Monthly Edit - January

Happy New Year, everyone!

Happy 2019 Card by Duck and Peach £2.50

I hope you’ve all had the Christmas you all hoped for, whether that be peaceful, exciting, busy or a bit ’merry’!

Our Gallery Shop is now open again with a lovely 10% off EVERYTHING for the whole of January as a thank you to you all for your support over the last year.

You could be super-organised for next year and get some of your Christmas cards or treat yourself to something that Santa forgot to bring you…

Happy 10% Off… I mean, Happy New Year!

Whatever you chose, you will be supporting local artists and crafters which can only be a good thing.

This month’s Edit is a slightly different format. I have not collected all the items together; I thought it would be nice for you to take a leisurely stroll through the shop and spot them all. I have chosen very calming items from the shop so we can relax after all the hectic weeks from the build up to Christmas.

First up we have a few colouring books by local artists:

Left to Right:

‘Stuff to Colour’ by Anna Hargraves, ‘The Big Toy Car Colouring Book’ by Octavia Inns, ‘Slime Farts’ by Jon Boam

There has been scientific research in New Zealand that suggests that the mindful act of colouring in can actually aid positive mental health even in as short a time as just 10 minutes per day - a perfect antidote to the craziness of December and New Year, then!

Treescape Print by Martin Davis £50

If you prefer someone else to do the art rather than yourself, we have some beautiful prints and original artwork in the Gallery Shop. This one above is by Martin Davis.

Starting on Friday 11th January we have an exhibition by Martin Davis and Susan Tracey. Come down and have a stroll around the Studio and Gallery Shop. It’d be lovely to see you.

A Big Festive Thank You!

Well, we had a fantastic time on Saturday at our first ever Christmas Craft Workshop!

Thank you so much to everyone who came down to make gifts, decorations, cards and animations. There was such an excited buzz in West Studios.

In our Studio, Annie French was making textile wreaths. Using a variety of fabric in varying colours, each person was able to make a unique wreath using a hand soldered copper ring.

With our workshops being suitable for both adults and children, we had everyone having a go.

In our Meeting Room, Dave Elsom of Sombrero Printmaking was guiding a lino-printing workshop. Dave was giving people the opportunity to make their own printed Christmas cards with the option to take home their lino cut so they can make as many as they wish to, at home!

Also in our Meeting Room was Jonathan Foster of Petit BooChe making felt Christmas decorations. With stitched decorations and also an alternative for little fingers using glue, this proved to be incredibly popular with both adults and children. We even had to extend our opening hours to let people finish!

In Sparky Ink, Jane had a jam-packed studio with gaming, animation and craziness. Below is a small animation by one of Jane’s participants…

… there was even an animated dancing biscuit at one point! Everyone had loads of fun.

Due to popular demand, we are also going to be running a Saturday morning Art Club with a different artist demonstrating and leading a different craft or technique every few weeks. If you are interested in attending this please drop us a line on hello@weststudios.co.uk so we can keep you up to date and you can be ahead of the crowd to book your place.

We look forward to seeing you!

Creative Courses from January 2019

We’re excited to announce our next set of creative courses, starting in January 2019! All of our courses are taught within Chesterfield College by professional tutors. You’ll get full use of the specialist equipment within the college and use of the college library to research topics of the course in more detail should you chose.

Silversmithing

We have two silversmithing courses beginning in January and both courses are six weeks and cost £150. These courses are designed for complete beginners and those who already have some knowledge in silversmithing.

The first course runs on Tuesday mornings from 9am - 12pm. This course begins on Tuesday 8th January and runs each week until Tuesday 12th February.

The second course runs on Thursday evenings from 6pm - 9pm. This course begins on Thursday 10th January and runs each week until Thursday 14th February.

Photography (Beginner/Intermediate) - Monday Evening - £150

Start Date: Monday 21st January 2019 (one week break during half term, 18th February)

Throughout this 6-session course, tutors will pass on their knowledge, help you improve your skills and provide you with the tips, tricks and advice you’ll need to become a better photographer. Ideal for beginners and those with existing photography skills. Basic materials and access to cameras will be provided.

Photoshop - Monday Evenings - £150

Start Date: Monday 21st January 2019 (one week break during half term, 18th February)

This Photoshop course is six weeks long and will introduce you to the image software manipulation. It’s designed for both beginners and those looking to improve their skills. The sessions are lead by one of our qualified tutors who will set tasks each session and show how to use the different tools on Photoshop to get the desired affect. You’ll be able to ask questions and work individually with the tutors and well as your fellow learners.

Ceramics - Monday Evenings - £175

Start Date: Monday 25th February2019

A 6-week course, suitable for beginners and improvers covering a broad range of pottery techniques and processes. You will get individual support to develop your technical and creative skills in both hand built and wheel thrown forms. During this course you’ll study in our well-equipped studio and create work using potter’s wheels, have access to a glazing and kiln room, and a Raku kiln which will enable you to practice this unique firing technique. Our experienced tutors will provide individual support to help you develop and refine your hand-built and wheel-thrown creations.

For more information about any of these course or to arrange enrolment, please contact West Studios on 01246 500 799 or send an email to hello@weststudios.co.uk

NOT WORDS - Exhibition Launch

Our next exhibition, starting this Friday (7th December) is ‘NOT WORDS’ - a Heritage Lottery Fund Project. During set up for this exhibition I spoke to Carole Copeland from Gekkota Arts to find out more information about the exhibition and it’s meaning.

The exhibition is a collection of artwork produces in response to NOT WORDS, a Heritage Lottery Fund Project celebrating the role of female artists in women’s struggle to win the vote. Artwork has been submitted to this exhibition by the local community and artists. Inspiration for all pieces within the exhibition was taken from NOT WORDS, Suffragettes and Women War Artists.

West Studios was chosen as the place to display this exhibition as we are partners on the NOT WORDS project.

The celebration event for this exhibition is on Sunday 16th December, 1pm to 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this event and it would be the perfect opportunity to speak to some of the artists and organisers behind the event.

Get Creative & Festive with our Christmas Craft Workshops!

Christmas themed workshops by 5 local artists.

Saturday 1st December. Workshops starting from 10am.

This year we’ve decided to take a different approach to our Christmas event. Rather than a Christmas market where you can buy unique items we thought we’ve give you the opportunity to make something unique for the festive season.

From Animation to decoration making to print-making there’s something all abilities at this event! All workshops are designed for both children and adults and start from £5-8! Workshops are designed for Adults and Children.

Click the Artists'/Business names below to find out more information about their workshops!

PetitBooche Sombrero Printing SparkyInk Studio

Annie French Drawn & Fired