Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, above the NaviStitch shop on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...
Most exciting news...
Can you believe that our Summer Exhibition is coming around again!? Here's our open call for artists of all disciplines to submit an application to be included in our Summer exhibition that takes place from 8th to 29th July, with a preview evening on 7th July from 5pm-8pm.
We'd love to hear from you if you've exhibited with us previously, but we'd love to also welcome new artists int our Sail Loft Exhibition space. Find out more about submitting work here
In the Sail Loft...
We're in the second week of our Affordable Art Show and it's proving to be a success! Knowing that you can visit our Sail Loft gallery and find work from artists that have exhibited with us before, as well as new names, and that nothing costs over £100 takes the worry out of falling in love with a piece of art. Take a look at the artists whose work is in our upstairs creative space and visit us, if you can, between now and 27th May.
And in between...
When our Affordable Art Show ends, we're welcoming a fabulous local artist from Rowhedge, Jayson Fletcher, with his wood carved fish. Every piece has a story to tell as each one is carved, painted and detailed using wood found in the area, with other materials like copper and brass and old boat fittings. Jayson's with us from 31st May to 11th June. Don't miss any of our exhibitions - bookmark our calendar page.
And then, from 14th to 24th June, we've got the amazing Wisdom Art Prints joining us fromTiptree. Their art is in the timeless art deco style, reminiscent of travel posters from a bygone age and they have lots of Essex-based art to exhibit.
Other dates for your diary...
26th May Manningtree Makers' Market in Market Square
27th May Beach Picnic and Swim - find out more on their Facebook page here
29th May Mistley Pram Race - find out more on their Facebook page here
11th June is Manningtree's Earth Festival - more on how we're going to be involved in the next newsletter
18th June is Fathers' Day - don't forget to get your commissions ordered early, your cards bought online or in our shop (so many to choose from!), or your gifts purchased in plenty of time!
24th June is Manningtree Pride Festival - lots of activities in and around the town. Once again, more details as they emerge
And finally...
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. Here are a couple of more recent ones:
The first is a representation of the childhood home where the commissioner grew up and, of course, the map shows the location of the house.
The second commission is stitched onto a chart that's further afield than usual - it's of New Zealand where the piece will reside. The design was inspired by a New Zealand Koru - representing an unfurling fern frond, but it also looks quite wave-like too.
Here's how easy it is to commission a piece of bespoke, nautical stitched art: https://www.navistitch.com/commissions
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam