Art and about in June
June is creativity in full bloom
Happy Friday beautiful people and welcome to my little weekend round up of local creative events coming up over the month of June!
Summer is on its way folks and at this time of the year, the Surrey Hills truly burst into bloom. It’s high season for creativity and the perfect time to get out and re-connect with the local scene.
June is always a busy month for us creatives here in the Surrey. With lockdown restrictions easing and spaces and places slowly re-opening, my calendar is suddenly brimming with opportunities to reconnect with my fellow creatives.
So much so I couldn’t resist popping together my own little creative guide to Surrey letting you know about some of the workshops, exhibitions and markets happening locally that you do not want to miss.
As I mentioned earlier this week, so many of my creative colleagues are embarking on new adventures this season and I’ll be heading out to visit them over the coming month, I wanted to throw out the invitation to you guys too.
Check out my selection of little local studios, workshops and events below…
Artwork: Carolyn Gavin
Emily Chilvers
Do you remember the lovely Emily Chilvers and her beautiful basket weaving workshops at the studio? Well Emily is very much back from her travels and ready to weave, breathe and make with you all once again. She’s got some lovely workshops coming up in Brockham and over in Sutton over the coming month and I highly recommend checking them out! Interested? Emily is offering an exclusive 10% discount on all her upcoming workshops for members of the Surrey Art School community (that’s you guys). Book via her website using the code: SAS21
Surrey Artist Open Studios
Tis the season for Artists across Surrey to throw open their doors and share some of their beautiful creations with the local community. We’d love to be taking part this year but with things still a little up in the air in terms of the studio the timing just didn’t work for us this year. We are however delighted to share some of our top tips of local studios that we think will be just dreamy to visit!
Wey Ceramics Society
Remember the magnificent Jo Hannah Ceramics? She used to teach regular mindful ceramics workshops here at the studio pre-pandemic and became a dear friend to me over the years. I’ve always had a deep love for Jo’s work, with its inspiration deeply rooted in nature, state changes, transformation. You can see Jo’s work at the Wey Ceramics Society Open Studio this weekend. Click on the button below for more info.
Parkgate Pottery
If you’ve not had the pleasure of visiting the lovely Andy at Parkgate Pottery right here in Newdigate, you are in for a treat my friends. Andy runs a variety of in person ceramics workshops from her stunning garden studio as well as working on her own unique creations. This one is a magic maker with a pottery wheel and her glazes / designs are divine. Plus she’s the kind of person I could sit and chat to over numerous cups of tea because she’s such a darling. Why not pop her a visit this weekend and dive in to her world?
The Studio
Three wonderful creative souls under one roof - I just had to give a shout out to my lovely friends Imogen Hartridge and Tania Busschau whom I had the pleasure in exhibiting with in 2019 and 2020 at Denbies pre-pandemic. These two talented local artists have teamed up with yet another local legend Cathy Brett and you can visit them in Leatherhead over the next couple of weekends. Check out there opening times here.
Summer Market at Dorking Halls
And finally, this Sunday 13th June you can catch the Summer Market - curated by Dapper and Suave - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Grand Hall, Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking, RH4 1SG
” A curated pop-up department store for handmade businesses featuring artwork, beauty, candles, jewellery, ceramics, fashion, food & gifts for the home and you. This event gives exhibitors a showcase to share their passion for what they make by bring their events into the 21st Century where a friendly, unique, and creative welcome will await you as a customer.”
As always Jason has put together a cracking line up of creatives and makers of all kinds. This event is FREE folks but you’ll have to book a ticket to gain entry using the link below!
I’ve always felt that fate brought me here, to these beautiful hills, this place I now call home. It is so rare to find a place where there are so many creative people and such a thriving creative community. Art and creativity have been such an anchor for us all over the past year and now our Artists need us more than ever - to keep the arts alive! So lets get out there and support this beautiful community of makers this month!
Hope to see you at a workshop, market or open studio soon!