Open Studios Cornwall
Open Studios Cornwall 2013 will run from Sat 25th May - Sun 2nd June.
Following a hugely successful event last year, the ninth annual Open Studios will see artists and craftspeople throwing open the doors to their studios for a week at the beginning of the summer 2013.
You can keep up to date with all the latest news from the event right here and you can find out more about Creative Skills who run the Open Studios event at
http://www.creativeskills.org.uk/
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Upcycled Art
The Owl in the Art Tree founder and artist, Amelia Smith, tells us about her love of upcycling, supporting communities in South India and her plans for the this year’s Open Studios Cornwall event which takes place from Saturday 25th May to Sunday 2nd June.
I am concerned about a world being saturated with too much stuff so a lot of my work contains vintage and up-cycled materials. I enjoy turning something possibly overlooked into something more interesting and exciting and working with materials that evoke memories, using traditional crafts alongside new technologies.
I love re-cycled materials, but if I have to use new I try my best to buy fair-trade organic stock, being conscious of how and where a product is produced and by whom. My hand printed tea towels are sourced via Bishopston Trading from a fair trade co-operative in South India and are printed in my studio in Cornwall. I know that the cotton produced is certified organic fair trade cotton and hasn’t poisoned humans or the land for my pleasure of using it, or convenience to buy. I also use local suppliers such as T.P. Timber Stretchers to support the local creative economy. I think the whole process of ethical sourced materials is slowing us down, in a good way.
As a sole parent I love the fact I can run my run my business from home whilst helping other women working in traditional crafts on the other side of the world to support their families.
This is the first year that I have taken part in Open Studios Cornwall and I have been looking forward to taking part since I set up The Owl in the Art Tree. I have a great studio space and Open Studios Cornwall will be a really lovely opportunity for people to see my new works, spend some time in the studio’s garden and perhaps take part in a workshop.
I am running a workshop on Wed 29th May 2-4pm which is suitable for adults of all abilities. The workshop will allow you to create a piece of felt in your own design and bind a 3inch sq book with what you have made. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in the gardens and I have art books & reference material aplenty for everyone to work from.
Price: £25 per person (Includes tea and cake)
Book: Email theowlinthearttree@yahoo.co.uk
To find out more about visiting Amelia and for studio opening times click here. For information on the other artists taking part in this year’s Open Studios Cornwall event please visit http://www.creativeskills.org.uk/
IMAGE CREDITS: Amelia Smith
Artist Workshop: Multi Media days; including felting, weaving and decorating ceramics
Date: Sat 25th May, Sun 26th May, Mon 27th May, Sat 1st Jun, Sun 2nd Jun
Time: 10am - 12pm; 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Cost: Adults: £10 per person (includes materials) Children: £5
Morning session: Investigating textures and washes inspired by Cornwall on a canvas to take away. Also try felting spinning or weaving. Afternoon session: Decorate your ceramic buttons or pendants, with tea from ‘Kamelia Budd’. Items will be posted once fired.
Things to Bring: Photographs or magazine cut outs of your favourite beach or landscape in Cornwall.
Experience Level: All ages
Tutor: Lindsey Keates (OS No. 74)
Booking Info: Tel: 01209 200680 / Email: info@tidalmarks.com
Additional Info: Pre booking appreciated, children welcome accompanied by an adult.
Workshop Address: Tidal Mark’s Studio, 35 Barncoose Terrace, Illogan Highway, Redruth TR15 3EP
Textiles, glass, ceramics and furniture can all be found at DogLbark, Nr Cury, Helston
Images (op to bottom)
Heather Frary (Artist No. 127), John Mee (Artist No. 128)
Carved Out of the Woods
Tom Raffield is one of the many talented designer-makers and artists taking part in Open Studios Cornwall (25th May- 2 June). Here in his own words Tom explains how purchasing a woodland in Cornwall made all his dreams come true.
