Local artists are busy preparing to open their studio doors to welcome visitors over the first four weekends in July. This year, there are 61 artists participating in 45 studios from near Calne in the West to near Hungerford in the East.
Exhibits range from small curios, jewellery, glass and ceramics to large sculptures, bronzes and epic landscapes. Entrance is free, with no obligation to buy. It’s a great way to enjoy a variety of artwork whilst exploring the north Wiltshire countryside.
Brochures, available from many shops in Marlborough High Street and the library, give details of the artists, studio locations and opening times. Many studios offer light refreshments and several are holding special events such as hands on linocut printing and pastel taster sessions, copper smithing, flame painting, and titanium anodising demonstrations. Several studios are holding preview evenings in June as well as opening on selected week days.
Paul Oakley, Chairman of Open Studios, said, “You are warmly invited to come and visit any number of the 45 open studios free of charge with no obligation to purchase. This year we have 61 artists taking part including a number who have joined for the first time, bringing with them new art work for you to enjoy.
You will, I hope, enjoy meeting the artists and talking to them about their work, inspiration and techniques as well as seeing some corners of Wiltshire you may not have explored before.”
At Wagon Yard studio off London Road, Marlborough, Jacqui Melhuish, Jane Renwick, Mary Thorne, Kate Wade are exhibiting, together with Mini de Kersaint, who also has her own studio opening in Pewsey.
Kate Wade told Marlborough.news, “I will be exhibiting large scale water colours of the local countryside, woodlands and fields together with a few seascapes.” Kate continues to be inspired by the seasons, the weather and the infinite range of colours and forms to be found in the natural world.
Mini de Kersaint paints local scenes predominantly in acrylic. “I used to work as a graphic designer and when I started painting five to six years ago I joined Open Studios to give me something to aim for and to grow my work. Since joining I now paint professionally. I love working with colour, experimenting with light, shade, texture, contours and reflections. Lots of people really appreciate and have a connection with the local landscapes I paint.”
Open Studios is a great opportunity to talk to artists about their work, to see them in their home environment and to find out what influences them. At Wagon Yard there will be lots of gift ideas on offer ranging from jewellery, pottery to paintings, home ware and decorations – all influenced by the local landscape.
Jacqui Melhuish, who uses slab work to create hand built pottery, is known for her splash cups and plates and ornamental raku vessels. Her raku vessels are full of horizontal lines which have been inspired from her Nordic walking experiences and seeing where land meets sky or sea meets sky.
Other artists exhibiting at Wagon Yard are Jane Renwick, who works in porcelain, lino and cold cast metals, Mary Thorne, whose ceramics reflect her love of the Wiltshire countryside and Jeannette Therrien who works in glass.
To find out more about all 61 artists pick up a brochure or visit the website, click here.