'MEET THE ARTISTS'
Friday 15 March, 7pm
Free entry - All welcome
Come and meet some of the artists behind our latest exhibition and chat about what they do; also enjoy a complimentary glass of wine.
MARTIN SALWAY
Shropshire Plough
Oil on board
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EDGELARKS
Friday 22 March
Award-winning duo Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin present an innovative blend of British folk interwoven with strands of the Deep South, Indian slide guitar (chaturangui) and beatbox harmonica. Skilled instrumentalism and great voices blend perfectly.
Start time: 8pm (doors open 7pm)
Tickets: £14 (children £7) |
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LYNN LEWIS
Terraced Houses in Spring
Mixed media
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PAINTING WITH WORDS
16 March - 11 May
We celebrate the influence of literature and language on the visual arts with some of our favourite artists as well as some exciting newcomers. As always, entry is free. Here's a first peek...
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JUDITH SAMUEL
Tulips were a tray of jewels
From EM Forster's Howard's End
Oil on wood
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JUDITH SAMUEL
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade (Ron White)
Oil on wood
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CHRISTOPHER GOODWIN
Illustration 3
Faerie and folklore art
Oil on canvas
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BRIDGET McLAREN
The Windmills of your Mind
Composer: Michel Legrand
Lyricists: Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Mixed media
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The sea forever starting and restarting
Four artists (Maggie Furmanek, Judith Harrison, Sara Piper Heap and Bob Knowles) have picked up on this evocative stanza from a poem by Paul Valéry, Le Cimetière Marin (The Graveyard by the Sea), to produce an exhibition based on the sea in all its moods and all things nautical.
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MAGGIE FURMANEK
Sea
Linocut & handstitch
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JUDITH HARRISON
Nautilus II
Mixed media
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BOB KNOWLES
Sleeping Seabird
Steel |
SARAH PIPER HEAP
Explore...Dream...Discover
Copper & wood |
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Man marks the earth with ruin; his control
Stops with the shore
LORD BYRON
The Ocean, from Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage
No longer true: we are bombarding the oceans with plastics and pollutants
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BORDERLAND VISUAL ARTS
18 May - 29 June
(including Open Studios: 8/9 & 15/16 June)
See the latest mixed media of work by local artists and craftspeople. Also visit artists in their studios, see their work up close and talk about their inspiration and methods.
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'EARTH, AIR, FIRE & WATER'
6 July - 24 Aug
Themed around the natural world, reflecting its beauty, diversity and - all too often - fragility. Submissions in a variety of media are welcome.
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FESTIVAL OF NATURE AT THE WILLOW GALLERY
July - Aug 2019
In collaboration with Shropshire Wildlife Trust and over the course of our nature-themed summer exhibition (between 6 July & 24 Aug), we present a programme of inspirational talks on wildlife conservation at Oswestry’s first Festival of Nature.
Notable speakers will include Iolo Williams from BBC's Springwatch; David  Attenborough’s top Arctic cameraman Doug Allan; best-selling nature writer Patrick Barkham; bee writers Alison Benjamin and Penny Metal; naturalist and broadcaster Paul Evans; rock-climbing countryman Jim Perrin; and Oswestry’s own raptor expert Keith Offord. A final discussion/debate will be chaired by the Guardian’s Environment Editor Damian Carrington.
Look out for further details on our website
Full programme and tickets available from April
Songthrush / Ian A Photography
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(ABOVE) Lotus in Chinese inks by Leo Donaghy. Leo works in a variety of styles and is a popular tutor at the gallery. Also sold (RIGHT), John Peacock's Trees by Water on stained, oiled & stitched brown paper. For many years a senior costume designer at the BBC, John has written and lectured extensively on the history of costume and fashion.
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Also capturing the attention of buyers, potter and ceramic artist Jane Samuel currently works with forms inspired by coastal geology - as (RIGHT) Untitled VII: blue marbled stoneware filled with shards of white porcelain. (BELOW) Another of Madeleine Vale's popular ceramic animal sculptures gets a new home.
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The gallery is a member of the Arts Council ‘Own Art’ scheme. This makes buying art easy and affordable by letting you spread the cost of your purchase over 10 months with an interest-free loan. Please ask at the desk for details.
