the uncomfortable beauty of terrible things
opening tomorrow, 2/10/20, this show brings together three of the prize winners from guggleton farm art’s summer open 2019, go figure, sue baker Kenton, sasha constable and matthew hayward.they were selected by the judges, wendy elia, david cobley and anthony connolly after a long day of deliberation on the assembled works of the 24 finalists.
during the go figure exhibit curator, deanne tremlett, brought together the finalists, over two days, for discussion and cream tea.
these discussions resulted in the theme for this show. little knowing how sadly portentous their discussions were, the participants explored, amongst other topics, Artists’ use of the seductive formal qualities of art to better engage the audience when communicating difficult subjects; finding beauty in even the most dreadful things. much of the work in the show, opening in the milking parlour gallery tomorrow, has been created during the recent national lockdown, whilst also developing themes already observable in the artists’ work.
The exhibit will open with a socially distanced, facilitated ‘in conversation with’ reception, hosted by andrew stooke, and available online post event. tickets for this free event are available though eventbrite here.
the uncomfortable beauty of terrible things – preview evening: 2 October, 6-7pm, FREE
Facilitated by Andrew Stooke this will be a COVID aware event, held outside in the venue’s open Dutch Barn, consisting of a conversation with all three participating artists: Sue Baker, Sasha Constable and Matthew Hayward. Supervised access to the exhibit will be possible both before and after the talk. Booking is essential as numbers are, understandably, limited. These can be reserved here. Refreshments available, please bring a face mask.
1917 A film by Sam Mendes
The winner of our recent Film night poll was Sam Mendes’ 1917, which will be screened on September 23rd, in association with MOVIOLA, in the Dutch Barns at 8pm.Tickets are £5 and available from the As The Crow Flies Gallery/shop or by calling us on 01963 363456…. Spaces are necessarily limited and so booking in advance is advised…. bring your own popcorn, cushion and blankie…..
…..click on the image for more info on MOVIOLA
Two fantastic events coming up!
Two events for your diaries! Both very special affairs… but entirely different. Guggborne on the 19th of September, an evening of music and opera (£10), and then Tom Clements, singer songwriter, on the 25th, treating us to a selection of classic covers and original compositions (£8). For more details of both visit our main page Events or our website: www.guggletonfarmarts.com tickets for both are available via
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Millie Gleeson 2019 Go Figure Open Winner – Solo Show: ‘On Reflection’ in the Milking Parlour
An Opening Reception will be held this Friday between 6 and 8 pm, in the Dutch Barns [outside but under cover], when Millie Gleeson will be available to chat with about her work in a socially distanced manner. Access to the show will be available in groups, with refreshments available.
The First Prize winner of our 2019 Summer Open GO FIGURE; Millie now takes up that prize with a major solo show documenting the evolution of her practice until now, including works produced during two South American residencies.
Based in Somerset, her works are vibrant and dominated by a strong female form. Some of my paintings are from photos of herself, whilst others she makes up to act out different characters and emotions. This includes creating costumes, make up and settings; a practice for which her previous fashion school training comes in extremely useful. She says:
“I like to keep a theatrical element throughout my work by making images with a strong presence. At the moment I paint with acrylic, spray paint, button polish and anything else I can get my hands on, as I will continue to explore different materials and methods.”
Millie always paints outdoors, allowing a freedom of movement that would be constrained by the enclosed space of a studio.
Four Contemporary Landscape Painters
We are delighted to announce the opening of our, rescheduled for lockdown, contemporary landscape show in the Milking Parlour Gallery from the 25th of July until the 13th of August [Tues-Sat, 11-3]Hester Berry, Day Bowman, Rita Brown and Sam Travers have been selected for the show as their particular take on the landscapes around them offers a unique and fresh perspective on the genre.
Accomplished brush-workers all; their use of paint, mixed media and surface is to be beheld. Two dimensional images of their works do them no justice, so please do pop along to the gallery where you can be assured of a safe and suitable place to view this stunning work.
There is a wide price range of work available and sizes suitable to grace all manner of homes and spaces.
The artists themselves will be in conversation at a socially distanced event on the Friday 31st of July at 6pm when refreshments will be served. The event is ticketed [but free] and these can be reserved here.
Wendy Elia Exhibit reopens – alongside Masterclass
Wendy Elia RWA – In the Milking Parlour Gallery 1-11 July , Tues-Sat, 11-3
For the first time outside of London, this exhibition brings together key works in Elia’s catalogue that give a sense of the personal and professional journey the artist has undertaken. Key works such as ‘Maxime Spinning’ and ‘The Visit’ series will be on show. Curated by Deanne Tremlett, who has worked with Elia three times before, and in a new and exciting space for Dorset this show promises to both stun and stymie. coincide with her Guggleton Exhibition – ‘WENDY ELIA – Significant Works to date’ [in the Milking Parlour Gallery 1st – 11th], Wendy will be teaching a Masterclass in oils, mixing and portraiture.
On the 11th of July you are invited to join Wendy between 10.30 and 4.30 for a full days’ class and light lunch. Places cost £80 and are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. You can secure yours by calling the gallery on 01963 363456.
REPAIR SHOP OPENING!
