The Langley Mill Pottery, Derbyshire was in operation from 1865 – 1982 producing a wide range of stoneware ranging from salt glazed ink bottles, utilitarian items and tableware to high quality and original art pottery. This unique display celebrates some of their innovative nature-inspired output.
Eight textile artists, under the aegis of Jean Littlejohn, explore the diversity of nature. Their varied interpretations are revealed by a mixed media approach and a broad range of work. A variety of techniques and combinations of techniques, as well as disparate sources of inspiration will be represented. Each day a different member of the group will be at work and available to talk about the exhibits –
April 9. Sheelagh Stephens.
April 10. Sheelagh Stephens.
April 11. Linda Westerman.
April 12. Jacky Shail.
April 13. Beth Bolton.
April 14. Beth Bolton.
April 15. Closed.
April 16. Diane Carrington.
April 17. Jean Littlejohn.
April 18. Jean Littlejohn.
April 19. Diane Carrington.
April 20. Jacky Shail.
April 21. Liz Hodgson.
April 22. Liz Hodgson.
The colour blue is generally associated with the sky and the oceans but is oddly rare in nature. It has different meanings in different cultures and was the first man-made colour pigment in 2,200 B.C. This selection of work celebrates blue in a varied mix of both 2D and 3D items. From contemporary work to eighteenth century illustrations, abstract interpretations to representational art, see a wide range of work celebrating blue in nature.
Come on a journey with David as he explores the questions: Why do so many people like art? Why isn’t all art beautiful? What is the basis of beauty in nature? Is there a link between visual art, music, geometry and maths? Is beauty like truth, there for anyone to see? An inspiring and thought provoking evening.
Doors open 7.00pm to view the galleries. Finger buffet 7.30pm. Finish 9.30pm.
Tickets: £8
Please book your tickets in advance: 01452 731422
Paintings by Derek Robertson based on his researches into bird migration and visits to refugee camps in Calais, Sicily, Cyprus and Jordan. The work overlays depictions of refugees and migrants with studies of migrating birds, blending stories,tradition and acute, personal observation.
Migrations – A Field Study in Adversity: an illustrated talk by Derek Robertson £8 including finger buffet and access to galleries
Derek Robertson has been a professional artist for over 30 years and his paintings have won multiple national and international awards. He is also an enthusiastic amateur naturalist and bird ringer and has had papers published in many scientific journals. Derek will be talking about his most recent project ‘Migrations’ which ties together human rights issues of refugee crises and climate change through the imagery of migratory birds and their role as environmental indicators. Derek travelled and sketched through the UK, Europe and the Middle East drawing together imagery of birds and people as they negotiated borders, refugee camps and points of transit. An evening for all.
Migrations is on show at May 21st – June 23rd
The Wildlife Art Society International’s annual exhibition of wildlife art. Around 300 paintings, drawings, original prints, photogrpahs and sculptures by professional and part-time members of this active organisation will be on display, the majority for sale. Members will be demonstrating throughout the exhibition.
Heart&Soul Community Choir
£6 including light snacks and access to museum and Wildlife Art Society exhibition
Under the inspirational leadership of Hilary Davies, Heart&Soul Community Choir will be lifting our spirits with a varied repertoire covering traditional and contemporary folk songs from the British Isles, South Africa, Bukino Faso and New Zealand (plus other gems). The emphasis is on the sheer joy and diversity of singing! Part proceeds in aid of Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. An evening not to be missed!
An illustrated talk by Charles Dewhurst £8 including finger buffet and access to all the galleries
Some of the world’s most beautiful butterflies are the swallowtails and birdwings, includes our own very localised British Swallowtail. Possibly the most beautiful, and certainly the largest in the world is The Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera alexandrae), where females may have a 30cm wingspan. It is classed as Endangered by CITES and has a very restricted habitat. Examples are traded illegally for huge sums of money. Charles has lived and worked as a scientist in New Guinea, where the Queen Alexandra butterfly is found, and talks as both an expert and enthusiast for this amazing creature. An evening of natural history and conservation. Do come!
Over 300 items by members of the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain. Artistry and craftsmanship come together in wonderful items exploiting the varied qualities of wood. From the traditional to contemporary, a diverse show also incorporating colour,carving, texture and a mix of other mediums. Exhibition includes 118 items from the Ray Key collaboration project.
Read more ……
We are delighted that the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain are staging this exhibition of turned wood with nature very much in mind. It offers a wonderful opportunity to see a host of techniques exploited to bring out the beauty in wood – art from the tree. The exhibition includes a large number of pieces, of varying scales, and is made up of three different sections.
The first is ‘The Ray Key collaboration’. This came about after many part turned pieces were found in the workshop of Ray Key BEM after he died in September 2018. Ray was the founder and president of the AWGB. The part turned pieces were sent out to turners from five continents for them to finish in their own style. 118 pieces were returned revealing a vast array of different techniques and styles representing a unique collection of work. These will all be exhibited at Nature in Art and at a later date auctioned, partly in aid of the AWGB.
Ray was a very influential turner who revelled in the beauty of wood. He said, ‘My work embraces minimalism; my quest is to produce objects of beauty and elegant simplicity. I am a great believer of the object as a whole; not a disjointed assemblage of different ones. ‘Keep it simple stupid’, ‘let the wood speak for itself’ and ‘if in doubt leave it out’ are my design bywords’. One of his great delights too was his sense that in his time this ancient craft is now accepted as an ‘art form’.’
A preview of the Ray Key Collaboration pieces can be seen on the AWGB website: www.awgb.co.uk/ray-key-collaboration
The second grouping is ‘The Masters’ which showcases the work of Ray Key (the first person ever to be awarded the title), Reg Hawthorne and Stuart Mortimer. All three were awarded the title of ‘Master Turner’ by the Worshipful Company of Turners. (The Turners’ Company is one of the oldest Livery Companies in the City of London. Its origins go back to early medieval times: the first reference to a London turner dates back to 1189.) Many of these Master pieces will be available for purchase at the exhibition.
The third section are by AWGB members and are a selection of the best pieces chosen from their international seminar which took place last October along with some additional pieces from local turners. Many of these pieces will also be available for purchase at the exhibition.
For the first week of the exhibition (2nd – 7th July) we will also have a lathe and demonstrations taking place in the studio.
The AWGB is a national charity which aims to promote woodturning to ensure the craft continues and to advance education in woodturning. It currently has over 3000 members, including makers abroad, and has 50 local UK branches, including in Gloucestershire. Phil Irons, who has a spectacular large vessel in the Nature in Art collection, was elected President of AWGB earlier this year.