Norfolk Norfolk, with its big skies, stunning coastline and beautiful Broads has long been an artist’s paradise. Providing creative inspiration around each corner, the county has produced - and continues to produce - some of the country’s most innovative and talented artists. At its heart, the fine city of Norwich has a rich artistic heritage yet also leads the way in contemporary, ground-breaking art. The renowned Norwich School of Painters, established in 1803, celebrated the county with work by artists such as John Crome, Robert Ladbroke, John Sell Cotman and James Stark. Today, arts students flock to the city to take up places on one of the many creative courses on offer. The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery are just two of the many exhibition spaces across the city and often provide a home for some of the best touring exhibitions in the country. Away from Norwich, the county’s villages, towns and beautiful natural highlights include the famous coastline and stunning Broads National Park. Art lovers are spoilt for choice with a wealth of galleries across the county offering an eclectic mix of art of all price ranges and genres. Many of the county’s stunning stately homes also host exhibitions including Blickling Hall and Houghton Hall. There are many festivals showcasing the visual arts including The Cromer and Sheringham Art & Literary Festival (COAST), Holt Festival Art Prize and the Swaffham Visual Arts Festival. Norfolk is also home to one of the most successful and popular open studios events in the country. The Norfolk Open Studios takes place from May 23rd - June 7th and sees more than 380 artists opening their studio doors to the public to exhibit, sell and Wherries at How Hill. The Broads Authority. © Bill Smith
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