Art lovers were in their element at the weekend as they browsed vibrant and creative pieces on the Cookham & Maidenhead Arts Trail (CAMAT).
The volunteer-led trail brought together more than 50 artists to display their work across 12 locations in Cookham and Maidenhead.
Artists showcased a range of pieces, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass artworks, textiles, jewellery, printmaking and mixed media.
Visitors got the opportunity to tour the exhibitions, meet the artists, learn more about their works and creative processes, and buy pieces from them.
In central Maidenhead, Ben&Jack Studio in Reform Road was the first stop on the tour and new to the trail.
Artists showcased their pieces across two floors, including Maria Morris, Sonia Maycock, Inge Hutchins, Kirsten Dhanda, Sonia Scott-Job, and Lena Tomasik.
Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds also visited and spoke to the artists.
Sonia Maycock said: “Over the last year or so, I’ve been doing some wildlife art, just when I see an animal that grabs me, that’s what I draw.
“I give 10 per cent to a charity linked to that
animal. I hope that it raises awareness and money for the animal that I’m drawing.
“At the moment, I’m doing an orangutan collection.”
Some of the work Maria had displayed focused on places, including a walk in the local area.
Sonia Scott-Job, who was exhibiting upstairs, said: “My work is very much demonstrating my passion for charcoal and the sea.
“These are very much inspired by the movement of the sea.
“When I’m not working with charcoal, then I like to work with soft pastel.”
Lena said a lot of her recent works are ‘abstract, figurative oil paintings’.
The ‘psychological landscapes’ she creates ‘ask the viewer to slow down, to really look within them, to make their own narratives from them’.
In the town centre, artists Inge du Plessis and Kirsty Brooks (one of the founders of the trail), set up in the upstairs space at Mamaloo’s in Brock Lane.
Kirsty has glass pieces displayed at the One Maidenhead development and in the Waterside Quarter.
She expressed the artists’ sadness at the closure of 124 Studios (formerly in the Nicholsons Centre), adding that it was a ‘fantastic space’.
“We’re still very much looking for space that we can all fit in,” Kirsty added.
In the Boyn Hill area, visitors browsed paintings from Terri Jones and Julie Bennett, and glass artworks from Jill Chadwick.
Royal Borough mayor Cllr Sian Martin also stopped by.
Terri said: “What I’ve focused on today is showing people my pet portraiture.
“My work is very colourful. I don’t really consider them to be traditional pet portraits.
“These are just characters and personalities, they’re not just animals, and so I try to elevate my animal portraits to give this impression.”
The vibrant Whitcroft Studio in Portlock Road was buzzing with visitors.
Founder and artist Donna White said: “It’s been busy all day, just people coming through and enjoying the artwork.”
Maria Yrene Howell, who was taking part in the trail for the second time, was pleased to have sold several pieces during the event.
Other stops on the trail included Maidenhead Community Centre, Furze Platt Road, Cliveden Mead, Shifford Crescent and Holy Trinity Parish Centre.