Friday 28 September 2012

Bronwen ....

Bronwen our Technical Demonstrator in Small Metals is Exhibiting in this Show - go if you can, it looks like a great selection of exhibitors.

Hand-crafted automata and toyware feature heavily in this exhibition of eclectic mixed-media objects. This colourful exhibition displays a stunning collection of work inspired by toys and mechanics, bringing together traditional craft and metalworking techniques, pattern design and ingenuity.

Wednesday 19 September 2012

Penny at the Courtyard


As part of the H.arts Young Open Exhibition 2012 one of our third year students Penny Allen spent last Friday giving Tasters of quilting to visitors to the Young Open Courtyard ... sadly I was too busy sorting timetables to go and take part but here's a few photos of Penny in action ...


Monday 17 September 2012

TEMPERED THOUGHTS PRIVATE VIEW

Richard Weaver, Simon Bushell and Katie Wright (all Artist Blacksmith graduates) and Jake Lazarri (Contemporary Applied Arts) are currently showing some of their latest work at the Gordon Russell Museum in Broadway in an exhibition called ‘Tempered Thoughts: Forged in metal’. The museum is open from 11-5 Tuesday to Saturday. Each of them has been awarded the prize for the most promising graduate showing with the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen over the past four years. The award is now given by craft patron Richard Paice as part of the Gordon Russell Foundation to enable new graduates to help set up in business.

At the private view on Friday 14th September the exhibition was opened by Master Blacksmith David Gregory, who praised both the graduates and the college for its continued support of contemporary craft.

Hay Fayre

Well this weekend I exhibited my work alongside many other crafters and designers in Hay on Wye for the Craft Fayre. It was a great weekend meeting lots of people, taking commissions and receiving some great feedback on my work.

The Alloy Jewellers group were also exhibiting work, with a selection of graduates from HCA. It was lovely to see Mike Gell and have lots of visits from neighbours, family and friends!!


Tuesday 11 September 2012

TEMPERED THOUGHTS: FORGED IN METAL


Our recent Metalwork graduates Richard Weaver, Katie Wright, Jake Lazzari and Simon Bushell will be exhibiting their work alongside an Arts and Crafts masterpiece at the Gordon Russell Museum.

PRIVATE VIEW LAUNCH: 14 September


On Friday 14th September, the Master Blacksmith David Gregory will open Tempered Thoughts: Forged in Metal, an exciting new exhibition at the Gordon Russell Design Museum. The show explores the Art and Crafts metalwork of Gordon Russell alongside pieces by some of Britain’s up and coming contemporary artist blacksmiths.

The centrepiece of this exhibition will be the ‘President’s Cup’. This early Arts & Crafts design by Gordon Russell is being lent by its owners, the British Optical Museum. Other early Gordon Russell metalwork pieces will be on display alongside work by recent graduates from Hereford College of Art: Richard Weaver, Katie Wright, Jake Lazzari and Simon Bushell. These contemporary blacksmiths will exhibit all aspects of their practice from working drawings through to the finished pieces. In addition to this innovative work, the show will also include pieces by avant-garde designer/craftsman Fred Baier.

“I am really pleased to include several recent graduates’ work, both for their craft but especially for their designs. They make a fine counterpoint with Gordon Russell’s early work. I am delighted that Fred Baier continues to support our exhibition programme by lending his metalwork designs for the show,” Richard Paice, Chair of Trustees, Gordon Russell Design Museum

“It may seem that there is no place for the artisan in the world today. We cannot compete with industry head to head; but we offer what the largest companies often cannot supply – the bespoke service the discerning customer wants. I believe that the artisan craftsman has the advantage, even if it is essentially a refusal to be out designed or out made by a machine. I am excited by this exhibition and the talented young blacksmiths on show who are committed to keeping an ancient craft vital and relevant to a contemporary audience.” David Gregory, Master Blacksmith, Cobalt Blacksmiths

Picture details a Richard Weaver piece of forged furniture.



Sunday 9 September 2012

The Hereford Young Open at the Courtyard

Recent Graduates Laura Crick , Beth Terzza ,Mhari Fraser, Fiona Henderson, Jules Fraser and Gail Ansell were all selected and are currently exhibiting in the Hereford Young Open at the Courtyard when I went to the private view I also noticed that James Baker and Georgina Fowler were also exhibiting - they both graduated from Contemporary Applied Arts a few years ago.

Dan Calderwood who's just finished his first year was also selected and was exhibiting . The show very strong and well received and it was great to see so many graduates from the Crafts Cluster exhibiting .




Friday 7 September 2012

A big welcome to James

We are delighted that we have two new members of academic staff joining the teaching team.

Welcome James

James trained in Metal casting in Cheltenham and then studied in Bristol and a apprenticeship under metal fabricator Bob Hall ...

This week he drove into work in the most extraordinary car so I decided to take a photo for the blog ...

The car is mainly a 1930 Ford Model A , James bought the body from Northern California it arrived full of termites and with a arrow head embedded in the bottom of the door .. They'll be a story there !! He modified it so it could be raced at Bonniville Salt Flats Race track in Utar for landspeed even though we are not close to Utar and it's more used to a leisurely drive around Herefordshire !

James made the all the seats and dash board himself - panel beating 16 gauge aluminium and installed a 6 litre Chevrolet V8 1962 full race engine which he has chosen to leave exposed !!! And boy does it make some noise !!

A big welcome James we are looking forward to working with you....

Exhibiting in the Alloy Showcase at the Courtyard

Congratulations to ............

Laura Henderson
Emma Hughes
Thomas North
Nik Burns
Jo Kelly
Robyn Golding

For putting up an excellent exhibition in the Alloy Showcases in the Courtyard .. It's great to work with such proactive students .

Laura , Emma , Tom , Nik, Jo and Robyn are due back in College in three weeks time to start their third and final year.


Thursday 6 September 2012

Elizabeth Terzza at Oriel Davies




Congratulations Beth on being selected for the New Contemporary Craft Showcase at Oriel Davies

The collection will be opening alongside the main exhibition launch on Saturday 15 September at Oriel Davies Gallery The Park, Newtown, Powys.


Portal Exhibition the Private View

This year four of our graduates were invited to participate in Llantarnam Grange's Portal Exhibition Nick Buchan , Ben Esthop, Chris Lawley , Beth Terzza were all selected and exhibiting

It was great to see new work from Nick and Beth already especially as they'd only graduated just a few weeks earlier here's some pics of the Private View...