ArtWeeks at Earth Trust is back!

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artweeks

ArtWeeks returns to Earth Trust with pop-up gallery and eight exhibiting local artists

Earth Trust is bringing together an exciting range of local artists for this year’s Oxfordshire ArtWeeks with a pop up gallery open to visitors 19-27 May, situated in the centre’s beautiful converted 19th Century barn.

From ceramics, acrylics and oils, to sustainable fashion and upcycled jewellery, eight creatives will be sharing a selection of their work and talking to visitors about the techniques they use, and the eco themes that inspire them.

Visitors can immerse themselves in beautiful artwork inspired by the natural world while surrounded by the beautiful local landscape of the Wittenham Clumps.

Amy Rowland, Public Programming Manager at Earth Trust said: “Our exhibiting artists are celebrating the role that art can play in our understanding and connection to the natural world. Connecting with nature is not just about being outdoors – it’s about how we engage with nature while we’re there. It’s about noticing, feeling, beauty, celebration and care. We’re delighted to be exploring this once more with such a fantastic line-up of talented creatives.”

Included in the exhibiting artists are Earth Trust’s previous and current Artists in Residence, JC Niala and Nicola Fielding. Also exhibiting are Caroline Butler, Jessica Farrell, Jayne Ford, Helen Grimbleby, Paul Whitehouse, and Emma Williams. From Caroline’s emotive reflections of the Chilterns to Jessica’s sustainable pieces integrating nature, each artist offers a unique lens into the natural world. Nicola’s residency work, inspired by local wildlife, stands alongside Jayne’s serene landscapes capturing fleeting moments of light.

Helen’s sketches evoke nature’s tranquillity, while JC’s collaborative prints celebrate Earth Trust’s landscapes. Paul weaves tales of human connection with the environment, and Emma’s colourful images reflect the sea’s allure and prehistoric landscapes. Together, their art invites visitors to connect deeply with nature’s beauty and stories, fostering appreciation and awareness of our environment.

“Throughout the week, visitors can engage with JC’s legacy artwork installation and visit Nicola in her open studio, experiencing first-hand the profound influence of nature on artistic expression.”

The gallery is open Sunday 19th-Monday 27th May daily from 11am-4.30pm, excluding Saturday 25th May. Part of the Oxfordshire ArtWeeks Wallingford Art Trail.

Ideal for families and anyone interested in art. Children and dogs are welcome. Refreshments will be available from our friends at Horsebox Coffee.

“After a visit to the gallery, visitors can head up to the Clumps for spectacular views, explore the serenity of Little Wittenham Woods or discover Broad Arboretum, and experience the green spaces that have inspired some of our artists.”

Art from your armchair

Round & About

artweeks

 Local artists open up virtual exhibition for Oxfordshire Artweeks Festival

Artists looking forward to welcoming the public to their studios for Oxfordshire Artweeks are now doing so virtually until May 25th.

The 13 resident artists and associate members of Ayres House Studios, Wallingford, were looking forward to inviting visitors into the previously derelict building; throwing open their studio doors to exhibit both art work and studio space – now sadly impossible due to social restrictions.

In October 2019 the artists took over Ayres House on Station Road. The building was used as a rectory until the 1950s and had been empty for many years and was officially opened with a launch celebration in December.

Studio Manager, Emma Souter of Adumbration Arts said: “It’s such a lovely building with so much potential, I think it needs us as much as we need it.”

On show ‘virtually’ will be paintings, ceramics, sculpture, textiles, upholstery, jewellery, photography, installations, artist’s books, performance and art restoration. The artists are from both academic and self-taught backgrounds, including those from high art, conceptual, fine art and applied crafts.

Daily content will be shared to provide a creative overview from the studios, highlighting what the artists have been doing before and during the coronavirus.

Among those helping out has been Becky Colwell who has used her textile skills to help make scrubs for the NHS and is looking forward to being able to teach sewing classes when the studios re open to the public.

Emma of Neoteric Dance Company has created a new dance film A Home in Isolation, documenting the experiences faced by so many at this time. Alongside this she is also supporting individuals who may be struggling emotionally and physical at this time, by offering virtual spaces to talk and process their experiences, seeing her transfer her Dance Movement Psychotherapy skills to a virtual platform.

During lockdown the studio is welcoming applications from artists who would like to join the studios and for those who would like to join as associate members. They are also seeking proposals for community and collaborative projects so they are ready for when restrictions are lifted. Once back they will re-open Monday Makers and the various courses, workshops and exhibitions which were suspended due to Covid19.

Until then why not visit Ayres House Studios online from the comfort of your homes throughout May.

During Artweeks there will be a chance to view works online via https://www.artweeks.org/festival/2020/ayres-house-studios and on the Studios social media pages https://www.facebook.com/ayreshousestudios and https://www.instagram.com/ayreshousestudios where new posts will be shared daily throughout the festival.

More info

For those interested in visiting Ayres House, signing up for a class or joining the studios after restrictions have eased, please email [email protected] or call Adumbration Arts on 01865 819869.