Derbyshire Open Arts at Studio 61 Gallery 25th-27th May

 

Derbyshire Open Arts is going to be a major event at Studio 61 Gallery with 13 participating artists and designers.

Outside we will have our marquee set up with Carmen, Anna Krystyna Casey, Dianna Lee, Martin Sloman,Christine Gray, Helen Rhodes, Mel Anderson, Louise Wright and Gareth Buxton.

Inside the gallery there will be , Karina Goodman, Ruth Gray, Janice Allen and Jenny Oldknow.

The Gallery will be open Saturday25th, Sunday26th, and Monday27th 11am-5pm. With refreshments available to purchase while you browse.

We caught up with some of the artists in the gallery snug prior to the event to find out what they plan to showcase.

 

Who are you and what do you do?

 

 

Christine Gray: I am a mixed media artist making my own work, commission and workshop facilitator.

Martin Sloman: I'm a full time artist and teach art at Murray Park School (adult education).

 

Jenny Oldknow: I am a watercolour artist living and working in Belper in Derbyshire. My style of painting is loose and expressive, and at times pure abstract. I get inspiration from a variety of subjects, including wildlife, pets, the rural landscape and flowers. I paint for the galleries who represent me, for specific exhibitions (such as the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art) and to commission. I teach watercolour painting at my studio, both monthly workshops and a weekly class. I do arts work in schools and demonstrations for art groups and societies, etc.

 

Ruth Gray: I am a Landscape artist painting local scenes and seascapes. My main focus in my paintings is to try and make everyday places seem beautiful I have a keen interest in local heritage and history. I also love promoting other artists and I do this by writing about them in blogs and social media.

Helen Rhodes: I'm a designer/maker and textile artist based in South  Derbyshire.

I'm very excited about Derbyshire open arts as it's my first time.  

Janice Allen:  I am an artist with a love of textures which comes through in my paintings, fused glass panels and silver jewellery.

What will you be displaying at Derbyshire Open Arts this year?

 

 

Martin Sloman: I will be showing my latest watercolour paintings, along with fine art prints and cards.

Janice Allen: A selection of fused glass and silver jewellery including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, cufflinks and tie pins.

 

Ruth Gray: I have a wide variety of postcards, cards, prints, mugs, T-shirts and an affordable gift range of original landscapes and seascapes. A lot of work from the last year, where I have concentrated on the south of the Peak area.

Christine Gray: I'll be showing a wide range of mosaic style mixed media, I've been enjoying exploring this ancient craft in a contemporary way that utilises recycled and reclaimed items, ceramics, jewellery, found objects and even fabric. If it holds a memory, I will try and use it, I also use handmade glass & ceramic pieces to evoke feelings of nostalgia in the viewer. Commissioned pieces are a very personal and I work with clients to develop a piece of work that they will treasure.

 

Jenny Oldknow: I will have a good mix of original paintings, art prints, postcards and greeting cards. I will be concentrating on affordable items, such as unframed original paintings. I am also working on a secret project to be launched at DARTs, complete with freebies! I will also be using the opportunity to paint during the weekend, so visitors will be able to see me splashing the paint around!

Helen Rhodes: I have been experimenting with a new technique combining traditional drawing skills with needle felting.  Literally 'painting' with combed and dyed merino wool.  I had a fantastic response to the first pieces I produced so D'arts will be an opportunity to see if it was a one off or not, fingers crossed!  I shall be exhibiting jointly with the lovely Mel Anderson of MAD designs and our theme is "Under African Skies" inspired by the beautiful BBC Africa series.

What are you looking forward too at Derbyshire Open Arts This Year?

Martin Sloman: I'm looking forward to spending three days with some old and some new acquaintances, enjoying their company, admiring their work and of course having a laugh. Oh and selling lots of paintings.

Helen Rhodes: I'm really looking forward to meeting lots of visitors at the venue and to gauging first hand the response to my work.  It's always lovely to chat.  Having been so busy with this exhibition I'm also looking forward to couple of more relaxing days.

