DEVON’S COUNTRYSIDE AND COAST ARE THE INSPIRATION FOR HEIDI

Prints and paintings inspired by Devon’s amazing countryside and beaches will be the focus of an exhibition of new work by Heidi Koenig at the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity (3-26 Sept, open daily 10am-5pm)

Heidi’s contemporary abstract prints and paintings will be on display in the downstairs gallery at Duchy Square in Princetown, which is also playing host to one of a series of taster exhibitions by members of Devon Open Studios in the upstairs gallery.

Devon Open Studios is the largest open studio event featuring the work of more than 230 artists and makers across 11 venues between September 5-20 , including the five taster exhibitions.

Along with Heidi’s exhibition, around 30 members of the Open Studios event will have their work on display at Duchy Square, which joins Exeter Phoenix Galleries, Kennaway House, Sidmouth, the Flavel in Dartmouth and Great Torrington’s Plough Arts Centre as the venues for the taster exhibitions.

Born in Germany in 1964, Heidi, who lives in Exeter, attained a first class honours degree in Fine Art Printmaking at Brighton University, before going on to study for a Postgraduate Diploma of Fine Art Printmaking at Slade School of Fine Art.

She has staged a number of solo exhibitions over the last decade, including the CCA Galleries in London, Oxford’s Inspires Gallery and at a number of venues in the Westcountry –the Viewpoint Gallery at Plymouth College of Art and Brownston Gallery in Modbury in the South Hams.

Influenced by the works or Rothko, Frankenthaler and Matisse, Heidi is recognised as one of the strongest artists to graduate from the prestigious Slade School and her enigmatic and energetic images are in demand worldwide.

“Inspiration for individual pieces is driven purely by observation and physical experiences,” said Heidi.

“When I set out to paint I don’t have a conscious viewpoint of how I want it to turn out -the image evolves as I paint, taking me back to the places that I have been and the sensory information that I have absorbed.”

Opened in March and supported by a number of organisations, including Duchy of Cornwall and Devon County Council, the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity offers low cost workshop space on two floors and is helping boost the local economy by connecting local businesses with other key industry sectors.

The artists and creative practitioners take part in workshops organised by the centre, but also stage their own sessions with smaller groups in their own studios. Anyone wishing to find out more about all the workshops on offer should telephone the centre on (01822) 890828 or visit the website www.duchysquare.org where contact details for all the artists can be found.

WEBSITES:

www.duchysquare.org

www.integria.net

AUTUMN’S THE SEASON FOR GETTING CREATIVE

There’s a chance for young and old to get artistic at the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity.

The resident artists and creative practitioners based at the centre in Princetown have drawn up their Autumn programme of workshops, to give people of all ages the opportunity to unlock their creative flair.

The autumn programme follows on from the hugely successful summer series of events at Duchy Square, which included a special bunting day community workshop, when people helped give the centre a bold splash of colour.

Once again, the new programme offers a varied selection of artistic and creative disciplines and gives the people the chance to tap into the skills and knowledge of some of the centre’s creative practitioners.

There’s the chance to learn contemporary card-making with Doris Smith Rolli on Sept 18th, followed by a Big Draw Masterclass on October 10th.

Two mosaic making workshops, one using everyday objects people can find and bring in, are part of the ongoing schedule and there’s also silk painting, dyeing, precious metal clay jewellery making, weaving, printmaking, quilting and embroidery on offer. Get into the festive spirit too with a ‘Baubles for Christmas’ workshop.

Tracy Hill, South West Regional Manager for Integria Ltd – which operates and manages Duchy Square – said the workshop sessions had proved a popular way to help locals and visitors alike to feel part of the centre.

“There is a real buzz around Duchy Square at the moment and the workshops are really contributing to that buzz,” said Tracy.

“It’s a chance to learn a new creative skill, but also helps local people in particular feel a real part of Duchy Square and what we are doing to connect businesses and breathe new economic life into the village and surrounding Dartmoor.”

The one-day workshops cost from as little as £10 to £35 and will mostly be held between 10am and 4pm.

Opened in March and supported by a number of organisations, including Duchy of Cornwall and Devon County Council, the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity offers low cost workshop space on two floors and is helping boost the local economy by connecting local businesses with other key industry sectors.

Anyone wishing to find out more about the workshops on offer and to book a place should telephone the Gallery at the centre on (01822) 890828 or email gallery@duchysquare.org

WEBSITES:

www.duchysquare.org

www.integria.net

Tri-coloured Jade jewellery by Treasured Forever

Thursday at the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity for me, was a busy one. So many people passed through to view the centre and all were really nice to talk to. It was a pleasure, really it was. I think many will come back again and I look forward to seeing them.


So did I get any work done I hear you ask, yes I did is the answer. Not massive amounts, but with so many interesting individuals passing through it gave me a chance to natter!!!

However, I did make one necklace that I was really really pleased with. It is made using tri-coloured jade and filigree beads. I think it has a sophisticated feel about it. Well that's me for today.

Why not keep in touch via Facebook?

Click here to visit Duchy Square Centre for Creativity.

Swarovski Crystal and Lampwork Beaded Necklace

Today I made this beautiful necklace and fantastic pair of earrings. They are made using swarovski crystals and lampwork beads. The crystals give a fantasic sparkle.

To read more about swarovski crystals, click here.

Why not keep in touch via Facebook?


Visit my webpage at www.duchysquare.org

The Story of Duchy Square Centre for Creativity (so far!)

A short (but perfectly formed!) video to explain how and why Duchy Square came about.




For more information, please visit our website at www.duchysquare.org or telephone 01822 890828.

Latest creations

Thought I'd post up a few of my latest creations. Let me know what you think.
Visit our website at www.duchysquare.org for more information.

Beaded Jewellery by Alison Bickell

Well this is my first "blog". Hope it makes an ok read!!

I started about 5 years ago dabbling with making beaded jewellery. Now my hobby is my job and I love it. The Duchy Centre is full of great artists and really nice people. I am so pleased I took the gamble to take on one of the workshops - it's really a home from home.

I've been making regular sales with my bits and bobs, it's keeping me ticking over nicely!! I have started to notice now that I am getting lots of requests to make a certain design in a certain colour on the day. This is always exciting and I'm pleased to say that so far everyone has gone away with a piece of jewellery that they think is better than the original idea that they gave me. I have started doing mail order as well and have found repeat customers through this medium.

I don't have a website as yet, but may do in the future. Until then I regularly post photos onto my facebook group - Treasured Forever. Take a peek. It's like window shopping without the crowds!!!!

Thanks and hope you have a great week.

Duchy Square Centre for Creativity

Gallery of Graduates......

Our 'First Steps' exhibition at Duchy Square Centre for Creativity, on until the end of August is being well received. The works vary from huge paintings, to staircases and glass and found object sculpture. It is well worth a look and shows the boundless creativity of the Artist and student. Upstairs in the 'other' gallery our very talented
resident artists are staging an impromptu summer show. Their creativty is also boundless and it is a stunning display of the versatility and talent here at Duchy Square.

Mary Toon's Feltmaking Workshops at Duchy Square.

Mary Toon will be running some more of her popular feltmaking workshops in September at the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity in Princetown.

There will be 4 classes for beginners (flat-work using different fleeces and fibres) and 3 classes "Using templates to make 3D objects" (also suitable for beginners), all running 10-4pm at £30 for the day incl. materials.

For further details, please visit www.duchysquare.org