It has always been my dream to work in amongst the trees, in a woodland and to work from home. When my wife Danie and I bought Nanskerris, set in the Trevarno valley, West Cornwall in 2011 both these dreams became reality.
Nanskerris is an old gamekeeper’s lodge that was part of the Trevarno estate, and is tucked away between two sections of mixed broadleaf woodland. When we bought it, the house was being swallowed up by the trees surrounding it as nature had been left to its own devices for many years.
Our first job was to fell all of the trees which were in danger of falling onto the house and barns and we decided to use these wisely and turn a lot of the felled timber into our new woodland workshop. A lot of the ash and beech has been kept for use in making our furniture and all of the smaller bits that we couldn’t put through the sawmill to make planking we chopped up and use to keep our house warm. I’m really keen that none of the natural materials go to waste.
We picked a perfect spot for the new workshop, in a clearing where only one small Sweet Chestnut tree had to be felled, but still amongst the trees overlooking the Trevarno valley. A new track had to be carved out between the trees to allow access and we then dug a level plot to build on. As we were crafting a timber workshop we decided to build the structure on stilts, using minimal concrete for the foundations.
Once the timber from the felled trees was dry and the structures were up it was time to clad the buildings with all the Norway Spruce we had planked up from the woodland. This was a really lovely part of the process; to use all of the trees from just 100 metres away for the cladding of the workshop.
We moved into the new workshop after Christmas 2013. Although still not quite complete, it is amazing to work underneath all of the trees in the woodland and be making things in a custom-built space which is perfect for steam bending our creations.
Tom’s Woodland Workshop at Naskerris will be open during Open Studios Cornwall from Saturday May 25th to Sunday June 2nd. You’ll be able to see how the products are made and view them in the showroom.
To find out more about Tom and the other artists taking part in this year’s Open Studios Cornwall event please visit http://www.creativeskills.org.uk
Image credits: Tom Raffield / http://www.tomraffield.com/
Printmaking without a press Sara Samuelsson (Artist No. 62)
Date: Sun 26th May, Wed 29th May, Sat 1st Jun
Time: 2pm - 4pm
Cost: £20 (includes materials)
Explore the many expressions achievable from printmaking without a press, using a range of monoprinting techniques, such as bold stencil work, delicate pencil or brushlike wiping. Printmaking through monoprinting is a direct and less technical process than relief and intaglio allowing you to be creative without much equipment in an easier, more immediate way.
Things to Bring: A photo or small object for inspiration
Experience Level: Beginners
Tutor: Sara Samuelsson (OS No. 62)
Booking Info: Tel: 01736 740696 / Email: sara@thenaturalhome.co.uk
Additional Info: Workshop limited to 4 people only so please book to avoid disappointment
Workshop Address: Chylasson Barns, Nancledra, Penzance TR20 8NG
Studio 534
Images (top to bottom)
Terry Rigden (Artist No. 111), Sheila MItchell (Artist No. 112)
Artist Workshop: Multiple Colour Silkscreen Printing Using Photo Emulsion – Alice Mahoney (Artist No. 90)
Date: Tue 28th May, Wed 29th May
Time: 10am - 5pm
Cost: £150/£120 concessions (includes materials)
Creative multiple colour silkscreen prints from your own artwork or drawings using photo emulsion.
Things to Bring: Bringing your own computer is preferable but not essential.
Experience Level: Suitable for beginners as well as people with some print experience.
Tutor: Alice Mahoney (OS No. 90)
Booking Info: Tel: 07722 866109 / Email: alice@alicemahoney.com
Additional Info: Maximum 5 people per class. Ages 18+, we have kitchen facilities if people would like to bring their own lunch. Alternatively, there is the Melting Pot Cafe on site where people can buy food.
Workshop Address: Studio W05 Science Block, Krowji, Redruth TR15 3AJ
You won’t miss Houlding, Nickson & Beavan who have made wonderful giant signage!
