Skylark Summer Shows

Summer is coming to Skylark Galleries with a vengeance this month with a pair of special seasonal shows of paintings, prints and sculptures by the galleries' 30 artists that are bound to tickle your artistic senses.

The shows focus on small, affordable, portable works with a summery subject to capture the easygoing, relaxed atmosphere of the South Bank of the Thames during August.

The exhibitions in both galleries open on Monday 15 August, continuing until Sunday 28 August in Skylark 2 and Sunday 4 September in Skylark 1.

Wondering how to find the Skylark galleries? Look no further than here. Skylark galleries are in the heart of London and artist-run, so you'll find an artist in the gallery when you visit.

Featured artist this month: Gill Hickman

Gill Hickman, textural artist and director of Skylark Galleries, is the featured artist in both Skylark spaces from 18 to 31 July in her exhibition Embossed and Embellished. Gill's uplifting work, which draws from layers and textures in the environment, is a celebration of life in all its forms.

In Skylark 1 she is showing a selection of her white canvas works including “All Things are Connected”, and in Skylark 2 the focus is on her embossed paper pieces including “Wobbly Inside” and “The Chinese Elements Series” (right, Fire, embossed collage of fine papers embellished with gold leaf).

You can meet Gill at the galleries at these times:

Skylark 2 on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July from 2pm to 5pm (Open Weekend Event Collage Activity),

Skylark 1 on Tuesday 26 July from 11am to 7pm,

Skylark 2 on Sunday 31st July from 11am to 6pm.

On Friday 29 July both galleries will be open late from 6pm to 8pm. Join us for a drink while

you browse our latest collection. Gill will give a short talk in Skylark 2 at 7pm. This event is part of the SLAM LAST Fridays which happen across south London on the last Friday of each month.

www.southlondonartmap.com

www.skylarkgalleries.com

Clare Johnson selected to show in Norwich

Clare Johnson, who shows in Skylark 1, has been selected to take part in the Elements: Material Worlds exhibition at the Forum, Norwich, which is open to artists living in Norfolk, Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Cambridgeshire. The artists chosen engage particularly with habitat, environment and both the natural and man-made world.

Clare is showing the work Scenic Sterries Wharf (pictured above).

Elements: Material Worlds
12-28 July, 9am-11pm daily
Millennium Plain, Bethel Street, Norwich, NR2 1TF
Directions to the Forum here.

Art in an egg

Art in an egg! An Easter egg with a gift that lasts! From £35

This year Skylark Galleries are offering a selection of original works of art measuring 5 x 5cms that fit inside an Easter egg (some are chocolate some are not). Each unique work was created by a Skylark artist.

The idea was inspired by the "Smaller than a Lemon" exhibition.

After Easter, when all the chocolate has been eaten, your tiny artwork can be framed and enjoyed for years to come.

We're open over Easter and the bank holiday weekends, so pay us a visit.

Coming soon...

Skylark 1 and Skylark 2 will be open until 8pm on Friday 29 April as part of the South London Art Map Last Friday event. Check back here soon for more details on what's going on.

Right: Jane Skinner, Mrs Overall, in Skylark 1

Spring comes to Skylark

There's the hint of spring in the air and with Mothers Day drawing near - it's this coming Sunday, 3 April - why not take a gentle stroll along by the river Thames and pay a visit to Skylark 1 at Gabriel's Wharf and Skylark 2 on the first floor of Oxo Tower Wharf? Paintings, prints, ceramics, sculptures, cards: what more do you need for the maternal figure in your life? Works on show are constantly changing, and there's always an artist in attendance to help you out. Where exactly are we? This is where we are. Shown here: landscape by Amanda Averillo in Skylark 1.

South London Art Map launches this week

The South London Art Map, a user-friendly guide to galleries in South London, launches this week and Skylark Galleries are joining in. South London Art Map organises art tours and the late-night opening of galleries on the last Friday of each month. Visit the South London Art Map website for an itinerary of events, or pick up a printed map from art venues.

On Friday night, 25 February, Skylark will be one of the 90 galleries taking part in the first of these Last Friday events. The first 25 visitors to Skylark will receive a badge by Hew Locke commissioned by Tate Modern specially for this event.

The galleries will be open from 6pm to 8pm, so come and have a glass of wine and join us in the launch. Skylark 2's featured artist Gill Hickman will be giving a brief talk about her new series "Micro to Macro" on the evening.

You can find out more about the South London Art Map through its Facebook page and follow it at Twitter.

The South London Art Map is a one-stop resource for the visual arts in South London from Bankside to Greenwich

www.southlondonartmap.com

The Lovers' Collection: Trinidad Ball at Skylark Gallery 2

Trinidad Ball is the latest featured artist at Skylark 2, where her work is on show from 31 January to 14 February 2011.

