Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, above the NaviStitch shop on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...
Spring Exhibition...
We're in the second week of our Sail Loft Spring Exhibition and we're delighted to be hosting 50 artists from many different disciplines and subject matters. There will be something for everyone in this exhibition and there are still two more weeks to go! If you can make it to Manningtree High Street, it's definitely worth a visit. Featured above are artists Sarah Barnard, Lee Thomas, Sarah-Jane Lane and Sarah Parsons.
Another great opportunity...
For the month of May we are making our exhibition space available for Mini exhibitions. Each artist can use half a room for a fortnight. This is a great way for first time exhibitors to get started or for those who would just like a small exhibition. With up to 4 artists using the combined space our Sail Loft will make for interesting viewing.
Not many dates left...
Our Sail Loft's getting full with yet another new 2-week exhibition in June from Jayson Fletcher. Jayson uses local wood along with other reclaimed materials like copper and brass and old boat fittings. Hand carving, painting and detailing each piece individually, each piece has its own story to tell!
Don't miss any of our exhibitions - keep an eye on our calendar for details.
If you're an artist or maker and are interested in hiring the Sail Loft for your exhibition, workshop or pop-up event, take a look at details of our space and how to book. At the moment there is only one week left in both September and October so don't delay!
In other news...
Mother's Day:
Dont forget Mothers' Day on Sunday - if you've left it a little late to think about a gift / card, we've got plenty in store for you. We've got the work of our hugely talented artists upstairs in our Sail Loft and, downstairs in the NaviStitch shop, we've got an array of giftware: bags, coaster, ornaments, art, map mugs and lots, lots more. We've also got a huge selection of greeting cards - come and take a look - we're open today, Friday and Saturday 10am to 4pm - visit our website for more details: www.navistitch.com
I wanted to show you a couple of commissions that I've been working on recently:
River Stour Triptych:. The middle piece of this trio was purchased from the shop as a 'stock'
piece. The customer liked it so much that I was commissioned to create 2 more to sit along side. So the three pieces follow the River Stour with Manningtree, Wrabness and Harwich. These are stitched on on an OS map rather than navigation chart this time.
Mum & Dad: The second one is part of a set of 3 that are all the same but different. Three pieces were created on the same chart but different ages and editions. Each copy has slightly different colour tones so the threads were chosen to work with the chart. These are for 3 siblings to commemorate where mum and dad's ashes are, the spot is marked with twin anchors.
A final thought...
We had a lady visit us last week and shared with us what she had done with some books purchased from our shop. At Christmas time she purchased 'The Christmas List' set around Mistley and Manningtree. She added to the book by enclosing pictures of her Children and grandchildren in the locations that are featured in the book.
She also has a copy of our 'Old Knobbley' book. She has carefully collected and pressed some oak leaves from Old Knobbly to enclose within the pages. But she had also planted some fallen acorns from old Knobbley which she has nurtured so she will pass the book on with 'baby' old knobbleys. What a wonderful thing to do!
As always, I'm working on commission pieces for people with happy coastal memories or seaside stories that a piece of nautical stitched art would help to remember. Why not think about a bespoke commission? You tell me about the memory and I'll look through my extensive collection of nautical charts. We'll discuss the image or the craft and the thread colour/s and I'll get to work - take a look.
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam
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