Aylesbury centre opens Bucks Arts Weeks with new exhibition
7 artists will be exhibiting their work at Queens Park Arts Centre in BAW
Bucks Arts Week has begun with venues like QPAC in Aylesbury opening new exhibitions.
A range of artwork will be on display at Aylesbury's Queens Park Arts Centre this June, as the venue welcomes seven different artists to its Artisan Exhibition space as part of Bucks Art Weeks 2021.
The work will include ceramics, jewellery, landscapes, and abstract art from some of the best local artists and makers.
There'll be plenty of ceramics on display too, including work from QPAC's own pottery technician Charlie Butters and tutor Helen Neighbour, who will also be exhibiting her paintings.
Charlie explained what BAW is and why it's so important:
"Bucks Arts Week is an opportunity for Buckinghamshire's community of artists to celebrate the areas creative spirit.
"It gives people the chance to visit artst's studios, see work being made, talk with the artists and maybe buy an item.
"I hope people will come along and enjoy the experience its a very important event for the area and has been part of the cultural scene for many years now.
"We suffered a bit of a hit over the last year but we have bounced back but we are really looking forward to showing people the cultural and artistic value of Buckinghamshire artists.
"And there might even be cake."
Alongside Charlie is Adam Hoyle, a ceramic artist who loves all aspects of working with clay. Adam's work experiments with different forms from fine porcelain through black and white stoneware to bold raku fired pieces. Alongside his thrown and pierced range of baskets and vases, he creates innovative Raku fired interactive light sculptures.
Another QPAC tutor - Susie Upstone - will be exhibiting a range of contemporary jewellery. Susie took up the creative arts at the age of fifty, attending regular classes at QPAC before becoming a volunteer tutor. Her work demonstrates a love of experimenting with new techniques.
Landscape art comes courtesy of Liz Cotgreave, who'll be displaying her large charcoal and pastel drawings, prints and photographic work. In addition to exhibiting, Liz will be setting up her easel on site demonstrating her approach to landscapes. Visitors will also be able to view her sketchbooks and works-in-progress when visiting.
Finally, stonemason Freya Morris will be exhibiting her sculptural work, carved primarily from limestone and inspired by architectural or naturalistic forms:
"Having worked for 25 years in various Local Authorities as a Listed Building/Conservation Areas Officer, I recently decided to take the plunge and leave my job and retrain as a stonemason.
"I am currently in my second year studying for a Diploma in Stonemasonry at Moulton College in Northampton. I have been lucky enough to gain work experience with Alex Wenham, a stone carver based in Oxford and, over the last year have worked with him on projects at Eton College, Windsor and Magdalen College, Oxford. I have recently had two of my pieces accepted in the in the Worshipful Company of Mason's Second Annual Exhibition".
Bucks Art Weeks takes place every year. The event sees hundreds of artists open up their studios to visitors, as well as established venues such as QPAC putting on special collections from the best local talent.
QPAC's artistic director Sarah Lewis is excited to be open for this years event:
"We're delighted with our eclectic mix of artists for this year's event.
"There's a wonderful mix of in-house talent and fresh faces exhibiting here for the first time. We're sure there'll be something to inspire everyone and can't wait to welcome visitors when the collection opens later this month."
QPAC's Bucks Art Weeks exhibition is free-to-view and runs until 27th June.