Message from Tereska at the Willow Gallery, Oswestry.
WHAT'S ON AT THE WILLOWOur programme from April – Summer 2017
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. Also browse our gift shop for something extra-special to give (or to keep!)
Also on-site, the family- and wheelchair-friendly Willow Eatery is an ideal place for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea or even a private party.
Gift vouchers are available at the Gallery. Booking a place for a friend on one of our artist-run workshops can also make an original and rewarding gift – or treat a music-loving friend or family member to a ticket for one of our live music events.
Our full programme of exhibitions, workshops, music nights and craft fairs now runs through into September, 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.
Easter weekend: The Gallery will be open on Good Friday this year. The Eatery will be closed on that day.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
EXHIBITIONS
LIVE EVENTS
CRAFT FAIRS
WORKSHOPS
CLASSES
CONTACT US
OF SPECIAL NOTE
Friday April 7
'THE FORGOTTEN TALES'
The stories that built the British Isles – a show for all the family
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 enthral in equal measure.
Tickets: £10/5 (adult/child)
Start time: 8pm
Licensed bar open all evening
Find out more at www.theforgottentales.com
Until April 15
'PAINTING WITH WORDS' - EXHIBITION ENDING SOON
Fabulous felines, a talking raven, exquisite and enigmatic porcelain owls, Oswestry's past told in cartoons, haunting words carved in stone…
Special-themed exhibition focuses upon the influence and inspiration of literature and language within the visual arts – ranging from the light-hearted and playful to the dark and mysterious.
Many works are for sale – making this an idea opportunity to buy a gift for someone special.
Saturday April 8
'THE STONES'
A talk by Jan Wallis
An intriguing installation by textile artist Jan Wallis depicts six joyously-expressive dancers (echoes of Matisse) encircling a group of seated, stone-like figures. Stitched into these enigmatic figures are poems that tell a story. Jan will be here in person to talk about her work and read her poetry.
Admission: Free
Start time: 2pm
LOOKING FOR A VENUE TO PRESENT YOUR WORK?
Please be aware that our Gallery, independently of our main exhibitions, provides additional wall-hanging space with adjustable lighting for individual artists to exhibit their works. Currently on show are a selection of original paintings and limited-edition prints by talented Latvian artist Dzintra Bernsaida who now lives locally and derives inspiration from a variety of media, and a quartet of oil paintings of bright springtime flowers (very seasonal!) by Cheshire artistChristine Oliphant. Please contact us for availability and rates.
Saturday April 29
APRIL CRAFT FAIR
Local artists and craftspeople sell their wares, from furniture and ceramics to jewellery and silk…always a popular event
Further details below
UPCOMING AT THE WILLOW
EXHIBITIONS
April 22 – May 27
SPRING OPEN
Art lovers will not want to miss our Spring Open exhibition that will include paintings, textiles, sculpture and photographs. The Willow welcomes an exhibition by a group of Aberystwyth Illustrators, an informal collective of creative artists based in or with connections to North Ceredigion. Also the welcomed return of the Fiesty Felters a group of gifted felt artists and we will also be exhibiting works by young artists new to the Gallery. Full exihibiton details coming soon.
June 3 – July 1
BORDERLAND VISUAL ARTS (BVA)
BVA are a group of artists who live in and around Oswestry. The exhibition 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
Open Studios provides an opportunity for the public to meet local artists in their own studios and see work-in-progress and how they develop their various art forms. Studios will be open over the weekends of June 10/11 and June 17/18 between 10am and 5pm. Trail maps will be 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.
LIVE EVENTS
Saturday April 22
FB POCKET ORCHESTRA
In the unique setting of the Willow, music and art combine to create a special atmosphere and a night not to be missed…Vintage dress is optional!
Be transported back in time to an era of hot jazz, ragtime, swing dance, glitz and glamour. The FB Pocket Orchestra evokes the sounds of warm Italian streets and 1920s/30s French cafés on a summer evening, giving half-forgotten classic tunes a new and engaging interpretation.
All the way from Southampton, the FB Pocket Orchestra features excellent musicianship and rich acoustic sounds, with Jenny Russell (clarinet, vocals and reeds), Oliver Corbin (cornet, tuba, accordion and bass) and Paul Stevenson (guitar and percussion).
Tickets: £10/5 (adult/child)
Concert start time: 8pm
Pre-concert meals served between 6 & 7pm (please pre-book), and the bar is open all evening.
Friday May 5
'A PLAY ON WORDS'
We welcome the Time Flies Theatre Company to regale us with an evening of poetry, fun and food for thought – where time will fly!
New works by Shropshire poets Owen Lewis, David Wright and David Phillips are presented by the company's resident actors. Accompanied by original music, the show explores issues in our lives in a way that is accessible, funny, interesting and poignant.
'Sandwiched' into the middle of the show will be an 'open-mic' slot where you are invited to read your own work (even if you have never read a poem in public before)! Local poets wishing to participate should contact Owen Lewis at owjlous51@aol.com before the event.
Specialising in bringing theatre to audiences in small, intimate and sometimes unconventional settings, Time Flies are fast garnering a faithful following, engaging with poetry lovers right across the county.
Tickets: £8.00
Start time: 7.30pm
Saturday May 20
MACIEK PYSZ and GIANLUCA CORONA
Outstanding Polish-born jazz musician, guitarist and composer with Italian classical guitarist Gianluca Corona
Further details to follow
Saturday June 17
BEN HOLDER and STUART CARTER-SMITH
Dynamic gypsy jazz musicians
Further details to follow
Friday July 21
GREN BARTLEY BAND
An evening of folk and world music performed by guitarist and prolific songwriter Gren Bartley with string accompaniment
Further details to follow
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, if you would like to apply for a stall, please contact us on 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 is free to the public.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND COURSES
Led by a variety of artist-tutors, workshops are a great opportunity to experiment with a range of art techniques, explore creativity and learn new skills.
Unless otherwise stated, workshops are held at the Willow Gallery's Dunbabin Room. 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.
Birds & 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 – but please bring images of interesting birds/animals/creatures – realistic or imaginary!)
Botanical Illustration 1 (CF305) with Tereska Shepherd
Covering specific watercolour techniques to accurately depict botanical forms
Monday May 8 /22 & June 12 /19 (4 sessions)
10am - 3.30pm
Venue: School of Lifelong Learning, Aberystwyth (please book this Lifelong Learning course through 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 + June 7 (4 sessions)
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 (materials provided – but please bring your own image)
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 course)
10am – 4pm
Fee: £80 (all tools and materials provided – 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 course)
10am - 4pm
Fee: £105 (all tools, materials and a portrait model provided)
CLASSES
LEARN TO LINDY HOP!
Dance craze from way back now enjoying a great revival…
Friendly, invigorating classes for people of all ages, a fabulous way to have fun, meet new people and get fit. All levels welcome; no partner needed! 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 FRIENDLY, RELAXED 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 your instrument; Improvers require a good knowledge; Advanced is for students who have progressed through Improvers. Courses run for seven weeks and cost £50 (advance booking is required).
Oswestry classes
Tuesday April 25 – Tuesday 13 June
Beginners Plus: 5.30-6.30pm
Improvers: 6.45-7.45pm
Advanced: 8-9pm
Half-term: Monday May 29 / Tuesday May 30
'I love this course. For years I'd been trying to find a way of learning folk tunes properly, and it's lots of fun. I've met some talented people and made some good friends. I almost feel like a musician!' Helen [whistle]
For further information or to book:
Tel: 07983 884411 (Diana Buckle)
email: fiddleandflute@gmail.com
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