Autumn continuing, Christmas beginning
The Autumn Exhibition is now open in the Sail Loft Gallery, and it has already started doing that lovely thing that selling exhibitions do: changing.
We had a really encouraging start, with some great sales already, so if you came to the preview night and visit again, you may notice that a few things have moved, changed or disappeared off to new homes. That always makes me happy. It means the exhibition is not just being looked at. It is being lived with, chosen, taken home and becoming part of people’s lives.
A little walk through the Autumn Exhibition
I’ve filmed videos of the exhibition, for each room upstairs. They’re a lovely way to get a sense of how full the Sail Loft feels at the moment, with work from over 40 artists across framed and unframed artwork, ceramics, glass, wood turning, origami, mixed media and more.
A video can show you the walls.
It can show you the rooms.
It can show you the range.
But it can’t quite show you that moment when you stand in front of a piece and realise you’ve gone back to look at it three times.
So do have a little watch, but come and see the exhibition in person if you can.
The Autumn Exhibition continues until Saturday 3 October.
Why the exhibition will keep changing
One of the things I like about a selling exhibition is that it never stays exactly the same.
A piece sells.
A gap appears.
Something else moves.
A different work suddenly catches the light.
A visitor who came on preview night (and thanks to all of you that did), comes back a week later and sees the room slightly differently. That’s part of the pleasure of it.
The Autumn Exhibition isn’t fixed in place like a museum display. It’s a living show, and it will keep shifting as pieces find homes. So even if you came to the preview, it’s worth coming back.
You may notice something you missed the first time.
You may find that the piece you remembered has gone.
You may discover that something quieter has suddenly stepped forward.
That is one of the reasons I enjoy group exhibitions so much. They reward a second look.
A tiny machine with a surprisingly big job
The tiny art vending machine has now had its first proper exhibition outing, and it has been lovely watching people use it.
There is something very funny and very pleasing about seeing someone put a token into a machine and wait to see which tiny signed print appears.
For the Autumn Exhibition, the machine contains small signed and numbered mini prints from exhibiting artists.
They are £1.50 a token, and each one is a little piece of the exhibition to take home.
It makes the gallery feel a bit more playful, which is exactly what I hoped it would do.
It also means someone can visit the exhibition and leave with a signed, numbered artwork without it feeling intimidating or expensive.
I do like giving people different ways in.
A framed piece.
An unframed piece.
A tiny print.
A card.
A kit.
A workshop.
A commission conversation.
Not everyone starts in the same place, and that’s perfectly fine.
Christmas pop-up applications are now open
I know it feels far too early to mention Christmas. But behind the scenes, this is the point in the year when the NaviStitch Christmas pop-up shop starts to take shape.
Applications are now open for artists and makers who would like to be part of this year’s pop-up, which will be the 6th NaviStitch Christmas shop. As always, I’ll be looking for high-quality handmade pieces, thoughtful gifts, and original art that feels special, affordable and a little bit different from what you’ll find in every High Street shop.
So, if you know an artist or maker whose work you think would be a good fit for NaviStitch at Christmas, please do let them know to visit this link.
The closing date for applications is 11 October.
I’ll share more about the Christmas pop-up once the artists and makers have been selected, but for now this is the quiet beginning of all the festive planning.
Tiny sleigh bells in the distance, if you like.
Helping to light up Manningtree
There is now a donations pot in the shop for Manningtree Christmas Lights.
Yes, more Christmas.
Again, I’m sorry.
But things like Christmas lights don’t appear by magic in December. They happen because people start planning, organising and fundraising long before then.
If you’re visiting the exhibition, picking up a card, buying a kit, browsing for a gift or just popping in for a chat, you’ll find the donations pot downstairs in the shop.
Every little bit helps bring some sparkle to Manningtree later in the year.
You can also follow the Christmas lights updates on Instagram here.
In the shop this week
Downstairs, alongside the gallery upstairs, there are still all the usual NaviStitch rabbit holes.
Cards.
Gifts.
Books.
Paper embroidery kits.
Workshop supplies.
Framing conversations.
Commission ideas.
Stitched chart artwork.
And probably a few things I’ve moved around and then forgotten I moved.
The shop and gallery are open:
Wednesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm
Upstairs, the Autumn Exhibition continues.
Downstairs, the Christmas planning has quietly started, the donations pot is ready, and the tiny art machine is still doing its thing.
Whether you’re coming to see the exhibition, watching the walk-through videos from home, applying for the Christmas pop-up, or just fancying a browse in Manningtree, thank you for continuing to support NaviStitch and the artists and makers who make it what it is.
Until next time...
Calm waters and plain sailing,
Sam
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