Welcombe Open Studios returns for its 10th instalment on Friday 7th, Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th August. This years open studios is being held in memory of John Moat, a prominent local artist and author who recently passed away. This years open studios features a stunning collection of exhibitions from the assortment of very talented artists who live and work in the village of Welcombe. The village, which lies on the Devon/Cornwall border on the rugged Atlantic coast between Bideford and Bude on the A39, is an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is truly beautiful – worth a visit on any given day. With the added bonus of open studios & exhibitions inspired by the wonderful area, this visit will be eye opening, inspiring and incredibly worthwhile.
This years event has 10 artists showcasing their work – including photography, fine art, pottery, textiles, furniture, glass & lots more. The 3 day event gives you the chance to see where the artists create their work and to buy directly from them or commission work. For many of the artists this is the only event where they open their studios to the public. This year will also see the return of the National Trust ‘Art on the Beach’ day where families can join artist Tom Hyde and National Trust Rangers for some hands on craft activities on Welcombe Beach (Friday only).
As if the art was not enough to draw you in, you can also excite your taste buds at the wonderful Pop-Up Tea Room, which will appear as if by magic for the weekend once again. The cakes and myriad delightful treats are lovingly created by a dedicated team of local ladies who pride themselves on their baking prowess, and they do the whole thing for charity too. On top of all this, The Old Smithy Inn, with fantastic home made food, fine ales, ciders and a gorgeous beer garden, will be open all day, so why not spoil yourself.
All studios are within walking distance of each other but all have parking facilities – the studios will be signposted from the A39 and around the village. Detailed leaflets with a map will be available from the local shop as you drive into Welcombe, The Old Smithy Inn, the village hall and all studios.
When planning your visit please remember that most studios do not have credit card facilities, so can only accept payments by cash or cheques. The nearest cash machines are at Hartland and Kilkhampton.
For more info please call 01288 331 101.
Artists taking part this year, are as follows:
Peter Stiles
Peter Stiles arrived in Welcombe in 1980 after leaving the Slade School of Fine Art, intending to stay for 6 months. 35 years later he is still painting pictures based on the cliffs, lanes and rock pools of Welcombe.
Recent solo shows have been in galleries in Frome, Stroud, Bath, Plymouth and London but the most appropriate place to see his work is Welcombe Village Hall where he held his first solo show in 1981.
email: peterstiles2013@icloud.com
web: www.peterstiles.co.uk/
tel: 01805601432
Studio: Welcombe Village Hall
Nic Waltho
My work is inspired by my local surroundings, using machine embroidery, found paper, and print to create one off pieces.
Having studied Design Craft Textiles at Cumbria Collage of Art and Design and Fine Art Textiles at Winchester School of Art my work centres on the layering of fabric and papers using textile techniques to manipulate the surface texture. More recently my work has been based on birds and other wild life.
Web: nicwalthocreativetextiles.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/Nic-Waltho-Creative-Textiles
Email: nicwalthocreativetextiles@gmail.com
Studio: Welcombe Village Hall
Kat Jenner
This is the first year I have taken part in the open studios as an artist, I have been involved in the organisation for the past 10 years. I have a great love of yarn, inherited from my mother who was a skilled knitter/dyer/designer. I mostly focus on the crochet technique amigurumi, the word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll. I also use a peg loom to create textured wall hangings which I then decorate with crocheted shapes.
Studio: Well farm, welcombe. Ex39 6hg
Paul Jenner
Paul captures the beauty of the familiar using natural light and a passion for the wilderness and wildlife of Welcombe. Creating simple, uncluttered compositions and a sense of peace and stillness, he loves to capture vibrant colour and uses his artistic eye to wonderful effect.
web: http://www.pauljennerphotography.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/Paul-Jenner-Photography
email: info@pauljennerphotography.co.uk
tel: 01288 331 101
Studio – Well Farm, Welcombe, EX39 6HG
Welcombe Pottery
David Westcott produces a wide range of work, mostly domestic pottery, using earthenware, stoneware and porcelain clays. Jugs, bowls and mugs in a variety of glazes.
Alice Gare, inspired by the vivid colours of the sea, remakes aspects of our coastline in kiln-formed glass, fusing metals and organic objects into the glass.
web: http://www.welcombepottery.co.uk/
email: welcombepotter@hotmail.co.uk
tel: 01288 331134
Kim Mudge
Kims inspirations are the sea and natural environment, using oil on canvas she utilises colour and texture alongside glittering media. Kim is currently working on a new collection based on Welcombe since moving to the area, allowing the abstract colours to flow and develop as she works.
Web: facebook.com/Kim-Mudge-Art
Studio: Welcombe Village Hall
Rick Hall
Rick’s latest work is based on mathematical formulae & scientific principles. For some of his work he uses a device known as the Twin Elliptic Harmonograph – a double pendulum which creates complex graphic images worthy of a powerful computer. He uses optical techniques & rich colour to create depth & movement in his work.
Tel: 01237 441698
e-mail: rickhall66@yahoo.com
web: rickhall.co.uk
Studio: Welcombe Village Hall
Jean Goodchild
A varied and colourful collection of pictures designed in textiles & embroidery silk, as well as paintings. Jean is happy to talk about her designs & techniques
tel: 01288 331241
Studio: Welcombe Village Hall
Becky Cohen
A resident in Welcombe for 30 years, Rebecca Cohen recently retired from a career as art lecturer to enjoy the freedom to indulge her drawing and painting at a leisurely pace, particularly to fill sketchbooks on holidays across the globe. She is a portrait artist who works on commission.
Studio: Welcombe Village Hall
pashadesign
pachadesign are glenn rushbrooke & samantha robb we are a design/make partnership specializing in contemporary furniture & objects from locally sourced reclaimed & natural resources. Our work evolves from a simplistic approach to design & the materials that we use {oak, slate & metal}, combining pared down aesthetics with the Japanese view of wabi sabi, beauty in imperfection.
website: http://www.pachadesign.co.uk
email: info@pachadesign.co.uk
tel: 01288 331505
studio: well barn, well farm, welcome, near bideford, devon, ex39 6hg
Childrens workshop
As part of the 10 year celebrations Nic Waltho Creative Textiles will be running drop in print workshops for children. Participants will be able to explore two print techniques; reduction and mono printing.
I will be demonstrating both techniques based on images of the local flora and fauna.
Prints can be taken away. Workshops will run on all three days between 11 am and 12.30pm and 1.30pm and 3 pm. there will be a small charge of £4 per child to cover materials.
Welcombe Arts 
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