New Website

Well my friends, a shiny new website is long overdue but those following this blog will understand that I’ve kind of been a wee bit busy this year with other things! Here’s a reminder (if you needed one) to see how bloody hard all the small businesses in Hebden Bridge have worked to get back open again …

The top picture here was taken by Helen Baron at Ribbon Circus just down Market Street from Heart Gallery as I don’t have one of the gallery because I couldn’t get in to the town.

Eventually we started ripping out the interior and working behind the scenes on any salvaged furniture we had.

Then we started to stitch ourselves back together … properly!

Concrete was poured and walls sandblasted and we were making great progress …. then we had the ‘Flood from Above’!

A burst water pipe in the early hours of the morning one Sunday saw gallons and gallons damage all the work we had done and bring ceilings crashing down!

We really didn’t want any further delays so we just cracked on behind the scenes renovating the cabinets, weeks prepping and painting them and using wallpaper kindly donated by local artist Hannah Nunn from her new range, and the floor had to be put down before the decorating began as we had to dry out again!

The decorating finally began and the ‘West End Boys’ started on the interior from my brief whilst Eco Deco and Charlie started on the exterior … we finally felt like we could see the finishing line! Vince at Abacus came to help us finish the new cabinets we commissioned Wood & Wire to make for us.

With the builders off site finally towards the middle of June we had a tight schedule to get the counter and cabinets in and start to dress our lovely new space in time to open for the 24th June!

But we managed it! Re-opening on 24th June was amazing and emotional. There is still so much to do but we are getting there and really excited to be revealing our shiny new website soon with the help of local company Futureproof Media. Here’s a little sneaky peek and watch this space, we are aiming for it to be live for our Birthday celebrations at the end of the month x

It’s here! We are on the home stretch!

This has felt such a long time coming my friends but in my head I always had the Arts Festival to aim for. Even though it was a date I didn’t want to write down, advertise or put on social media it was the date that has kept me sane since Boxing Day. Why? Because as a proud supporter I have not missed one yet since opening Heart Gallery on Market Street nearly 10 years ago. Check out this year’s programme here Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.

Our West End Boys handed the building back to us on Friday 10th June all stitched back together again and we are so chuffed. We do still have drying out issues which are related to our burst water pipe you probably read about (Water Woes) but this does not reflect on West End Joiners & Builders. These guys have been so amazing to deal with, I am so glad I fought the Insurance Company for local contractors. They have been professional, thorough, shown empathy to the situation, found solutions to access problems efficiently, project managed their team seamlessly and communicated at all times so I never felt that it wasn’t my project. Paul, Michael and Bob were so disappointed to have to hand over with some decorating still to do once we are completely dry but they reassured me they would be monitoring it for me in their own time – job well done lads, party at mine soon!

After they sent the cleaners in to reveal and clean the new floor I could call local firm Howarths to collect all our salvaged and renovated furniture (more on this later this week) and it was time to start unpacking everything.

Without giving too much away here are some photos of some of the details we love about the new Heart Gallery and you will have to wait until the 24th June to see them in the flesh my friends:

Remember the date for your diary my friends and start saving your pennies … we will re-open FRIDAY 24TH JUNE AT 10.30 AM

Call in the painters!

Well my friends we have had a busy few weeks since the last post so here is a wee update for you:

West End Joiners & Builders called the painters in a couple of weeks ago so the boys at Laycocks turned up to put in some hours.

James was there every day prepping, filling, sanding and painting; mist coat, first coat, second coat … there are so many walls I think he must have ended up dreaming in pink and grey!


I then called in another local firm, Eco Deco, to come and spruce up the outside for me and Charlie turned up cap in one hand and paint brush in the other … so much to do, so little time!

I think I should point out here too that that rose bush is the best it has ever been with so many blooms on it I’m gutted not to be open and enjoying their display!

Without giving too much away also behind the scenes my hubby and I were busy with some rather lovely wallpaper from Hannah Nunn…all will be revealed soon but Hannah has been extremely supportive and helpful!

Another local company I am working with for our re-opening is Wood & Wire who are making me some new jewellery cabinets along with some finishing touches from Vince at Abacus Framing.

Oopsie! Sneaky peek my friends … but that’s all your getting for now xXx

TALL TREES AND WARM STONE PV

The PV for Kate Lycett’s first Solo Exhibition since 2010 was last Thursday and it was a truly amazing evening; were you there?

Serious tackle needed for Kate’s really large paintings Stoodley Pike and Bridge Lanes

Let the hanging commence!

We worked hard on Wednesday night ensuring that all 14 originals were in place ready for the PV Thursday evening 6-9pm

All looking great, now to introduce Kate’s paintings to the rest of the world!

Kate has many collectors from previous exhibitions and more recently from a new body of work Heart Gallery was proud to hang in November 2012 as part of our Christmas Exhibition so it was no surprise to see an orderly queue forming at 5.45pm!

Just time for a quick hug before I opened the Heart Gallery door!

Out with the nibbles

Out with the nibbles

Mustn’t forget the Prosecco and the Wine

Once we were open it was soon extremely busy in the Picture Gallery, and in the main gallery, as people politely nudged their way in to see Kate’s fabulous new collection of paintings that have been 18 months in the making.

Busy, busy, busy in the Picture Gallery

Main Gallery also buzzing

It wasn’t long before the red dots had to be stuck on the originals as sold and the lovely Julia and Lisa were kept busy behind the counter!

