For the first time in the event history, two overseas artists will be exhibiting at the newly created International Art House at the Masham Arts Festival and both will be travelling from their native countries to share their skills and expertise with the people who visit the festival.

The two artists are Annette Raff, a watercolour and life drawing artist from Australia and Biffe Fantoni, a sculptor and painter from Tuscany. Both will be exhibiting their work at the International Art House at Morton House in Masham.

The Arts Festival, which runs from the 23rd to 31st of October, is a Bi Annual Arts Festival designed to promote all types of art, including visual art, concerts, cookery, storytelling and cake decorating.

Annette has been teaching and painting watercolours and life drawings for more than 12 years and will be hosting painting workshops at various times during the festival.

Biffe, who is in his early 70s and has been painting and sculpting all of his life, will not only be sharing his skills but also will be painting portraits of festival goers by appointment. He will be using no paintbrushes – just his fingers!

The International Art House will also be the location for Italian cookery demonstrations with Italian cook Marina Del Francia and open evenings where visitors can meet both artists.

The International Art House is to be hosted at Morton House, holiday accommodation owned by Michelle and Columb Reid.  Michelle commented: “To be an integral part of bringing an international element to the Masham Arts Festival is a great honour for us.  Both Biffe and Annette are incredibly talented artists and will not only be showing off their own skills, but encouraging others to participate in the arts, which will be a wonderful experience for all who come to the festival.”

For further information, please contact Michelle Reid on 01765 688 321.

For dates and times of the cookery demonstrations and open evenings, please visit:
www.mashamarts.com
www.mortonhouseuk.com