The Down To Earth Contemporary Craft Gallery
Presents "Art In The Yard"
Saturday and Sunday June 19th and June 20th
Come and join us on Saturday and Sunday June 19th and 20th and watch the artists at work.
- A Spectacular Glass Blowing Display by Ed and Margaret Burke of E + M Glass
and Pottery Demonstration by Alan and Lyn Newton.
(BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE WHITCHURCH TOWN COUNCIL)
We are delighted to present a unique opportunity to watch a spectacular glass blowing display by master glass blowers Ed and Margaret Burke of E + M Glass and a pottery demonstration by Alan and Lyn Newton throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday June 19th and 20th from 11 am.
The glass blowing and pottery demonstrations will take place every hour throughout the day in the courtyard of the Whitchurch Heritage Centre next to the gallery. An exhibition of work by Ed and Margaret and Alan and Lyn will be available for sale in the Down To Earth Gallery, and a prize draw to win a piece of unique glass by E + M Glass and unique pottery by Alan and Lyn will be held with proceeds to be donated to MacMillan Cancer Support and The Down Syndrome Trust.
Husband and wife team Lyn and Alan make studio pottery in stoneware and porcelain clays. Each piece of pottery is hand thrown on the potter's wheel or hand built. They are then individually decorated in glazes and oxides and fired in an electric kiln to 1280°C. Each item is totally unique.
They have been self employed for 20 years and Alan does most of the making while Lyn uses brushwork to decorate the items. Lyn and Alan are both members of The Peninsula Arts and Crafts Association (PACA), which was formed in 1991 to promote and encourage the crafts men and women in the Wirral Peninsula
Their friendly approach makes them very popular with students eager for hints and tips; and they do many talks and demonstrations throughout the United Kingdom.
Ed and Margaret Burke have worked as professional glass blowers for many years and have established themselves as one of the finest in their field. Ed Burke has a natural talent for demonstrating his work and at shows, he tells a fascinating tale of the history of his craft with an enthusiasm that is infectious. "No one who has witnessed hot, molten glass being blown to shape could fail to be fascinated and enthralled by the process," says Ed Burke.
Glass artists Ed and Margaret Burke discovered their passion for blown glass when they were both in their teens. Since then they have brought an approach to fine glass making which has created a perfect symbiosis of colour, pattern and shape. The subtle shades of brilliant colours, bold patterns of spirals, swirls and zig zags combined with wonderful imaginative shapes including martini glasses, tumblers and vases have gained them a world wide prestigious collectors list and a host of international awards. The husband and wife team created E+ M Glass in the mid 1980's. They have been designing and making unique works of art for the table since 1988. Their studio nestles in the idyllic and inspirational rural countryside on the English / Welsh borders. It is from there they produce some of the UK's finest Art glass.
Ed Burke is a master glassblower. After obtaining a B.A. (Hons), he worked for many established glassmakers. In 1988, he built his own furnace and studio and began producing his own unique style of glassware. Specializing in tableware, Ed's interests are in the strong use of colour and shape. His designs range from production ranges to more exclusive limited editions.
Margaret Burke specializes in the cold working of glass. She designs and embellishes a range of plates bowls and glasses. Primarily inspired by Primitive Art, she creates designs that are both contrasting and tactile. Margaret enjoys working on the functional form, creating ranges of tableware that emphasis the functionality of each piece.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH GLASS BLOWING A TWISTED STEM WINE GOBLET
Ed and Margaret Burke, E & M Glass, Sarn Glass Studio, Tallarn Green, Malpas, SY14 7LN
T: 01948 770464