Artist Ella Johnston talks up the Wivenhoe Art Trail

Dozens of people have descended on the town to see what some of the area's artists have to offer. 

Now one artist, Ella Johnston has revealed its immense value for the town's artistic community. 

Ella’s first trail was in 2019 and she saw the trail become partially closed in the pandemic, and stated that this year, the trail has become an “an East Anglian phenomenon.”

Ella described the trail as a “tangible opportunity” for artists to sell and display their art.

“We [the artists] really benefit financially, commercially and also with the feel-good factor," she said. 

Versatile - Ella's painting, portraits and other crafted art work were available for visitors to buy (Image: Ella Johnston)

Having a roughly equal split between working studios, such as Ella’s studio, and artists’ homes makes the trail a fun experience for visitors from London, Ipswich, and Suffolk in this far-reaching twice-annual event.  

Another benefit of the trail for the artists themselves, is that they can get to know each other, with some very good friends of Ella showcasing their own work.

While her husband watched her stall, Ella for a short time was able to view other artists’ work and said: “The quality of the work I saw was fantastic”.

And though all the art is very high quality, organisers have made it as easy for everyone to apply with the only vetting being that’s artists must be an at-home resident of Wivenhoe.

Ella commented that none of the artists pander to their audience because the visitors “are happy to be challenged” and further “happy to pay a fair price” for unique art.

She revealed how one regular couple try and come here every year now, to view the art and then choose their thoughtful and high-quality gifts for the rest of the year.

Creative - Ella has been exhibiting art for more than 20-years and has been in her current Wivenhoe studio since 2021 (Image: Ella Johnston)

Wivenhoe residents also attend the popular trail, and Ella said: “It is astonishing, seeing the same old faces around Wivenhoe then all of a sudden seeing them in your art life and not in the Co-op."

Ella said for the artists, who are “quite fabulous anyway”, sharing what they do to the town and visitors is in fact a privilege.

She added: “Organisers do a really, really good job and they don’t get paid for it. It is them who are really the real heroes, those are the ones putting the hours in.”

For more information sign up to the Wivenhoe's mailing list or follow Wivenhoe Art Trail on Facebook or Instagram. Their next trail is on the May 17 to 19.