Happy Hours at Avril's Studio

On Thursday evening members were invited to Avril Elward’s studio in Maxstoke and for some it was like going on a mystery tour! She talked about how she became to be an artist, graduating from BIAD, and then she discussed her work based around industry ‘on the edge’. Avril quite often uses bitumen, and the cracked/corroded appearance fits in very well with her current subject. Playing with materials is also a very important component in the realisation of her paintings or sculpture - the result often being serendipitous.

Some works using bitumen

With so many folk at the studio when one person had to leave unexpectedly the moving of cars was like a shunting yard, but that did not dull the proceedings and more coffee and lively conversation was the order of the night. All in all – a great evening. JM

A Sunny Artsfest

Yesterday I went to the Birmingham Institute of Art & Design MA show. The works were extremely varied and SAF member Caroline Pigden's work, which discussed the interplay between the brutal and the beautiful, looked striking in the foyer in Margaret St.

Birmingham Artsfest was in full swing and I popped along to the Museum and Art Gallery to see father and daughter duo Barry and Chloe Hunt perform in the Round Room. They were excellent despite the acoustics. I especially enjoyed Chloe's own composition 'Strikeout' - fantastic for an 18 year old. Listen to her on myspace. Jackie Mackay