Successful open house and studios

Eastbourne artists opened their doors to the public at the weekend; over 20 venues across town took part including artists' houses, studios, a life drawing session, craft fair and gallery spaces.

At the Birley Centre, Lyn Knight, author of the Button Box, was in conversation with textile artist Christine Chester. Her talk brought back memories of rifling through family button boxes and told much about womens’ social history from Victorian times to the 1960s. Later Lynn visited John and Helen Warren at the Big House where she was joined by Caroline Ansell MP for a vintage tea party.

Together with 14 exhibitors in the house and garden, the Big House offered a chance to have a go on the potter’s wheel. The youngest exhibitor was 13 year old Geneva Warren with homemade scented soaps, bath bombs, candles and sweets.

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Jack Futter’s cottage in Old Town was bursting at the seams with large canvases and appreciative visitors. There was also James Heighway exhibiting his Art Deco style local views for the first time and Seema Gill showing her colourful paintings influenced by Africa, Denmark and India. While the Pop Up gallery at the Enterprise Centre was a new innovation, this popular venue attracted many to see the varied artwork on show.

If you have not had the chance already you can visit the Spring Open Houses & Studios next weekend, some venues open in the week too.

For more details pick up a brochure from the TIC or any of the participating venues, or go to www.eastbourneartists.

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