|
We are open every day from 11am to 4pm.
Our cafe is open for take aways only, or sit out on our patio. Because of C19 our toilet is only available for emergencies. |
Our new exhibition starts on April 12 and features artists Rosie Farey, Mandy Coats and Susan Gallagher.
Rosie Farey Artist Biography
At the age of 8 I made my first rush basket. I collected a bundle of rushes from the field in front of my house and made it up as I went along.
I moved back home to North Wales in 2012 after graduating from the University of the West of England, Bristol with a degree in Drawing and Applied Art. It was then that I rediscovered the little rush basket I had made all those years ago. I was impressed by what my 8 year old self had achieved.
With a bit of guidance from my mother who is also a basket maker, I taught myself how to make rush baskets.
The meditative rhythm of weaving is the essence of my practice.
I work predominantly on a small scale using natural materials such as Bulrush and Common Juncus to create fine, decorative and functional baskets.
I use simple traditional weaving techniques which I have adapted to suit my style and scale of working.
Each basket is unique. When I begin to make a baskets I never quite know what the final shape will be. The unpredictability of the natural materials means that the final outcome is somewhat dictated by the temperament of the rushHaving been bought up to value skills and good craftsmanship, I believe that it is important to keep old traditions and techniques alive.
At the age of 8 I made my first rush basket. I collected a bundle of rushes from the field in front of my house and made it up as I went along.
I moved back home to North Wales in 2012 after graduating from the University of the West of England, Bristol with a degree in Drawing and Applied Art. It was then that I rediscovered the little rush basket I had made all those years ago. I was impressed by what my 8 year old self had achieved.
With a bit of guidance from my mother who is also a basket maker, I taught myself how to make rush baskets.
The meditative rhythm of weaving is the essence of my practice.
I work predominantly on a small scale using natural materials such as Bulrush and Common Juncus to create fine, decorative and functional baskets.
I use simple traditional weaving techniques which I have adapted to suit my style and scale of working.
Each basket is unique. When I begin to make a baskets I never quite know what the final shape will be. The unpredictability of the natural materials means that the final outcome is somewhat dictated by the temperament of the rushHaving been bought up to value skills and good craftsmanship, I believe that it is important to keep old traditions and techniques alive.
Mandy Coates basketmaker Artists statement
‘For me coppiced willow is nature’s simplest gift, each year producing fine flexible rods of different coloured barks’
Mandy has been living and working in North Wales as a basket maker for over thirty years, using traditional skills to bring out the intrinsic beauty of her material. From her hillside studio in the Elwy Valley Mandy weaves baskets in her individual and distinctive style, bringing together the varying colours of her homegrown willow, plaited bulrushes and laths of different woods.
Mandy teaches all over the UK sharing her depth of knowledge and skill, from weaving practical functional baskets, to helping students explore more creative projects. She exhibits in galleries across Wales and further afield and sells both nationally and internationally.
Mandy is a Yeoman member of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
‘For me coppiced willow is nature’s simplest gift, each year producing fine flexible rods of different coloured barks’
Mandy has been living and working in North Wales as a basket maker for over thirty years, using traditional skills to bring out the intrinsic beauty of her material. From her hillside studio in the Elwy Valley Mandy weaves baskets in her individual and distinctive style, bringing together the varying colours of her homegrown willow, plaited bulrushes and laths of different woods.
Mandy teaches all over the UK sharing her depth of knowledge and skill, from weaving practical functional baskets, to helping students explore more creative projects. She exhibits in galleries across Wales and further afield and sells both nationally and internationally.
Mandy is a Yeoman member of the Worshipful Company of Basketmakers
Susan Gallagher a personal statement
Many years ago, I studied art at A level at school and as a main subject at Swansea College of Education, a teacher's training college. The course was varied, I studied painting, ceramics, printing, textile art, set design and art education. In the final year I specialised in textile art, this covered aspects of silk screen painting, batik and fabric college. I taught in the primary sector for all of my teaching career and had very little time to indulge my own art development ( Unless painting concert scenery counts! ) until I retired in 2008. I then attended local authority art classes, firstly with Peter Seabourne in Usk, secondly with Mark Parkin in Newport and presently, all be it virtually presently, with Shirley Griffiths in Newport. I have benefited greatly from this level of tuition which has rekindled my passion for art. I am a member of Usk Art Club which was formed after the LEA class finished on Peter Seabourne's retirement. The group decided to continue, meeting weekly and buying tuition periodically and fortunately, Peter Seabourne continues to support us voluntarily. We exhibit every year in Usk as part of the 'Usk in Bloom' open gardens weekend and also annually in Neville Hall hospital. The current pandemic has prevented us from meeting presently but we hope to continue next year. I attempt all aspects of painting and drawing in my classes but I particularly enjoy painting seascapes and landscapes in an abstract expressionist style. I use acrylics because of its quick drying property which makes the works in progress easier to transport but I also love using oil paint and acrylic inks. I particularly enjoy painting with a palette knife in a quick and free style allowing colours to merge creating unknown outcomes.
Many years ago, I studied art at A level at school and as a main subject at Swansea College of Education, a teacher's training college. The course was varied, I studied painting, ceramics, printing, textile art, set design and art education. In the final year I specialised in textile art, this covered aspects of silk screen painting, batik and fabric college. I taught in the primary sector for all of my teaching career and had very little time to indulge my own art development ( Unless painting concert scenery counts! ) until I retired in 2008. I then attended local authority art classes, firstly with Peter Seabourne in Usk, secondly with Mark Parkin in Newport and presently, all be it virtually presently, with Shirley Griffiths in Newport. I have benefited greatly from this level of tuition which has rekindled my passion for art. I am a member of Usk Art Club which was formed after the LEA class finished on Peter Seabourne's retirement. The group decided to continue, meeting weekly and buying tuition periodically and fortunately, Peter Seabourne continues to support us voluntarily. We exhibit every year in Usk as part of the 'Usk in Bloom' open gardens weekend and also annually in Neville Hall hospital. The current pandemic has prevented us from meeting presently but we hope to continue next year. I attempt all aspects of painting and drawing in my classes but I particularly enjoy painting seascapes and landscapes in an abstract expressionist style. I use acrylics because of its quick drying property which makes the works in progress easier to transport but I also love using oil paint and acrylic inks. I particularly enjoy painting with a palette knife in a quick and free style allowing colours to merge creating unknown outcomes.
