Open Studios
This May, the Cath Ray Gallery and Studios on Bridgegate, Retford will be a hub of artistic activity as the annual Open Studios coincide with the first major group exhibition in the gallery since it opened nearly three years ago.
Visit the Open Studios on Saturday 3rd May, 10.00am to 4.00pm, and Sunday 18th May, 10.00am to 4.00pm. On both Open Studios dates, all four resident artists will open their studios to visitors, offering an opportunity to see where and how they work, and to ask questions about their practice. In addition, seven guest artists from the Artempo collective will be present in the gallery to guide visitors through their exhibition and discuss the processes behind the pieces on display.
The Artempo exhibition will be open from Saturday 3rd May to Saturday 28th June. Artempo is a Retford-based artist collective that supports collaboration and shared exhibitions among local artists. The group’s upcoming show showcases a diverse range of work, including painting, drawing, textiles, printmaking, and three-dimensional art.
Exhibiting artists include:
- Annie Turner – Acrylics and watercolours
- Jayne Day Williams – Pen and ink drawings of architectural subjects
- Jenny King – Watercolours and embroidery
- Ann Everett – Mixed media paintings and drawings
- Pat Carrington – Paintings, drawings and 3D work
- Polly Warren – Lino prints
- Wendy Smith – Paintings, drawings, textiles and jewellery
- Cath Ray – Oil paintings, charcoal drawings and bookbinding
Studio artists
- Alison Beevers – Botanical Artist
Alison creates hand-dyed fabrics and papers using eco-printing techniques with flowers she grows herself. These materials are then used to produce collographic prints and cyanotypes. - Tracey Page – Mixed Media Artist
Trained in ceramics, Tracey also creates lino prints and highly detailed ink drawings, often inspired by marine life and plants. - Bev Ramsbotham – Textile Artist
Bev makes miniature needle-felted vignettes inspired by wildlife and the natural world. Her intricately hand-stitched embroideries are presented as framed pieces, brooches, or hanging panels. - Cath Ray – Artist / Bookbinder
Cath’s work is inspired by empty landscapes and nighttime urban scenes. She also produces handbound sketchbooks and journals from unusual or reclaimed materials.
Both resident and Artempo artists will also be participating in the Blossom Festival in the Walled Gardens at Clumber Park on Sunday 11th May.
The gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 10.00am to 5.00pm (closing early at 2.00pm on Tuesdays). Visitors are welcome to drop in at any time during opening hours to view the exhibition or learn more about the range of classes, workshops and courses offered throughout the year.
Cath Ray Gallery and Studios is located at 58b Bridgegate, Retford, DN22 7UZ. For further information, please contact 0780 320 4424 or email raybooks@msn.com.