Are You An Artwalker?
Artwalk is Wakefield's bi-monthly evening celebrating art, performance, music, heritage and culture, taking place on the final Wednesday of every other month.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the works in progress at Westgate's Open Studios.
An alternative night out for those living and working in the area and neighbouring districts, Artwalk is always free to attend and has become a staple of the local arts scene.
Artwalk offers Wakefield’s vibrant creative community opportunities of all abilities to exhibit their work, meet and sell to a growing number of visitors. All arts disciplines are encouraged including traditional sketching and painting, ceramics, jewellery, needle-work, sculpture, photography, performance art, music, spoken word and more.
Embracing multiple venues from local landmarks to shop-fronts and bars, Artwalk visitors ("Artwalkers") are invited to explore a range of creative events which take place throughout the evening, and visit artists' open studios. Regular venues include Westgate Studios, Wakefield Cathedral, The Art House and Wakefield Museum alongside many others which change for each event.
Artwalk enjoys a proud history of linking art with business in the city, and we are very pleased to be supported in kind by Wakefield BID.
A Brief History Of Artwalk
Wakefield Artwalk was founded in 2008 after a local artist's trip to Seattle, where a regular art walk was inspiring artists and visitors alike.
It has been organised by a number of groups over the years, including a long stint at The Art House between 2013 and 2023. The Art House introduced various initiatives and brought funded arts opportunities for artists from outside the city, then during the Coronavirus lockdowns of 2020-21 spearheaded the innovative Artwalk At Home.
By mid-2023 The Art House felt they were unable to continue to coordinate Artwalk due to lack of arts funding, so in November 2023 the baton passed to an unfunded voluntary group based at Artwalk's original home of Westgate Studios.
The current team firmly believe art is for all regardless of discipline and ability.
Getting Involved
Woven Worlds by Shazia Ashraf, January 2024
If you're interested in volunteering at upcoming events we'd love for you to join us!
We can also help artists find venues, or help venues themselves get involved - artists should see here or if you're interested in getting involved as volunteer then click here to get in touch.
You can also join us on Facebook at the Artwalk Wakefield Community.
Businesses can keep up with Artwalk on our LinkedIn page.
Artists and venues who are interested in creating their own promotional packages, or journalists who covering Artwalk are encouraged to look on our Resources Page.