My first article for Cumbria 24 was called Waving across the Solway. It’s been an interesting two and a half years (to say the least) and a lot has changed since I started writing these posts. This is my last post as artist in residence here and I want to start by saying a big thank you to you all for reading and a huge thanks to Cumbria 24 for giving me this opportunity. I’ve really enjoyed these monthly sharings, it’s given me a chance to pause and reflect each month and to share my journey with you all and I hope that some of you will continue to follow me and see what happens next!
I’ve got a busy month coming up with exhibitions and workshops and it all feels exciting but also a little bit overwhelming after such a long period of uncertainty and cancellations! I’m excited to be back running more regular ‘real life’ workshops and have a series of workshops coming up at Shambellie House near Dumfries over the next few months. They have an exciting programme planned so do take a look and maybe get involved.
I love running workshops; I love seeing people get involved and trying new things, making new discoveries and the way it always sparks off new ideas. I’m very grateful to have been able to do some online teaching over the past two years but nothing quite beats being together with a group of people interested in the same thing and keen to get creative. It also means a bit of time collecting together materials and inspiration for the sessions and I’m always up for a ratch through my fabric boxes!
I’m also looking forward to getting my work out into physical spaces. I’ve got an exhibition at A the Airts in Sanquhar through March which I’m installing next week and I’m planning for an exhibition later in the Spring in Dumfries. It’s great to have these opportunities and to have the time to be able to get into my studio and work on new pieces. A surprisingly small proportion of my time as an artist is actually spent making art, a situation I’m always trying to remedy with varying degrees of success!
If you’re in Carlisle over the next week then I’m also taking part in StART’s Re/New Spring Pop Up Exhibition in The Lanes. There are lots of artists and makers taking part so it’s sure to offer something for everyone. It’s great to see more of these events happening and exciting to be able to get out and about again to see art ‘in real life.’
Thanks again for reading and if you’d like to keep up with what I’m doing you can sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Even better, come and see me and my work in real life at workshops and exhibition! Take care and stay creative!
Helen
Thanks you to Helen and hello to Dawn
We would like to thank Helen for her amazing work of the past two-and-a-half years. Her Artist-in-Residency has panned the pandemic, and her work online has helped many people get through a very difficult time.
We will be sharing news of Helen’s events and exhibitions on our Facebook page, so keep following to keep in touch and don’t miss an opportunity to meet or work with her.
We now have the pleasure of introducing our new Artist-in-Residence, Dawn Hurton who lives n Dufton near Appleby.
Dawn will be sharing her work with you monthly on Cumbria24 and you can start to follow her now on Instagram & Facebook
