IN the Christmas exhibition at Jim Robison’s Booth House Gallery, Holmfirth, Jim’s own characteristic and typically coloured works get a good showing.
And he has also installed some pieces in the garden at the rear of the premises, with a fountain made from one of his big standing pieces.
There are also large pieces previously shown at the Royal Horticultural Society Show at Tatton Park.
The gallery exhibition includes hand-painted velvet pieces by Dionne Swift and precisely made boxes and Celtic-inspired pieces by Helen Dixon.
Margaret Gardiner is showing beautifully-textured bowls and beakers and a large Vassell for soup or punch, while Jon Forsyth’s hand-painted chickens are fun and complete with eggs, in some instances.
Christine Smith has made beautiful tall vessels and soda-firing has helped to give a lustrous quality to Erika Dennision’s work.
There is some attractive glasswork by recent graduate Stephanie Bowen, who uses copper foil between the layers of glass. Her motifs come from nature. Organic lines and blended colours form the basis of her designs.
Soft focus landscape paintings by Peter Dworok reflect the form, texture and colour he associates with pots in a kiln. Peter is in charge of the art centre at Rufford and regularly visits the Hebrides and the Lake District.
The exhibition continues through December.
A unique aspect of the show is that a year ago, six of the exhibitors were students on an extrusion technique ceramic course with resident potter/sculptor Jim Robinson. He was so impressed with their enthusiasm and skill that he invited them to go away and experiment for a year, and then reconvene as exhibitors for the Booth House Gallery Christmas Show.
l GOOD attendances were reported at the many Open Studio events over the weekend, when a wealth of creativity was on view.
At Stansfield’s in Almondbury, visitors enjoyed watching the chainsaw activities of Heather Crompton, Lea Torp Nielson and Lorraine Botterell, who were creating their own unique series of angels from various woods. A Madonna and child by Heather, in lime, caught the eye, as well as outdoor furniture by Stefan Collins, of Holmfirth. Evocative seascapes completed on sail cloths were the work of Charles Turner.
At Holmes Valley Warehouse, Honley, a wide range of figure paintings by Maggie Campbell was much admired, as well as some moody and sensitive landscape photography by Jean Bashford and Robert Norbury.
Sculptor Mick Kirkby-Geddes said many people who knew his work were appreciative of the opportunity to come and visit his workspace deep in the heart of Washpit Mills, above Holmfirth.
There were about 70 visitors on Saturday and 80 to 90 on Sunday
