Christmas Special - Open Studio's in Hadlow

From artisans to artists - Modern day artists working in historic buildings Open studios’ returns for Christmas in Hadlow, the weekend of the 6/7 December.  At the start of this year's Festive Season three Hadlow studios will be opening their doors to the public. 16 local artists will be displaying their work ranging from glittering glass and jewellery to vibrant ceramics, photography and painting, giving visitors an opportunity to meet them in a studio setting and purchase that unique gift. 

Each of the Open Studios is taking place in a historic building with strong local heritage connections. Gingerbread Gallery, located in Walnut Tree Cottage, (Hadlow Square, TN11 0DG), dates back to 17C and was used as a village smithy. 

Another studio, Natal House (High Street, Hadlow TN11 0EF), dates back to the 1740's. The area of the house now used as an artist studio was originally the site of a farriers and horse doctor. 

Bourne Grange Oast East (next to 1, Carpenters Lane TN11 0EJ) is a mid 19C Oast house with a circular hop kiln, tall conical roof and a characteristic white timber cowl. Once used for drying the hop so essential in the Kentish Beer brewing tradition, it was converted into a home in the mid 1980's.

Each of these artisan houses are now the homes and studios of professional artists who are hosting this Pre-Christmas event. There will be an artist’s trail map around the village, seasonal refreshments will be available at the Gingerbread Gallery and there's a chance to enter a raffle prize draw when all three studios are visited. 

Christmas Decorations by Hildegard Pax

Mixed Media by Julie Taylor

Winter Photography by Angel Young

Christmas Parcels by Ray Taylor

Hadlow Artist and local South East Open Studios coordinator Hildegard Pax says: ”The Open Studios events offer a window into the local art scene, which is stimulating, diverse and thriving. There is some amazing work to be seen at very competitive prices”.

Venues will be open 10am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday.Come and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the market and visit artist studios throughout the weekend. Free entry

A Dickensian themed Christmas Fayre is also being held along the picturesque Church Street and at St Mary's Church in Hadlow on Saturday 6th of December from 4-6pm. This very popular and atmospheric event will have stalls by village groups with mulled wine, Father Christmas and featuring the switch-on of Hadlow village lights.

Opening Times: 
Saturday 6 December: 10-6pm 
Sunday 7 December: 11-5pm 

Venue Details: 
Bourne Grange Oast East
Carpenters Lane, Hadlow, TN11 0EJ

Natal House,
High Street, Hadlow TN11 0EF

'Gingerbread' Gallery,
Walnut Tree Cottage, Hadlow Square, Hadlow, TN11 0DGhttps://www.facebook.com/GingerbreadTeashopGallery

All venues are in close proximity to each other and St Mary's Church.

Parking is available near each venue, see map.

Public transport: 7 & 77 bus routes connecting to Tonbridge town and rail station, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Kings Hill along A26

Cranbrook Art Show 2014

'Cranbrook Art Show 2014' in the town's beautiful Grade II Listed Vestry Hall. Featuring 24 selected professional and emerging artists showing a fascinating and eclectic mixture encompassing painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, photography, wood and glass art. 

New this year, Bursary Award given to graduate emerging artist George Morgan 'Weaving in Wood'

Exhibition runs from 6th - 8th of November 10am - 5pm Late evening Thursday until 8pm - Free Entry. Full artist details on  www.cranbrookartshow.org.uk

George Morgan

Clare Winchester

Gill Bridgestock

Gilly Lovegrove

Mark Greco

Vicki Atkinson

VAWK Art Exhibition

To celebrate its 50th year supporting communities across Kent, Voluntary Action Within Kent is hosting an exhibition to showcase the talent of the people it works with.  Expect a varied exhibition of painted, written and drawn works in a wide variety of styles. The exhibition takes place from the 2nd-24th October at Sessions House in Maidstone, for more information see flyer below.

Crowborough Community Centre

I thought I would share some information about a solo exhibition I am having at Crowbrough Community Centre which opens this Thursday 17th July.  

I will be exhibiting wall based work featuring my original textile designs onto paper and fabric in the cafe area of the centre. The work features explorations using hand marbling and printing onto different surfaces to create unique abstract patterns and shapes.

If you are in the Crowborough area over the next couple of weeks do pop in to see the work over a cuppa! Flyer is below.

Appleducks - Handmade With Love

Handmade with Love craft fair returns to Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Saturday 10^th May sees the return of the now established Craft Fair at Trinity Theatre which feature local makers and artists.

The one day event organised by Jo Roberts and Stephanie Brushfield of local event company, Appleducks (www.appleducks.com) will feature new sellers as well as a few favourites from previous events including Snapdragon Designs who were a huge hit with their “Game of Thrones” laser cut jewellery at their April event . 

“ We pride ourselves on bringing  new and unusual makers to our events” says Stephanie Brushfield co-founder of Appleducks.

“I think we have certainly achieved that for Handmade with Love at Trinity and are sure the people of Tunbridge Wells will once again be pleased with the choice, quality and affordability of the goods that will be on sale” 

Doors open at 10am and as usual, Appleducks have some extra touches to the event that will make it special including a limited number of the crafting magazine, Handmade Living which will be handed out to visitors. 

Stephanie adds – “Our November event welcomed Tunbridge Wells choir group, “CREATE” who performed  “flashmob” style within the heart of the craft fair. I have goosebumps now remembering it!”

Tunbridge Wells Town crier John Scholey will also be pounding the streets of Tunbridge Wells spreading the good news about this high quality craft fair.

Jo  says “ We love to use the Town Crier and the people of Tunbridge Wells do too. John “cried” to the town at our last event and delighted the shoppers in Royal Victoria Place by starting his proclamation in the centre”. 

Trinity Theatre on Church Road in Tunbridge Wells is located  in the centre of Tunbridge Wells and is a vibrant theatre in one of the most beautiful buildings in the region,. Handmade with Love gives visitors the chance to see the beautiful stained glass window, usually concealed behind metres of stage curtains !  It hosts around 350 events a year and has great charm as a venue.  There is also a café which serves a great choice of delicious cakes and sandwiches.

Entry will be just £3 and children under 14 are free.

Art Spring 2

If you are out and about this weekend in West Kent or are looking for something arty to see then you may be keen to visit Art Spring 2 at the Tunnel Gallery which is in the grounds of Tonbridge School. The exhibition is open 10-5 Saturday and Sunday, please see more information here http://tonbridgecreative.wordpress.com/ and in the flyers below about the exhibition and artists.

Also as mentioned in my previous post; Ceramicist Claire Palastanga and Printmaker Letitia Tunstall will be having a sale of work and equipment this weekend at Letitia's house, see the following link for more information:  http://www.kentcreates.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/sale-event-letitia-tunstall-and-clare.html

Also you can see an exhibition of new commissioned Lithographs from artist Claire Woods at the Mascalls Gallery in Paddock Wood. 

The industrial process of lithography is turned on its head by leading British painter Clare Woods to produce large-scale one-off works using a diesel powered road roller.  

The exhibitions runs from now until the 31st May and Clare Woods will be in conversation this Sat 12th April. Call 01892 839039 to book your place at the event. http://www.mascallsgallery.org/

SALE EVENT! Letitia Tunstall and Clare Palastanga

Print maker Tish Tunstall and Ceramicist Claire Palastanga will be holding a sale of work on the weekend of April 12th and 13th.  Please see their flyer below for more information!