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Message from Willow Gallery, Willow Street, Oswestry

WILLOW GALLERY Oswestry
Newsletter October 2025
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DELNY FITRZYK Stiperstones Sunset Stitch on print of original watercolour

Autumn Exhibitions
Until Saturday 25 October
Collections by
Sylvia Stead (Textile art)
Julie Price and Georgina Shepherd (Painting)
Mark Warner (Painting)
Marches Independent Photography Group

A Lifetime of Stitch
Mixed-media textiles by Sylvia Stead

Mixed-media textile artist Sylvia brings together objects such as wood, metal, paper and leather with fabrics, adding stitches to create a final piece of artwork. Often based on inspiration drawn from the natural world, each piece can take months to complete. Says Sylvia: 'I have always been active in creating stitch – based pieces, building on skills my father taught me as a young girl.'

LEFT: Woodland Walk
Photo printed onto fabric with hand embroidery, Lutradur fern leaves and tree bark

Meet the Artist

Saturday 18 October, 11am-3pm
All welcome
Come and meet Sylvia as she joins us in the gallery to demonstrate her stitching
techniques and explain the stories behind her work.

RIGHT: Autumn
On a hand-embroidered silk background, Sylvia adds mulberry bark, painted Lutradur leaves, beading, 3D silk hand-embroidered moths and emu feathers

Shropshire & Mid-Wales Collections
by Julie Price and Georgina Shepherd

Julie's love of the great outdoors has grown from over 30 years of living, walking and painting in South Shropshire and the Welsh Borders, as well as walking in the mountains of Europe. Says Julie: 'I am inspired by atmosphere, weather and colour - and intuitively use different materials to explore the pictorial space, the initial landscape revisited by the painting process.'

The focus of Georgina's latest collection is Shropshire's distinctive Wrekin hill, comprising some of the oldest volcanic rocks in England and dominating the landscape between Shrewsbury and Telford. Says Georgina: 'This work involves en plain-air sketching around the full compass of The Wrekin, with images brought back to the studio for my interpretation of its presence.'

New collection by Mark Warner
Mark creates expressive landscapes and seascapes in acrylics and oils, employing a combination of plein air and studio painting. He recognises the power of colour while interpreting the light, weather conditions and a love for the materials. 'I work directly in the field (literally on many occasions!) from sketches created outside as well as notes and photographs taken on location, then worked back in the studio.'

Marches Independent Photography Group
Featuring the work of Nigel Collins, Paul Cotton, Allan Davis, Mike Groves, Peter Marquis, Mark Prescott, Geoffrey Taylor and Dave West

Founded in 2007, Marches Independent Photography is a thriving collective of photographers based in Shropshire and the Marches. Evolving over the years to encompass a wide range of genres, the group has always maintained its core identity as a supportive network that allows members to share and enhance their photographic skills.

The group is always happy to welcome new members - of all skill levels. For more information, please visit www/mip.photium.com.

A WAY OF SEEING WITH REG TURRELL
PETALS AND LEAVES

I always think that hollyhocks are in two halves. The top half has flowers and buds on a tall stem, and the bottom half is covered in large leaves.

This was a big subject that demanded a large sheet of paper (A2). The flowers and buds were outlined in masking fluid. Once this dried, I covered the top half in a wash of cerulean blue and the bottom with a mixture of green-gold and cascade green.

While the washes were still wet, I pressed hollyhock leaves into the green washes. All the paper was then covered with cling film. Heavy books (art ones are ideal - they are usually weighty tomes !) were placed on top and left overnight. Making sure that all of the paint was dry, the cling film and leaves were carefully lifted off - which left random patterns suggesting clouds and vegetation. The printed leaves left outlines and traces of veins. The masking fluid was rubbed away, leaving white paper. The buds and stem were painted in, and some areas of the printed leaves reworked with paint. Some marks left by the film were emphasised by darkening certain areas.

After studying the painting for a while, I decided the buds and other areas needed 'livening up'. I took a risk and draw freely with green acrylic ink and granulation medium to let the pigment spread.

This was quite a complex watercolour because of the many layers. But I enjoyed the journey immensely!

Shining the light on textile art

July and August were busy and exciting months at the gallery as we welcomed visitors and a steady stream of buyers, many from outside the local area, to our Stitch by Stitch exhibition of textile-based contemporary art. The exhibition, in all its diversity, was brought to life under the curatorship of accomplished local textile artists Alison Holt and Suzette Smart.

