UK Archives - Salcombe Art

16 July 2018 In Art

Postcard from Grange-over-Sands: The Fishing Hut

Photo: Roger Emmott

Anne and I had occasion recently to drive north to Grange-over-Sands to attend the annual dinner of my Old Boys’ Association.

The event should have happened in March – when we were snowed in and couldn’t have attended – but, luckily, it was postponed and the weather, and therefore driving conditions, couldn’t have been better.

Positively palatial …

We stayed at the Netherwood Hotel, a magnificent building set in beautiful grounds, only minutes walk from the Promenade.

Our room was the one just above the main entrance, to the right. It was positively palatial …

This annual event is held in various parts of the UK, according to the wishes of the incoming President. When it was my turn, we chose Leamington Spa, hoping its position would attract OMs from all parts of the UK.

Photo: Roger Emmott

It’s quite a trek from Devon to Grange-over-Sands; over 7 hours driving, but worth it to meet up with old friends and to welcome the new President of the Association.

This is us, surrounded by friends at the dinner on Saturday evening.

And as the photo shows, the hotel was the perfect setting for a dinner for so many of us. The men would normally have been wearing their suit jackets but, in the heat, the President suggested we removed them. The ladies just glowed …

In search of art

Because we arrived mid-afternoon on Friday and ventured out with little time to spare, we only managed to discover an amazing tea shop – Hazelmere – where we indulged ourselves with a posh afternoon tea.

If you are ever passing, make a point of dropping in. They serve wonderful sausage rolls and their millionaire’s shortbread is delicious.

But what about the art?

Art on the Promenade

On Saturday morning, we set off, determined to see the sights and find out what happens art-wise in Grange-over-Sands.

We walked the length of the Promenade, enjoyed the views and took lots of photos. And, we found the Fishing Hut …

What is the Fishing Hut?

The Fishing Hut is a handcrafted travelling gallery shed, created by artists Hannah Fox and John Fox, and inspired by Morecambe Bay Partnership’s oral history project collecting memories of the Bay’s fishing industry for future generations.

By luck, it was at the Grange Promenade on that day and when we walked past, Hannah was in attendance.

Hannah invited us to step inside to enjoy a kaleidoscope of short animated films, small illustrated stories, and artifacts that explore and celebrate the culture and heritage of the Fishing communities around the Bay. On that very hot summer’s day, it was also a delight to retreat into the cool shaded interior!

Hannah explained the history of the Fishing Hut, and its purpose and we came away – cooler and wiser – with some treasures:

Three beautifully designed newspapers created by Morecambe artist Kate Drummond. They bring together stories and quotes from the archive with illustrations and fishing imagery.
Sets One and Two of John Fox’s illustrated stories.

The inspiration and source of material for these emanate from interviews conducted as part of Morecambe Bay Partnership’s oral history project 2015-18 collecting memories of the Bay’s fishing communities for future generations.

My favourite John Fox story is Salmon in the Pram.

Having just recently scattered the ashes of Anne’s Dad out to sea, the tale of Mrs Butterworth and the salmon as big as a submarine made us smile.

The Fishing Hut will appear at various coastal locations around Morecambe Bay.

Sunday 5 August at Make My Day Festival, Morecambe
Monday 6 August at Heysham Head

For more information about the Morecambe Bay Partnership, and the Fishing Hut, visit Hannah’s website www.hannahonthehill.co.uk.

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling.

27 November 2017 In Art

Postcard from London: Tate Britain at Millbank

No visit to London would be complete without a visit to Tate Britain. Anne and I traveled up by train on Thursday and had a whirlwind of meetings and reunions before we returned late on Saturday. But, we made sure we had time to fit in one gallery and, this is me, on a bitterly cold but sunny morning, on the steps of Tate Britain.

Tate Britain

What’s on at Tate Britain?

Tate Britain at Millbank is, as ever, currently running several exhibitions and offering talks and other events:

Art in Focus: Horse Frightened by a Lion – until 30 November 2017
Rachel Whiteread – until 21 January 2018
Art Now: Marguerite Humeau: Echoes – until 15 April 2018

As luck would have it, and it was our preference, the one to catch our eye was the EY Exhibition ‘Impressionists in London Curator’s Tour’.

