Hello! Once again time has gotten away from me and somehow it’s May already, and I have yet to post about my new work as I had intended.
I will get to that in a mo, but first I need to tell you about upcoming events, the first one being only 2 weeks away!
First up is the Big Summer Weekend at the gorgeous Green Gallery in the beautiful Stirlingshire countryside. This is my first time at this event, but I know lots of artists and makers who have taken part before and they all say very good things, so I am very much looking forward to it.
Entry is free, there will be refreshments available from Fallen Tree Coffee (some of the best coffee I’ve had) and I’m fairly sure it’s dog friendly!
Big Summer Weekend & Exhibition
Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May, 10-4pm
The Coachhouse, Ballamenoch, Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire FK8 3NX
The following weekend (I won’t know what’s hit me – I’ll be very thankful for May’s numerous bank holidays I can tell you) is the stupendous Spring Market & Open Studios at Perth Creative Exchange
PCE is where I have my studio share and my day job, and is home to many talented creatives…
“Join us at Perth Creative Exchange for another fantastic market weekend – a feast of the visual arts where you can not only browse and purchase beautiful things made by the actual professional makers and artists, but visit 12 open working studios to see how things are made and chat to/buy from the artists who work there too!
All under one roof you’ll find oil and watercolour painting, ceramics, jewellery, felt work, embroidery, papercutting, printmaking, textiles, homewares and much more!
This is the third year of this truly unique event, run by the artists themselves, so discover what goes on in this creative hub, formerly St. John’s Primary School. It’s a great opportunity to meet and buy directly from the makers & artists and to visit working studios to find out how things are made with lots of new things to discover for our regular visitors.
After all this you can kick back with a delicious cuppa from our pop-up cafe run by Perth’s Catering Twist.
We look forward to welcoming everyone to celebrate Spring with us!”
Spring Market & Open Studios
24-25 May 2025, 10-4pm Daily
Free Entry, Accessible, Dog friendly
Cards and Cash accepted.
Perth Creative Exchange (Wasps), Stormont St, PH1 5NW
Much of my new work will be making its debut at these events, and I’m really looking forward to the response; I’ve been really enjoying designing these new pieces and experimenting with different techniques and textures. Here’s a little flavour:
Clockwise from top left: The Cry of the Gulls, Memories of a Mountain, Shell Cottage, Wild Salt Air
These pieces have all been inspired by locations around the wilds of Scotland. I’ve been incorporating laser-cut mount board, initially in order to give me room for extra layers; as it turns out mount board cuts really well, and I can achieve a whole other level of detail than I can with wood. It even engraves really nicely, which enables me to include very fine detail. I’ve been enjoying seeing just how fine the laser cutter can go…
So that’s just a wee taster of what I’m up to – hopefully you can come along to see me in person but if not, I’ll be back with more news in the summer.
Thanks for reading
Cal
HooperHart 