Our friends in Hurst are staging an ambitious art show
A village’s annual art show will be its most ambitious yet with a dozen Thames Valley artists and makers offering a wide range of styles and media.
Water colourist and Twyford Studios member Liz Chaderton is organising the show in her village, Hurst, as part of Hurst Show and Country Fayre on June 28 and 29.
“Art should be an experience, it should inspire and entertain, so I wanted the show to offer something for everyone. From traditional to modern, the work on show and for sale ranges from large challenging abstracts, to beautiful still lifes, to very detailed pen and ink drawings.” she said.
“We have a couple of South African artists whose work is infused with the sun and smells of Africa. Gorgeous zebras will graze alongside Berkshire goats and cows for one weekend only. And the Scottish highlands will sit alongside the Thames Valley, in the landscapes.
“The artists include eight painters, two jewellers, a ceramicist and one who “upcycles” furniture, painting and decorating it in shabby-chic style. In fact reusing found objects is a theme which will run through much of the work.
“There will be demonstrations of work in progress, as well as a chance to get your hands mucky in clay and maybe have a go at jewellery making.
“The fact that all twelve are from Twyford, Hurst, Maidenhead and Wokingham shows how diverse and exciting the art scene is in this area. Many took part in the Wokingham and Henley art trails.”
The art show is at Hurst Village Hall 11am to 5pm on the Saturday and 11am to 4pm on the Sunday.
Liz, a copywriter by profession, is inspired to create her watercolours by the farmyard animals and fowl, flowers and plants, which she keeps or grows on her allotment, in her garden or, she says, “on my imaginary smallholding.”
A very real addition flew in to her garden this week, an exhausted racing pigeon which collapsed in just the right place. “I rescued it from being pecked by our chickens, evicted the guinea pigs from their run and tucked it away to recover.
“Fortunately the pigeon’s leg ring gave its Cambridgeshire owner’s telephone number. The owner has arranged for a courier to pick it up. I had no idea there are specialist couriers who do this,” said Liz.
Hurst Show details are at www.HurstShow.org.uk
The twelve artists and makers are:
Sarah Abell / www.sarahceramics.co.uk
Liz Chaderton / www.lizchaderton.co.uk
Carol Cox / carolcoxartbycarolcox.blogspot.co.uk
Natalie Hazell / www.truelavenderblue.co.uk
Jayne Leighton Herd / www.originalabstractpaintings.com
Elaine Martin / www.artclaysilverstudio.com
Maria Meerstadt / www.mariameerstadt.com
Michael Restrick / www.124studios.co.uk
Christine Rogers / www.artmachine.co.uk
Jane Stewart / www.art-epona.com
Linda Tyler / www.lindatyler.co.uk
Natalie Venter / www.songololoart.com
Twyford Studios 