Christine Gray: I'm looking forward to being at studio 61 as it is my first time doing Derbyshire open arts with them, I have made some good friends who are also showing their work at studio 61 and I think it will be a great atmosphere to welcome our visitors into.

Janice Allen: I love the buzz of the event especially when visitors pop over for a chat about what I have created as their feedback helps to shape future projects.

Jenny Oldknow: This is my first year as an artist at DARTs, so I am really looking forward to meeting people who are interested in art, and having the opportunity to share my paintings and the work which I do, and to actually see me paint. Being an artist is often lonely, so it will be nice to spend time with other Derbyshire artists, and see what they are doing.

Ruth Gray: I enjoyed being part of DARTs last year I made some very good friends over the weekend and met many visiting artists that I admired. I can’t wait to meet and greet everyone again it’s going to be such a fun and inviting place to show my artwork.

 

 

What are your plans or events planned for 2013/2014?

Jenny Oldknow: Paint, paint, paint! I have a solo exhibition at Studio 61 Gallery in October, so I will be working hard painting for that. I am a member of the Association of Animal Artists, and exhibit with them regularly. I also plan to enter the Derbyshire Open this year, as well as the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art (where my painting last year won an award) and the Society of Wildlife Artists' exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London. In 2014, I am also thinking about putting on a week-long painting holiday. So together with my regular workshops and painting class, it looks like I am going to be busy! www.jennyoldknow.com

Christine Gray: My main focus at the moment is setting up my new studio space. I'll be sharing with Emma Carr from Junky Monkey and we're looking forward to collaborating together on making work and having the space to organise workshops whilst taking our skills to schools. We both have a wide range of experience as participatory artists with knowledge of the curriculum and of working with diverse groups of age and ability.  My next step is to sit down and work out dates for cake & mosaic parties, felt making sessions, textile and other workshops too numerous to list! My love of processes has left me with a wide range of practical skills that I'll be sharing from our new Derbyshire based studios. http://thepurpleshedstudio.blogspot.com/


Helen Rhodes: In the near future I shall be exhibiting again at the Studio 61 Gallery (again with Mel) for the  month of June, also I shall be at Fabulous Places Summer Fair at the Roundhouse in July and I have entered for another Open Arts exhibition later in the year, check my website later in the year to see if I was successful!  http://www.hwrdesigns.com/

Martin Sloman: Forth coming events are: -

Willington Arts Festival Sun 5th, Bank holiday Mon 6th May. 

Meet The Artist at Cromford Mills on the following Saturdays. 18th May, 1st June, 15th June.

Art & Makers Festival, Cromford Mills. Sat 6th & Sun 7th July. 

The D.H.Lawrence , Museum. Eastwood, Friends of Studio 61 Gallery ‘Winter Inspirations Christmas Art Exhibition’ Nov -Dec 

The D.H.lawrence, Museum. Eastwood, 18th July- 24th August. 2014.

Ruth Gray:  I have a full list of events on my website http://ruthgrayimages.net/  I will be a regular at Cromford Mill and Broomfield Hall events as well as those hosted by Banks Mill Studios in Derby.I am also part of 'Flourish' airarts exhibition at Royal Derby Hospital Aug 2013 to Feb 2014 and I have a solo show on at Leabrooks Gallery the same time as DOAs and two more solo shows planned at Studio 61 in November and DH Lawrence Museum in 2014. I am also enjoying working with Martin Sloman and Karina Goodman on our Friends of Studio 61 projects as their arts coordinator responsible for publicity.

Janice Allen: Having changed focus from painting to fusing glass and silver work I am concentrating on developing my skills and combining glass and silver into one piece.

Derbyshire Open Arts has produced a colourful and informative 66-page brochure. The clear-to-read instructions and location maps enable visitors to find and plan routes around the venues over the three days. Brochures are available free in all tourist centres and libraries, and from participating artists. They can also be ordered on the website: www.derbyshireopenarts.co.uk.