Once again, it’s time for ten Sudbury artists, and an art gallery, to open their doors and showcase their work. Sudbury Artists’ Open Studio Trail is open on 10th and 11th June from 10.30am until 5pm.
So, are you ready? Armed yourself with flat shoes and maybe a takeaway coffee? If you’ve got the flyer with the map (available from the Town Hall Information Centre, the Library and many shops) even better. Right, off we go...
First stop is the historic Christopher Centre (1) in Gainsborough Street, with a varied exhibition from the C’Art Group, covering everything from fine drawing through watercolours to experimental work. (It is open on Saturday only, so plan accordingly.) Tel: 07850 883373.
Next, we’re heading towards Edgeworth Road and past Waitrose’s car park. At No 9, Corporal Lillie Close (2), we find Caryn Noad in her garden studio, with mixed media paintings in watercolour, ink and charcoal. Tel: 07903 903965.
Back into Friars Street, and Judith Glover’s (3) light-filled studio at no. 40, where you’ll see portraits, figure drawings and plant forms in pastel and watercolour. (Tel: 01787 829878).
And just across the road, at No.57 (4/5), we get two artists for the price of one – Kate Perkins (Tel: 01787 373877) is showing off her printmaking skills, and collage work influenced by nature and the Orient. Alongside her is fellow printmaker Rosie Perkins (Tel: 07890 045880)who uses a variety of media to depict subjects that range from abstract to wildlife.
Off again, and heading up narrow School Street to Straw Lane. Have you ever wondered what lies behind that modern brick façade on the corner? It houses Cathy D’Arcy’s (6) ceramics studio, where Cathy sculpts and rolls the clay into fascinating shapes. Her Junk Art is an added bonus. (Tel: 07780 977318).
With a nod to Sudbury’s agricultural heritage, we now walk along Straw Lane and turn right into the picturesque cottages of Plough Lane, where, at No. 34, Ilona Johnson’s (7) paintings reflect Suffolk landscapes and memories of an African childhood. (Tel: 07866 975751).
We continue up Plough Lane and then turn left down Stour Street. At the bend, where it becomes Cross Street, we find Garden Place (8). Here, in her Meadow Lodge studio, Jacqui Robins is showing prints that combine colour, pattern and texture, using photo screens and paper stencils. Much of her work is based on local scenes and images. (Tel: 01787 377469).
Down the hill now to Lorna Hoey’s (9) conservatory studio at 53 Cross Street which looks over Sudbury’s Common Lands: many of Lorna’s landscapes in acrylics and pastel reflect these views. Her work also depicts ‘figures in a landscape’: based on the work done by the Common Lands volunteer rangers. (Tel: 07930 280714).
A short walk over the bridge to 83a Ballingdon Street (10) brings us to another conservatory studio, that of Lupe Cunha. Describing her work as colour instrumentals, Lupe’s abstract paintings are inspired by the colours of her native Brazil. (Tel: 07369 222781).
Now, taking the river walk towards Mill Tye, the Mill Tye Gallery and Arts Centre (11) will provide us with a unique destination for contemporary art, sculpture, handmade pottery and glass, baskets and more. (Tel: 01787 376796)
All the artists will be in their studios, looking forward to meeting you. Enjoy the Open Studios Art Trail and experience the vibrant art scene in Sudbury!
© Lorna E Hoey 2023
Suffolk Open Studios Directories available from the Mill Tye Gallery Gift Shop.
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