Willow Gallery Spring Open Exhibition & March Newsletter

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Message from Willow Gallery, Oswestry

WILLOW GALLERY Oswestry   Newsletter March 2025 View this email in your browser

STEPHEN HOPPER Three Cliffs Bay, Gower Peninsula Pen and watercolour

Book launch for local author 26 March See below for details Spring Open Exhibition Until 26 April A dynamic and colourful exhibition showcasing all kinds of artwork to enjoy and purchase Art & Craft Workshops at the Gallery At our artist-led workshops, learn new skills or hone an existing one, try out different art materials and take time out with like-minded people.  Classes consist of small groups, ensuring that everyone receives plenty of individual attention and guidance. See our website for dates, full details and updates A WAY OF SEEING WITH REG TURRELL SUNRISE AND SILHOUETTES I don't know if it was just me, but I felt that over the last year the sky was often glowing with a more intense orange at sunrise and sunset. It seemed the sky was often brighter than usual, and the landscape was always in silhouette. At first, I didn't notice the outline of a house and the electricity pylon amongst the trees, pitch-black against the sky.    I dampened the paper and let orange watercolour spread downwards. Before the paint dried, FW acrylic orange and yellow ink was trickled down the damp paper. Granulation medium was used to spread the pigments.  I painted the foreground using indigo. For the trees, I used the edge of a credit card dipped in the same paint. I drew the twigs freely using a fine felt-tipped pen. MEET ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE KARL With a current focus on romantic narratives, landscapes and abstracts, Karl Robinson-Bray welcomes visitors to observe him working in the gallery. If you're after an artwork personal to you, Karl is also happy to work to commission: contact him at the gallery or via his website. JUDITH HARRISON Mixed-media artist Judith has recently has been working on a range of board games including, below, a variation of Snakes & Ladders. Says Judith: The inspiration for my work comes from the landscape and the plants, myths, stories and animals that frequent them. I begin with collage and then weave layers of texture and paint into the surface. I use a similar technique for preparing plates for collagraph prints. Beasts & Ladders Mixed-media board together with game pieces Book launch and tea at the Willow with Vicky Turrell Wednesday 26 March, 2pm Talk, readings, author signing All welcome – Free event   Says Vicky: My latest is a work of fiction dealing with the sometimes quite tricky subject of what happens when we retire - not always what we may think. I hope it's full of surprises, thought provoking and fun. The Rest is Life is published by Leaf by Leaf Press, a local co-operative of writers of which Vicky is one of the founding members.   . Spring Craft Fair Saturday 12 April Join us for the first of our three annual craft fairs, with lots of crafty people offering their crafts and talents for you to buy and enjoy. The craft fair is free to attend, so why not bring your family and friends to support local artists and makers.   Upcoming exhibitions Borderland Visual Arts & Open Studio Weekends Saturday 3 May–Saturday 28 June Showcasing artists from Oswestry and the surrounding area Open Studio Weekends Saturday 7 June & Sunday 8 June, Saturday 14 June & Sunday 15 June Go behind the scenes to see local artists at work in their studios, learn about different creative processes, and buy unique work directly from the artists. Saturday 5 July–Saturday 30 August An exhibition for established and emerging textile artists working with stitch, fabric and mixed media. This not-for-profit event creates an opportunity to exhibit alongside nationally and internationally renowned textile artists. Exhibitors will be part of a growing movement that is bringing fine-art textiles to a wider audience.   Click here to visit the Stich by Stitch website for full details regarding submissions. Some recent sales at the Gallery Other Local Events & Information Oswestry Cricket Club, Morda Road, Oswestry 7-9pm, Saturday 15 March An evening of folk music by local talented singers, songwriters and musicians, including performances from the Wilfred Owen String Quartet. Repair Café Oswestry & Borders Public Institute, Llanfyllin Saturday 8 March, 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. Please book your item in beforehand at osbordersrepaircafe@gmail.com, so organiser Elaine knows which experts to invite and what tools they need to bring. You can also bring your repairs to the Midweek Mend sessions at the Climate Action Hub in Oswestry's Bailey Street (Wednesdays 11am-2pm). Art World   Rembrandt: Masterpices in Black and White Prints from the Rembrandt House Museum  Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery 6 March - 1 June, Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm Bringing together intricate prints and etchings on tour from Rebrandt House Museum in the Netherlands. See the full range of Rembrandt's output along with some of those he influenced across the centuries. Rembrandt van Rijn: Self-Portrait, Wearing a Flat Cap Etching c1642 (detail) Scottish painter Jack Vettriano has died in Nice, aged 73   Perhaps best known for his painting The Singing Butler, Jack Vettriano was born in Fife in 1951. He left school at 15 and later became a mining engineer. For his 21st birthday, he was given a box of watercolour paints: from then on, he spent much of his spare time teaching himself to paint. He drew inspiration from works at Fife's Kirkcaldy Galleries, studying paintings by artists such as Samuel Peploe and William McTaggart. He applied to study fine art at the University of Edinburgh, but his portfolio was rejected. His breakthrough came in 1988 when he submitted two paintings to the Royal Scottish Academy's annual show. Both sold on the first day, inspiring him to become a full-time artist. He was derided by some critics (indeed by the art establishment in general who considered his art to be lacking depth and often sexist) but his works - capturing moments of intrigue, romance and nostalgia - became hugely popular with the public and led to exhibitions around the world. Collectors of his work include Alex Ferguson, Jack Nicholson, Terence Conran and Tim Rice. The Singing Butler The 1992 painting is among Vettriano's most famous works and shows an elegant couple dancing on a blustery beach whilst being serenaded by their servants as they shelter beneath umbrellas. The artwork became the UK's best-selling art print and set a Scottish record when it was sold at auction for £750,000 in 2004.   Bluebird at Bonneville This painting features the iconic Bluebird car on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on the occasion of Malcolm Campbell's final world land speed record in 1935. The Billy Boys The painting, inspired by a poster for the American crime drama Reservoir Dogs, first featured in an exhibition at Fife's Kirkcaldy Galleries where Vettriano sought inspiration as a young artist. 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 March 2025

