Sense of place is important to everyone, whether it is a location, the beings around us, an emotion, time, a memory, or all of the above. In this exhibition, Midlands Textile Forum (MTF) explore what it means to live in the world, take notice of our surroundings and find our place. From inspirational starting points, MTF members have taken individual creative journeys developing process and technique to respond to the theme. This exhibition showcases traditional textile techniques in a contemporary way, from stitching and quilting to lace, knotting, weaving, print, painting on cloth and digital manipulation.
The Midlands Textile Forum is a group of artists (who live and work in central England) and who predominantly use textiles and/or mixed media in their practice. Their aim is to develop individual practice, and support and encourage textile based activity in the region, primarily through exhibitions. Members of the forum come from a wide variety of backgrounds in terms of creative practice and approach. The forum has evolved over the years since its founding in 2007 and actively welcomes new applications.
Meet makers amongst the exhibits on 27th July (Jane Arthur and Janet Gilbert), 1st August (Anna Stanley) and 6th August (Sylvie Millen).
https://www.midlandstextileforum.com/
This exhibition will be held in the Wallsworth Centre. Free entry.
Two plays performed on the front lawn of Nature in Art by Tethered Wits, the premier open -air theatre company in the Cotswolds.
2:30pm Doctor Dolittle
Doctor Dolittle likes animals. In fact, he likes them so much he fills his house with every kind of creature imaginable. And then one day, he figures out how to speak their language!
Tethered Wits bring this beloved story of the extraordinary animal doctor to Nature in Art. Using stunning puppetry, this fun, family-friendly show makes for the perfect day out.
5:30pm The Great Gatsby
Through the eyes of Nick Carraway, we are introduced to the high-fliers (and low-lifes) of glitzy Manhattan. However, when he meets a certain Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, he realises the parties are not always what they seem…
Featuring the music of Cole Porter & George Gershwin live on stage join us for a party to remember. An undisputed gem of American literature, Fitzgerald’s critique of the Jazz Age captures the glamorous façade of the era in style.
Tickets available from www.everymantheatre.org.uk/shows
Please bring your own seats!
Doors open an hour before.
Please dress for the weather – waterproofs and umbrellas may be needed!
The annual exhibition of this county group, founded almost 100 years ago, in 1924. The society is still a devoted community made up of enthusiastic individuals who work in a variety of styles and media and enjoy sharing ideas and activities. Monthly studio evenings are held in Nature in Art’s education centre. Meet members every day to find out more. See artist members at work 16th – 20th August.
7pm Doors
7:30pm Finger Buffet
Talk starts just after 8pm
Coinciding with the first week of the British Wildlife Photography Awards (which can be viewed before the talk), this is a great opportunity to hear from a hugely experienced wildlife photographer. Despite having travelled to every corner of the globe, including a photography expedition to West Papua just before this talk, Helen has a particular passion for the wildlife and beauty of the UK. This talk will be prepared especially for Nature in Art drawing together many of her amazing wildlife photography experiences in the British Isles.
An evening for all.
£10 per person.
FULLY BOOKED
One World Imagined is an art collective consisting of five award-winning artists David Skidmore, Christine Dadd, Valerie Briggs, Jess Pritchard and Jordan Price each specialising in depicting the natural world. Working in a variety of mediums, oil, graphite and carbon pencil, coloured pencil, acrylic and watercolour, with subject matter both British and worldwide, on land, sea and air.
Meet exhibiting artists every day:
- Christina Dadd 22nd – 24th August
- Valerie Briggs 25th – 26th August
- David Skidmore 27th – 31st August
- Jess Pritchard 28th – 31st August
- Jordan Price and Valerie Briggs 31st August – 3rd September
David Skidmore:
David works mainly in pencil and acrylic, although enjoys experimenting with most mediums. He aims to produce work that is informative and at times thought provoking. His main focuses are the natural world and the human figure. He contributes work to several organisations to raise money for wildlife and environmental issues.
https://www.davidskidmoreart.co.uk/
Jess Pritchard:
Jess works solely in pencil. From a young age she had a passion for both art and wildlife and began her professional art career seven years ago. Jess is an artist ambassador for Derwent Art, Britain’s largest pencil brand and has also raised thousands of pounds for various wildlife charities.
Christine Dadd:
Christine has a unique style of wildlife painting creating closeness with the subject by focusing on key animal characteristics. She paints mostly in oils on untreated linen. She says: ‘This gives me the texture and feel of the subjects, especially the wildlife from Africa.’ Well travelled, her most recent trip was to Brazil which informs some of her latest works.
