2010 Wandsworth Artists Open House

This year’s open house will take place across the borough during the first two weekends of October.

We will be running a local art trail again, with details of artists in the Furzedown, Tooting and Balham areas, competitions and drop-in art and craft workshops.  Please check back for interviews with local artists and a copy of the art trail.

A full Guide listing all the artists taking part across the borough is available here.

Look forward to seeing you!

and the winners are…

and (drum rolls)… the winners (cheering)… of the Tooting Art Trail (more drum rolls) are (appluase)…

Katie’s silver cufflinks – Henry Parritt (and his Mum, Sylvia)
Sally’s glass Christmas decorations – Kelly Evans
Louise’s pearl chain necklace – Sandra Lester
Sue’s 20 greetings cards – Ania Heasley and family
Fio’s ‘Mini Tissue Chair’ sculpture – Rhonda Gregory
Gillian’s ‘Yellow View’ painting – Chris Giles
Emma’s ‘Floral Burst’ print – Lia Kalm-Zattmann

Well done everyone, and thanks to all of you for taking part.  Winners will be contacted individually about collecting their prizes.

More prizes…

We have more prizes added to our art trail!  Including this tissue paper chair sculpture from Fio Adamson…

…and sets of art cards from Sue Rowling (see below).  Don’t forget to hand your completed form in to the last house your visit, or Contact T’Art with your guess and contact details.   Good luck and have fun this weekend!

Wandsworth Artists Open House

Thanks everyone that visited all our open houses last weekend. We had a fab time meeting you all and appreciate your interest and support of our work.

At Fabric Nation’s house, we loved seeing everyone’s creations at the bunting making sessions.  Families joined in to create lovely joint bunting banners and individual names.

And all of the lovely brooches you made.  We loved seeing people of all ages mixing up different colours to make their brooches.

This weekend Fabric Nation & Co (venue 70) will also have work from Neil Randell, including his Tooting Common tree series, Chocolate Creative and new work from Amelia Critchlow.   Brooch and bunting making will be repeated and there will be a new batch of homemade cakes!  Here are some of Neil’s photographs…

Meet the artist – Louise Williams

Today’s Meet the Artist interview is with the creator of LouLou Workshop, Louise Williams.

What type of art work you do?

I make jewellery, mainly using semi-precious stones and silver, but sometimes I get drawn to shells, crystals, and some really funky glass beads.  Anything sparkly!

 What inspires you / influences your work?

I try and make the things that are easily wearable.  After all, what’s the point in having  jewellery that you only keep in a box for special occasions?

How did you come to be doing this type of work?
I did an evening class a few years ago, where I learned to make jewellery, and then discovered that I had more ideas for things than I could possibly wear myself!   I work, Monday to Thursday, in property, which is a pretty factual and technical business, so this is my excuse to exercise the creative side of my brain.

Where did you train / develop your work?

I took classes at St Francis Xavier Adult Education Centre, and since then, it’s all been in my own living room!  I always have a notebook in my bag though, so I can scribble down ideas when I get them.

Why are you taking part in Wandsworth Artists Open House?

I have been lucky enough to meet some fabulous, creative, and welcoming people through local craft and artists groups, and I’d love to meet some more.

What can visitors to your open house look forward to?

I have lots of lovely earrings, necklaces and bracelets in all manner of sparkling shapes and sizes, but I’ve also discovered a fascination with buttons, and have been making some lovely chunky bracelets which I can’t get enough of.  Our open house will also boast fabulous textiles from the lovely Gillian (our hostess) at Fabric Nation, and from Margarita at Chocolate Creative, lovely pieces by Amelia Critchlow and gorgeous glass by Mandy Treptow.  Spoiled for choice!

Whose work are you looking forward to seeing in the Wandsworth Artists Open House?

Oh, everyone’s!

What do you like about being an artist living or working in Tooting and Furzedown?

Being something of a newcomer to Furzedown, I have found that this has been a wonderful way to meet people, and to become part of a lovely group of friends.

Who is favourite artist / art work and why?
The architect, Frank Gehry, has designed some really striking jewellery for Tiffany, which I’m a big fan of.  I love the idea that good design is aesthetically pleasing regardless of scale, so the same lines will work as well on an office block in Hannover, as on a necklace pendant.  And I’m quite inspired by someone else who has found a way to bridge the gap between property and jewellery design.

What new projects do you have planned next?

I have been playing with tiaras and wedding head dresses and am even making the head dress for a friend’s wedding in December.  A lot of pressure to make it perfect, but a great chance to be a part of someone’s big day!

Thank you Louise!  

Meet the artist

Interviews with each artist will be added here everyday between now and the open house.  Find out more about local artists in Tooting and see previews of the work they will have on display during Wandsworth Artists Open House.

Tooting and Furzedown Art Trail

We will be repeating the popular art trail for the 2010 Artists’ Open House.  Watch this space for the new leaflet, due to be released in a few weeks time.

As part of Wandsworth Artists Open House,  the 27 Tooting,  Furzedown and Balham open houses and studios have banded to together to create the Tooting and Furzedown Art Trail.  Collect a stamp from each house you visit and guess one of the three famous artists hidden in the letters to enter our prize drawer to win original art work donated by your local artists and designers.

With refreshments and homemade cakes awaiting at many of the open houses, an array of local watering holes and a chance to participate in art and craft activities, this will be a lovely local day out for all ages.

Click here to download the Tooting and Furzedown Art Trail and details of all your local open houses.   This brochure will be posted through your letterbox and available at the Artist’s Open Houses.  We are houses number 46 and 50 to 76 in the Wandsworth guide to Open Houses.

Many thanks to Sue Rentoul for producing the art trail leaflet.

Check our activities page above for details of other events at Tooting and Furzedown Open Houses.

Welcome to T’art

French Bulldog by Lesley Martin

We are a collection of artists based in Tooting, Furzedown and Balham, South West London, participating in the 2009 Wandsworth Artists Open House.

Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 October
Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 October
11am to 6pm

 

Over 200 artists, working in a variety of art forms from ceramics to painting to jewellery, are throwing open their doors across the borough. It’s the perfect opportunity to see what happens on your street, and to explore the borough.  Click here for a downloadable guide to all the Wandsworth Artists Open Houses and follow us to find out more about art activities in the Tooting and Furzedown area.