The New Atlantic Wave, located in northern Devon,has been identified by the Arts Council of England(ACE) as the third largest group of visual artists in England after London and Cornwall. With over 150 members and growing ArtMakers, the home of the New Atlantic Wave, now represents over fifty precent of the artists and makers identified in 2021 research. Following in the footsteps of JMW Turner many reflect, in a modern way, our relationship to landscape, and landscape paintin

The Artists and Makers, who form the New Atlantic Wave, are located along the Atlantic coast of northern Devon and its two major rivers the Taw and the Torridge. A region stretching from Lynmouth in the east to Holsworthy in the West, and South to Winkleigh and St Giles on the Heath. The diversity of their work can be seen in the ArtMakers online gallery.

Five of the artists and makers exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park in October 2023. These were Merlyn Chesterman RE, Sandy Brown, Lesley Anne Cornish, NQ Fine Art & Illustration and Rachel Stanton. The range of their work from Turneresque seascapes to large ceramic, and small ink, doddles, through original wood block prints, to comic takes on local puffins indicates some of this vibrant arts community.

The ‘New Atlantic Wave’ was started by ArtMakers, a not-for profit-company, founded by Hilary Beecroft, Phil Parker and Jess Pearson during the Covid lockdowns. Initially only viewable through virtual exhibitions the group saw their first live exhibition as par of the Appledore Book Festival Fringe in 2022. In 2023 they reached over one hundred and fifty members from their initial starting point of only ten. This reflected the opening of their first gallery ‘Art Upstairs’ in Bideford, a partnership with the National Trust, and ongoing masterclasses and workshops.