What`s on at the Willow Gallery in March.

Message from Tereska at the Willow Gallery.

WHAT'S ON AT THE WILLOW Centrally-located in Oswestry, the Willow Gallery offers a large, contemporary space and opportunities for artists to showcase their work in a wide range of styles, sizes and media. We are beautifully complemented by the on-site family- and wheelchair-friendly Willow Eatery where you can come and relax with friends over coffee and cakes (or lunch!), whilst viewing inspiring art or browsing our gift shop. Our full programme of exhibitions, workshops, music nights and craft fairs now runs through into the late summer, and our current What's On leaflet is available at the Gallery. To find out more, visit our website or see our full contact details below. OF SPECIAL NOTE… Saturday 4th March The Stones: Warped, stripped, knit, felt by Jan Wallis A stone circle…..a group of people wait silently…..six women dance the landscape around the circle. Jan will be giving a talk at 2pm about her textiles.   Saturday March 11 Mistrustful summer visitors We look forward to a talk by artist Judith Samuel, amongst whose favourite topics are the dainty, migratory, little terns… Full details below Saturday March 25 CHRIS QUINN We welcome the return of internationally-acclaimed guitarist Chris Quinn, performing tonight as a solo artist Further details below   Saturday April 29 APRIL CRAFT FAIR APPLY NOW (info@willowgalleryoswestry.org) for a table at our ever-popular April Craft FairFurther details below     UPCOMING AT THE WILLOW   EXHIBITIONS   March 4 – April 15: Opening this Saturday 4th March PAINTING WITH WORDS Reader: You won't want to miss this!   Special-themed exhibition celebrates the influence and inspiration of literature and language within the visual arts. Artworks include a variety of media and styles, with the span of literature ranging from classical to contemporary. All work is for sale unless otherwise stated. Those who are inspired by poetry and literature will be inspired by this.   'Claws and Petals' Part of our literature exhibition, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Alan Garner's medal-winning classic 'The Owl Service'   First published in 1967, and intended for a young readership, 'The Owl Service' ended up being popular with all ages – a retelling of an old Welsh legend that is relived in each generation in the same remote Welsh valley.   Ceramicist/sculptor Liz Ellis, painter Jenny Ryrie and photographer David Heke share a longstanding fascination with the story of a woman created from flowers and turned into an owl. See how they tell this story that blends mystery, adventure, history and complex human relationships through their artwork. Liz will also be holding a workshop on April 8, showing how to create your own fabulous owl in porcelain clay. The workshop is now fully subscribed, but please contact the Gallery (info@willowgalleryoswestry.org) if you would like us to keep your name on a waiting list or be informed of a similar workshop in the future.   'THE OWL SERVICE' by Alan Garner 'The Owl Service' is a reworking of a Welsh myth from 'The Mabinogion', in which the hero, cursed by his mother so that he cannot take a human wife, contrives to have a woman Blodeuwedd, made out of flowers. When Blodeuwedd in love with another, he has her turned into an owl.   Re-enacting the story in modern times, teenager Alison and her family are spending a holiday in Wales when she and the housekeeper's son Gwyn find a curious dinner service in the attic, the plates decorated with a floral pattern that can also be seen as owls. Alison, her step-brother Roger and Gwyn find themselves drawn into the past love triangle, repeating the ancient legend associated with the mysterious, isolated valley where they are staying. Can they break the pattern and avoid tragedy?   'The Stone' Also among the stars of the exhibition, a large installation in stitched textile art sewn together by textile artist Jan Wallis depicts six women dancing (shades of Matisse!) around a circle of seated, enigmatic, stone-like figures, each interwoven with a poem. Jan will be at the Willow Gallery in person on Saturday 4 March at 2pm to talk about her work and read her poetry. The Coming of Archy Works exploring the 1927 book archy and mehitabel by Don Marquis , which remains in print today. It is from here that Judith Harrison, Maggie Furmanek, Bob Knowles and Sara Piper Heap have taken their inspiration and explored the characters such as Freddy the Rat, Pete the Parrot, a Boston terrier puppy and a great number of moths! Also on view Other highlights include a striking portrait of Dylan Thomas in characteristic pose, a number of mysterious birds, and a series of comic prints by archæological illustrator John G Swogger portraying Old Oswestry, including a topical representation of Oswestry Hill Fort, known to so many generations of Salopians but now endangered by deterioration and neglect. Alongside John's quirky illustrations with their wry touches of detail, Owen Sheers' poem 'The Hill Fort' ('Y Gaer'), which he calls 'a dialogue between poetry and place', paints in words the qualities of this wonderful archæological monument. Owen, named as one of the Independent Newspaper's top 30 young British writers, has published two poetry collections, 'The Blue Book' and 'Skirrid'.     April 22 – May 27 SPRING OPEN Our Spring Open exhibition is open to paintings, textiles, printmaking, batik, drawing, mixed media, sculpture – and perhaps some quite unexpected materials! Works may be submitted as a single piece or as a series.   Note to artists: We are filling up fast with entries and, if you would like to submit an application, please contact the Gallery (info@willowgalleryoswestry.org) for an entry form.    LIVE EVENTS     Saturday March 25 CHRIS QUINN Master of the acoustic guitar, quality songwriter and eloquently expressive vocalist Back at the Willow by popular demand, the Shrewsbury-based acoustic guitar virtuoso has gained a great deal of acclaim internationally and will present a varied and exciting repertoire ranging from evocative, old-school British and Irish folk to American roots – bluegrass, blues and swing - with many original compositions along the way.   