News from Llanymynech Amateur Dramatic Society, tickets for sale

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Message from LADS

TICKETS NOW ONSALE   Performances Oswestry Senior Citizens Club Sunday 9th March 2025 14:30pm Llanymynech Village Hall Friday 14th March 2025 19:45pm Saturday 15th March 2025 19:45pm Sunday 16th March 2025 14:30pm *Please note Starfish contains some strong language BOOK TICKETS COMING SOON                                     IN TENTS is written by LADS member Keith Clarke and based on a true story about the disconnection between a bubbly lively intelligent girl and her family.  Reading and Casting Sessions Pant Village Hall on March 19th at 7.30 and Sunday 23rd at 2pm. There are 14 parts in total from 6 years old to 80!  We are looking for young actors who will portray the main two characters at the age of  10, 15, 17 and 23, Plus backstage and technical crew. Please come along and meet the team, if you can't make it and would like to be involved please drop us an email at ladstheatre@gmail.com The play was originally performed at The Theatre on the Steps in Bridgnorth in 2005 so this is the 20th anniversary.  The play will be performed at a few different venues at the beginning of June.

You can always contact us by phone - call Marg Kynaston on 01691 830558 Support Us Membership Fees for 2025 are now due If you have not yet renewed your membership please send your BACS payments to:  Sort code:  40-35-32, account number: 41283642 £20 per member (Under 16s £10) We know times are tough but the membership fees are vital for us to keep doing what we do, and covers exciting things like insurance etc. You will also receive discounts on drinks at productions, invites to workshops and discounted tickets for performances. If you would like information about The LADS' play readings and/or workshops just email ladstheatre@gmail.com and we will update your preferences to make sure you receive the information.

Talk on Offa & Wat`s Dykes - OBHAG

Dear Blogger

Message from Heather Hidden, OBHAG

Oswestry & Border History & Archaeology Group 

  Our next meeting is at the Methodist Church Hall, Castle Street SY11 1LF

Friday 14th March at 7.30 pm

'Wat's and Offa's Dykes, chronology and character'

With  Tim Malim, OBHAG President

Tim is currently Principal Archaeologist with the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust and the talk will draw on his extensive knowledge of both monuments. 

The talk will be preceded by a brief AGM.

      Entry:Visitors £5 Members £2  

Actors wanted for RATS spring production

Dear Blogger

Call for actors for

CASTING FOR RATS SPRING PRODUCTION 2025 - 16th March 2025

Ruyton XI Towns Parish Council March Agenda & February Minutes

Dear Blogger

Excellent news from the new locum Parish Clerk, Mr. C. Furnival, who has put the Parish Council agenda and minutes on the PC website.

See attached Agenda for the 4th March and Minutes of the meeting on 4th February.

Ruyton history society March talk - Battle of Shrewsbury

Dear Blogger

Message from Margaret L.

Ruyton XI Towns History Society

Talk by writer, historian, Blue Badge Guide, Dorothy Nicolle on:

"The Battle of Shrewsbury"

All welcome