Visual Arts News

Spring Art Show in Norwich

Artists from across the East of England will be exhibiting at the Spring Art Show in the heart of Norwich city centre. The exhibition, a staple event in Norfolk’s art calendar, will return for its ninth outing this April. The show, taking place in the Atrium at the Forum between April 6th and 10th, will gather together an eclectic mix of artists working in a range of art forms and styles. Organised by Norwich artist Brian Korteling, the exhibition annually attracts thousands of visitors. The original works and prints on show will all be for sale. Brian Korteling said: ‘After the past couple of years it's great to be back in the Forum showing art. This year’s show will see more than 50 artists exhibiting some really exciting and sometimes challenging work. With some well-known and some lesser well-known artists all from the East of England, the exhibition will be a real celebration of local creativity and talent.’ www.springartshow.co.uk Humans – Strength and Frailty

Over the last two years, we have all coped with the pandemic in different ways. Some of us have grown, others have struggled, and this exhibition at the Yare Gallery, Great Yarmouth reflects the broad range of physical and emotional states we experienced, through portraiture and sculptural pieces, created by over sixty artists from across the UK. The gallery’s three storeys are bursting with stories to tell in paint, photography, sculpture and drawing. The walls are hung with portraits and other pictures, many of which are very personal to the sitter and artists, showing strength and frailty, and some exhibiting grief and loss. All the artworks are thought provoking, and some may be challenging. In the projection room, a film created by students from East Norfolk College, uses stills of paintings of East Anglian NHS workers, created by local artists for this project. There are also a small number of works depicting local NHS staff kindly loaned back for this exhibition. Two of the artists taking part are NHS staff themselves. www.yare.org.uk

Samuel Thomas: Dreamscape

Norfolk-based artist Samuel Thomas, renowned for bringing us his Pop art celebrations of Norfolk, brings us a new collection of surreal artworks titled Dreamscape. During a trip away to travel the world, Samuel Thomas began work on a new collection of artworks. These drawings from his sketch book, now finished digitally, form this new collection of artworks titled Dreamscape. ‘Sometimes I sketch to make sense of all of the ideas, hopes and frustrations that exist in my head,’ says Samuel. ‘During my travels, when my mind was open and I had left behind everything that felt stable and familiar, sketching was a daily activity. I began to see life from a different perspective. Ultimately I learnt that the hopes and dreams we have in life are the things that save us. This collection of drawings in black and white and sepia offer us a glimpse at some of those intangible things we are all seeking to obtain.’ You can explore the stories and see this new collection of limited edition prints at www.samuelthomasart.co.uk

‘Sculpture in the Valley’, organised by Waveney and Blyth Arts, is an annual showcase for local creative arts talent which goes well beyond our micro region along the Norfolk/Suffolk border. This year’s trail - with the theme ‘Between Two Worlds - is once again taking place at Potton Hall near Westleton from May 27th - June 26th. There are 40 contributors, over a quarter of whom have not exhibited before. ‘Interestingly, this year we have a greater preponderance of figurative pieces as well as ‘immersive’ installations,’ says Simon Raven. ‘Although we continue to attract an eclectic mix of styles, materials and aesthetics ranging from the abstract and figurative to the conceptual.’ Most of the works on display are for sale with prices ranging from a few pounds to more substantial art investments. Potton Hall is not completely wheelchair friendly so we also offer a discount to anyone who might have difficulty accessing all the different exhibition environments. There is also a Yurt Cafe for on-site refreshments. www.waveneyandblytharts.com Arts charity opens new Fine Art Printmaking centre of excellence

Curwen Print Study Centre opened its new purpose built premises in Great Thurlow Suffolk in March to teach fine art printmaking. The new centre contains a teaching studio, member open access studio, gallery, historic printing presses and will contain the charity’s significant archive of artists prints and associated documents relating to The Curwen Studio under Stanley Jones MBE as Master Printer. Curwen Print Study Centre is an established fine art educational charity offering high quality practical teaching in traditional and contemporary hand crafted printmaking skills to students of all ages and abilities, and opportunities for teacher training. Situated in the Suffolk countryside, the new Studio is fully accessible, has free parking and also provides online courses. Centre Director Lorraine Chitson said; ‘We intend to expand all areas of our provision including our highly successful education programme for school students at GCSE, IB and A'Level, our Certificate Course for adults, our Outclass programme taking printmaking out into the community as well as our new Membership Scheme for artists with dedicated resources and an onsite technician.’ www.curwenprintstudy.co.uk

Mini Norwich Print Fair comes to town

The Norwich Print Fair should have had its 25th Anniversary Celebrations in 2020 but sadly, as with so many arts events it had to be Covid-postponed. This year they are celebrating their 24.5 show at Anteros with a slimmed down mini Print Fair. They look forward to welcoming visitors to see an array of outstanding printmaking practices, with contributing printmakers selected from across the East Anglian region. As well as framed work there will also be unframed work and greetings cards. The full NPF 25th Anniversary Show will be next year back in their original venue of St Margaret’s Church. www.norwichprintfair.co.uk