Saturday 25th April, 10am - 4pm
Free to attend, and all are welcome.
The studios at New Brewery Arts are home to world-class craftspeople. Step inside and experience craft in action.
New Brewery Arts is thrilled to announce Spring Fling, a special Open Studios celebration taking place on Saturday 25 April, 10am–4pm and led by the talented craftspeople, makers and creatives who work in the studios at New Brewery Arts.
You are invited to step inside working studios, meet skilled makers, watch live demonstrations, try hands-on activities, and discover limited-edition handmade work — including exclusive collections launching on the day.
What’s on
· Explore working studios
· Watch live craft demonstrations
· Try making for yourself
· See heritage crafts being made
· Shop limited edition handmade work
· Talk directly to makers
· Enjoy exclusive maker discounts
EXPLORE OUR MAKER STUDIOS
Tracey Elphick, Mixed Media - Studio 1
Working in mixed-media, Tracey takes her inspiration from what she sees around her from day to day. While she loves painting well-known scenes from Cirencester itself, she also explores street scenes, harbour views and seascapes from further afield. On a sunny day, you can often find her painting in our courtyard.
Tracey will be demonstrating her colourful approach with mixed media paintings of Cirencester’s own marketplace, a Cotswoldian abstract landscape and one of her signature still life pieces. Artists and enthusiasts can learn about her favourite experimental techniques in acrylics and collage. She will also be launching a new series of expressive oil paintings depicting British garden birds and spring foliage.
Loco Glass, Glass Blowers - Studio 2
Colin and Louise use a combination of traditional glassblowing techniques and contemporary craft skills to develop their work which is held in both public and private collections worldwide – including those of The Savoy, Sir Elton John and Madonna. They have worked on many commissions and exhibit their one-off pieces and studio ranges in selected galleries and at their studio where visitors are welcome to watch the glass being made.
Try your hand at glassblowing and blow your own glass bud vase with the Loco Glass team. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book in early to secure your spot (£90 per person).
Stephen Perkins, Traditional Upholsterer - Studio 4 (cellar studio)
Maker of traditional upholstery, Stephen is a third-generation upholsterer who has been based at New Brewery Arts since 1987. He uses methods unchanged for hundreds of years in the knowledge that the pieces he creates will stand the test of time.
Explore our basement studio to see work in progress from Stephen’s team, who will be on hand to explain the traditional upholstery and furniture techniques used by the studio.
Daniella Wilson-Dunne, Stained Glass - Studio 5
Operating since 1995, Daniella has earned a reputation for making exquisitely designed, made-to-order glass for private houses, public properties, business spaces and a diverse range of different buildings. She also teaches our Stained Glass course.
Daniella will be on hand to explain the processes and techniques used in the creation of stained glass from her treasure trove of a studio. She will also have a collection of small Spring-inspired hangings and larger one-off pieces for sale.
Liz Valenti, Paper Collage and Paper Clothes - Studio 6
Liz makes framed wall mounted garment studies and shoes in paper and tin foil which she presents in glass domes. She has an extensive background in the fashion industry, having worked for Mary Quant, the creator of the mini-skirt, early in her career – as well as lecturing in fashion design in recent years.
She will be on hand to demonstrate the stages of making paper shoes and other paper collage methods. She will talk about her travels sourcing papers and their characteristics, and be available to answer all your questions.
Ruth Martin (Baskerville & Jones), Textiles - Studio 7
Ruth is the owner of Baskerville & Jones, providing handmade home furnishings to make everyday life more beautiful. She welcomes collaborations and commissions to share the fun of creativity.
See Ruth demonstrate Spring flower embroidery and have a go yourself. Visitors can enter a prize draw to win a handmade bespoke lampshade, receive exclusive discounts from the maker, and advice on bespoke furnishings.
Emily Hurst, Milliner - Studio 8
Emily is a milliner, designer, maker and craftsperson with a passion for the heritage craft of straw work. She is dedicated to preserving and reimagining critically endangered traditional straw techniques and elevating them to align with the contemporary fashion world.
She will demonstrate the critically endangered craft of straw hat making using her late 18th-century 17 Guinea Straw Machine, once an integral part of the hat trade. Alongside the demonstration, she will display examples of straw plaiting and her new summer millinery collection, inspired by the flowers and textures of her mother’s garden.
Hayley Kruger, Jeweller - Studio 9
Hayley is a jewellery designer, maker and tutor working mostly with precious metals and gemstones on bespoke projects, including engagement rings and reworking heirlooms. She also shares her skills through workshops and classes run on site.
She will be launching an exclusive mini collection for the event, with pieces inspired by nature and vibrant gemstones. Visitors and budding jewellery designers can drop by her studio to purchase personalised silver pendants that can be stamped with initials, flowers or patterns – you can even have a go yourself.