Ninety artists came together to fill our walls, with 120 works demonstrating that textiles can be as expressive an art form as painting or photography. We had visitors from across the country to view the collection; there were also opportunities to meet some of the artists and watch them demonstrate some of the techniques they use.

ABOVE: Exhibition curators Suzette Smart (left) and Alison Holt (right) with (centre) fellow textile artist and storyteller Nigel Cheney

Praise for our Stitch by Stitch exhibition:
Fabulous exhibition - so diverse. Congratulations to curators Alison and Suzette... So varied, so talented, the artists are superb in their craft... Wow! This exhibition, wonderfully curated, was a magical experience... Stunning range of work, showing such vision, depth and talent... Such a mix of skill and imagination... Great to meet the artists.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Borderland Visual Arts and Cheshire Artists' Network
Saturday 1 November–Wednesday 24 December

To find out more about each group, Borderland Visual Arts or Cheshire
Artists' Network, click on the links below for more information
Borderland Visual Arts
Cheshire Artists' Network

Art & Craft Workshops

We offer a diverse range of artist-led workshops that allow you to develop your creative practice or just enjoy a creative day out. Classes consist of small groups, ensuring that everyone receives plenty of individual attention and guidance. Some of our autumn workshops are now fully booked - but please do see our website for remaining places, along with number of workshops already scheduled for 2026.

LEFT: At Susan Mulcock's recent Seascapes & Shorelines workshop, students learned how to create their own atmospheric seascape pictures in felted wool. Sue's next workshop, on 18 and 19 April 2026, will focus on Trees and Woodlands.

Our shop

See a wide range of work made by local artists and craft makers. Buy original contemporary art, cards, prints, jewellery, ceramics and textiles, along with work in wood, metal and glass. Gallery gift vouchers for friends or family can be purchased from £5 upwards.

Artists and crafters interested in selling your work at one of our craft fairs, please contact us on 01691 657575 or email willowgalleryoswestry@gmail.com

Our Café
A popular rendezvous spot surrounded by artwork, our café serves a range of freshly-prepared light lunch options. Pop in for a slice of hand-baked cake created by Margaret along with a good coffee and tea selection.

SYLVIA STEAD's Tea for One
Porcelain teacup with hand embroidery and beading

Other local events and information

Oswestry & Borders Repair Café

Bin it? No way!

Llanfyllin Public Institute
Saturday 11 October, 12-3pm

A team of skilled volunteer repairers give their time and expertise for free to help people fix items that might otherwise be thrown away.

TO BOOK YOUR FREE REPAIR
email: osbordersrepaircafe@gmail.com

You can also bring your repairs to the Midweek Mend sessions at the Climate Action Hub in Oswestry's Bailey Street (Wednesdays 11am-2pm).

A GHOST STORY FOR HALLOWE'EN

Image from the 1976 BBC production of Charles Dickens' The Signalman

The classic tale can be read HERE

Also see this haunting story at Theatr Clwyd
Tues 28 Oct– Sat 1 Nov
For booking information, click HERE

Art World

Davina Jackson, Katy Shepherd and Joanna Whittle were among the painters shortlisted for this prestigious prize, once won by a young David Hockney. Ally Fallon has been announced as this year's winner.

Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
until 1 March 2026

THEATRE PICASSO
On display at the Tate Modern until 12 April 2026

Marking the centenary of Picasso's The Three Dancers (1925), the exhibition highlights the artist's deep fascination with performers. The ability of dancers, circus performers, bullfighters and other popular entertainers to shift identities and captivate audiences profoundly influenced his art. Around 50 exhibits include rare pieces from across Europe.

A vibrant, not-for-profit art space packed full of contemporary artworks from local and national artists. We host exhibitions, art classes, craft fairs and other community-focused events - bringing together creative individuals and art lovers from our local communities and beyond.

CONTACT US

Tel: 01691 657575
email: willowgalleryoswestry@gmail.com
Website: willowgalleryoswestry.org
Facebook: Willow
Address: 56 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1AD

Gallery/Café open Tues-Sat 10am-4pm (3.30pm café last orders)
Closed: Sundays/Mondays/Bank Holidays
Editor: Hilary Moorcroft
October 2025