upcoming shows of River Severn drawings & prints

Since starting this both-sides-of-the-Severn project I have become more and more immersed in the subject, and in the arts in the area. There’s a tangible swell of interest in the visual arts happening in the Forest of Dean and farOpen studios is behind a lot of it.

The farOpen team of officers, and many other members, have worked together to make things happen. Uschi Arens-Price (secretary), has worked really hard to get the website up and running and has worked behind the scenes with Chris Waygood (chair) and Dorota Rapacz (treasurer) and others to put together a brilliant spread of events over the next two weeks. The membership has already risen from none to many in only a few months.

The first farOpen: studios event runs from 7 October to 15 October, making a start for Christmas. These 2017 dates are accompanied by exhibitions at Newland Village Hall and a Taster Exhibition at the Secret Gallery, The Shambles, Newent. 

The launch is at Newland Village Hall

Friday 6th October 6.30pm-10pm

Whilst I’m not opening my studio, I am participating in a group show with other farOpen members at Newland Village  Room – not easy to find, so here are some pictures to help you:

NOTE: I shall be in the hall at the launch on Friday and stewarding on Saturday 7th  from 2.30pm and the following Saturday from 11am. We can only accept cash or cheques at the hall.

On Sunday I shall be taking a selection of works along to the Latchen Rooms in Longhope as there’s a talk being given there about the Severn by Dr. Martin Cannop Price, see below:

Intrigued by the term Latchen, I dug around a bit. Apparently in 1880, the most common Latchen occupation in the USA was Carpenter, 100% of latchen’s were Carpenters. However, it would seem in the UK the name may be derived from locksmiths, people who created ‘latches’. If you have any other knowledge about the term latchen I’d love to hear it.

Lot’s of other things coming up too – The Newnham Church Christmas Fair and The George Christmas Fair, as well as a Crowdfunder appeal and prints for sale online – all in progress.