Hard to choose a favourite print

There was a great buzz in the air and lots of satisfied customers with most of them managing to grab a word with Kate to find out the story behind each painting. It was interesting to see the 3 originals that inspired Kate to make the lanterns for Hannah to sell in Radiance, Fairy Lights, Old Gate and Albert Street but my favourite was the Antique Printers Tray called Studies For Trees which was filled with smaller paintings and framed in a lovely box frame…and I was delighted I knew the lovely couple that bought it.

Anna and Alan chatting to Kate about the Antique Printers Tray they’d just treated themselves to (along with another print too!).

Kate has framed this piece in a fabulous wooden box frame so do call in to see the real thing on the wall if you can; I couldn’t photograph it properly as the light was reflecting on the glass so I’ve used the pre-framed picture for you here.

Printers Tray in Kate’s Studio before framing

The whole evening went by so quickly and I even took a call at 8pm from a lady in America who wanted the original Bridge Lanes if it was still available … it was, so there was another red dot and another highly satisfied Heart Gallery/Kate Lycett customer! I’m not surprised she was keen to own this one!, it’s stunning and rather large so I hope she’s got a big wall to hang it on!

Bridge Lanes painting by Kate Lycett, limited edition prints still available at Heart Gallery

As the evening drew to a close Kate and I had a chance to sit back for a second and take it all in whilst Hannah Nunn snuck up and took a crafty picture of us chatting to the last few customers, good shot Hannah thank you.

Tired but happy and as Kate pointed out, the red flower in my hair (knitted by the lovely Helen at Ribbon Circus for me), her gorgeous red beads and the red dot behind us on the original Bridge Lanes all complimented one another!

Hattie’s red shoes matched mummy’s and this blog post would not be complete without this fab photo

We were all locked up and away by 9.30 to enjoy a social gathering and food at the Thai restaurant along with a few glasses of much deserved wine!

Kate’s red hat even matched!

All the originals are still gracing our walls so you still have time to bob in and see them as they won’t be collected until the end of April. After that they will be replaced with framed limited edition prints and the exhibition runs until the 7th July so find a date in your diary to visit Hebden Bridge and bob in to Heart Gallery to see it – you will not be disappointed.

If you would like to be informed of future exhibitions at Heart Gallery then please email us and we will happily put you on our mailing list and you can also keep an eye on Kate’s news here.

Stoodley Pike painting by Kate Lycett, limited prints still available at Heart Gallery

GNCCF

GNCCF at Spinningfields 2011

This little post is a wee bit late as after this show I was flying off to Tenerife with my family for a much needed holiday after a difficult summer in hospital and time off recuperating. Since I got back from Tenerife it has been chaos climbing that paperwork mountain and getting ready for Christmas at Heart but this show had to get a wee mention so here goes ….  oh and by the way the Tom Dixon lights, supplied by Ferrious, in the window and foyer were amazing; I have drooled over the copper shade pendant for a very long time but unfortunately cannot afford it – I need 3!

Inside the window display looking towards Suet Yi Ceramics

I had been kindly asked by Angela and Ann-Marie, GNCCF organisers, to be a prize sponsor and offer an exhibition opportunity to one lucky exhibitor and this was a tough decision to make as there was so much talent in that building! I only had 1 1/2 hours to go round all 141 stands and make up my mind, not an easy task at all, although I did have a glamorous assistant with me, Lisa Murdoch and a  glass of white Pinot!

This display of Suet's caught my eye very early on

Close up of Suet's ceramic plates/sculptures inspired by nature and observations of every day life

Suet was really pleased with her prize and although really busy herself we shall be working together in the Summer of 2012. In the meantime, take a peek here for what beauties are in store for you when her work arrives at Heart Gallery.

Handing over the certificate to Suet Yi was a pleasure and I can't wait to work with her in the Summer of 2012

Once the decision was made I could relax slightly and chat to past, present and future makers of Heart Gallery before racing back home to get ready for my early morning flight! Here are a few of my highlights, some work has been showcased in Heart Gallery over the last five years and some is yet to come so watch this space!

Always great to see Tamsin Howells and her amazing acrylic jewellery

Adele Taylor's jewellery is amazing - I should know I've bought a fab ring similar to the large one on the poster!

Hannah Nunn was glowing, as always

Sally Pawson's colourful aluminium and silver jewellery arrived at Heart just before GNCCF

Her customised stand made me smile - I love rainbows x

I have admired Emilie Taylor's handbuilt ceramics for some time now

I had to fight, well grapple actually, with the girls from The Craft Shop in Manchester over Kate Lulham's work. Perfect for Heart Gallery and it will be coming but they will showcase her work before I do in 2012 so you must get along to see it

Katherine Richmond wasn't on her stand unfortunately but her jewellery was stunning and I will be in touch with her soon

inspirational jewellery from Kayleigh Biggs

Jennifer Collier's recycled and transformed papers are making a return to Heart Gallery in May 2012

Neighbours over the road on Market Street, ethical and sustainable Makepiece, managed to set up in record time

This blew me away. Leila Arzaghi, fragile and precious

Faye Power - hand illustrated ceramics, fabulous wedding gifts

The stories behind Catherine Chester's conceptual jewellery had me engrossed for some time, her stand was amazing and she had one proud mummy with her and rightly so

I collected my order from Sarah Tyssen. Limited edition woven scarves and blankets

Jill Ford's contemporary ceramics are a delight

Alix Swan I gave a prize to when she exhibited at Holmfirth earlier this year, her stand was amazing again

Another peek at Alix Swan's work

Finally, inspired and exhausted I set off for home dreaming of one day owning one of these!