Chris has contributed two artists books to this community project, co ordinated by Biff Vernon. It's aim has been to raise awareness of the issues regarding biodiversity of the North Sea. It is an inclusive  on going project, encouraging people from all areas of life to take part.

An exhibition of some of the work can be seen at the newly opened North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point, Lincolnshire. The show opens on Thursday 23rd August until Monday 3rd September. The artwork is also available to view online at #200 Fish

Gwen and Lola have both been busy with the Leigh Art Trail.

Gwen shared progress with her community project Connecting Threads which is still a work in progress. Now close to completion, several workshops were held during the week, giving people a last opportunity to contribute to the project.  Part of this enormous textile work was hung in the window of the Baptist Church in Leigh. It has been a great success so far with many people  contributing small sewn rectangles which Gwen has skilfully woven into one large artwork. 1130 pieces represent the number of people who were killed following the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh

Further details can be found on her website
​Gwensimspon.com

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Inspired by her recent travels to New Zealand, Lola's beautiful ceramics were on show at Phuse Media. There was also an opportunity to see her beautiful memory pot dedicated to her brother. Lola has incorporated special family memories into this very personalised and individual artwork. She is available to take commissions, and would work with the individual if they would like to be part of the creative process. 

Further details can be found at Lolaswainpottery.com

Blickling Hall has a world famous collection of antiquarian books. This historic library has been under threat from damp and deathwatch beetle.for many years. To raise awareness of the importance of books the The National Trust have commissioned Les Enfants Terrible  to create seven book related installations throughout the house. Incorporating global stories, The company have used the theme of books under threat in each work. The show continues throughout the summer.

The Word Banned, The Brown Drawing Room.

The Word Redacted, Kitchen Corridor.

The Word Burned, The Cellar.

The Word Drowned, The West Turret Bathroom.

The Word Superseded, Chinese Dressing Room.

The Word Defiant, The Long Gallery Library.

The Word Neglected, The Temple.

Chris and Karen have work included in the Whiteness exhibit at the Loft Gallery, Blickling Hall. The show is part of The Curious World of Artists Books - both shows continue until April 24th 2018. 

With spring starting to give way to summer, we have decided it is time for a change. As with all things, they evolve over time and as a group we are presently reviewing where we are, what we want and how we might achieve that. In essence, we will be working on the website and giving it a new look.over the next few months. 

While these thoughts were being discussed today at this months meeting, we couldn't"t help get distracted for a while to take a look at Karens latest piece. A cloth book which has beautiful Kantha stitching across the cover. The various pieces of fabric included small pieces which had been dyed by Gwen. It is a cloth sketch book with blank pages ready for some more stitching...

Chris Ruston and Karen Apps will joining eight other artists in this exciting exhibition which opens on the 30Th April at the Loft Gallery Blickling Hall, Norfolk.