Welcome to The Workhouse

 

The Workhouse, Dunstable
© Teresa Newham

I recently spent a morning at The Workhouse in Dunstable, where I had a few linocuts hanging in their Print! exhibition.  Participating artists are encouraged to take a turn in helping out at the gallery, and I had great fun refreshing and rearranging the shelves.

a variety of work on display
© Teresa Newham

It was a good opportunity to take a closer look at the art on display, and there was plenty: in addition to the various types of printmaking there were paintings, textiles, glass and jewellery, as well as ceramics, sculpture and bookbinding. 

two of my linocuts on the wall L&R
© Teresa Newham

All the pieces are carefully displayed to their advantage, and a creative use of space ensures that every corner is filled. It's a great place for browsing art, cards and gifts, and for buying everything from a pretty face mask to a large sculpture - both of which went to new homes while I was there . . .

using all available space
© Teresa Newham

The next exhibition - Landscapes & Layers - has now opened and runs until Saturday 10th July.  I'm delighted that one of my watercolours - Bog Cotton - is featured on the poster, and I'm looking forward to another morning in the gallery on Friday 9th!

the poster for the next exhibition

Sunny and bright

Parish Church of  S Peter & S Paul, Kimpton
© Teresa Newham

The first full weekend in May means two things:  the Spring Bank Holiday, and the Kimpton Festival.   I had entered some works into the art exhibition in the parish church, which was looking at  its finest in the record-breaking warm weather.

Art and flowers
© Teresa Newham

Inside, the church was wonderfully cool, with beautiful flower arrangements amongst the exhibits, which filled every available space, including boards perched on some of the pews.  Some visitors were  wandering around admiring the art, others were sitting and listening to the choir.

glass, and more glass
© Teresa Newham

As well as paintings and photos, there was a whole side room devoted to glass and textiles, with ceramics and wooden items displayed separately in front of the stained glass windows.  Every inch of the church had been pressed into use.  My own pieces were easy to spot alongside the stewards' table.

every space was used for exhibits!
© Teresa Newham

Once we'd had a good look round, we ventured up the bell tower, where local bell-ringers were on hand to share their expertise.  While my husband tried his hand at ringing church bells for the first time, I was able to look down on the scene below.  As usual, it was a superb exhibition.

birds' eye view from the bell tower
© Teresa Newham

We walked around the village, admiring the knits which adorned every suitable object, and a wonderful display of paper flowers in a front garden on the High Street.  We had tea and cake in the Dacre Rooms and ice cream while we watched the falconry displayat the recreation ground.  It was a glorious afternoon!

knits and paper flowers around the village
© Teresa Newham