The News is kindly Supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
You may remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that Manx Cancer Help were giving out 1000 mini canvases to the public? They have been kindly sponsored by CuPlas Callow and Gareth Nicholson from MCH said he realised that not everyone wants to do sporting or endurance type events to raise money for charity. He hoped the art project would encourage people to dust off their paintbrushes or perhaps even take it up for the first time to create a picture for sale to raise funds for the Charity. When I spoke to him last, Gareth told me that he was delighted to hear people were embracing the challenge, working on their pictures in groups and really engaging with each other and most importantly, having fun.
Gareth was recently excited to be able to announce that Julia Smyth from the Hodgson Loom Gallery and John from the Laxey Woollen Mills will be displaying all the submitted pieces in the Hodgson Loom Gallery from 26th June to 15th July. That will give everyone who painted a canvas and their families and friends a 3 week period to visit the show and take their time to look at the amazing works of art and to purchase any favourites. Julia and John have very kindly waived the commission they would usually take on selling any art work and this incredibly kind gesture means that ALL the money raised from selling the completed pieces will go to Manx Cancer Help, stay on the Island and will directly help someone who is suffering from Cancer and needs the help of the Charity’s Psychotherapists. If you are looking for your paintings for the Art project you can find them here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manxcancerhelp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/852070248228613/ or Twitter: https://twitter.com/ManxCancerHelp
Here are a few of the lovely creations so far.
Talking about the Hodgson Loom Gallery and Laxey Woollen Mills, Julia has been having a wander round with her camera. It’s a great place to visit any time of year and a fabulous choice if you’re looking for a local gift to give to someone. It smells lovely too (not in a flowery way). I think its a mixture of the fabrics and the wood burning stove – it really is a feast for the senses in there. If you haven’t been for a while go and have a mooch. It’s worth it for the visual delights, the smell of the place and the sound of the loom going.
Paul Parker had another go at filming with his Go Pro and it looks like he’s cracked it. I loved watching this painting unfold.
Dave Corkish caught these iridescent clouds over Peel last week – aren’t they stunning? I looked these up and apparently they are caused by especially tiny ice crystals or water droplets in the air. Larger ice crystals produce solar or lunar halos, but tiny ice crystals or water droplets cause light to be diffracted – spread out – creating this rainbow-like effect in the clouds. The phenomenon is called cloud iridescence or irisation. The term comes from Iris, the Greek personification of the rainbow.
Milen Stankov has been out and about with his camera and I think it just goes to prove how beautiful the Island can be even on a dreary day. The photo of the war memorial is particularly lovely I think. Click to enlarge the pictures.
Something I’ve spotted recently but not yet had a chance to investigate is the new Archibald Knox drop-in centre at Braddan Church New Hall. It’s a place where enthusiasts can meet, discuss Knox, have access to a reference library and bring in Knox works to share their knowledge and information about the items. There will also be the option to ask for Knox works to be brought to a subsequent meeting where there will be a chance to discuss them, handle them, draw or photograph them and so on.
The drop in centre was open last Friday and yesterday so the next meeting won’t be until Sunday 23rd April however, the organisers are hoping that Knox’s birthplace at Cronkbourne village will be open on 9th April for the 153rd anniversary of his birth.
Silver pen tray or dressing table tray with entwined Knox decoration and blue green enamels. Designed by Archibald Knox for Liberty & Co. in 1902. Size 25.5cms long, 11.5cms wide. Photograph and description courtesy of Titus Omega.
I bumped into Alice Quayle the other day and we stopped for a quick chat. She’s certainly keeping busy and her distinctive style is now a firm favourite with a broad range of clients – her work can be seen popping up all over the place – nice one Alice. Here are a couple of her recent pieces.
Dates for your Diary
On now – 27 March – Turning Point at The Sayle Gallery
15 March – Sarah Hendy’s new arts show ‘Spotlight’ on Manx Radio, 5.30 – 6.00pm (and every Wednesday)
16 March – 2.00 – 3.00pm Manx Radio – Women Today with me, Christy DeHaven and Beth Espey
16 March 6.30pm – 10.00pm – Isle of Architecture – PechaKucha 20×20: On Buildings – The Alpine Cafe, Regent Street, Douglas
19 March – 10.00am – 3.00pm Bohemian Floral Decorative Wall Panel – Adult Art Workshop at The Isle Gallery
23 March 7.00pm – 10.00pm SofA filmclub 07 – EAMES the painter + the architect at the Bath & Bottle
25 March – Mother’s Day Shop – Katy Mitchell Ceramics at Lower Bishopscourt Farm, Kirk Michael
27 March – Jimmy Duggan Solo Show at The Isle Gallery
31 March – 7.00pm – 9.00pm – Manx Wearable Art Catwalk Show at the Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road
And don’t forget to call and see Rob Jones’s Drawn Steel Through the Seasons at Milntown Gardens, Ramsey
Here’s this week’s round up of images from Social Media.
Have a great week!
Jane x
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Second year students on the Isle of Man College’s Art and Design Degree Courses are presenting an exhibition of eclectic work at the Douglas Market Hall. It’s not on for long though – Friday 20th to Monday 23rd May – as it precedes the final degree show by the third year students, so make sure you get down quick to see work from the eleven students on this course. 