On at Tate Britain: EY Exhibition ‘Impressionists in London Curator’s Tour’

Having visited the Musée D’Orsay when we were in Paris, and sent a postcard from there, we have an ongoing love for the Impressionist movement.

My knowledge about the influx to the UK, as a result of the French-German conflict in 1870 or thereabouts, and the subsequent domestic political turmoil was only very sketchy. However, it clearly had an impact on the artist fraternity who had fled to the UK and, to our delight, there were paintings of Molesey, Hampton Court and Kew Gardens.

Many of the work on display, it would appear, were on loan from the Musée D’Orsay. We didn’t mind seeing them again!

Time was limited but I treated myself to an early Christmas gift: a hard back version of the exhibition catalogue. It’s a beautiful book, with hundreds of images and fact-filled accounts for each one. Edited by Caroline Corbeau-Parsons, it’s a delight to read.

Highlights of our visit to Tate Britain

Of the paintings we saw, one of my favourites is Sisley: The Regatta at Molesey 1874

And another Sisley: The Bridge at Hampton Court, Mitre Inn 1874. Both remind me of childhood haunts!

Tate Britain

The exhibition also includes many views of the Thames and its bridges. Lots by Turner …

When does the Impressionist exhibition end?

This exhibition continues until 7 May 2108 and is well worth a visit.

This post is one of my POSTCARD series, sharing all things ART with you when I go travelling.

29 September 2017 In Art

SHAF Arts Trail: Jean Fenton

Jean Fenton is one of 60 artists opening their studios for the SHAF Arts Trail. Jean – together with Cally Gooding, Peter Truscott and Jackie Richardson – will be exhibiting at Avon Mill, in the Upper Cafe.

WHAT IS THE SHAF ARTS TRAIL?

Jean Fenton SHAF The South Hams Arts Forum (SHAF) is a lively, actively engaged association of artists and craftspeople from across the region. Over the past decade, SHAF has regularly staged a number of exhibitions in the South Hams, and is glad to announce that the annual Arts Trail has this year been extended to include the Half-Term week and will run from October 14th – October 29th in most venues.

SHAF membership is extremely diverse, so while some artists create in purpose-built studios, others produce their work at the kitchen table. Consequently, the Arts Trail will lead visitors to some artists working in their home studios and to others exhibiting in galleries and exhibition halls.

At each venue, visitors will find artists happy to discuss their art-form, explain the processes involved and provide the opportunity to view, appreciate and buy unique pieces of work.

Following the Arts Trail also gives visitors an unusual opportunity to explore the glorious South Hams as they map their route and discover more and more artists’ venues (as well as cream tea venues).

Jean Fenton SHAF

Meet Jean Fenton, Artist

Jean is a textile artist, living on the edge of Dartmoor in the beautiful rolling hills of the South Hams in Devon, UK.

Jean has a fascination for natural landforms and studied Geological Science at Plymouth University. Her work reflects her deep love of nature and her local landscape and she is inspired by her physical surroundings.

Jean hand dyes all her fibres, giving her the specific palette she wants and allowing her to be creative with fibres from local sheep grazing in Devon and Cornwall. Afterwards, she stitches her pieces to reflect the distant hills and tors of Dartmoor.

Meet Jean Fenton, Tutor

Jean Fenton SHAF Jean offers workshops, via the www.kaeravelkrafts.co.uk website, on how to use a spinning wheel, drop spinning, silk fusion, circle weaving, needle felting and wet felting.

These workshops cost from £15 upwards.

Courses can be tailored to suit – up to 30 people, all ages.

Materials are also available: pure wool skeins, spindles, and kits, fibres for adding texture and a whole lot else besides.

FROM THE BROCHURE, PAGE 13

SHAF Arts Trail brochures are available in libraries, information centres and many other places in the South Hams. There are 18 SHAF Arts Trail venues, each with one or more artists displaying their work and available for you to see them at work, and to answer your questions.

In case you can’t get your hands on a copy, here are the details for Jean Fenton’s venue in Loddiswell– and the opening times.

This venue is being shared by four artists: Jean Fenton, Cally Gooding, Peter Truscott and Jackie Richardson.

HOW TO CONTACT Jean Fenton

You can contact Jean by email at jeanfenton@live.co.uk or call her on 01364 649444 or visit her website: www.kaeravelkrafts.co.uk

INTERESTED IN JOINING SHAF?

Visit the SHAF website for more details.