Creatives open studios to showcase art and host workshops

HUNDREDS of Cornish makers will open their studio and workshop doors from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 2 June to showcase their skills, channel their influences and share their stories through Open Studios Cornwall.

Distinctive orange bones denote these exciting spaces – from Lamorna to Looe and Mullion to Menheniot – that offer a cultural awakening as we explore the realm of art forms, dive deep into the human psyche, open our eyes to new worlds and embrace the power of creativity. to ease the mind and soothe the soul.

In Edwardian terraces, Georgian summerhouses and Victorian shops; potting sheds, cellars and milking barns, Open Studios Cornwall not only shines a light on the creative talents and unique perspectives of painters, potters, printers, photographers, jewellers, weavers and weavers. It also allows us to revisit the county’s port villages, coastal towns and moorland hamlets and acquire original work from a multitude of creators who are keen to invite us.

This year saw the emergence of several creative groups – in Trew, Trewidden, St Agnes, Falmouth and around the River Helford – energized by a spirit of community and collaboration.

Open Studios Cornwall also offers one of two annual opportunities to gain behind-the-scenes access to many of Krowji’s artist studios in Redruth, which are usually closed to the public.

From Japanese Ukiyo-e woodblock prints and Korean tea bowls to 19th-century wet-plate collodion photography and heritage painting techniques, ancient cultures fuse with modern ideas in an exuberance of artistic alchemy.

Wool, linen and wool; clay, wax and honeycomb; rocks, fossils and bones; sepia ink and egg tempura; vintage linen and antique lace; spray paint and copper wire; foraged foliage and raw pigments are layered, stitched, spun, glazed, fired, sculpted and cast and ingeniously transformed into tangible manifestations to evoke emotion and provoke thought.

The soft lines of sea-worn boulders and tidal patterns on the shore; the elemental drama of the coast and the timeless enchantment of verdant valleys and leafy lanes are all sources of inspiration as artisans record their individual responses to Cornwall’s exceptional light and the ever-changing colors of land, sea and sky.

There is also folklore and fable, and the realms of the subconscious to be explored as participants address the nature of reality and perception, themes of humanity and injustice, and our collective quest to capture moments of stillness in our busy lives.

A program of bookable workshops also encourages visitors to develop their expertise in botanical painting, seaweed pressing or wellness crafting.

“From contemporary realism and intuitive abstracts to hand-stitched embellishments, surreal mezzotints, home decor and more, Open Studios Cornwall celebrates the extraordinary diversity of Cornish creativity,” explains project director, Bethany Lyne. “Whether inspired by the county’s rugged natural beauty or underpinned by wider environmental and social concerns, eclectic styles and traditional crafts combine in this annual appreciation of Cornwall’s creative community, which allows us to highlight their art, hear their voices and buy their works. ”

Listed below are some of the workshops taking place:

• “Beach Find Artwork” with Claire London — Join Claire for this mixed media painting workshop using ceramics and sea glass beach finds and acrylic paints. In this two-hour, step-by-step workshop, you’ll be shown how to create a whimsical piece of art using treasure washed ashore. Each artwork will come in a glass and wood box to protect your artwork. May 26 – 27, 15:00 – 17:00. On board Lady Daphne Barge, Charlestown Harbour.

• Handbuilding Taster with Tor Pottery Works — A playful and creative chance to get your hands on some clay and relax. Join the hand-building speed taster led by sculptor Denzel as she teaches the tactile pinch-pot method and celebrate impermanence through the therapeutic act of slamming your piece into the recovery bucket at the end. May 26, 27, 30 and 31. 14.30 to 15.00. Tor Pottery Works, Newquay.

• “An Introduction to Linocut Printing” with Lee Stevenson — Looking at linocut printing without using a press. Visitors will use all the tools and materials and learn the basic skills for making an original print from drawings or photographs. May 27 and 31. 10:00 – 15:00. 2 Darlington Road, Longrock, Penzance.

• “Let’s Twist Again Rope Making Workshop, Crafting Wellness Through Creativity” with Jane Gray — Discover why the ancient craft of rope making is relevant today and how a hands-on workshop connects us directly to nature. You’ll leave with knowledge of the history of cordage making, a handout with a handout with a visual reminder of how to make cordage. May 27, 29 and 31. 19:00 – 21:00. Towans Weave Studio, Hayle.

• Throwing Taster with Tor Pottery Works — Zero pressure and a relaxed environment is the perfect setting to try something new in this speed taster. See how you fare under the careful instruction of our resident thrower Jenna, then smash the results into the recovery bucket. May 27, 30 and 31. 10.30am – 11.30am Tor Pottery Works, Newquay.

• Floral Watercolor Painting in an Artist’s Garden with Kerry Grant — An exclusive opportunity to join floral artist Kerry for a full day workshop that will guide you in painting beautiful watercolor studies of your favorite flowers. This workshop is for all experience levels. Experienced watercolor painters will benefit from painting together in the peace and quiet of this unique garden; and for those who are inexperienced and want to develop their basic skills, Kerry will teach them some key principles to achieve effective and beautiful results with this delicate medium. May 28. 10.30 – 15.00. Tresithney Bowl Rock, St Ives.

• Ceramic Botanical Trinket Vases with Michelle Foote — This hand-building workshop will focus on surface decoration techniques, including sgraffito, inlay, and stamping, to create beautiful ceramic vases. May 29. 10.30 – 13.00. Tresithney Bowl Rock, St Ives.

• Seaweed Art with Claire London — With a love of natural forms, this is a perfect way to get out of the studio making art from nature’s treasure. To learn more about this Victorian past time, join Clair as she talks and demonstrates the art of seaweed pressing. May 31. 17:00 – 18:00. Aboard Lady Daphne Barge – Charlestown Harbour.

• My Textile Journey Through Southeast Asia with Kitty Wilson Brown — An informative presentation of Kitty’s time in Southeast Asia researching traditional textiles. He works in studios and with hill tribes, with a strong focus on hemp textiles. She will also talk about Contemporay Hempery and her own textile garden. After the talk, visitors will finish with a backstrap weaving and linen processing demonstration, along with answering any questions you may have. June 1st. From 14.00. Middle Tencreek, St Veep, Lerryn, Lostwithiel.

• Flowers in a Teacup with Claire London — Join Claire for a three-hour painting workshop. In this workshop we will design a blue and white Wedgwood style tea cup filled with flowers. This step by step painting workshop will be based on a tea cup full of flowers, you will design a Wedgwood style image of Lady Daphne using acrylic on wood board, you will learn different painting techniques to fill your cup with flowers beautiful and you will create a finished piece of art. June 1 and 2. 14:00 – 17:00. On board Lady Daphne Barge, Charlestown Harbour.

To book tickets for any of these workshops visit: openstudioscornwall.co.uk/category/workshops