9 JUNE 2010 - DORSET ART WEEKS UPDATE

The past two weeks have had a surfeit of art in and around Lyme Regis.  The 10th Dorset Art Weeks finishes this weekend with over 40 artists in and around Lyme who have opened their doors to the public.

www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk/

I have been to visit several local artists including:

Silversmith Lucy Campbell (featured by me in Assignment 1 for the People & Place module) has displayed previous and new work as well as working on new commissions as her visitors talk to her about her exciting work.  One of my pictures featured in my portfolio of Lucy was used to advertise her workshop in the local free paper at the beginning of the event.
www.lucycampbell.net

The Pop-up National Gallery of Lyme was hosted by Hugh Dunford Wood in a Georgian house decorated with handmade wallpaper and engraved handmade glass created by the Queen’s former glass engraver Laurence Whistler who lived there until about 40 years ago. Hugh displayed work and sketches by himself, his wife and son.  Hugh’s website can be found at:
www.dunfordwood.co.uk

Two inspiring women artists with studios in the Old Town in Lyme are Jacqueline Curle and Christine Allinson.  Jacqueline exhibited over 7 years’ worth of her work at her home in Coombe Street.  Her work is mainly impressionistic with bright swirls of colour on large canvases.  Jacqueline doesn’t have a current website but can be contacted by email.


Christine Allinson is currently working on a series of large canvases inspired by her fascination with birds of prey.  Christine is a well-known local artist born in Northumberland in 1954 she studied at St. Martin’s School of Art in London, worked as a graphic designer in London before becoming a free-lance independent designer and moved to Lyme Regis in Dorset in 1980 to work. Christine has exhibited widely in the West Country and in 2009 had a solo show in London. Her work is in many private collections.

www.christineallison.com/home

Local photographer Peter Wiles has opened his riverside home to display shots of Lyme and a new collection focussed on people in their places of work. Peter is well-known for his innovative images of everyday life in and around the town and he also works as a photojournalist for the local and national press.

www.peterwilesphotography.co.uk

All in all it has been a very exciting two weeks spent visiting local artists and viewing their work in progress in their studios.  The artists above are just a brief snapshot of the 40+ artists in and around Lyme, time did not permit me to visit more, due to personal commitments and studio opening times, much to my disappointment.