Gemma Lessinger

CASTLE BUDE Overlooking the stunning Summerleaze beach in Bude, the light and airy galleries at The Castle host a regularly changing exhibition programme showcasing the talents of local West Country artists, crafts people and community groups. The Willoughby Gallery is building a reputation for quality exhibitions that are both inspirational and enjoyable. Situated within the Grade II listed Castle is Café Limelight, serving drinks, light lunches and cakes daily throughout the year. The Café enjoys panoramic views from the conservatory room towards Bude Canal, the harbour and right out to the Atlantic Ocean. For more information, visit www.thecastlebude.co.uk or check out our Facebook page for regular updates.

Open 10-4pm, free admission The Castle, Bude Cornwall, EX23 8LG T: 01288 357300 The Castle is a Covid-secure site.

SUE READ

On the north coast of Cornwall Sue’s barn studio is just outside of Bude. Cool contemporary seascapes in oils and acrylics on board canvas and aluminium. Coastal views, wave and beach studies. Sue’s work is vibrant and full of movement. Make a visit to Sue’s working studio and gallery where she loves to talk about her art. Please contact her first by email or phone. Commissions and large scale canvas prints for individuals, hotels and interior designers also available.

The Mill Barn, Wooda Farm, Poughill , Bude EX23 9HJ T 07935100950 E suereadart@gmail.com W: www.sueread.co.uk suereadart

ZEBEDIAH’S ART AND CRAFT COLLECTIVE

Zebediah’s Art and Craft Collective at 5 Church Street has now been running successfully more than 3 years and has become an attractive addition to the town. It’s also a positive example of what can be achieved when a group of people co-operate and work together. There is a monthly featured artist wall where they invite a local artist to exhibit in their gallery room and one month per year they invite budding artists from 8-16 yrs to exhibit and even sell their handmade crafts and let them enjoy being part of this creative setting.

Above: ‘Light’ Oil on Board by Richard Hudson

Opening times. Mon-Sat 10-5 August and December Sundays as well

T: 01566 249305 E: zebediahsart@gmail.com W: zebediahs.wixsite.com/art-and-craft Zebediahs5 CLAUDIA HOCKING Marine life is a constant source of inspiration for Claudia: She lives on the coast and is married to a fisherman, the colour and character of the daily catch is an aspect of Cornish life that she lives and breathes. Giving new life to old surfboards destined for landfill, is a fresh concept for her art - like fish, surfboards are shaped for ease of movement through water so it seems a natural partnership to explore creatively. Using multiple layers of colour and texture, she employs original techniques to create distinctive pieces of art that make a dramatic statement as a single piece or, as a collective ‘shoal’. Examples of her work can be seen at her gallery by appointment only, or at The Beach Hut, Watergate.

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A GREAT ESCAPE ART Stuart Law is a painter, textile designer and printer. He is a member of the East Cornwall Society of Artists who exhibit from the Ebenezer Gallery, Polperro. His own company, ‘A Great Escape Art’, exhibits across the county and has its own web gallery and online shop. Stuart’s themes are wide ranging including rivers and woodlands, coastal scenes, the moors and flowers. His website includes acrylic and watercolour paintings, limited edition silk scarves, Gyotaku fish monoprints, lino cuts, mugs, coasters, greetings cards, archival watercolour paper and canvas prints & demonstration videos. Commissions are also available. For exhibition dates please see the website.

W: agreatescapeart.net T: 07544703540 agreatescapeart agreatescapeart Pinterest: Stuart Law, A Great Escape Art

LOSTWITHIEL

A picturesque and ancient stannary town situated in a wooded valley, Lostwithiel’s architecture, historical sites and reputation as Cornwall’s capital for antique gems and vintage goods makes it the perfect off the beaten track destination to discover a wealth of Cornish history. From the stunning ruins of Restormel Castle (which will be open from early August, with a ticket booking system and reduced capacity) to enjoying views of the river from the iconic Tudor Bridge, Lostwithiel’s vibrant local community and stunning features makes this one of Cornwall’s ultimate creative corners.

MEET THE MAKER

Like the unstoppable motions of decay, erosion and growth, everything Lynne Speake does evolves organically. Taking her inspirations from the natural world’s ever-changing processes, Lynne’s ceramics and sculptural jewellery have an ethereal ruggedness to them, bringing together delicate ceramic forms with rich earth textures and colours.

Lynne’s ceramic work manifests itself in two factions. Firstly, is Precious Collective, an online Instagram group that brings together art jewellery. With wearable sculptures one of Lynne’s key crafts, she wanted to create a presence in Cornwall for likeminded makers, but Lynne soon discovered a vast array of talented craftspeople working in the field. Precious Collective now has 200 members worldwide and over 10,000 followers. The group recently opened their third group show, exhibiting in Lille, France.

“My [normally] large wearable sculptures are created from all the things I find when walking my dogs and also in Gweek boatyard where I live on our 100-year-old Looe Lugger. I love making these recycled statement piece and initially I used porcelain paperclay as a central element.”

It was through her love of creating wearable art, that Lynne soon found her second creative outlet, Fragile Earth Ceramics.

