July 2025
Thankyou to everyone who was able to support our May Open Studios. We look forwards to seeing you again on 10th-11th October 2025!
Here you can read the latest news from some of our studio holders...
Pete Marsh
I moved into my new studio, "Studio Newry" (still within FaMAS) on 1st May 2025. I had been very happy in Studio 5 for about 14 years but it
was time for a change and I have very quickly settled into my new workspace on Floor 3 at Falcon Mill. At the beginning of May I enjoyed
my third time at Printfest, Ulverston as an exhibiting artist where my exhibition stand included a series of monotypes inspired by my most
recent visit to Australia. More examples of my printmaking were delivered to Water Street Gallery, Todmorden for their "Prints and
Printers" exhibition. May seems to have had a printmaking theme for I attended the "Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White - Prints fromthe Rembrandt House Museum," exhibition in Birmigham. I have yet to action the inspiration I felt from this show as I am so busy with
painting at present. Two private painting commissions have been completed in recent months with each painting havin been commissioned for the client's partner as a surprise. I am, therefore, unable to make these two paintings public just yet as the intended recipients have yet to receive them. Also in May I delivered a demo/art talk to the lovely people from "Bolton Art Circle" which celebrates its 80 year anniversary in 2026! Plein air sketching on a beach in North Wales together with a series of paintings inspired by my visit to Australia have filled my time. The Australian painting series continues to preoccupy me as sevenpaintings have been started but only one has reached completion ("Parsley Bay" oil on canvas, 90cm x 70cm, pictured herewith). In addition to my painting and printmaking practice my Thursday morning art class continues to attract new members.
You can find more of Pete's work on his website
Julia Preston
This year I have taken part in a number of art/craft events already; I had an enjoyable few days in the Peak District exhibiting at Derbyshire Open Arts, and also ventured to Newcastle for the new June fair - Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. For this I built a new jewellery display stand - a bit of a labour of love- but I think it worked out ok! My model Maggie B, photographed by Yelena O , always gets so many compliments!! I have also got a number of fairs booked for the autumn, not just in Lancashire but also Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Cheshire.
In August I am heading to Lapland to take part in a volunteer project helping to renovate an arts/cultural centre, situated not far from the house-museum of a well-known Lapp artist Reidar Särestöniemi (1925-1981). This year has seen a significant retrospective of his work in Finland. I first came across his work when visiting Helsinki last year and I was immediately captivated by his vibrant colours and abstracted landscapes. I hope to create a series of work based on my visit too.
Recently I was pleased to have two works shortlisted for 'Lancashire Artist of the Year' run by Lancashire County Council. Each year a calendar to raise funds for care-leavers in the county is produced- with three images chosen for each season. You can see the shortlisted works here and the public vote is open until 4th Aug.
You can see more of Julia's work on her website