Jordan Price:
Jordan’s artist journey began after attending a wildlife exhibition and seeing a pencil drawing that ‘I believed was a photograph’. Her says, ‘I was 19 years old and for the first time I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. To capture the beauty of wildlife that surrounds us in pencil art.’
https://www.jordanpriceart.co.uk/
Valerie Briggs:
Valerie has been drawing and painting in watercolour the flora and fauna of the British Isles for over 4o years. She is especially drawn to the natural and man-made waterways, which provide green corridors for a wildlife population under the constant threat of urbanisation.
As part of Heritage Open Days 2023, there will be two talks held at Nature in Art on Friday 8th September.
Wallsworth Hall has a curiously obscure history. A fine Georgian mansion situated just north of Gloucester, it featured in Simon Jenkins’s acclaimed book ‘England’s 1000 Best Houses’. Since 1988 the hall has been the home of Nature in Art, the world’s first museum dedicated to art inspired by Nature. This talk by the Director, Simon Trapnell will provide a fascinating insight into the hall and the Nature in Art collection.
This talk will take place in the Education Centre, both at 11am and 3pm on Friday 8th September 2023.
Free entry, booking essential.
11am talk – book a place.
3pm talk – book a place.
FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Absolute Beginners – Improvers
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
Richard will guide you through the process, from the use of the cutting tools, transferring an image onto the lino and cutting the block, through to the final inking and printing. There will be a choice of smaller blocks, which can be printed through the press, or a larger block, which may need hand burnishing.
Materials List:
All materials will be provided for an additional fee of £5 per person payable directly to Richard on the day of the course. Please bring an apron or wear old clothes as the water based ink can stain.
Artist’s Profile:
Richard is an award winning, Leicestershire based Wildlife Artist/Printmaker. He works from field sketches and direct observation. His prints have been exhibited widely and used by the RSPB as Christmas cards and in several books by Mascot Media. Richard recently published book ‘ My A – Z of British Wildlife’ is an alphabetical ramble through the British countryside. He was elected as member of ‘The Society of Wildlife Artists’ (SWLA) in 2019.
Course Costs:
Members: £96
Non-members: £118
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
A major display of turned wood by members of the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain. The pre-emminent organisation of its type, with international members and profile, this display brings together a huge range of styles, techniques and woods. It is a celebration of craftsmanship and the beauty in wood – art in nature.
Just as the British Wildlife Photography Awards includes images by younger photographers, so this display will highlight the work of a group of young turners being coached and mentored by members of the Register of Professional Turners. These will be displayed alongside items by established wood turners, mostly based in the south west, south Wales and Midlands area.
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. There are 50 local UK branches, including in Gloucestershire.
SEE WOODTURNERS IN ACTION:
19th Steve Gordon
20th Paul Hannaby
21st Brian Ford
22nd Barry Starkey
23rd Jeff Belcher
24th Jeff Belcher
26th Brian Ford
27th Mike Macey
28th Keith Fenton
29th Peter Dixon
30th Steve Gordon
1st Rod Tester
Many exhibits will be for sale
FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Beginners -Improvers
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
Explore the techniques required to complete this portrait using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils on Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper over 2 days. A line drawing is supplied to copy or trace so no need to be worried about drawing “free hand”.
Materials List:
All materials will be supplied by the tutor free of charge.
Artist’s Profile:
Karen Coulson is a coloured pencil artist as well as a tutor specialising in wildlife and animal portraits. She enjoys incorporating unusual backgrounds behind her subject which indulges her love of colour.
Karen is a Gold Signature Member of the UKCPS (United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society). She has won many awards for her artwork including “Best Fantasy/Abstract” picture at the UKCPS Annual International Exhibition in 2014.
Course Costs:
Members: £96
Non-members: £118
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))
FULLY BOOKED
Course Suitability: Beginners – Improvers
Maximum Capacity: 12
Course Description:
Explore the techniques required to draw these 2 delightful birds using Derwent Coloursoft Pencils on mount board. A line drawing is supplied to copy or trace so no need to be worried about drawing “free hand”.
Materials List:
All materials will be provided by the tutor free of charge.
Artist’s Profile:
Karen Coulson is a coloured pencil artist as well as a tutor specialising in wildlife and animal portraits. She enjoys incorporating unusual backgrounds behind her subject which indulges her love of colour.
Karen is a Gold Signature Member of the UKCPS (United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society). She has won many awards for her artwork including “Best Fantasy/Abstract” picture at the UKCPS Annual International Exhibition in 2014.
Course Costs:
Members: £48
Non-members: £59
(cost does not include lunch (available to order and purchase on the day from the Coffee Shop))