There will be a treat in store for East Devon culture lovers when ten local artists open their studios to the public.
Taking place between Saturday September 11 to Sunday September 26, East Devon Art Trail is a unique opportunity to meet artists ‘at home’ in some of the most beautiful, unexplored parts of the county.
In addition to being able to buy art, visitors will be able to watch their creators in action and even have a go.
The event is part of the annual Devon Open Studios event.
For two weeks in September, members of the network – potters, artists, jewellery makers, wood workers, needle workers and creatives of every kind, open their doors and invite people in to discover their work and to chat to the artists themselves about their processes and inspiration.
Devon Artist Network is an organisation created to promote the visual arts, and create opportunities for artists and makers in Devon. Membership is based on a website which showcases the wonderful work of our artists.
You can plan your visits around East Devon or the wider county by using a free full colour event guide which will give you more details about the artists and where they are.
Guides are available at your local library or online to find artists and venue numbers in the area: https://devonopenstudios.co.uk/
The East Devon Artists taking part are:
Karen Wones is a mosaic artist and tutor. She has recently moved to Devon and has set up her new studio at home in West Hill. Devon Open Studios will be an opportunity for you to visit Karen's studio to see the gorgeous colourful materials and the mosaic-making process. You may be inspired to come and make mosaics in a restful, beautiful setting.
Lisa Parkyn is a contemporary abstract artist originally from the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, now working from her home studio in Ottery St Mary, Devon. Her richly layered and vibrant paintings are inspired by the texture, colour and experience in the landscape whilst exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby Jurassic coastline. Her studies in graphic design, movement psychotherapy and world travels all influence her art. She works mainly in water-based materials on canvas, wood panels and paper.
Bud Hodson is a local potter and artist specialising in small batch production – unique and interesting stoneware, terracotta and earthenware with wonderful glazes. Bud will be displaying and selling lots of different ceramics and some watercolours/mixed media during Open Studios 2021 at the workshop which is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday during the two week event.
Kerry Johnstone, Chloe Morter and Helen Challinor will be showcasing an eclectic combination of serene ceramic tableware, exquisitely stitched scenes from nature, and expressive landscape paintings in a charming home setting called Stitch, Pot & Paint.
Ann Bruford has a jewellery studio tucked away in rural East Devon exhibiting
distinctive contemporary statement jewellery made with traditional craftsmanship.
Sonia Mogford-Abbott is an artist based in the Blackdown Hills. Her love of colour and nature feature frequently in her art and she can often be found gathering inspiration in the woods or at the beach.
Mat Calder is a potter and wood sculptor. He will be exhibiting some new work from his home studio at Escot Park. Functional ceramic kitchenware and Yunomi tea bowls will be the focus of his work for Devon Open Studios, but he also plans to have some new hollow forms in wood to display.
Sherri Olive will be showing her richly textured wearables and handmade books, made using the process of nuno felting and embroidered by hand with lavish details.
Lisa Parkyn said: “More than 300 artists take part in Devon Open Studios and so we decided to organise a local ‘event within an event’ to make it easier for people to visit as many as they can in one day.
“This will be a really nice taster for someone and an opportunity to have a nose around!”
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