Thursday 18 May 2017

Dandelion Day & live music this weekend at Willow Gallery

Message from Tereska at Willow Gallery, Oswestry.

Whats on at Willow Gallery Oswestry

Bank Holiday

The Gallery and Eatery will be closed on Monday May 29th
 
DANDELION DAY
MASTER GUITARISTS MACIEK PYSZ AND GIANLUCA CORONA
   Link to music: 
https://soundcloud.com/maciekpysz/fresh-look
EXHIBITIONS
WORKSHOPS
 
 
Saturday May 20

DANDELION DAY 

Highlighting the benefits and beauty of this often disparaged plant
We  celebrate the dandelion and other 'weeds' as important food sources for our pollinating insects, as delicious and nutritive foods that we can gather for free, and as artistically inspiring. Pop into the Gallery anytime from 11am to 3pm to find out more and get creative with a variety of art activities, suitable for all ages, including Batik & Watercolour with Tereska Shepherd. The Willow Eatery will be serving a range of tasty foraged foods, and you can learn more about how to help pollinating insects from Friends of the Earth.
 
In spring, at a time when other food sources are relatively scarce, dandelions are a vital source of early pollen and nectar for bees. One dandelion flower consists of up to 100 florets, each packed with nectar and pollen, and this easily-available food is a lifesaver for bees emerging from hibernation.
 
Throughout the year dandelions are valuable for other wildlife like hoverflies, beetles and butterflies such as the Peacock and Holly Blue that all feed on the flowers, whilst birds such as goldfinches, siskins and sparrows eat the seeds.
 
This plant was not always considered a weed: it used to be referred to as a herb, valued for its medicinal properties, and was cultivated by the Victorians as a salad crop. Like nettles, dandelions are high in Vitamins A, C and D, calcium and iron. Both these plants, similar to spinach but easier to grow, are often more flavoursome than conventional salad leaves. You don't have to worry about slugs or having poor-quality soil – in fact their long taproots help to pull otherwise inaccessible nutrients up to the surface, enriching your soil. Come along and find out more about these fascinating plants, and share your own foraged food recipes, this Saturday. 
 
 
Saturday May 20

MACIEK PYSZ and GIANLUCA CORONA



An evening of beautiful and touching melodies, intricate Latin rhythms played with passion and fire
This international guitar collaboration, established in 2012 in London, features two notable masters, 
Maciek Pysz (Poland) and Gianluca Corona (Italy). Both instrumentalists share a passion for acoustic world rhythms and bring together their rich musical backgrounds.
 
Maciek and Gianluca recorded eight original compositions in 2014, and their debut album 'London Stories' was released last month. Not only excellent musicians but also composers in their own right, the duo will present a programme of original music as well songs by Ennio Morricone and Ralph Towner.

Link to music: 
https://soundcloud.com/maciekpysz/fresh-look

Tickets £12 (children £6). Book by telephone (01691 657575) or in person at the Gallery. The concert will begin at 8pm but early arrivals will have the opportunity to look around our current SPRING OPEN exhibition. The licensed bar will be open all evening.

For more information and videos of all live music events see website www.willowgalleryoswestry.org
 
UPCOMING EXHIBITIONS

Our current Spring Open runs until Saturday 27th May
For more details on exhibitors visit our website

 
June 3 – July 1
BORDERLAND VISUAL ARTS (BVA)

The exhibition of this group of artists who live in and around Oswestry will feature work in different styles across a wide range of disciplines.
 
Meet the Artists
The exhibition opens on Saturday June 3. Also that afternoon, between 2 and 4pm, there will be opportunities to meet some of the participating artists and share insights into their work.
 
Open Studio weekends
Local artists invite you into their studios to experience their creative work first-hand. Studios will be open over the weekends of June 10/11 and June 17/18 between 10am and 5pm. Trail maps are available at the Willow Gallery, or visit the BVA website for full details: 
www.borderlandvisualarts.com.
 
July 8 – September 16
SUMMER OPEN
Open to paintings, textiles, printmaking, batik, drawing, mixed media, photographic work and sculpture. Contact the Gallery (
info@willowgalleryoswestry.org) for further details and an entry form.
 
Looking for a venue to present your work?
Independently of the main exhibition area, the Gallery provides additional space for individual artists to exhibit their work. During May we are pleased to feature paintings by dramatic landscape artist Malcolm Jones along with the fabulous textile artwork of Jenny O'Leary and Suzette Smart. Please contact us for availability and rates.

 

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Tai Chi and Qigong Classes with David Bannister

Wednesdays : 6.30pm – 7.30pm
£6 per class, please book in advance.
David has been practising Tai Chi and Qigong for 4 years under the tutelage of Alan Jeffries, White Crane Academy of Tai Chi and Qigong. He practices Yang and Chen style Tai Chi and various forms of Qigong. He is dedicated in continuing his practice of the art and in sharing his knowledge as instructor in new classes and workshops.
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that has evolved over centuries. It is a form of "meditation in motion" and offers great benefits in our fast paced modern world, aiding relaxation and improving both physical and mental health.
Qigong or Chi Kung is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and mental focus. The gentle, rhythmic movements of Qigong reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system.
 
A Sense of Place with Jenny O'Leary

Using special places as inspiration to use the technique of batik on white fabric
Saturday May 27
10am - 4pm
Fee: £40 (materials provided – but bring your own images for inspiration)
 
Relief Modelling in Clay with Tony Meadows
Using the flexible medium of ordinary modelling clay, Tony will take you through the process of creating relief sculpture
Weekend of June 3 & 4 (2-day workshop)
10am – 4pm
Fee: £80 (Tony will provide all tools and materials – but please bring your own image)
 
Portrait Relief Modelling in Clay with Tony Meadows
Create a relief portrait sculpture from the model and make it into a permanent piece in gypsum
Weekend of July 8 & 9 (2-day workshop)
10am - 4pm
Fee: £105 (all tools, materials and a portrait model provided)
 
Acrylic Landscape Painting with David Bannister

An ideal course for those wishing to explore painting landscapes using acrylic paints and mediums
Weekend of Aug 5 & 6 (two-day workshop)
Fee: £80 (please bring images for inspiration, acrylic paints, brushes and an A2 or A3 stretched canvas)

 
To contact the Willow Gallery:
Tel: 01691 657575
Email: 
info@willowgalleryoswestry.org
Website: www.willowgalleryoswestry.org 
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Address: 56 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1AD

 



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