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The Walsham Arts and Craft Group are a small group of artists and makers who live in and around Walsham le Willows. Organisational tasks and expenses are shared among the group members.

The group holds an annual exhibition in the Priory Room in November starting with a private viewing followed by three days of public exhibition. Admission is free.

The group produces ceramics, glass, jewellery, batik, metalwork, photography, printmaking and paintings in oil, watercolour, pastel and gouache and all members are pleased to accept commissions.

Exhibition space is limited, therefore only one guest artist can be accommodated each year and given the number of applicants only those living or working in Walsham le Willows can be considered. 

At the annual meeting in January, one guest artist is selected for the following November exhibition. If you would like to apply to become the next guest artist for one year, please prepare your application with your name, postal address, phone number and the medium you work in. We would like to see examples of your work, either images sent by email or prints to the address at the top of the page and a short statement which describes your work.

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The Artists and Craftspeople…

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Joke Ayres – Enamelled Jewellery

“I make enamelled jewellery. Enamelling is the process of fusing glass onto metal either by torch or in a kiln at about 750-800 degrees centigrade. I enjoy experimenting with colour and patterns.”

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Gillian Crossley Holland – Painting with oil pastels

Gillian enjoys painting the fens of Lopham and Redgrave and the salt marshes and empty coasts of north Norfolk.

In her work Gillian is intrigued by crossing places, reversals and in particular, those views when the earth is no more than a mirror to the sky, she often explores these themes and plays with composition, light and reflections.

Gillian works in oil pastels, which allow her to instantly build up layers and textures and even, as illustrated here, create a monoprint from a painting started in Lopham Fen.

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Diana Chapman – Oil Paintings on Board

Having recently moved back to her home county, Diana is developing her painting to reflect the Suffolk landscape. She enjoys walking through it, of feeling the wind in her face and experiencing all weathers, changing light, skies and colours of the natural world .  She loves to share this with others through her art. She works quickly and in the moment. She also produces unusual Christmas and greetings cards. 

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Alison Dane – Jewellery

“I take my inspiration from the colours in the Suffolk countryside and my work reflects the changing seasons. As a keen photographer and gardener, I record the changes around me and enjoy experimenting with the interaction of colour. The colours in my pieces are enhanced and changed, showing versatility when worn with a variety of outfits, both formal and casual. My necklaces and earrings are lightweight, colourful, easy to wear and long lasting and I enjoy developing pieces to reflect the seasons and colours in the High Street.”

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Helen Dougall – Batik and paintings in gouache

“I paint and draw directly from observation, out in the open, in an effort to capture the complete essence of sea and landscape.

I use batik, (the craft of painting wax to resist dye) to describe different textures of surfaces.”

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Chris Evans – Etching

“As a freelance illustrator the majority of my work was figurative. Now by contrast, I explore landscape and architecture in my prints. My favourite subjects are coastal scenes especially the variety of shipping from rowing boats to huge container ships.”

“Holiday sketches in Italy, France and the British Isles are all sources of inspiration. Etching is my favourite medium but I also like drypoint and collagraphs”.

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Hilary Evans – Printmaking

“I worked as a freelance illustrator before exploring the pleasures and surprises of printmaking. The inspiration for my prints comes from the variety of the natural world, building structures and landscapes. I love colour and patterns and printing gives me the opportunity to explore different colour combinations, consequently I rarely edition my work”.

“Mixes for this weaving developed from a small early autumn field which had been sown with sunflowers, Phacelia and other nectar rich, bee friendly plants. The colours were soft but luminous and the field was buzzing in the sunshine with the bees doing their vital work”.

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Gill Grimes – Hand-spinner and knitter

“I learnt to spin and use natural dyes when my children left home. I found it a fascinating hobby. I, also, started knitting. As my husband was exceptionally tall and could never get socks long enough to wear for walking or fishing, I knitted him a pair with a fancy top. I now knit jumpers, hats, scarves etc. in my hand-spun wool but stick to commercial wool, (due to washing) for all my socks.”

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Mandy Jaggard – Cast glass

“My recent work has focused on the properties of water, and particularly of the perpetual flow of a river. I like the way glass can replicate both what’s on the surface and below it at the same time. Because of the depth of material that is available when casting glass into a transparent solid, I love exploring what’s above and below the surface. I find the subject matter of an otter interesting because it is a creature that inhabits both worlds at once: it sees both, therefore I have shown it as we see it best, at the water’s surface.”

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Peter Rudderham – Metalworker

“I design and make unique metal sculpture and apply artistic techniques to the production of functional items such as gates, weather vanes, arches etc. I am also developing an unusual method of picture painting.”

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Mary-Jane Toulson – Weaver

Mary Jane weaves hard-wearing floor rugs using wool and jute. Each one is unique, with colour contrasts and blends being her speciality.

She, also weaves small-scale pictorial wall hangings using hand-spun wool and natural dyes.

“The importance of bees has been so much in the news recently as pollinators for the successful growth of our food crops and all living plants. Many of the ideas for my rugs and wall hangings come from nature, and the inspiration for the colour”.

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Rob Wheeler – Potter

“Some of my work has its roots in nature. The forms and textures often taking their inspiration from fossils and sea life. Classic Chinese forms such as balluster vases are also an influence. Roman and Greek shapes and decoration are also an influence.

Most of this work is produced in white earthenware and then put through the Raku process. Some of the more sculptural work is fired to stoneware.

Antiquities are also an area of interest and I enjoy using influences of Greek and Roman pots.

I also produce a variety of  blue and white earthenware and honey glazed commemorative slipware plates. Commissions are always welcomed.”

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Other works by the same artists

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