This weekend the Ilkley Creative Quarter comes alive with 3 days of art, creativity and fun across 17+ venues between Friday 14th and Sunday 16th October.
One event on Sunday is between 11am-4pm, Mrs Duttons Wondrous Workshops opens its doors for a one day exhibition of textile art called ‘Inspiration!'. The pop-up show focuses on ten Yorkshire textile artists to demonstrate what can be achieved with practice and passion. The workshop destination’s own inspiration came from those isolated by Covid who yearned for communal and mindful activities to restore their well-being. Entry is free.
Alongside their works, each artist explains what inspires and motivates their crafting. Paula Perrins, who combines stitch with recycled textiles, says: “Sewing holds my entire life together, it is what earns my wages, it cares for my family, it makes me happy, brings me pride and self-confidence, it is the cornerstone of much of my social life, it is how I express myself.”
Netherton-born couture embroiderer Alice Richardson, whose clients range from Dior and Ellie Goulding to the BBC and is a lecturer at the prestigious London College of Fashion, concurs: “Textile crafting for me is like eating and breathing; it’s an essential part of my everyday. It is stimulating yet mindful - so good for the soul.”
The show also features a new work by Lu Mason, the first artist to have a rag-rug hanging in the Royal Academy Summer Show (2021), and mixed media collages by Anne Brooke, who captured the imagination of thousands of crafters worldwide during Covid with her engaging YouTube projects, #sew4thesoul and #52tagshannemade.
The Creative Quarter Open Weekend trail starts at Ilkley Manor House, where the Dorothy Bradford 'Rhythms of Life' exhibition is being hosted upstairs in the Weston Gallery, and in the Solar Gallery, many local artists have produced work using a vast array of techniques on the theme of IDENTITY. The trail continues around the Manor House Courtyard (Castle Yard and Hill), following the road up to Church Street and around that area, and then along the A65, finishing at Community Cutlery.
This Open House event is free for all to attend and the venues will also have artwork available to purchase. The weekend is a perfect opportunity to purchase unique gifts for Christmas presents, discover new artists that are known on local, national, and international scales, be inspired by the creative workshops and demonstrations, and meet interesting people with similar passions.
The event is running from Friday 14th October to Sunday 16th October. 2 Castle Hill, home to Yorkshire Flower Essences and Ilkley Complementary Therapies, will have licensed therapists on site to discuss the many treatments they offer such as Reiki, Massage, Aromatherapy, Counselling, Chiropractic Treatments, and more.
There are particular workshops and events that are taking place on certain days:
On Saturday 15 October, Tom Bromley of Burnt Orchid will be using his blacksmith's forge in the Manor House courtyard to create small metal leaves (which can be used as key rings, charms etc). The event starts at 12pm and Tom will discuss his process as well as take questions from the audience.
On Sunday 16 October, Art School Ilkley will be hosting creative taster sessions in the Manor House courtyard - young artists are encouraged to attend but adults are welcome too! Mrs Dutton's Wondrous Workshops is also hosting a workshop on this day, where ten top textile artists will be demonstrating their skills in a free exhibition entitled INSPIRATION!
All the venues are within a few minutes' walk of each other. A downloadable map and list of all the artists and venues are available via this link: www.discoverilkleyart.co.uk/ilkleycreativequarter