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Sweet treats for Mother's Day
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Saturday 27 April
Malkin & Sylvester
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Bill Malkin and keyboard player John Sylvester perform melodic modern folk, and write deft original songs.
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £10 (children £5)
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Saturday 11 May
Barbecued Husbands told by Ana Lines
A journey into the Brazilian jungle - presented in storyteller Ana’s own inimitable style. Prior to the evening performance, Ana will be running a creative writing & art workshop (see below).
Workshop: 3-5pm Cost: £20
Evening performance: 7pm Tickets: £8
Workshop and evening performance: £25
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Saturday 25 May
Zoë Gilby & Andy Champion
Voice & Double Bass Duo
Enjoy music from atmospheric jazz vocalist/songwriter (Zoë) and virtuosic double bassist (Andy) duo.
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £12 (children £6)
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Friday 14 June
Jaywalkers
Americana band combines bass, mandolin, fiddle and three-part harmony to make a fuller sound than might be expected from an acoustic trio.
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £12 (children £6)
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Thursday 25 July
El Deseo Quartett
From Toulouse and inspired by jazz and world, a band composed of guitar and three flutes are playing to enthusiastic audiences right across Europe.
Time: 8pm
Tickets: £10 (children £5)
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When booking tickets for live music and other events, please let us know if you require wheelchair space or have any other specific requirements
Thank you for helping to keep the arts alive in Oswestry
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GOOD NEWS FOR MOVIEGOERS
The Willow Gallery was concerned to hear that KinoKulture, Oswestry's fabulous little community cinema and perfect antidote to multiplexes, faced possible closure owing to increased rent and maintenance costs. The cinema is based in the former United Reform Church in Arthur Street (the building being still owned by the church).
Ruth Carter and Ian Garland, who run KinoKulture and have always done their best to make prices affordable, show a range of mainstream releases as well as  live screenings of major ballet and theatrical productions. We understand that matters are now being resolved, and hope we'll be enjoying films on our very own silver screen for a long, long time to come.
RIGHT: SARA PIPER HEAP
K for KinoKulture Community Cinema
Relief print with collage
From A-Z Alphabet Oswestry
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 SPRING CRAFT FAIR
Saturday 4 May, 10am-5pm
Free entry
Browse and buy local crafts and artworks directly from the makers
If you are a vendor and would like to reserve a space, please email for an application pack
LEFT: Glass art by Siân Hughes: See more at our Spring Craft Fair
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WORKSHOPS & COURSES
Book online, by 'phone (01691 657575) or in person. For Lifelong Learning courses, please book through Aberystwyth University (01970 621580 /
learning@aber.ac.uk).
Please check our website for full details, including any materials to bring.
Courses previously listed and not appearing below are now full.
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Gift vouchers
If you know someone who would love to come to one of our classes, how about giving the gift of learning with a voucher redeemable on all (except Lifelong Learning) courses and valid for one year from date of purchase. If preferred, the voucher could instead be redeemed as part or whole payment for any artwork - or be exchanged for tickets for concerts or other events .
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Batik Inspired by John Piper
with Jenny O'Leary
Sat 30 March 10am-4pm
Cost: £50 including materials
Create amazing batiks inspired by British painter John Piper - in particular his paintings of landscape and architecture.
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Painting a Portrait in Acrylics
with David Bannister
Sat 6 & Sun 7 April 10am-4pm
Cost: £75 for 2 days
Weekend workshop offers a good grounding and expert tips on how to achieve a beautiful portrait in this versatile medium.
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Chinese Painting: Decorative Fowl
with Leo Donaghy
Wed 17 & 24 April 10am-4pm
Cost: £90 for 2 days
Explore this beautiful art form, drawing upon inspiration from the golden era of the Song Dynasty.
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Vibrant Oil Colour Painting
with Leo Donaghy
Thurs 18 & 25 April 10am-4pm
Cost: £90 for 2 days
Amplifying the expressive effect of colour, paint a 'cinematic' narrative inspired by the work of Peter Doig.
