Are you struggling to come up with ideas for Christmas gifts? What do you get that person who has everything. Few gifts are more memorable than an original painting, a unique print or a piece of studio pottery. In a throwaway society, art is a timeless gift which may become an heirloom.

"If everyone who'd complimented our beautiful gallery had bought 'just a card' we'd still be open.”

When artist and designer, Sarah Hamilton, read this quote by the owners of a small gallery which had recently closed, it prompted her to set up JUST A CARD, a movement to encourage people to buy from designers and craftspeople, independent galleries and shops. 

It’s the busiest week of our year as we prepare for our Christmas Exhibition opening on Sunday. We’ve been around the country collecting work, artists have been making deliveries, picture framers have been assembling frames, printmakers have been working their presses, ceramic artists have been firing kilns, sculptors have been modelling work and mince pie making is underway. 

Madeleine Hand tells stories and makes connections, connections between people and connections between people and the landscape. 

Chris Forsey’s first memory of drawing is with his grandad, who lived downstairs from him in London, when he was a boy. He would spend the morning with him and pestering his grandad for something to do, he gave him some paper that meat had been delivered in, and a pencil. 

We have had a glorious summer. Now the first hints of autumn are appearing as we prepare our new exhibition. Many artists enjoy the richness of the season after the brash light of summer.

Barbara Robertson (Babs) sadly died this month, just days short of her 73rd birthday. Barbara was a superb printmaker, sensitive, observant, full of humour and wonderfully skilled. She was also warm, generous and great company.

These wonderful warm languid summer days have made the garden a joy to be in but alas it has been tinged with more than a little sadness as an important aerial element has been missing.