Born in Barcelona, of Catalan parents, Trinidad lived in Spain and Latin America before moving to England where she has lived for many years. Her formal training was at Central St Martin’s, London. The interaction of colour is the basis for her work. “I’m excited by bright, strong colour and the drama created by darkness and light,” she says. Inspired by the Spanish masters and moved by the colours of Van Gogh, Trinidad’s paintings display fine technique, and an assured, heightened sense of colour and form.

“For me each painting is a challenge and an adventure. Observation is the key, working with the composition and background, this compels me to paint. Through the use of thin layers of high pigment oil paint, my aim is to render a translucent and luminous painting that gives the viewer the illusion of high realism”. Trinidad is also a Marmite lover!

Trinidad will be in attendance all day on Sunday 13 February at Skylark 2 Gallery and will be available to meet visitors and talk about her work and that of her colleagues.

Above, Marmite for Lovers, oil on canvas, 60x60cm, £1200.
Right, Cherries Royale, oil on canvas, 40x50cm, £650.

Find out more about her work on her website: www.trinidadball.co.uk.

Last week of Skylark sale

One week to go! The sales at Skylark Galleries 1 and 2 now continue until Sunday 6 February, and there are still great bargains to be found. The galleries are open from Tuesday to Sunday (more details on visiting the galleries here).

All works on display have at least 10% off marked prices, and others have as much as 50% off. Kathleen Dutton's In Green (shown left) was £98, and is now £70, and Nicolette Carter's Pink (right) was £150, and now just £80.

Trinidad Ball portrait unveiled

In December, a portrait by Skylark 2 artist Trinidad Ball of Professor Geoff Whitty, the director of the Institute of Education, University of London, was unveiled on the occasion of his retirement. It was unveiled by Lady Elizabeth Vallence in front of Professor Whitty, his family and members of the council. Here is Trinidad with Professor Whitty at the event.

Professor Dylan Wiliam, former deputy director of the Institute of Education, said: "I think the portrait is absolutely stunning. It captures perfectly both Geoff's penetrating intelligence, and also his sense of humour, but also the portrait has a great deal of warmth. I can't think of the words to say exactly what I feel about the portrait—someone once said "Words do not reflect the world, not because there is no world, but because words are not mirrors"—but the portrait is a wonderful and generous illustration of the complexity of the man."

Find out more about Trinidad's work at her website: www.trinidadball.co.uk.

Skylark 2 Christmas Show opens

The Skylark 2 Christmas Show is open now with plenty of great affordable art gift ideas, and something for everyone. The gallery is open from 11am to 6pm every day (except Mondays). It will be open late on Thursday 9 and Thursday 16 December - a perfect chance to warm yourself with mulled wine as you scour the walls.

Gift vouchers, which can be redeemed in either Skylark 1 and Skylark 2, start at £10.

Skylark stand opens at Affordable Art Fair

The Affordable Art Fair's charity private view opened last night, and as usual, the aisles were packed to overflowing with people viewing works by more than 1,000 artists showing with about 120 galleries. The works of ten Skylark artists are on show in the marquee: Nicolette Carter, Saskia Ellis Holden, Veta Gorner, Gill Hickman, James Hobbs, Clare Johnson, Deana Lee, Eileen Martin, Liz Meier and Steve Yeates.

The fair opens to the public this morning with these opening hours:
Thursday 21 October 11am-9.30pm
Friday 22 October 11am-6pm
Saturday 23 October 11am-6pm
Sunday 24 October 11am-6pm

Our stand number is G4 - come and give us a visit!

Coming soon: Skylark at the Affordable Art Fair

The Affordable Art Fair in Battersea Park is coming soon, and Skylark Galleries are going to be there once more. More than 25,000 people come each year to the UK's leading showcase of contemporary art under £3,000. Running from 21-24 October, it is the perfect place to meet Skylark artists and find a great new piece of affordable work.

Skylark has special vouchers offering half price entry for up to two people. Like one? Email us at info@skylarkgallery.com, or come in to either of the Skylark galleries to pick one up.

More information about the Affordable Art Fair will be appearing here soon.

Dreambank images sent worldwide

During the Dreambank weekend in July, visitors to Skylark 2 were given the chance to create a mini work of art on a postcard that expressed their hopes and aspirations.

About 40 postcards were made with Skylark artists over the weekend, and these have just been sent on to their creators around the globe.








Most have been sent to inland UK, but others were sent to France, Romania, Bulgaria and the United States.






Here are some of the works made by visitors to the gallery.
















Greetings to those who took part!






The Dreambank weekend was such a success, the gallery has its own dream and aspiration: we are planning similar events in Skylark in the future. Keep an eye on this blog!

Images from Dreambank

Dreambank at Skylark on 23-25 July - part of the series of Open Weekend events in the buildup to the 2012 Olympic Games - was a great success, with visitors to the gallery being challenged to make a postcard-sized artwork that portrayed their dreams and aspirations.



