Creative Auction – Hebden Bridge

Creative Auction Day

Creatives pull together for fundraising auction

In the light of the devastation this summer’s flood have wreaked on Hebden Bridge, the area’s creative community have come together to auction off some outstanding pieces of their work.

Etched Glass Bottle – Andy Poplar

On the evening of September 28^th a stunning range of work, from paintings to pots, will go under the hammer in an auction of work by artists and makers in the Waterfront Hall of the new Town Hall building to raise funds for a series of events in the build up to the Christmas Season. The plan is to help breathe new life into the town and attract visitors back with the message that Hebden Bridge is very much alive and kicking and open for business.

Hebden Bridge at Dusk – award winning photograph by local and nationally acclaimed photographer Nigel Hillier

“This is something that I’m certain will appeal to established collectors and casual buyers alike” said the auctioneer for the night, Jason Elliott. “Work has already started flooding in, if you’ll excuse the pun, and there are some quite high value pieces in there from pretty well known people. Auctions being what they are, I know that our buyers will have the opportunity to get some great bargains,” he added.

Jason Elliott, our Auctioneer, with a ltd edition print from Kate Lycett

Speaking for the Hebden Bridge Community Association who are hosting the event, Amy Leader explained, “The period leading up to Christmas is critical for the economy of Hebden Bridge with so many small independent businesses. This year the floods have caused an immense amount of hardship with many having to close for protracted periods, often laying off their staff. Hopefully this year we can help bring a bit of extra Christmas spirit to the proceedings and show visitors to the town that we were only ever ‘waving not drowning.’”

‘Amur Ambush’ by Stella Mays

More information about the auction can be found on the Town Hall website at www.hebdenbridgetownhall.org.uk

To see more images of the many kind donations received please check out the Hebden Spirit Facebook page, thank you and we look forward to seeing you at this amazing event 28 September 2012.

A Lamentation of Swans – Fiona Cameron

Hebden Spirit

Saltaire Arts Trail – May 2011

Saltaire Arts Trail informative booklet

Bank Holiday Monday I left my lovely ladies, Mandy and Julia, in charge at Heart Gallery to visit Saltaire for their Arts Trail. I’ve always done this on a Sunday in September before as the Open Houses have been part of the Saltaire Festival.

Saltaire with a grey and gloomy morning sky!

This year the organisers took the plunge to host the Arts Trail as a stand-alone event and I sincerely thought it worked really well despite the fact that our Yorkshire weather was rather damp for it! This did not seem to put visitors off as all the houses were really busy so I do hope that all makers/artists involved, and the organisers, felt all their hard work payed off.

Wet cobbles in Saltaire

I had a plan (of sorts)  ….. park in my usual spot on the outskirts of Saltaire so that I could get a walk in too! First stop would be Number 1 Myrtle Place which was one of my favourite houses in September as I met the lovely Laura Slater, textile artist, there and my daughter joined in a book binding demonstration making a little booklet for Grandma for her Birthday.

Laura Slater in 2 Constance Street 2011

One of Heart Gallery’s  resident artists Clare Caulfield was also exhibiting with Laura last year but this year she had decided to take the plunge and open her own home to the public exhibiting her own fabulous pen and inks alongside illustrative work by Nick Tankard.

Clare's canvases nestled into her bookshelf

Clare Caulfield - artist and printmaker

Clare Caulfield and her Dad in a very busy house!

My aim was to then amble down to the Makers Fair in Victoria Hall. After that, I wasn’t sure what my plan was other than lunch, more houses and coffee with Ceramicist Helen Russell!

One room in the busy Victoria Hall

There were quite a few of Heart Gallery’s Hebden Bridge and local makers in the hall so it did take me quite some time to get around but it was fun chatting with them and finding out how busy they had been.

Catherine Edwards - Hand Stitched Leather Bags and Accessories

Rachel Lucie - Jeweller

Anne Crowther - Textile Artist

Sue Candy - Ceramicist

Leigh Shepherd - busy upcycling scrabble tiles, domino pieces and draught pieces with Japanese papers

Had to stop for a bite to eat and then onto another few houses before meeting Helen Russell for a chin wag. I’ve recently introduced Helen’s elegant hand carved ceramic and silver jewellery to Heart Gallery and we just needed to finalise how many wall pieces she was sending me for the Art At Heart exhibition launching 12th June at Heart Gallery.

Helen Russell - hand carved porcelain and silver necklace

68 Victoria Road

Another Heart Gallery ceramicist was in 68 Victoria Road along with some very interesting work I hope to book in for 2012 so watch this space!

Sarah McDade - Ceramicist

I had a great day in Saltaire; I had my favourites and discovering unique artworks inside peoples homes was fun and inspiring. If you like to indulge your love of contemporary craft, and are also fascinated by other people’s homes then this Arts Trail is a must so pencil May in for 2012 … you will not be disappointed, I wasn’t.

Craft & Design Magazine latest issue has arrived at Heart Gallery

 

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  Craft & Design Magazine latest issue has arrived at Heart Gallery

   

   This latest issue contains the following features along with many other new pieces including announcing the launch of the 2009 Craft & Design Selected Awards!

  • Wally Gilbert talks about his Tipping Point as a silversmith and metal worker
  • Sue Holdaway, Reclaims, Reuses and Recycles glass, transforming it into unique jewellery and homeware
  • Jeff Soan talks about his Journey into Craft, from Toy Maker to Wobbly Wood
  • Ones to Watch at One Year On
  • The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is a great Place to Visit, with gardens and galleries to enjoy
  • In this issue’s Face of Craft interview we talk to Rachel Gogerly, designer maker and Chairman of the Guild of Enamellers
  • Andrew Arditti takes a slightly different slant on craft photography
  • Poppy Porter looks back at 2008 in the final instalment of her Diary of a Craftworker
  • This issue’s Last Word comes from gardening and homecraft expert Sarah Raven as she creates a festive sparkle

Getting ready for the Black and White Exhibition

 

Alison and Bart

 

 

 

The Heart Gallery Team

THE ‘GREATS’ GIFT RETAILER AWARDS 2008

Well folks, fabulous news to report this week, which I am very proud to be sharing with you all.

I received a letter from Progressive Gifts and Home magazine informing me that Heart Gallery is one of the finalists in the BEST NEWCOMER IN THE NORTH category at their ‘Greats’ retail awards ceremony in London in May.

Every year The Greats Awards recognise the best UK jewellery and gift retailers representing a true reflection of the changing retailing landscape. Now in their sixth year, The Greats are established as the premier awards event of the year. It brings together the entire industry for a night of celebration to recognise and celebrate not only the top independent and multiple gift retailers regionally and nationally, but also the new breed of gift retailers who, in their opinion, are making a tremendous contribution to the UK jewellery and gift industry. It is the only awards that celebrate gift retailing in the UK!

 

I am honoured to have been shortlisted for this category, as I have worked really hard to turn my dreams into a reality and give you a shopping experience, which is truly different.

 

I spend time sourcing new designers whose work I feel will sit well in Heart Gallery and provide diversity for my customers. I have wonderful relationships with all my designers and makers who have had faith in me and in Heart Gallery from the very beginning. My designer/makers all thoroughly enjoy working alongside me to provide new and exciting ranges for all my loyal and new customers.

 

But most of all I have great relationships with you, my customers, thank you for helping Heart Gallery achieve so much in such a short time.