About
Guests at the opening of Caerbladon’s new premises at 24 High Street (c) Richard Harris
Caerbladon is a new focus for visual and applied arts in the historic town of Malmesbury
With a changing programme of exhibitions, workshops, projects and events we encourage people of all ages to enjoy art, buy artworks and express themselves creatively.
We are an arts development agency taking a place-based approach, responding to the local context and addressing the needs of various communities, promoting sustainability, understanding of and respect for the unique heritage and character of the area. We also believe strongly that celebrating diversity and being accessible to all is the key to a vibrant and inclusive cultural life.
We have initiated a new arts festival, and play a lead role in commissioning local and international artists to undertake residencies and projects in collaboration with a wide range of organisations including Athelstan Museum, WOMAD, the Abbey, Wiltshire Libraries, the British Council and local authorities. We supply high quality art materials and books at affordable prices to offer inspiration and useful advice on different techniques and approaches. We act as a hub for activities such as artist talks, social get togethers, and walking and sketching tours in the local area.
Our gallery and art supplies shop is at 24 High Street, Malmesbury, but we see the whole town and surrounding area as a canvas for Caerbladon exhibitions, events and projects.
What’s in a name?
Malmesbury was a pre-Roman "ancient city of the Britons" known as Caer Bladon.
“Malmesbury is situated atop a steep-sided ridge between the Sherston and Tetbury branches of the Avon, at the point of their confluence just south of the town, their combined courses almost enclosing the site so as to create a peninsula. These natural defences made it the choice for an Iron Age hill-fort which tradition later framed as a thriving British town called Caer Bladon”
About Us
Caerbladon’s founders are David and Karen Drake, Malmesbury residents with four decades of professional arts experience, working across the UK and internationally.
We established Caerbladon as a community interest company (CIC) to contribute to local regeneration and provide benefit to aspiring creatives of all ages and in all parts of the community. We believe that art should be inclusive, not exclusive, and in the power of creativity to promote wellbeing, skills and personal development. All our work is delivered in collaboration with local, national and international partners and creates new opportunities for a wide range of individual artists and producers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
About Malmesbury
With its unique history, heritage assets and hilltop setting, Malmesbury is an attractive destination for visitors from far and wide and has a growing number of specialist shops and independent cafes and restaurants. Malmesbury is a gateway to the Cotswolds, an area designated of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the town is strategically well located in terms of its cultural offer for visitors and residents alike. The annual WOMAD festival takes place at nearby Charlton Park, and the 12th Century Abbey and Abbey House Gardens are popular heritage attractions. Building on a history of innovation and enterprise, the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology is based on the company’s Malmesbury Campus, established in 1993. The Athelstan Museum is housed within the Town Hall, which also hosts a cinema club, craft fairs and a small-scale exhibition space.
To plan your visit, we recommend the following website https://discovermalmesbury.life/
We are grateful for support from the Arts Council of England, Wiltshire Council, Malmesbury Town Council, the Warden and Freeman of Malmesbury, Jack Lane Charitable Trust and Malmesbury Carnival.
Malmesbury skyline at dusk © David Drake