Land of Oak & Iron are excited to host this new solo exhibition by Fiona Carvell, a local pastel artist and art tutor based in Shotley Bridge.

Fiona’s work will be on display in the ‘Inside Out Gallery’ windows at the Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill

Fiona graduated with a BA (Hons) in Illustration & Moving Image Design, from Suffolk College and the University of East London, which led to illustration commissions and a career in broadcasting.  She then trained at the BBC before moving to Sky Television in London as a graphic designer for several different television channels.

Fiona returned to her native North East in 2002 to take up a teaching post, specialising in graphic design and drawing.  She became a full time artist in 2015 and now works with Northumberland based Unison Colour as an Associate Artist, working almost exclusively with their handmade pastels to create her artwork. She became a member of The Pastel Guild of Europe in 2019, which recognises achievement and progression in the field.

Fiona regularly exhibits her work and was honoured to be included in the 121st annual exhibition of The Pastel Society at The Mall Galleries, London in 2020, where she was awarded the 2020 Royal Talens/Rembrandt Award and was delighted to have a piece selected for the 2021 exhibition. Fiona will also be exhibiting with The Society for Graphic Fine Art (The Drawing Society) in 2021, again at the Mall Galleries.

The wide variety of subject matters represented in Fiona’s work reflects an on-going drive to explore and develop as an artist. There are common threads which run throughout her work – contrasts of movement, stillness and a sense of physical space.  Each piece is a particular response or message, with the fundamentals of drawing and colour always being central to their execution.

All framed artworks are available to purchase, there will also be unframed works for sale in the shop.

Please speak to a member of staff if you are interested in purchasing one of the artworks.

www.fionacarvell.com

Land of Oak & Iron are excited to host the next of our regular ‘Meet the Maker‘ events at the Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill.  Our next Meet the Maker is with artist Norma Burke.

Norma is a local artist based in Whitley Bay and is a retired teacher who took to painting when she finally had time to do something more creative with her free time.

Norma’s inspiration comes from the beautiful north east coast line, where Norma takes photographs while out walking with her dog. “We are so lucky to have such amazing beaches and castles on our doorstep”.  She uses these captured images to create acrylic paintings on canvas at home in her studio.

Norma also collects sea glass from the beaches when out walking, mainly from the sands at Whitley Bay.  She then uses the sea glass to create her Christmas range of tea-light holders, tree decorations and cards – “the only problem is trying to remember to take the glass treasures out my pockets before ending up in the washing machine”!

Some of Norma’s work will be available to view and purchase from the Heritage Centre shop (accessed via cafe shrub) in the 2 weeks running up to her Meet the Maker event.  Please also drop by to say hello to Norma in person on Saturday 29th May to see some more of her original artworks and to show your support local artists and makers.

The Heritage Centre and all our events are fully risk assessed and Covid-19 compliant.

‘Meet the Maker’ will be outside under cover of the gazebo, social distancing will be in place for both the artist/makers and our visitors.  We have enhanced cleaning regimes in place, sanitiser and hand gel is available at both entrances to the Heritage Centre and face coverings to be worn when entering the building to use toilets, shop area and café shrub for take-away.

Booking essential

Enjoy live music in the courtyard with the ‘Cloth Cap Temperance Band’ at Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre (Winlaton Mill) as part of Make Music Day celebrations.

Put together a group of some of the most experienced folk singers in the North East, point them at an audience and what do you get? Songs, tunes, humour, audience participation and a lot of fun!

The Cloth Cap Temperance Band is a lively mix of excellent singers and musicians who have a wealth of entertaining material and play a multitude of instruments. Expect to hear Geordie songs, expect to laugh, expect to join in but, most of all, expect to have a really good time!”

The line-up for The Land of Oak and Iron is Ken Tonge, Bill Elliott, Kevin Youldon, Mike Davidson, Colin McLelland, John Dixon and Alan Beadle.

Live performances outside near the courtyard, with sessions being played between 12 noon and 3.30pm (subject to weather).

‘Scoops n Smiles’ will also be selling lots of lovely flavours of ice cream from Mabel the heritage ice cream van too!  So lets hope for sunshine so we can eat ice-cream whilst enjoying an afternoon of local songs and tunes!

café shrub will be open for delicious take-out drinks, food and snacks.

Please observe social distancing with your family bubble keeping at least 2m from other visitors and the musicians.
Please follow current Covid-19 guidelines.

Masks must be worn when entering the Heritage Centre to use the café, shop or toilets.  Sanitising spray and hand gel is available at both entrances.