Images (top to bottom)
Paintbrush signage (by Anton Nickson) Deckchair signage (by Anton Nickson), Jenny Beavan (Artist No. 179), Mark Houlding (Artist No. 180), Anton Nickson (Artist No. 181)
Artist Workshop: Hand Printed Books using Photo Emulsion – Alice Mahoney (Artist No. 90)
Time: 10am to 5pm
Date: Thur 30th May, Fri 31st May
Cost: £150/£120 concessions (includes materials)
Create hand printed single section books and a multiple section book with traditional bookbinding and silkscreen printing methods using photo emulsion.
Things to Bring: Bringing your own computer is preferable but not essential.
Experience Level: Suitable for beginners as well as people with some print or bookbinding experience.
Tutor: Alice Mahoney (OS No. 90)
Booking Info: Tel: 07722 866109 / Email: alice@alicemahoney.com
Additional Info: Maximum 5 people per class. Ages 18, we have kitchen facilities if people would like to print their own lunch. Alternatively, there is the Melting Pot cafe on site where people can buy food
Workshop Address: Studio W05 Science Block, Krowji, West Park, Redruth TR15 3AJ
Chloe Williams & Julie Murdoch-George
Images (top to bottom)
Julie Murdoch-George (Artist No. 60), Chloe Williams (Artist No. 61)
Artist Workshop: Kiln Glass Taster Session – Noreen Todd (Artist No. 123)
Dates: Sat 25th May, Sun 26th May, Sat 1st Jun, Sun 2 Jun
Time: 10am to 12pm
Cost: £25 per session
Try your hand at glass making. Join us in one of these taster sessions to make one piece of glass jewellery, a light-catcher or a coaster. If you have time and enthusiasm you can make a second piece for the price of the material.
Things to Bring: Enthusiasm and a few pictures of things that you like or that inspire you
Experience Level: No experience needed
Tutor: Noreen Todd (OS No. 123)
Booking Info: Tel: 01326 574693 / www.balmaidenstudioglass.co.uk
Additional Info: Maximum number is 6 per workshop. Age 7 yrs upwards. Under 12’s must be accompanied by a an adult
Workshop Address: Wheal Betty, Trevenen Bal, Helston TR13 0PR
Glimpses - a diverse set of artist’s in Gunnislake
Images (top to bottom)
Tessa Jane (Artist No. 202), Clare Law (Artist No. 203), Sophy White (Artist No. 204)
Artist Workshop: Mono Printing
Date: Tue 28 May, Wed 29 May, Thur 30 May, Fri 31 May
Time: 11am to 4pm
Cost: No cost; donations to Penhaligons Friends
Visitors are welcome to watch a demonstration of basic mono printing, and try their hand at producing a greeting card or similar.
Experience Level: No experience needed. Not suitable for children under 16
Tutor: Mary Taylor (OS No. 131)
Booking Info: No necessary, just turn up
Additional Info: Allow 30 mins - one hour if you wish to have a go at printing.
Workshops Address: Lizardart Stable Gallery, Trelowarren Estate, Mawgan-in-Meneage, Helston TR12 6AF
Lovely jewellery and painting’s from the Porthtowan Collective
Images (top to bottom)
Annie b. (Artist No. 168), Jane Harrison (Artist No. 169)
Artist Workshop: Heat Fusion – Tessa Jane (Artist No. 202)
Date: Mon 27th May, Fri 31st May
Time: 11am - 3pm
Cost:Free
Using the heat from an iron to create interesting samples from recycled plastics. No experience necessary. Fun and versatile!
Things to Bring: Materials will be provided
Experience Level: No experience required
Booking Info: Booking not essential but doe please call Tessa on Tel: 07866 660840 / Email: emailtessajanedesigns@gmail.com
Additional Info: All ages welcome, children under 10 to be accompanied by an adult.
Workshop Address: Tamar Valley AONB, Tamar Valley Centre, Cemetery Road, Drakewalls, Nr Gunnislake PL18 9FE