Chris's own debut solo album, Across the Divide, has received overwhelming praise, gaining him ever more fans both here and abroad – so now is a very good time to come and see him play live.   Concert start time: 8pm Tickets: £10/5 (adult/child)   Friday April 7 THE FORGOTTEN TALES The stories that built the British Isles – fun for all ages Fast-paced, high-energy production performed by Parable Arts founder Jon Buckeridge who single-handedly brings some of Britain's most magical myths, legends and folk tales back to life, in a combination of storytelling, poetic verse and live music. Hilarious, heroic, heartbreaking, this is an evening of unique entertainment guaranteed to engage and enchant in equal measure. Start time: 8pm Tickets: £10/5 (adult/child)   TALKS Saturday March 11: 12 noon 'LITTLE TERNS AND SEA HOLLY' A talk by Judith Samuel Artist turns her keen eye on seabird colony… on the edge of Prestatyn   In her talk, Judith presents a vivid picture of the three summers she spent observing and painting endangered little terns on the sand and shingle dunes at Gronant Nature Reserve – the only place in Wales where little terms now breed.   Signed copies of Judith's informative book, which includes many captivating illustrations crafted in watercolour, will also be on sale on the day, price £10.   Talk start time: 12 noon Duration: 30-40 mins approx Admission: Free     CLASSES   LEARN TO LINDY HOP! Dance craze from way back and now enjoying a great revival…  Fun, friendly, invigorating classes for people of all ages, a fabulous way to have fun, meet new people and get fit. No partner required; all levels welcome. This should be on your must-do list!  Classes run on Monday evenings at the Willow Gallery's Dunbabin Room. Sessions begin at 7.30pm and cost just £3 per class.  For further information: Tel: 07980 291311 (Adie) or 07811 569529 (Bev) Facebook: Oswestry Lindy Hoppers     LEARN TO PLAY FOLK MUSIC IN A RELAXED AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE Tunes taught by ear – no need to read music  You will need your own instrument – fiddle, flute, whistle or mandolin. Beginners Class does require a basic knowledge of how to play your instrument; Improvers require a good knowledge, and Advanced is for students who have progressed through Improvers. Classes are held in Shrewsbury as well as in Oswestry. Courses run for seven weeks and cost £50 (advance booking is required).  For further information or to book: Tel: 07983 884411 (Diana Buckle) email: fiddleandflute@gmail.com     CRAFT FAIRS 2017 Are you a crafter looking to sell your handmade wares?   The Gallery provides a wonderful venue at the heart of Oswestry, and our aim is to offer an outlet for local craft-makers and for shoppers to find something special and thoughtfully made.   Saturday April 29 SPRING CRAFT FAIR   Saturday July 15 SUMMER CRAFT FAIR   Saturday October 21 AUTUMN CRAFT FAIR   Crafters are warmly invited to apply for a stall (info@willowgalleryoswestry.org). The price for a standard table remains the same at £35. Each day runs from 10am to 5pm (with set-up time from 8am).When booking, please ensure that you provide full contact details, including email.  Entry to our Craft Fairs is free of charge to the public – we like to encourage as many visitors as possible!     UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, SPRING-SUMMER 2017 Please check our website for full details, including information about what materials you may need to bring, or call into the Gallery.  Please note that courses previously listed and not appearing below are now fully subscribed.    Precision Drawing with Leo Donaghy A look at form, light, shade and composition: learn how to draw like the Masters Wednesday March 8 /15 /22 /29 (4 days in total) 9.30am – 1.30pm Fee: £85  Loose Oil Painting with Leo Donaghy Use oil paint in an expressive and loose way Wednesday April 5 /12 /19 /26 (4 days in total) 9.30am – 1.30 pm Fee: £85 Birds and Beautiful Creatures with Jenny O'Leary Create realistic or fantastic creatures using the technique of batik on tissue Saturday April 15 10am – 4pm Fee: £40 (including materials) Botanical Illustration 1 (CF305) with Tereska Shepherd Covering specific watercolour techniques to accurately depict botanical forms Monday May 8 /22 & June 12 /19 (4 days in total) 10am - 3.30pm  This Lifelong Learning course needs to be booked via Aberystwyth University (www.aber.ac.uk/en/lifelong-learning; 01970 621580)  Fee: £100 (£80 concessions)   Chinese Brush Painting with Leo Donaghy With just a few flicks of the brush, magical marks can become simple forms such as birds, plants, landscapes… Wednesday May 10 /17 /24 /31 (4 days in total) 9.30am – 1.30pm Fee: £85 Landscapes with Fabric Collage & Free Machine Embroidery with Suzette Smart  Take inspiration from the natural world whilst experimenting with fabric collage Saturday May 13 10am – 4pm Fee: £40 (bring your own materials) 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 (including materials – but bring your own image) Relief Modelling in Clay with Tony Meadows Using the flexible medium of ordinary modelling clay, this workshop will take you through the process of creating relief sculpture Weekend of June 3 & 4 (2-day course) 10am – 4pm Fee: £80 (all tools and materials provided – but bring your own image) Felt-making Seascape Scenes with Susan Mulcock Use a variety of wool fibres and fabrics to develop contract between shoreline, rock structure and sea Saturday June 10 10am -4pm Fee: £45 (including materials) 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 course) 10am - 4pm Fee: £105 (all tools, materials and a portrait model provided)   To contact the Willow Gallery: Tel: 01691 657575 email: info@willowgalleryoswestry.org Website: willowgalleryoswestry.org Address: 56 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1AD

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