Visitors to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, near Romsey in Hampshire, can view and buy superior quality craft and art works made by members of the Wessex Guild of Craftsmen this summer.
A total of 16 members of the Guild will be showing and selling their unique art and sculptures at the Gardens over two weeks between 30 June and 13 July 2022.
In the first week, nine members will exhibit and, in the second week, another group will take over the space.
Exhibitors in the first week are Linda Banks (stained glass), Sheila Barrow (textile art), Mike Braisher (pottery), Ron Caddy (woodturning), Karen Frampton (acrylic art), Vicki Hunt (digital art), Helen Murchie (textile art), Elizabeth Saunders (textile art) and Wendy Smith (acrylic artist).
Exhibitors in the second week are Sheila Barrow (textile art), Jo Berryman (pottery), Dorothy Borland (fused glass), Louise Brown (basket maker), Nicky Heard (textile art), Deanna Hilton (textile art), Richard Stapley (woodturning) and Vanessa Wells (illustration and fabric designs).
Elizabeth Saunders’ display will feature a variety of framed and unframed textile artwork, a range of cards with removable gifts, designer sketchbooks and small gifts.
Vanessa Wells trades as Chilli Fox’s Emporium. Her stand will showcase a series of animal illustrations that depict the everyday (or not so everyday) secret lives of some of the world’s most beloved creatures. Her work is available as prints or accessories.
Nicky Heard is a wool painting artist and art teacher from Hampshire. With a love of nature and the environment, she has a real determination to blur the boundaries between art and craft. She focuses on exploring the textures, details and colours found in wildlife using wool as a medium. See her work on show in week two.
New Forest artist Karen Frampton will be exhibiting a selection of her original watercolour and acrylic paintings, many depicting local forest scenes and animals. A selection of cards will also be available.
Different decorated wooden pots will be among the items on display and for sale on Richard Stapley’s stand.
Sheila Barrow’s ‘Waterlilies’ picture will be available to buy at the exhibition. It is painted on cotton rag paper with acrylic and stitch, then embellished with hand-dyed silk chiffon to create a watery feel.
Linda Banks runs the business Orchid Stained Glass. She prides herself on creating unique artworks in glass. Her display will include everything from jewellery, fun sculptures and light catchers to wall art and freestanding panels made from sparkling stained glass.
Ron Caddy says, “I was introduced to woodturning in 1989 and am a ‘Registered Professional Turner’, supported by The Worshipful Company of Turners of London. For the las 20 years I have specialised in creating ‘Handcrafted Pens of Distinction’. As well as teaching the craft in the UK I have also taught in India.”
Dorothy Borland (aka All Things Glass) will be exhibiting fused glass pieces including pictures, wall panels, dishes, bowls and 3D designs. She enjoys putting lots of detail into her designs using a technique called tack fusing, where the top glass does not sink completely into the base glass. She also offers a one-day glass fusing course for participants to produce four pieces to their own design under expert guidance.
If you are looking for beautiful and quirky handmade art and design, come along to see the work of the Wessex Guild of Craftsmen at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens from 30 June to 13 July 2022.
The Gardens are well worth visiting and cover 180 acres. Your admission fee covers entry to the exhibition, which is located in the building to the left of the entry kiosk.
The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and arboretum are at: Jermyns Lane, Ampfield, Romsey , Hampshire SO51 0QA. Find out more about the Gardens here.
Main image: work by Wessex Guild of Craftsmen members: (1) Sheila Barrow; (2) Richard Stapley; (3) Karen Frampton; (4) Jo Berryman; (5) Vanessa Wells; (6) Nicky Heard and (7) Elizabeth Saunders.
Second image: work by members: (8) Linda Banks; (9) Wendy Smith; (10) Vicki Hunt; (11) Ron Caddy; (12) Mike Braisher; (13) Louise Brown; (14) Dorothy Borland; (15) Deanna Hilton and (16) Helen Murchie.