“During a mentoring scheme with artist Zoe Robertson at Cultivator Cornwall, I realised that I loved working with porcelain paperclay,” Lynne explains, “so it seemed a natural progression for the ceramics to become pieces in their own right. I still do combine them into the art jewellery, but this is becoming less of an occurrence.”

LYNNE SPEAKE

Finding the forgiving nature of porcelain pipeclay advantageous to her delicately inclined designs, Lynne is able to create thin, intricate works that are both sturdy and stable.

“When I’m working on surface decoration, I enter into a totally immersive state…” Lynne says. “I am totally absorbed by the textures, the marks, the shapes and to some degree the colour, although it’s strange as I’m a big fan of colour, but with my ceramics I have a very strong desire to restrict my palette to black, which and grey – the brown in the pieces comes out during firing.

“Individual pieces determine how they want to be, they have their own spirit, sometimes it’s a bit sad when something that was starting to look extra striking breaks after many hours of working, but that doesn’t seem to happen too often and I feel that what emerges is always meant to be.”

As Lynne continues to balance two disciplines, she regularly returns to painting, her newfound textures and influences coming together to create a cohesive style that allows each piece to sing in individuality,

“I really can’t do work that is a production line of identical pieces – I am always trying to seek out new adventures and ways of working – keeping everything fresh. So, it is a total love of the making process and going on new journeys with my materials that drives me onwards.”

You can find out more at www.lynnespeake.com/ fragileearthceramics

EXCLUSIVE

THE SHIPWRECK TREASURE MUSEUM

An integral part of Charlestown’s heritage and history is the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, which holds over 8,000 treasures from 150 shipwrecks, one of the largest private collections of shipwreck artefacts in Europe. Set in this historic and atmospheric harbour, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, a visit to this recently re-opened centre offers an abundance of fascinating and captivating discoveries. Having re-opened their doors on July 4th, the site will be operating a one-way system to allow easy navigation for its visitors and social distancing.

For more information, opening times and prices, visit www. shipwreckcharlestown. co.uk

THE OLD WORKSHOP

The Old Workshop is a wonderful historic building situated next to the main car park at Charlestown near St Austell. Converted from an old gunpowder store, after extensive refurbishment, it houses three very interesting businesses. ‘The Craft Kiln’ is a showcase for Cornish Crafts, where you can meet the makers and purchase a unique handmade gift. ‘Cscape Art’ is the gallery and studio of artist, Sarah Blakey, and her photographer husband, Mick. Here you can meet the artist and perhaps invest in an original painting or photographic print. ‘Sail Loft Emporium’ houses a fine array of antiques, collectables, vintage and retro items. Around 50 cabinets and stalls all under one roof.

Please see website for this year’s opening hours

The Old Workshop, Charlestown Road, St. Austell, Cornwall, PL25 3NJ T: 01726 66639 E: mail@cscapeart.co.uk W: www.theoldworkshopcharlestown.co.uk Top: The Old Workshop, Charlestown Left: Ceramics by Brenda Downing Right: ‘Crosswind Sailing’ by Sarah Blakey.

MID-CORNWALL GALLERIES

Mid-Cornwall Galleries was established in 1980 and is one of the largest and most respected retailers of contemporary arts and crafts in the West Country. Housed in a former Victorian school and located on the A390 east of St Austell, it’s just a stone’s throw from the Eden Project, Charlestown and Fowey. You’ll find outstanding paintings, etchings, ceramics, hand blown glass, jewellery, woodwork, prints and metalwork as well as many other wonderfully made pieces. They also stock a large selection of cards and gift wrap. Visit them today to purchase some of the finest original artwork in the country!

Open: Monday to Saturday. Wheelchair access on request.

Mid-Cornwall Galleries St Blazey Gate Par, PL24 2EF T: 01726 812131

E: info@midcornwallgalleries.co.uk W: www.midcornwallgalleries.co.uk

MidCornwallGalleries midcornwallgalleries MidCornwallGall

Top: Polridmouth Cove, Lucy Davies Bottom left: Bouquet, John Maltby Bottom right: Black Headed Gull, Dean Patman

EXCLUSIVE

EDEN PROJECT ART MAP

World-renowned Eden Project is certainly a must-visit, for both locals and visitors alike, as well as the stunning biomes to explore, it has also become an established host to many national and international artists across its 30 acre site, there’s plenty of room for a broad range of installations. The Eden Project has created an Art Guide and map of the estate so you can spend a whole day perusing the residents’ work. You can download the guide before you go from the website. Remember to book in advance at the moment, as limited tickets are available each day.

Visit www.edenproject.com for opening hours and to book tickets.

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email: melanie @mycornwall.tv

ATISHOO GALLERY

Atishoo Gallery in Charlestown has an eclectic mix of original art, ceramics, prints, glassware, cards and homewares, all designed and made in the UK. The gallery is run by Liz Hackney and Paul Clark who both exhibit their own artwork as well as running a busy onsite picture framing workshop. Everything in the gallery and gift shop is also available on the Atishoo Gallery website. You can find Atishoo Gallery just up the hill from the historic Charlestown Harbour, in a pretty courtyard opposite the old Methodist Chapel.

Opening times: Tues-Sat 10- 4pm.

71 Charlestown Road, Charlestown, St. Austell, PL25 3NL. T: 01726 65900 W: www.atishoogallery.co.uk