Village Raw - ISSUE 6

VILLAGE RAW
Page 6: Jo Pethybridge, Autumn Trees.
Page 7: Julia Clarke, Large loop.
Page 8 (clockwise): Damel Carayol,
Eyesore!! The Final Straw; Anne-Marie
Butlin, White Cosmos (detail);
Mike Coles, School Run.
Page 9: Francesca Raphael Lincoln,
Three figures.
Page 10 (clockwise): Kochi Okada,
Silver, Quartz and Moonstone Brooch;
Michèle Oberdieck, Gold Shimmer,
Amber Soleus and Celadon Bronze
Conker; Peter Hale: Carafe.
and the Barbican, and art fairs at the youth theatre, the Archer
Academy and Martin Primary School. As well as helping local
schools on projects and sponsoring art competitions, the group
also donates to charities by holding raffles where artists give
their artwork as prizes.
Jewellery maker Kochi Okada says: “There are groups of artists
all over London, but this one feels different. I love it. If you’re
not born in England, it gives you a sense of place, not just with
geographical boundaries, you feel attached and rooted.”
East Finchley Open Artists offers quite a diverse group of
talent and backgrounds and its members enjoy its support network.
Photographer Mike Cole says: “Being part of an art group
focuses your mind on your work and feedback from other members
offers new insights that you could never get working on your
own. There’s always something going on – new exhibitions, new
themes, new challenges.”
Ceramicist Jo Pethybridge, who has been a member of East
Finchley Open Artists for six years, loves the open weekends and
being able to chat with the public about her work. She’s opening
up her home this year with Pat Marvel, who makes beautiful
glass, and Zitta Smith, who does bead work and jewellery, plus two
guest artists. She says: “It’s lovely to see the art in situ, on a wall
or on a table. It’s a different way of seeing a group of people’s art
that you’d never get to see anywhere else.”
For Jo, the open house also lets her work differently too.
“I’m interested in pattern, colour and design, more than making
things. This morning I started a few pieces like pendants to show
at the open house. You wouldn’t really show things like that at an
exhibition, but you can in your home. I’m hoping lots of people will
come and take a look.”
Whether you want to buy some locally made artwork or simply
take a look and chat with the artists, come along and enjoy the
combined talent of more than 100 creators in over 30 homes and
studios. The Crouch End and East Finchley weekend art trails are
a real community endeavour, and demonstrate the strength of
creativity where we live. •
Crouch End Open Studios will be taking place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May, between
12pm and 6pm on both days. There is also a group taster exhibition at the Hornsey Town
Hall from 7 to 12 May. Find out more at: crouchendopenstudios.org.uk/
The East Finchley Open Artists open house will be running on Saturday 29 and Sunday
30 June and Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 July, with venues open between 11am and 6pm
on both weekends. Learn more at: www.eastfinchleyopen.org.uk/
Both websites have details of all the artists taking part in the weekend art trails,
maps to help you plan your trail, and links to individual artists’ workshops. They also
provide information on how to join the groups.
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