The Harwich Festival of Arts is now over and the town is returning to normal. At Old Bank Studios the festival’s visual arts exhibition has been taken down and it’s back to business as usual in the main hall. Organisers and visitors alike, agree that it provided an excellent venue for this prestigious event; it worked so well that we will definitely consider offering it as a gallery again in the future.
Naturally, with hundreds of visitors coming through our doors to view the exhibition a lot of interest was generated for our workshops and courses; it seems Harwich has gone mad for sewing and textiles with quite a few upcoming events fully booked already.
16th July – 6 Week Beginners Art course FULLY BOOKED – new dates coming soon.
26th July – Applique Cushions FULLY BOOKED – next workshop 18/10/14.
2nd August – Make a Skirt in a Day ONLY ONE PLACE REMAINING.
14th August – Textile Art, Pebbles with Alex Waylett FULLY BOOKED – more workshops with Alex available.
24th September – 7 Week Dressmaking course FULLY BOOKED – new dates coming soon.
27th September – Hashim Akib workshop FULLY BOOKED – back in 2015 dates to be confirmed.
28th November – Textile Art Paint, Print and Stitch FULLY BOOKED – more workshops with Alex available.
Our latest Art Workshop, “Turneresque”, a beginners introduction to Oil Painting, saw our new tutor Clive Riggs for the first time. A truly versatile and knowledgeable artist Clive proved to be a real hit as he guided the group in their attempts to create a seascape in the style of J M Turner’s “The Fighting Temeraire”. Everyone that attended learnt something new and the resulting works were fantastic.
Upcycled Recycled
Yes we are recycling a workshop from last year in the form of Caroline Reese-Lewis’ Mosaic Workshop. Why not come along with your old and broken crockery, ceramic tiles, buttons, beads and anything else and let Caroline teach you how to design, assemble and finish a beautiful piece of Upcycled mosaic art.
Big Names Coming to the Bank in 2015
Looking ahe
ad, we are busy booking artists for next year. It was with this in mind that Nigel and I paid our first visit to the Patchings Art Festival. This is a wonderful event and a great opportunity for us to meet new artists, as well as to catch up with friends. We are happy to announce that Haidee-Jo Summers has agreed to come back next year (dates to be confirmed) and delighted for her, as she scooped The Artist Purchase Prize for ‘Sails Up in Harbour’.
New for 2015 we are really excited to be welcoming Soraya French on Saturday 2nd May. In this full day Mixed Media Workshop students will use Collage, Acrylic Inks, Paint and Pastels to produce vivid, textured landscapes with real pizazz. Early booking is recommended.
Harwich Sea Festival
On Sunday 27th July the town is holding this annual event to raise money for the local Life Boat Station. Amongst the huge range of attractions, will be the Dovercourt Art Club Exhibition, you will be able to find them at the far end of the quay by Trinity House Pier. They will be showing members’ works both professional and amateur, all of which will be available to buy.
At the Bank we will have the doors open, so why not come down to Harwich for a great day out and pop in for a chat.