As the nights are beginning to draw in and the days are getting a little chillier, we're delighted to bring you all the news from our NaviStitch shop and beyond - it's a busy, busy time and we're looking ahead to Christmas and the New Year already!
News from the Sail Loft
We've just take delivery of some absolutely beautiful greetings cards from Wisdom Art Prints, as well as an A3 Mistley print. We've got 11 different places in their card range and they really area just spectacular - total works of art and not just greetings cards.
We've also invited them to hold an exhibition in our Sail Loft from 19th to 22nd October and that just about wraps up our whole calendar for this year ... we're absolutely over the moon to be able to bring you so many exciting exhibitions, workshops and pop-up events and that you support them all!
For all of you artists, makers, tutors and creatives with great pop-up even ideas, bookings are now open for our Sail Loft space for 2023 - take a look here at how to book and about all of the help we give you to ensure that you make the best of your event. If you've not exhibited before, we welcome new artists - we can even introduce you to another artist that so that you can discuss collaboration if that sounds less daunting!
So what's on?
We're really pleased that our full calendar has so many interesting things in it:
This week we've not only got 'Sails and Stitches', an exhibition from maritime artist Anne Plummer and textile creative Maekandoo, but we've also got both artists manning the NaviStitch shop whilst I'm away at a wedding in Denmark. If you get a chance to call in, I know they'd love to meet you.
28th Sept-8th Oct we're hosting 'A Change in the Air', an exhibition of contemporary landscape paintings by Sarah Milne and also, on Saturday 8th October you can learn how to make Photo Zines with photographer Mike Klencher - here's more info and how to book.
Manningtree-based artist MATTRéSS brings us his incredibly different art from 12th-15th October - whatever the weather, his artwork will brighten up any day!
Followed by...
October 19th-22nd sees our Wisdom Art prints Exhibition, followed from 26th to 29th October by a collaborative show from Poppy Curtis and Sue Bedford. This is Poppy's first exhibition and she'll be displaying her oil paintings and lino prints. Sue is a local artist and teacher inspired by the natural world.
On Friday 28th October, Sue is also teaching a Lino Print workshop from 10:30-3:30 - learn from the best - email: suebedford@icloud.com to book.
And then it's November!
Photographer Tazzy Bro is holding an exhibition from 2nd-12th November 'It's on your Doorstep!' featuring images of Manningtree and the surrounding areas.
and landscape artist David Downes, with local scenes featured amongst his work from 16th-19th November, completes our calendar of exhibitions for this year (can you believe that?!)
Christmas Ready...
You will be as we'll be bringing you creative wares from around 30 of the best local artists and makers around! You'll be able to shop every day from 23rd November to Christmas Eve and then between Christmas and New Year's Eve too! After the success of last year's pop-up shop, we're really excited for this one.
On that note, we are inviting applications from local artists/makers - we've been overwhelmed with the number of talented people asking to join so far but we want to give everyone a fair chance - here's where to apply
In other news...
In the NaviStitch shop we've just topped up cards from Windsock press and replenished the rude box (if you know, you know!). We also now have in stock some Zen Rocks by local artist Karen Turnbull. We had these in our Christmas pop-up Shop last year and they were popular - we have both rocks and driftwood wrapped with leather cord.
Here's a lovely commission that I've been working on of Sailing Barge Thalatta. My customer was on the same trip as me back in July and the navy line shows the route taken that week with the barge name and year to commemorate the trip. This has been sent unframed and, once framed, will serve as a memory on a young man's bedroom wall.
Find out more about commissioning a piece of bespoke nautical stitched work here - it's as easy as 1, 2, 3!
And finally, why Manningtree rocks...
We've got lots of new retailers and makers here on Manningtree High Street. Just recently, a customer purchased a lobster screen print from Sue Bedford (exhibiting with us in October), from The (relatively new), Stour Store and brought to me to find a frame. Luckily we had one of our beautiful SS Pegu frames of the right size. A lovely amalgamation of what you can find on Manningtree High Street - we really are worth a visit!
More next time...
But never miss out on any of the events held in our Sail Loft - take a look at our online calendar to see new events as they're added.
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam