Artwey was formed in 2009 as a non-profit making Community Interest Company. We have a mission to create, share and promote art in our community. We do this in many ways including through our website and on social media.

On our website, members are able to upload a profile and unlimited images of their work to their personal gallery. They can also promote their own teaching, workshops, tutoring and personal exhibitions 

We organise a Rolling Venues programme where members can exhibit on a rota basis in local venues such as cafes and restaurants.

We organise large group exhibitions in the Summer and Winter and always enter group exhibitions into one of the UK’s largest open studio events, Dorset Art Weeks.

We often collaborate with other organisations to offer our members even more opportunities to share, develop and grow their confidence and practice.

We provide access to a network of local artists and opportunities that arise from shared efforts and social events. 

Members are able to access a discount on art supplies from local suppliers currently includes the following, we are always looking for other relevant retailers to add to this list : Frank Herrings and Sons, Art Supplies, Dorchester 10%, Island Gallery , Portland 10% [off framing only]  & Bridport Arts and Crafts shop.

We provide members with the free loan of exhibition equipment such as display boards, plinths, cabinets, card carousels, browsers, lighting and hanging systems for your own use provided they are not required for an Artwey exhibition. 

We communicate with each other via access to our private members group on Facebook Collaborating with other groups, we organise a timetable of  ‘en plein air’  painting days throughout the summer which are sociable, fun and a chance to share good practice.

We bring opportunities for the public to take part in art events though our outreach programme, fun art days and workshops

And the list goes on!

One of our main priorities at Artwey is to be a friendly, welcoming group. We encourage new members to meet at informal introductory  ‘meet-up’s’, we have regular coffee mornings,  group social events, and in warmer months our annual garden party and regular ‘en-plein air’  painting days exploring our glorious county.

We have recently introduced an outreach programme, whereby  some of our members work voluntarily with community groups to support education and mental well-being through art making. Individual members also offer Workshops and Tutoring in their chosen media.

On a daily basis Artwey is run on behalf of the members by a team of voluntary and unpaid Directors. Members support Artwey, and each other, by joining one of our operational teams to help organise and run all these great events and activities. To see the current Directors click here. 

We are funded through Membership Subscriptions and occasional grants, and the support of local businesses , to help us promote art in our community. Every bit helps and businesses currently support us by, for example;

• Offering discounts on products
• Sponsoring our events and exhibitions
• Promoting us and our events on their social media pages and other outlets.

In return, we can offer to promote your business at our events, in our promotional materials, on our website and on our social media pages.  Please see JOIN ARTWEY (How do I support Artwey by becoming a Business Partner) link.