Christmas Open Studios 2022
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 November 2022, 10am – 4pm
free entry
Enjoy a Christmas warm-up weekend of glass blowing in an open air wood furnace, bronze and stoneware sculptures, fine art in paint and ink, handcrafted furniture, hand-engraved stone memorials and carvings, fantasy art and writing, and evocative pictures from colourful textiles.
Come and meet the artists, enjoy their work, and choose something special for Christmas.
Soraya French – painter
Painter Soraya French, renowned for her skill in colour in oil, watercolour and more, has been inspired by the Cornish coast with her latest nautical scenes. Also available are her popular floral and figurative pieces, framed or unframed.
Sally Newton – fine artist
A little further away, Rajasthan, India was the focus for Sally Newton’s new sketches, ink drawings, watercolour and oils. She will also have new work from birdwatching on the Firth of Forth with the Society of Wildlife Artists.
Hannah Willow – mythical artist and writer
Hannah Willow’s husband, Phil Tree, will be on hand to talk about Hannah’s mythical paintings and writing. You can buy beautiful gifts created from her work, including books, jewellery, pictures and more.
Katy Rundle – textile artist
Katy Rundle doesn’t use paint or brush but free motion embroidery with richly patterned fabrics to create vibrant pictures. From Kenyan elephants and giraffes, to impressive castles, to delicate flowers like the allium, each has a personal story. The allium is the emblem of the new Winchester Hospice; Katy previously worked as a palliative care nurse at Winchester Hospital and is keen to support this essential new facility. Originals, true-to-life reproductions and cards of her work are available.
Elaine Peto – sculptor
Elaine creates characterful ceramic animal sculptures, wild and domestic. Her latest focus is sea creatures, such as whales, seals and polar bears (see main image). All her pieces are individually handmade from stretched and folded clay, which are fired and painted with glazes, oxides, slips and underglazes.
Matt Duke – sculptor
Matt’s plan this year was to go large, which he did with his biggest piece to date, a tribute to a conservation success story, the red kite. This life-size bronze sculpture is suspended in flight, mid-search for food. Beatrix, a standing Scandinavian barn owl, is another new highlight to look out for.
Maya Martin – stone carver
Stone carver and letter artist Maya is the latest addition to the artists of Project Workshops. Maya worked with Robyn Golden-Hann before she changed direction and joined the ranks of the clergy, and has now taken over Robyn’s studio. Maya’s work includes creates lasting tributes in stone for memorials and gravestones, enduring housesigns, and bespoke ornaments and stone carvings.
Mark Taylor and David Hill – glassmakers
Mark and David specialise in researching and faithfully reproducing ancient and historical glass vessels, Roman and 18th century glass, ancient Egyptian and medieval English glass. They make glass for clients in education and re-enactment, for film and television, including the very successful ‘Outlander’ series. Since 2005 they have built experimental wood-fired glass furnaces based upon archaeological Roman examples. Many similar furnaces have since been built around the world, inspired by their reconstructions. You can see Mark and David glassblowing inside their studio, across the Open Studios weekend, and buy some of their amazing creations.
Reginald and Barry Thompson – glassmakers
Scientific glass makers-turned glass artist brothers Reg and Barry will have glassware and jewellery on show – search for their lovely little workshop across the Courtyard garden next to Jeremy Smith.
Jeremy Smith – furniture design
Jeremy’s stunningly crafted furniture, ornate boxes, kitchen and charcuterie boards will make ideal gifts, and Jeremy will be happy to show you his latest designs and talk about their construction.
