June news
As we speak, artists at FaMAS are enjoying the cool temperatures of Falcon Mill! We have had a few new folk join us recently, and so you'll get to meet them at our next Open Studios on 9th-10th October.
Our news this month:
Mike Gregory (pictured above) from FaMAS had a painting and poem exhibited at Blackburn Cathedral “Portraits of Courage” event for refugee week. He had an emotional response to his work from many attendees at the launch on Monday 15th June. Dignitaries included the High Sheriff of Lancashire and the Mayor.
Pete Marsh:
I have recently started four landscape paintings but it is doubtful thatany of these will be finished for the FaMAS Open Studio in October. My
oil on canvas "Mollie Marriott At The Deaf Institute" has been accepted
to the Manchester Open 2026 exhibition at HOME, the largest contemporary
arts centre of its kind outside of London. This biennial exhibition runs
from 19th June to 6th September. My painting is inspired by Mollie
Marriott (daughter of Steve Marriott of Small Faces and Humble Pie
fame)) when her band was support to Dan Patlansky at the iconic
Manchester live music venue, The Deaf Institute. I was granted
permission to sketch during the soundcheck and I even managed to find a
place in the crowd during the gig that provided enough light to produce
sketches. The painting is the result of live sketches, photographs and
memories of Mollie Marriott's performance.
Julia Preston:
Recently I spent a few days in Newcastle-upon-Tyne as an exhibitor with the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (you may be familiar with the longstanding October event held in Victoria Baths in Manchester). The inaugural Newcastle event was held last June and this year there were over 100 other exhibitors, with a range of all sorts of arts and crafts from jewellery, weaving, marquetry, glass and ceramics. The bonus for me this year was NOT coming down with norovirus as last year :) I also had time to visit the amazing Biscuit Factory, where funnily enough I spotted Pete Marsh's paintings in their exhibition!
