Aylesbury's Queen Park Arts Centre launch new artisan exhibition space

The work will span ceramics, jewellery, landscapes, and abstract art from some of the best local artists and makers.

Kelly Vincent is an abstract artist with a love for working with alcohol inks and resin.

She was born in Oxford although she spent ten years of her childhood growing up in southern Spain.

“I started creating art to stop all the noise,” says Kelly.

“It’s a special time where everything stops, and I am completely in the moment. All the things whirling around in my mind seem to fade away.

"I work with different mediums including acrylic paint, alcohol inks and epoxy resin. They all have their own flow which can only be controlled to a certain extent. My pieces reflect a careful balance between control and free flowing movement.

"Life is too short, we must all live our best life and that is what I am doing. I hope that in some way, my art will help others to do the same”.

There’ll be plenty of ceramics on display too, including work from QPAC’s own pottery technician Charlie Butters and tutor Helen Neighbour, who will also be exhibiting her paintings.

“I’m inspired by learning about this wonderful natural substance and the magic that is the chemistry of glazing,” says Charlie.

“I value the experience of other potters and enjoy passing any knowledge on. I have always enjoyed the pleasure of making things and meeting others who share that love of creating”.

Alongside Charlie is Adam Hoyle, a ceramic artist who loves all aspects of working with clay. Adam’s work experiments with different forms from fine porcelain through black and white stoneware to bold raku fired pieces. Alongside his thrown and pierced range of baskets and vases, he creates innovative Raku fired interactive light sculptures.

Another QPAC tutor – Susie Upstone – will be exhibiting a range of contemporary jewellery. Susie took up the creative arts at the age of fifty, attending regular classes at QPAC before becoming a volunteer tutor. Her work demonstrates a love of experimenting with new techniques.

Landscape art comes courtesy of Liz Cotgreave, who’ll be displaying her large charcoal and pastel drawings, prints and photographic work. In addition to exhibiting, Liz will be setting up her easel on site demonstrating her approach to landscapes.

Visitors will also be able to view her sketchbooks and works-in-progress when visiting.

Finally, stonemason Freya Morris will be exhibiting her sculptural work, carved

primarily from limestone and inspired by architectural or naturalistic forms.

“Having worked for 25 years in various Local Authorities as a Listed Building/Conservation Areas Officer, I recently decided to take the plunge and leave my job and retrain as a stonemason,” says Freya.

“I am currently in my second year studying for a Diploma in Stonemasonry at Moulton College in Northampton. I have been lucky enough to gain work experience with Alex Wenham, a stone carver based in Oxford and, over the last year have worked with him on projects at Eton College, Windsor and Magdalen College, Oxford.

"I have recently had two of my pieces accepted in the in the Worshipful Company of Mason's Second Annual Exhibition”.

Bucks Art Weeks takes place every year. The event sees hundreds of artists open up their studios to visitors, as well as established venues such as QPAC putting on special collections from the best local talent.

“We’re delighted with our eclectic mix of artists for this year’s event,” says QPAC’s artistic director Sarah Lewis. “There’s a wonderful mix of in-house talent and fresh faces exhibiting here for the first time. We’re sure there’ll be something to inspire everyone and can’t wait to welcome visitors when the collection opens later this month.”

QPAC’s Bucks Art Weeks exhibition is free-to-view and runs from 12 th -27 th June. For more information – including opening times – visit www.queensparkarts.com