GATEPOST

Just over a month to go before we open our pop up shop in the Stables at Houghton Hall from Sunday 25 March, ending 29 July 2018. We will feature a selection of new work by 40+ of Norfolk’s finest craftspeople and artists from across generations, a few from the wider area of East Anglia – many showing with us for the first time. It will coincide with the Damien Hirst exhibition (March 25 – July 15, 2018).

We are showing four works by the late Margaret Mellis at our Houghton Hall pop-up event this year. She concluded a productive artistic career based in Suffolk, where she brought order to chaos in her playful assemblages. Before her death in 2009, Damien Hirst, an early admirer of her work remarked in 2001, “Why hasn’t someone noticed Margaret Mellis’ contribution to British art?” On this evidence it is time the British art establishment addressed his challenge.

Have you seen the meticulous wood turning of Tim Plunkett lately? With a BSc in Environmental Science and involvement in direct action opposing the destruction of ancient forests and cultures, it is important to Tim that all his work is made from locally sourced wood. Entirely self taught through trial (and often painful error) he strives to produce elegant, functional pieces with graceful uncluttered lines, for the kitchen and table.

Dan Meek, is a Norfolk based stone carver and letter cutter and is acclaimed for his memorials, commemorative plaques and ground-breaking conceptual sculptures. We showcased Dan's work at our recent Pop-Up event at Houghton Hall where his work sold very well. He continues to produce sculptural pieces and we hope to be showing more of his work in upcoming events in 2018.

Thank you to Anna Harvey, The Telegraph's Timeless Style columnist and ex-Deputy Editor of British Vogue who recommended us in her column this week entitled "What women really want for Christmas" Take a look at our Christmas gift ideas, order now and receive your purchases in good time for Christmas.

A number of artists, designers and craftspeople are joining with us to show their work as part of our Online Shop in the lead up to Christmas. We have makers producing innovative and beautiful lighting, textiles, glassware and paintings. There are many artworks and crafted items for all budgets.

We were delighted to get a mention by Monica Vinader in her interview with the Financial Times – How To Spend It Magazine. In the piece Monica mentions her love of all things Norfolk and our summer pop up at Houghton Hall gets her endorsement! The portrait of Monica taken by Anna Huix is taken in front of the stables and main house at Houghton Hall with the tree stump of Richard Long's White Deer Circle peaking out fo the ground behind her.

When our pop-up closes in the stables at Houghton Hall on Saturday 30 September, we will have completed eighty days. In those eighty days we have welcomed upwards of 16,000 visitors and sold artworks and designed pieces by over 48 local artists, designers and craftspeople from all across Norfolk. Don't miss your chance to purchase one of these wonderful treasures!

This months edition of KL Magazine carries an interview with a new artist to arrive in the stables at Houghton Hall – Norwich based artist Paul P Smith. Having been painting for over thirty years we are exhibiting his highly detailed landscapes that tie in with events and experiences in his life. A self-taught artist with a career in psychiatric nursing behind him Paul has an extraordinary approach to painting that we hope visitors will enjoy seeing.

Shells with their accidental beauty, subtle colours, variety in shape and texture appealed to Carolyn Brookes Davies. Their endless ornamental possibilities have inspired her recent shell work we are showing during our pop up at Houghton Hall

We are showing the wonderful paintings and chalk pastel pictures of Cornelia FitzRoy at our pop-up at Houghton Hall. These memorable studies evoke many journeys along the lanes of Norfolk and capture the wonderful colourful landscapes that await those of us who momentarily find ourselves 'lost' among these beautiful lanes and byways.

Born in 1964, Fred Ingrams studied at Camberwell and St. Martins Schools of Art. He painted above the Coach & Horses pub in Soho for 10 years. In 1998 he moved to Norfolk where has spent the last seven years painting The Fens. We are offering 3 of his recent new works at Houghton Hall. (Photograph of Fred at work in the Fens © Pete Johnstone)

We are showing the work of Liz McGowan for the second time and are delighted to show works produced as part of her Will-A-Wix series. In addition we are also delighted to show more of her collaborative work completed with another Norfolk based environmental artist, Margie Britz.

We are pleased to be showing the photographic work of Debby Besford – an established professional photographer who lives in Norfolk with her family and works throughout the UK. Her work showcases a rich and diverse portfolio of images specializing in, Contemporary portraiture, Corporate and Editorial. Her images are beautifully composed with each of her subjects feeling at ease in front of the camera. There is a strong sense of trust and sensitivity between the photographer and her sitters.

We are presenting Toby Winteringham's work here at Houghton Hall for the summer. We have a wonderful range of trays and magazine holders for sale as well as some more bespoke pieces, in particular a console table made of ancient Bog Oak from the Fenland area of North Norfolk.

Maria Pavledis is interested in the qualities of fragility and destruction both in nature and in the printmaking process itself. She explores this in her unique drawings made with fire and smoke. She works with the dream-like world of fairy tale and narrative, including its darker and uncanny elements.

Shauna Richardson's new crochetdermy piece called "The Wolf and the Lamb" has been shortlisted for the prestigious John Ruskin prize 2017. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 20th June at the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield. The shortlist exhibition, Master of all Trades, will be on display from 21st June – 8th October 2017.

We opened our new exhibition in the stables to the public, Sunday 30 April. Houghton Hall opens between 11am to 5pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays,

As Houghton Hall prepares to open TheGuardian publishes an article about the opening of Richard Long's much anticipated exhibition in the grounds and house. We are delighted to be exhibiting the work of over 40 Norfolk artists and designers alongside.

We are proud to be opening our latest exhibition alongside one of the most important exhibitions by celebrated Turner Prize-winning British artist, Richard Long, opening on Sunday 30 April 2017 at Houghton Hall, North Norfolk.

Norfolk Country Cottages, who supported our last show in Field Dalling in 2016, have joined us again this year as co-sponsors for Norfolk by Design at Houghton Hall.

Our next pop-up event opens in the Stables at Houghton Hall this spring and continues throughout the summer. We will be featuring a selection of Norfolk’s finest artists and craftspeople to coincide with a solo exhibition by renowned British artist Richard Long located within the gardens and park.

We are pleased to confirm that our next event will take place at Houghton Hall this year. We will open an exhibition space in the Stables at Houghton Hall, home to the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley.

INTO THE WOODS

2-4 December, 2016

We are delighted to announce the dates for our forthcoming showcase of Norfolk’s finest artists, designer-makers and craftspeople. The exhibition is a pre-Christmas survey of work produced or sourced from Norfolk and the eastern region. Thank you to our sponsor, Norfolk Country Cottages.