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Beginners' Glass Fusing
with Jill Bagnall
Sat 20 April 10.30am-4pm
Cost: £85 including materials/kiln firing
introduction to cutting glass and some of the techniques available to create fabulous glass art.
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Making a Macramé Plant Hanger
with Christy Davies
Sat 27 April 1-3pm
Cost: £25 including materials
Learn the foundations of macramé, kicking things off with a glass of chilled Prosecco on arrival.
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Mixed-Media Illustration
with Suzette Smart
Sat 4 May 10am-4pm
Cost: £50
Create an image and add your own text; add to this fabric collage and free machine embroidery for a beautifully illustrated tale.
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Abstracting the Landscape
with David Bannister
Sat 11 May 10am-4pm
Cost: £45
Interpret the landscape, stripping away the illusion of three dimensions, through the use of colour, line, shape and texture.
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The Colourful Life of Stories
with Ana Lines
Sat 11 May 3-5pm
Cost: £20 (bring art materials)
Transport stories from the pages of a favourite book and let your imagination, brushes and colours guide you. (See also Barbecued Husbands above.)
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Batik Books
with Jenny O'Leary
Sat 25 May 10am-4pm
Cost: £45 including materials
Under Jenny's expert guidance, create beautiful batik-style paintings on paper that will be cut and folded to create small accordion/zigzag books.
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Ceramic Birds
with Sara Wood
Sat 22 June 10am-12.30pm
Cost: £45
Try your hand at making and decorating a pair of minimal ceramic birds. After glazing and firing, your birds are mounted on a wooden base.
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Batik: Flowers, Leaves & Seedpods with Jenny O'Leary
Sat 29 June
10am-4pm Cost: £45 including materials
Create batiks designs on paper, tissue paper and canvas, using inks and bleach to add and remove colour.
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Contemporary Still Life - Up Close & Personal with Peter Monaghan
Sat 6 July 10am-4pm
Cost: £60
Looking at everyday objects and working in acrylic/mixed media on board or canvas, use collage and simple print techniques and materials to initiate fresh ideas.
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Birds & Animals
with Suzette Smart
Sat 13 July 10am-4pm
Cost: £50
Make a textile picture of a bird or animal using fabric collage and free machine embroidery; work onto a piece of vintage fabric to complete a unique piece.
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Painting your Dog’s Portrait in Acrylic with Myfanwy Powell
Sat 3rd & Sun 4 Aug 10am-4pm
Cost: £80 for 2 sessions
Learn about scale, tone, and mark-making, and develop your observational and painting skills to capture the energy and personality of your special pet on canvas.
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Children's Workshops
Fun and informal after-school art and craft activities for ages 6-13 are a great opportunity to experiment with a range of art techniques, explore creativity and learn new skills. For more information, please contact Education Officer Jenny O'Leary at the gallery.
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Says Robert: Windsor chairs of all shapes and sizes are my speciality, but I also make all sorts of free-standing furniture. If you have an idea, why not get in touch and we can work together to create a beautiful piece of furniture you can be proud of.
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Contemporary bow-back Windsor chair incorporating a forked branch
Contact Robert at
www.sheltonfurniture.co.uk
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ABOUT US
A former car showroom, the gallery was founded by local craftsman Peter Vidal and opened in 2012 to promote contemporary art. A not-for-profit community interest company, the gallery supports established and emerging artists (particularly local talent) working across many disciplines. As well as regularly-changing exhibitions, we run artist-led workshops and courses, and host a programme of events, including live music, craft fairs, special exhibits, craft demonstrations and talks. Our artists-in-residence enjoy engaging with the public and are keen to share their knowledge and passion. Room hire is also available, and there is a café and a shop,
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CONTACT US
To contact the Willow Gallery:
Tel: 01691 657575
email: willowgalleryoswestry@gmail.com
Website: www.willowgalleryoswestry.org
Facebook: Willow
Address: 56 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1AD
Add us to your address book
To contact the Willow Eatery:
Tel: 07773 720425
email: willoweatery@gmail.com
Address: 56 Willow Street, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 1AD
Gallery open: Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm
Eatery open: Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm
Closed Sundays/Bank Holidays
Editor: Hilary Moorcroft \ March 2019
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