Organ gallery at west end of the church.
Random squares patchwork quilt, stitched by machine; quilted by hand, using new and old fabrics. Mary Addison
Last weekend we had our annual arts and crafts exhibition of local work on display in one of our lovely parish churches. The ladies of the flower arranging team had also been hard at work and their arrangements brought colour and interest to all parts of the church, but especially to the south wall with its 3 windows where there were no exhibits. We were very fortunate with the weather, so it was delightful to spend long periods of time in the church and experience light coming in through different windows as the day progressed and to feel the warm air as it flooded in through the open south-facing doors.
Local people view the church as being there for the community as a whole and consequently exhibits come from both those who do and those who do not come to church (including many of rabbit’s friends and relations); dogs and even goldfish were welcomed (although the latter came under the heading of living sculpture). We have no entry charge, ask for no donation and set out with no expectation of selling work. In fact, 3 paintings and a framed print were sold, as well as several packets of greetings cards of local views; offers were even made on things not for sale. People were very generous, however, and donations for the church were received from both buyers and sellers while all the proceeds from the packs of cards went to the Air Ambulance service.
Susie Williams: Living sculpture with goldfish & waterlily
On the Saturday night there had been a picnic concert in the courtyard contained by one of the beautiful 3-sided local barns and there was much talk about both new young singers as well as great appreciation for those whose voices and instrument playing we well knew from previous years. Conversations that began on Saturday night were picked up again on Sunday at the exhibition. Coincidence and serendipity ruled the day. One newish resident (of nearly 2 years) who had returned to live in the village, discovered she was buying a picture painted by someone who lived in the house in which she had been brought up in a neighbouring village. Another discovered that a local family’s nanny (exhibiting a painting) was the grand daughter of his family’s former farm manager, who had himself lived in the house where the nanny and her family were now living. Venn diagrams were needed.
View of main exhibition area in the north aisle.
Chest of drawers stencilled with ferns by Mary Addison
Paintings included the use of watercolour, acrylics, oil and pastels.
Katherine Yates (see Katherine Yates Art co.uk.) Equestrian artist who works mainly in oils.
Katherine Yates: Buttercup (acrylic)
Richard Carruthers
Watercolours
Richard Carruthers: Wittenham Clumps (watercolour)
David Addison
Gouache
Katrina Vella
watercolour
Team Woodhouse Farm
Mixed media
Robert Kidner
Pen, watercolour & pastel. Printed cards.
Betty Williams: wedding kneeler in wool
Betty Williams: wedding kneeler in wool
John Warnford-Davis
Gross point cushion: ‘Henley Regatta’
Kate Burbridge
Nativity scene in wool
Kate Burbridge
2 crocheted blankets
Jill Yates: appliqued cot duvet cover and woodwork (mirrors, prints candle holder and coat pegs – some out of the picture)
Mary Addison
Cushions and bolero (see previously on blog)
Bedside chest painted in Bloomsbury style
Rosie Holmes: Chameleon; clay
Mixed flowers
Many thanks for flowers go to:
Barbara Holtom, Jane Penney & Margaret Salter.
I did not have good photographs of all the exhibits and I apologise for those I have omitted. Either my eyes or my camera (and it’s probably the former) do not always get what’s required to be photographed into focus. I’ve still a lot to learn – and I probably could learn a good deal from consulting any of the exhibitors who had photographs on display. I hope my pictures give something more than an inkling of what a high standard of craftsmanship we have locally and what a super exhibition it was.