Gateshead Inspired exhibition drawing to a close

Yesterday saw the last of all our workshops related to the Gateshead Inspired exhibition at St. Mary's Heritage Centre. There are still 3 more days for viewing the exhibition itself before we take it down on Friday. The Heritage Centre is closed today so viewing is available from Tues. through Thurs. only.

The venue is one of my personal favourites. It is very light and airy with a wonderful view along the River Tyne. Seats are provided so you can sit and drink in the atmosphere as well as study, in comfort, parts of the exhibitions they hold. There are plenty of activities going on each week to satisfy other interests as well. St. Mary's Heritage Centre is definitely worth repeat visits.

Gateshead Inspired Officially Opens

Today certainly passed very quickly! I thoroughly enjoyed the ladies who attended my blackwork workshop this morning. I'm really looking forward to the next session I'll be undertaking on August 17. There is still some room for last minute attendees...

Then our official opening was underway with fantastic Northumbrian music provided by Robson's Choice. St. Mary's Heritage Centre is such a lovely venue and the acoustics were perfect. A great place and day for our opening event!

Gateshead Inspired Exhibition about to start

I'm taking a few minutes off from stitching to let you know that it's full steam ahead for the Gateshead Inspired exhibition showing at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead, 9 - 22 August, 2014 (closed Mondays). I still have some room on my blackwork basics workshops if you are at all interested. I'm not sure about the other workshops but a phone call to St. Mary's Heritage Centre should provide you with the information. Must run as there is still a lot to do...

Gateshead Inspired: Workshops

Gateshead Inspired: Arts, Crafts and Photography Exhibition is more than a static exhibition of our art. Several of us are also holding workshops scheduled throughout the duration of the show. These will be conducted on site at St Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead on a variety of dates.

Last, but not least in our series of workshops, is the Hooky and Proggy Workshop: Get Creative with Trish Turnbull running on Sunday, 17 August, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aimed at adults and children over 8 years, (children under 14 accompanied) this beginners workshop in the tradition of hooky and proggy techniques will get you started to make a small mat, bauble, heart or picture or begin a larger project such as a tea cosy, cushion cover, hanging or handbag to complete at home.

All the materials you need will be provided, but bring your own scissors. This is a brilliant way to conserve favourite items and recycle them into something new, so if you have any old clothes or spare material to cut up then bring them along and see how they can become something new and creative to decorate your life.

Cost: Adults £10 and Children £5 includes all materials

Contact Box Office: 0191 433 4699 or buy online at www.gateshead.gov.uk/whatson

Gatehead Inspired: Workshops

Gateshead Inspired: Arts, Crafts and Photography Exhibition is more than a static exhibition of our art. Several of us are also holding workshops scheduled throughout the duration of the show. These will be conducted on site at St Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead on a variety of dates.

Want to get the best from your camera, improve your images and learn about composition? Why not join in the Photography Workshop: Explore your photography skills with Wyn Barnes which runs on Friday 15 August, 1pm-4pm. This workshop includes a short walk around Gateshead Quayside using your camera under the expert guidance of Wyn Barnes, photographer. Enjoy hands-on leisure learning using your own camera. As you photograph, you will learn together in this friendly and supportive workshop. Suitable for children over 12 years if accompanied by an adult. Bring your own cameras and fully charged battery, warm clothing and comfy shoes.

£12 Places need to be pre-booked by contacting:
Mrs Wyn Barnes, 0191 413 4178
or wynbarnes@btinternet.com

Gateshead Inspired: Workshops

Gateshead Inspired: Arts, Crafts and Photography Exhibition is more than a static exhibition of our art. Several of us are also holding workshops scheduled throughout the duration of the show. These will be conducted on site at St Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead on a variety of dates.

Next in line are the Family Print taster workshops with textile artist Barbara Kennard. These run back to back on Wednesday, 13 August, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Each workshop lasts for approximately one hour.

Discover the joys of experimenting with printmaking. Come and create your own printed picture to take home. It will be fun because you never know how it's going to turn out! Suitable for all ages from 5 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All materials supplied but please bring an apron or old shirt to wear, pintmaking can be messy. £3 per child. Contact Box Office 0191 433 6965 or 0191 433 4699 or buy online at www.gateshead.gov.uk/whatson. Check out Gateshead Live for further details.

