Traders of the Lost Art

The great thing about my home town of New Mills in Derbyshire is the never ending source of opportunities for artists to work with the local community

For the whole of March the New Mills Traders Association have worked with local artists turning the many shops and businesses in New Mills into art venues.

With such a varied selection of shops and businesses the displays have looked fantastic - from Sett Valley Cycles to the wonderful Blakes hairdressers and many many more besides.

The month long festival ends on Saturday 28 March with all the artists displaying and selling their work in New Mills Town Hall from 10:00am until 3:00pm. 

How much for an old blue and pink carpet ?

Well quite a lot in the end as bids for couturier Yves Saint Laurent's private art collection have hit 206 million euros ($408 million), making it the most expensive ever auctioned.

Six world record bids for works by major modern artists and dozens of lesser sales confirmed the global reputation of the collection amassed over half a century by YSL and his lifelong companion Pierre Berge.

Hundreds of buyers gathered under the spectacular glass and cast iron vaults of the Grand Palais exhibition hall on the banks of the Seine in Paris, transformed for the historic three-day event into a cavernous high-tech auction house.

The biggest bid so far was for a Matisse painting, Cuckoos On A Blue And Pink Carpet, which went for a record 32 million euros, smashing the auctioneer's pre-sale estimate of 18 million euros.

By contrast, the much-anticipated Pablo Picasso work Musical Instruments On A Table flopped. Bidding fell short of the 25 million euro guide price - the biggest in the collection - and the piece was withdrawn unsold.

Nevertheless, works by other artists including Dutch abstract painter Piet Mondrian, Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi and French innovator Marcel Duchamp earned record sums, well above earlier estimates.

Buyers in furs filed past a marble minotaur statue and elegant hostesses in YSL's trademark dark tailored suits ahead of what had been widely dubbed the "Sale of the Century".

Bump Art

Here's one form of art that I hadn't come across until recently and it certainly gives a whole new meaning to 'stretched canvas' !

Apparently, pregnant body painting, or bump-art as the professionals call it, is increasing in popularity - its certainly different !

Meanwhile I've taken a few days to recharge my batteries (after a ridiculously hectic start to 2009) down in Kent and may try and get across the sea to France whilst down there - I bet they don't do 'Bump art' in Boulogne.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School - Sale

Amanda has just finished a two weeks 'artist in residence' project at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Sale working with the reception class all the way through to Year 6.

The focus over the project was textiles and print making and where possible linking in with curriculum topics.

The classes produced some amazing pieces - wall hangings, large boxed canvases, banners and beany frogs to name but a few.

Over half term Amanda is finishing the display items (using her new Janome sewing machine !) to display throughout the school.

The children were so enthusiastic and thoroughly enjoyed the change over the last two weeks as did the very supportive staff at St Joseph's.

Eco Artist goes back to School

Throughout February Dukinfield Library hosts an exhibition of Eco-Art and Textiles by North West artist Amanda Whewell.

The exhibition features work by four local Primary Schools created in Amanda’s successful cross curricular school workshops as well as displays of Amanda's own style of Eco-Art.

Come along to meet Amanda in person and find out more about her work as an artist and her Eco-friendly school workshops on :

Monday 16 10am -1pm
Tuesday 24 3pm - 6pm

Friends of the Whitworth

A New Year brings new challenges and new networking opportunities and none finer than a gift my husband Sean bought for me at Christmas which means I am now officially a 'friend' of the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester.

The Friends of the Whitworth is a lively group of people who have chosen to get more involved with the Gallery and its work.

The Friends organise a full programme of events to complement the Gallery's exhibitions, as well as visits to other venues and abroad.

The Friends also support the Gallery financially. Since its foundation in 1933, the organisation has contributed to many acquisitions for the Gallery. A number of activities at the Gallery such as the Art Cart and the Sunday concerts programme are made possible through support from the Friends.

Many members help at the Whitworth as volunteers. A team of specially trained guides offer introductory Eyeopener tours every Saturday at 2pm, sharing their affection and enthusiasm for the Gallery with the public. Another group of the friends are on call to work with special needs groups using a resource called the Art Treasure Chest. Volunteers do all the administration for the Friends organisation, which helps keep costs to a minimum, allowing more money to be used to support the work of the Gallery.

Made in New Mills - Saturday 6 December

Made in New Mills

Where else could you view or buy original pieces of art, craft and jewellery for Christmas presents and at the same time listen to Flamenco music played on a guitar whilst relaxing with a nice drink - only in New Mills !

This Saturday between 10:30am and 3:30pm at the Providence United Reform Church, Mellor Road, New Mills myself and a group of local artists will be exhibiting our work so come along and say hello.