sculptors. Features returning artists and new ones, and work for sale. Creative groups and local wildlife organisations will have stalls, and there will be other events to look out for in various locations round town, including workshops for adults and children.
10am-4pm at Otley Courthouse
Free
Free
Saturday Daytime October 15 - Free Art Activity
Sticker Art with Alex Eve.
Model your favourite wildlife image using stickers.
10-4 in the Courthouse Robing Room
Saturday Daytime October 7 - Craft & Storytelling
“The oak tree and the squirrel" crafts and story-telling at Otley Library
Includes making squirrels, leaf art, jokes and poems. For primary aged children and their siblings, with parent helpers welcome for the younger ones.
Join Pat Foster from Wildlife Friendly Otley.
Morning 11am-12pm and afternoon 1-2pm at Otley Library
Places are limited and must be booked in advance at Otley Library
Saturday Daytime October 7 - Free Short Talks
Downstairs at the Otley Labour Rooms there is the popular festival programme of fascinating factual talks:
Free
10.30
11.15
12.00
12.45
2.00
3.30
2.45
Weston Woods – Francesca Bridgewater
Yorkshire Rewilding
Birds in my paintings – Tim Gomersall
Lunch break
Dandelions, nettles and weeds – Ian Brand
Permaculture - Andy Goldring
Fungi – Andy Woodall
Free at Otley Labour Rooms, Nelson Street, Otley LS 21 1EZ
Linocut printing with Kim Coley
Using provided motifs from nature, the workshop will be about the printing process and considerations of composition. People need to bring old clothes or aprons.
Saturday 2-4.30pm at The Art Works, Courthouse Street.
Book at wildlifefriendlyotley@gmail.com
Pay-as-you-feel, suggested donation £10
Saturday Daytime October 7 - Wildlife Workshop for Adults
Pay as You Feel
WORK
SHOP
Pay as You Feel
Saturday Daytime October 15 - Making Sound Tracks - Richard Sabey
A day-long workshop for 11-18 year olds to make music inspired by nature, using instruments, voices and the sounds of nature.
All day at Woolpack Studios in Otley
Tickets pay as you feel. Book at richard@bighooha.co.uk
Event supported by Leeds Inspired
MUSIC
SATURDAY 7th OCTOBER - FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHT
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£10
Saturday Evening October 7 -
Festival highlight event: Amy-Jane Beer
“Wild Water, Wild Service"
Dr Amy-Jane Beer is a naturalist, author, columnist and the honorary President of the Friends of the Dales. Her new talk will draw on a 20 year career in natural history communication, including her recent Wainwright-shortlisted book 'The Flow: Rivers, Water and Wildness', and her work campaigning for nature reconnection with the Right to Roam campaign. Amy's talk will address how can we heal our ecologically wounded land, and reset our relationship with non-human nature so that it becomes mutually restorative.
7.30pm at Otley Courthouse
SUNDAY 8th OCTOBER - DAYTIME ACTIVITY
Wildlife writing workshop - Found poetry with Sandra Flitcroft
No experience necessary - come and enjoy a creative response to wildlife using old natural history books as a stimulus. Learn a simple process in this drop-in workshop - come any time between 2 and 4pm and stay as long as you like.
Otley Studio, Three Horseshoes Yard LS21 1BQ
(Behind the Horse & Farrier).
Pay-as-you-feel (suggested donation £10).
Sunday Daytime October 8 - Wildlife Writing Workshop for Adults
Pay as You Feel
WORK
SHOP
SUNDAY 8th OCTOBER - HIGHLIGHT EVENT
£10
Sunday Evening October 8 -
Festival highlight event: George McGavin
“What have insects ever done for us?"
We are delighted to welcome the entomologist, zoologist, author, TV and radio broadcaster and our new patron of WFO, George McGavin to give his first talk in Otley about arguably the most important creatures on earth. He says “Insects are the most successful group of animals ever to have lived on our planet. Making up three quarters of all animal species, insects conquered the planet long ago. Humans are newcomers on a planet made and maintained by insects.”
7.30pm at Otley Courthouse
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