Gateshead Inspired: exhibition and workshops

News of our exhibition, called Gateshead Inspired, has reached the latest edition of the Gateshead Live schedule. The exhibition is running from Aug. 9 - 22, 2014 at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead (next to the Sage Gateshead). It includes a variety of workshops run by several of us who are participating. Entry to the exhibition is free; costs for the workshops vary depending on the artist holding them. My taster sessions in blackwork embroidery are starting to book up so you need to contact me soon if you want a place on either Aug. 9 or Aug. 17.

Exhibitions 2014

Two of my pieces are off to Hexham to take part in the Showcase Exhibition at Queen's Hall Gallery 2 from 7th June to 21st June, 2014. Patterns for 'Spring at Cragside' and 'Seaton Delaval Hall' will be available for purchasing on site. I'm also stitching my fingers to the bone getting ready for the upcoming exhibition at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead in August...

Thomas Bewick Exhibition

A lovely time was had demonstrating blackwork yesterday on the first day of the Thomas bewick exhibition at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead as you can see from this picture taken by June Holmes.

I have chosen several subjects from Thomas Bewick (and his apprentices) prints to turn into textile postcards. Patterns will become available as I complete my samples. I find it helps to stitch them as I design them so problem areas can be refined before passing them on to my customers.

The exhibition is running until the end of May so there is still plenty of time to catch it. What appears behind me is only a small part of the actual exhibition. There are lots of extras to go with that as well about which the staff at St. Mary's Heritage Centre will be only too happy to tell you when asked.

You'll next find me there on May 12 at which point I should have at least one or two more of these postcards actually finished. No pressure on myself! You may wish to return a few times to see them actually grow between May 12 and the end of the month. I am happy to chat as often as you like!

Bewick in Blackwork Demonstration

I'm all set for demonstrating blackwork at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead for the opening of their exhibition about Thomas Bewick tomorrow. I've pulled together a few examples of Bewick's work which I'm turning into postcards. These can either be sent through the post or kept as collectors' items and are ideal for displaying on small artist's easels or dish stands. I'm stitching samples only at this stage in order to simplify the final patterns that will be available for sale. If all goes well, I might actually have the patterns ready for sale by the end of the exhibition. So come back from time to time to see the progress. You'll find me there May 1, 12, 19, 20, 26 & 27.

Next on the agenda

Now that the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering has ended and I've met my deadline with the commissioned piece, I can look at my calendar.

Blackwork demonstrations are next on my agenda. April 29, 2012 will find me at Cherryburn National Trust (11 a.m. - 3 p.m.). May 1 will see me demonstrating blackwork at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead for the opening of their exhibition on Thomas Bewick. I will also be around at the latter venue on May 12, 19, 20, 26 & 27. In all cases, I will be interpreting Thomas Bewick's prints in blackwork, primarily through textile postcards that I have designed based on his work. I am looking forward to this opportunity as I've always felt that much of his work would lend itself well to this medium.

Now it's time to get on with the myriad of things that need to be done in preparation for these events. Hope to see you there!

Final Blackwork Taster Session

This Friday, the 24th of Feb., is the final blackwork taster session in my series at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in Gateshead. The links tell you all about the session and the venue.

I would also like to hear from local people (Gateshead and surroundings) with an interest in blackwork, whether or not you are already experienced. There is a possibility of starting up a blackwork stitching group at St. Mary's Heritage Centre in the future if any interest is shown. The cost will probably be £1 a person for use of the venue plus donations for any tea and coffee that is consumed. Each person would provide their own stitching materials. I see it as an opportunity for people of all levels of experience to help each other out as well as have a good natter. If this appeals to any of you, let me know. Things I particularly need to know are:

• what day of the week suits you best (providing a time slot is available at the venue)
• best time of day (providing a time slot is available at the venue)
• maximum length of stay
• how often you would like to meet
• how soon you would like to start
• would you be interested in working on a group project for display at St. Mary's Heritage Centre  (not mandatory)

I haven't got a specific project in mind at the moment but I have seen the exhibition work done by another group who meets there regularly. I have yet to consult with the staff about this idea but I would approach them if any of you are particularly keen to try it out. I'm thinking it just might add some extra interest to the meetings, especially as skills grow.

Please contact me at the e-mail address in my profile (it's more likely to be picked up by spammers if I include it here) if this is something that appeals to you.