All go @thegugg this week! We are, in line with guidance from the #ukmensshedsassociation #ukmenssheds OPENING THE REPAIR SHOP SHED for business this Saturday at 2pm! We will have to postpone the tea party until July but in the meantime we need people with time and tools! The shed team will be on site between 2 and 4 on Saturday (13th) to answer questions and help those who wish to become involved. PLEASE POP DOWN. We will ensure that current safeguarding measures are observed. All donations of tools, shelves etc gratefully received…..thank you to Stalbridge Builders and The Vintage Tool Shop for their generous support!Welcome to the Hotel Gugglefornia……such a lovely place!
This week in #thecraftycupboard @thegugg we need your help! The GuggBugHotel is open for business but the rooms are looking a bit sparse…They need decorating and naming. If you are out on a walk then please pick up a room kit from the box on top of the cupboard.
Always wash your hands.For a great list of ideas of how to furnish your room then look here:
1. Go to the Crafty Cupboard! 
2. Take your room kit home. 
3. You will also need: a willing [well at least not unwilling] adult, screws or tacks, a screwdriver or hammer, some paint and decorative bits……and an abandoned bird’s nest….haha – not really. For ideas of how to furnish your room go to the link in the copy above… 
4. Your walls are marked A and B. Construct your room as shown using either your tacks or screws [this is where the adult comes in handy] 
5. Your constructed room should look like this [TIP: in order for all the rooms to slot together I the hotel please make sure you overlap the room walls as shown] 
6. Paint the edges only of your room. Too much paint may damage insects but a good bright colour attracts them! Please don’t use anything that might be a choking hazard for birds or small mammals. 
8. Place your room back on with glue or tacks. 
7. If you think your room needs a back because of how it will be furnished then use a piece of cardboard from a food packet that has some kind of protective coating so it will do better in the rain [it will be undercover though]. 
9. Name and furnish your room! 
10. On your next outing pop back to the Gugg and follow the signs to the Bug Hotel!
…..and in the words of The Eagles [ask your adults] ‘Such a lovely place’…..
It’s Show Time!!!!
This week in #thecraftycupboard @thegugg we are making a doorway theatre for the puppets we made last week…You are going to need a large, or two medium sized, cardboard boxes and a kit from the cupboard. There are still a few puppet making kits available too if you wish to swell your cast…but if you don’t want to make any just use Barbie and Ken….teddy and panda or draw a face on a wooden spoon or two!
1. Including your kit from the Crafty Cupboard you will also need one large, or two medium sized, cardboard boxes, some strong, wide tape, a sharp craft knife, a bradle [or skewer], some scissors, a permanent marker, PVA, poster paint…… 
2. ……and a door! 
3. First of all flatten your box[es], cutting along one corner with your craft knife [get an adult to do this for you – craft knives are sharp!] to create a long, flat piece. 
4. Offer one piece of cardboard up to your door and mark the point at which it fits, snuggly, between the two door jambs. 
5. Cut your cardboard into sections of the same width as the door. [TIP: use your adult to do the craft knife bits…] 
6. Depending upon the size of your cardboard box[es] this will determine how many pieces you will need in order to create…… 
7. ….a flat piece that, when taped together and stood on end, is tall enough in the doorway for you to stand behind unseen, plus an extra 30cms or so taller; to create the stage surround. [TIP: make sure that you tape the cardboard pieces together on the side that was originally the outside of the box so that any labels or lettering will eventually be on the back side of the doorway theatre]. 
8. Use any left over carboard to strengthen taped joints. 
9. Flip over the sheet and, using your marker pen, create the design for your theatre. Draw a box for where the ‘stage’ will be. [TIP: if you lay down next to the sheet of cardboard you can ensure that the square for the stage is low to mid eye level for your height]. 
10. Start painting! [TIP: start with lighter colours first, then move to the darker ones and let each colour dry thoroughly before moving on to the next]. 
11. Let the theatre dry thoroughly and then…. 
12. …add the rest of your design elements using materials and card from the Crafty Cupboard, or anything you have at home. Then with the craft knife, carefully or using an adult, cut out and remove the stage rectangle to create your puppet theatre stage opening. 
13. Next, take the material you have selected for your stage curtains and use the cut out piece of card as a template to determine the size they will need to be. Leave at least 5-8cms around each edge. 
14. Cut the material into equal halves. 
15. Using the bradle make an even number of holes at an equal distance, along the top edge of your two curtains. 
16. thread the two curtains onto your cane, starting from front to back. 
17. Lay your curtain ‘rail’ on to the theatre and make two marks near to where each end of where the cane reaches above the ‘stage’ hole [as shown]. 
18. Using your craft knife cut two slits where your marks are and then thread the cane through from back to front to back [as shown] and then secure the cane front and back with tape. 
19. Disguise the cane holes with a design element. This will mean that your curtain ‘pole’ is behind the scenes but that the curtains can hang over in front. 
20. Using your sharp skewer/bradle make two holes along the top of your theatre and add string to hang it in the doorway. then with a marker pen, or more paint, name your theatre! 
21. Create the opportunity to use interchangeable scenery by placing two split pins from front to back, just above the curtains. 
22. You can then either paint scenery or use a plain backdrop for your shows by simply adding or removing sheets of paper from the back. 
23. Adjust the length of the string to the right length so that , when it is hung from a tack or drawing pin from the top of the door, your theatre reaches all the way to the floor. 
24 Your theatre is complete…. 
Select your puppets and entertain your family and friends! 
You can even star in the show yourself!