Kathy Dutton, one of the Skylark artists involved in the event, said: "It was busy right from the start, with people really getting into the creative challenge, making some fantastic work for the Dreambank. All the works will be photographed, and then uploaded to our website and Facebook pages. And finally we will post them to the creator of each card."


Here are a few images from the weekend.

Coming soon: talks and demos at Skylark

During the Skylark Galleries group show at Oxo Tower Wharf, which runs from 29 July to 15 August (see previous posts), participating artists are taking part in a series of free talks and demonstrations at the gallery@oxo. There's need to book - just turn up on the day. This programme is being added to, so check back for more information.

See the previous post for details of workshops - you need to book these.

Fri 30 July 5pm and Sat 31 July 2pm
DEMO: Screenprints with Kelly Stewart – artist
Kelly, just arrived from Edinburgh, will demonstrate how she uses several acetates to create each of her unique prints
www.skellydesigns.com

Mon 2 August and Fri 6 Aug 2pm & 5pm
DEMO: What IS a Collograph? With Eileen Martin – artist
Eileen, one of the well-established Richmond Printmakers, will reveal some of the mysteries of how a collograph print is made

Thur 5 Aug and Sat 7 Aug 2pm & 5pm
TALK: Why I paint Happy Cells with Gill Hickman– artist
Gill (artist and director of Skylark) will explain how the first Happy Cells emerged in her paintings in 2006
www.gillhickman.com

Fri 13 Aug 2pm & 5pm
TALK: Tactile Ceramics
Ceramic artist Ruty Benjamini will talk about her inspirations and techniques and will encourage you to touch and hold some of her organic, tactile work that is on display www.rutybenjamini.com

Sat 14 Aug 2pm & 5pm
DEMO: Using Real Gold Leaf with Gill Hickman– artist
Gill (artist and director of Skylark) will demonstrate how she applies 23 carat gold leaf to the mitochondria in her Happy Cells paintings
www.gillhickman.com

Workshops by Skylark artists: book now!

Details of workshops, talks and demonstrations at Skylark's group show at the gallery@oxo on London's South Bank (see previous post) are just in.

Workshop spaces are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment at info@skylarkgalleries.com.

Fri 30 July and Tues 3 Aug, 10 – 11.30am
Collage Creations with Christine Moores - artist
Use mostly recycled materials to create your own artworks to take home and hang on your wall
Cost: £5/ £8 per person – all materials included
Age group: 5 – 95 years

Sat 31 July 11.15am – 12.00 midday
Doodles & Drawings with Sara Sherwood - artist
Sara will encourage you to play with pencils. Create hand-drawn greetings cards or bring your own sketch pad
Cost: £20/£25 per person
www.sarasherwood.com

Weds 4 Aug and Tues 10 Aug, 10 – 11.30am
Marvellous mosaics with Concetta Perot – mosaic artist
Concetta will demonstrate how to decorate a picture frame, a small tile or a stone paperweight using vibrantly coloured soft glass pieces 

Cost: £25/£30 per person – all materials included

Age group: 8 – 88 years
www.glitteringshards.com

Mon 9 Aug and Weds 11 Aug, 10am – 12 midday
Silk Painting with Gill Hickman - artist
Use gorgeous colours and soft natural silk to create one or maybe two A4 silk paintings to take home and hang on your wall or in your window. Bring your A4 design ideas
Cost: £25/£30 per person – all materials included
Age group: 8 – 87 years
www.gillhickman.com

Details of talks and demonstrations will appear here shortly.

Physalis - Prize Winner at Discerning Eye!

The prestigeous Discerning Eye Exhibition opened on Weds 12th November at The Mall Galleries, with a very special event The Art of Still Life, where our very own Trinidad Ball gave an artist demonstration which was extremely well received.

Trinidad's painting Physalis (see right) selected by Brenda Fenton, Collector, was among many works of art to sell that evening.

The following evening Thursday 13th November was the extremely well attended Private View where John Penrose described the show as "the best ever" and various prizes were awarded. Trinidad was completely shocked and then delighted to win the MEYNELL FENTON PRIZE of £1000, for her entry Physalis.

Gill Hickman's photo Bus Stop is also on display. This was selected by artist Anita Klein.

The Exhibition has received high acclaim and continues till 23rd November. Entry is Free.

Save the Date! London Affordable Art Fair

We have a limited number of 2 for 1 entry tickets available, please contact the gallery if you'd like one.

info@skylarkgallery.com

Phone 020 7928 4005

Don't Forget!

Skylark Galleries event this Friday as part of Open Rehearsal.

Skylark Galleries will be hosting "The Spirit of the Southbank" with a free event

Friday 26th September (6-8pm)
Skylark 2 Gallery 1st fl OXO Tower
Come and join the artists at Skylark Galleries, hear them share their personal stories of empowerment and discuss the ideas and inspirations behind their most recent work.
Including Gill Hickman, Kathleen Dutton and Steve Yeates

More about Open Rehearsal in our previous announcement here.