Exeter artists are encouraging people to buy locally made art during the Exeter Open Studios event from 7 to 9 November.
During the event artists will be opening their doors to the public for Exeter’s third Open Studios.
The Open Studios event is an opportunity for local people and visitors to the city to meet local artists, see their work and find out how it’s made.
The event includes painting, jewellery, textiles, furniture, photography, ceramics, paper art and other artforms.
Katya Romankevich, one of the Event Coordinators said: “This is an opportunity for the people of Exeter to find out about the artists who live close by and see how they work. Some of these artists exhibit at national events, so it’s good for them to be able to show their art locally too.”
The artists are keen to show the benefits of buying locally made art.
Local resident Sue Turner said: “If I’ve met an artist, I’m much more likely to buy their art. I’ve already looked at the brochure and the work of several artists has caught my eye, so I think I’m going to have a busy weekend visiting them all. I’ve got my Christmas list ready and I’m hoping to find some unusual presents that you wouldn’t come across in the high street.”
Some of the artists taking part include, Jane R. Price who will be exhibiting plant papers made from plants grown in her garden and allotment.
Christine Sawyer who has woven a tapestry which is about ergotism, an affliction occurring after eating infected rye bread.
Christine said: “The last European outbreak was in France in the 1950s. The effects are horrible, as the ergot (from a fungus,) restricts blood flow, giving the sufferers intense hallucinations, one of which is the conviction that they can fly. The reason for this is that one of the main active ingredients in ergot is lysergic acid.”
James Charlwood has always painted, but since retirement from dentistry he said he ‘lives to paint’. Living in Exeter, James looks for landscape and coastal images, seeking to explore the mood and inspiration of the moment.
Paper artist Gillian Taylor has used an original set of love letters written during the Second World War to make her latest creation. The letters were written to a young woman separated from her love by the war. Brought to light after more than sixty years, the letters’ messages of love, interspersed with news of everyday life at the time, inspired Gillian to make framed collections of tiny, individually handmade envelopes, each lined with gold paper.
Artist Elaine M Goodwin’s home and the studio in Exeter are featured in a forthcoming issue of the glossy magazine Your Home, where her mosaic can be seen on walls, floors and gardens.
And James Hedge has been living in the local area for the past five years. James’ paintings of Devon’s pastoral delights and portraits are on display at the New Town Community Hall in Belmont Park.
The Exeter Open Studios takes place at venues in and around Exeter and Topsham from 7 to 9 November. For more information, pick up a brochure or visit www.exeter.gov.uk/openstudios.