Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, the NaviStitch shop, and on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...
In the Sail Loft...
Just two days left in the Sail Loft for our two fabulous nature-focussed artists Claire Day, and Duffy Tomei. Similar subject areas, but unique styles and talents, they're with us until 4pm on Saturday if you can make it to Manningtree!
Up next...
We're excited to open our doors next week to our next Sail Loft exhibition from the Art Mix Group who all live and work in Coggeshall:
Dorothea King: finely detailed oil paintings and a selection of prints from children's books that she's illustrated;
Susan Fraser: often takes her inspiration from music or memories and enjoys working in a range of media from watercolour, drawing and collage;
Rose Langford: creative glass maker who uses traditional stained glass with copper foil, fused glass and applique;
Elizabeth Pottinger: uses copper, slate and other materials to create 3D objects and jeweller, but also loves to paint and draw;
Norah Stocker: her coastal series of paintings - she describes herself as an abstract landscape, mixed media artist.
If you get a chance to visit us in Manningtree, there's lots of different works to enjoy - with us until 14th September
And then...
Looking ahead to our next Sail Loft exhibition, from 17-18th September, we'll be welcoming Gina Sandford-Nash and her incredible quilts.
Gina produces quilts that are both artworks and functional and as such they maybe used around the home on beds, over furniture and on walls. All her quilts are made in the time honoured fashion of stitching or tying 2 or 3 layers of fabric together with decorative patterns - the top can be either whole cloth or patchwork.
Don't forget......
Art on the Prom is this Sunday from 10am-6pm. With work from artists all across East Anglia lined up on Felixstowe seafront, let's hope we beat the previous 20,000 attendees.
Art on the Prom's a great opportunity for me to promote my own work, and introduce people to the NaviStitch shop and Sail Loft Gallery.
Here's to beating last year's record sales too!
If you can get to Felixstowe Sunday, a walk along the prom, prom, prom will be a bit more tiddly om pom pom!
In The NaviStitch Shop
We have new Manningtree Heart magnets to complement our Mermaid and Sailing Boat Magnets.
We do love Manningtree and this magnet tells everyone that visits your fridge!
And now for something completely different...
We know it's only August, but I'm going to mention the 'C' word!
I'm very excited to share with you the launch of our Design a Christmas Card for Manningtree Competition.
We have four categories this year with five prizes:
Adult (18+) Winner 1: Case of 6 bottles of wine from Estuary Wine Bar
Adult (18+) Winner 2: A David Downes print of Manningtree Beach
Child (7 and under): A Pru Green turtle mug filled with chocolates
Child (8-12): A £50 Manningtree High Street voucher from Manningtree Vintage Vibes
Child (13-17): A £50 Frippery Manningtree voucher
In addition, you'll receive 12 copies of your card design printed and be credited on the reverse of the card.
The 5 winning designs will be put into print and the cards sold to raise money which the The Rotary Club of Manningtree Stour Valley will distribute to local charities.
You can download all the information here or pick up more information from our shop on Manningtree High Street.
Entries close on Saturday 28th September at 4pm and the entries will then be on display in our Sail Loft from 1st to 5th October, so everyone can vote for their favourites. Combined with scores from the judges panel, the winners will be announced on Friday 11th October.
So, get painting and drawing, we cant wait to see your entries!
Looking ahead...
As a small business owner, I'm always looking ahead and making plans. In that vein, I'll soon be posting details of our Christmas pop-up and how you, as an artist or maker, can get involved.
We're also looking even further ahead - to 2025 - for the Sail Loft. If you're an artist or maker, we've now got our calendar open for bookings. Take a look at details of how to book. Think creatively too - our space is not just for individual exhibitions, consider collaborations. If you're a fledgling artist and want to enter the world of exhibiting, let us know and we can help you with introductions, with display materials and with advice.
And finally...
I've been working on some great commissions lately:
The first is 3 commissions from one customer, to mark the spot where a dear friends ashes were scattered. On the framed piece a little anchor marks the spot. The unframed pieces are being gifted to the gentleman's son's with the centre of the compasses marking the spot.
The second one is a little different for me: Firstly its an OS map rather than my usual chart, as we needed to include Ardleigh. Secondly its my first dog, a chocolate Labrador!
The third is a vintage chart of Freston in an SS Pegu frame, and shows a half compass. If you look carefully you will see the spot where my client's dad had a mooring and kept his boat, marked in red.
The last image is of Gunfleet Sands. This commission is on a vintage Stanford chart and, as the customer has a dark blue wall, the thread colours were chosen very carefully to suit their home. I can't wait to see a photo of it in situ!
If you're making memories and would like to celebrate them, or you know someone who's celebrating and would like to mark the occasion, think about commissioning a piece of nautical stitched art.
Take a look at how easy it is to order your own unique piece created from maritime charts, both new and old - many of them fairly local. Always ask if you're looking for somewhere special - I've a huge collection.
Now that we can also take orders for bespoke framing in-store, the whole thing's as easy
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam
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