Black Dog Arts did its first gardens project last year. The finale to the project was a Gardens Art Trail. This not only attracted local people of all ages, it also attracted visitors from the length and breadth of the Waveney Valley, from throughout East Anglia and the South East, and from as far afield as Cheshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire! In all, 2,000 visits were made over the Gardens Art Trail weekend to the six local gardens that took part.

This year’s Garden Project 2010

This year’s project features six, stunning, brand new Bungay gardens.

Last year three trios and three pairs of Black Dog Artists spent time in one or other of the six gardens and created original artworks inspired by “their” garden. These artworks were shown to the public in the garden that inspired the work, as part of the Gardens Art Trail.

New this year, as well as the above – original artworks inspired by each of the six new gardens – each of the gardens will also have a different craft focus.

Original craftworks, inspired by each of the gardens, will be made at specialist workshops led by acclaimed applied artists. They will then be shown, and on sale, in the relevant garden.

The gardens have been designated the Knit Garden; the Felt Garden; the Print & Paint Garden; the Art Books Garden; the Silk Garden; and the Birds & Beasts Sculptures Garden.

Workshops led by Acclaimed Artist/Tutors

The workshops kick off with two days learning how to transfer black and white digital photos of one of the gardens onto prepared MDF boards and then embed these images in full colour acrylic paintings.

This workshop will be held from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th April at “Ravenous” at the Raveningham Centre and will cost £60 full price or £50 concessions for the two days. (Concessions apply to people over 50, students, and people in receipt of benefits.)
The price includes the MDF boards and all other materials.

The workshop will be led by artist Sarah Cannell and examples of her work using these techniques can be seen at www.sarahcannell.co.uk Sarah Cannell’s workshop will be followed by a day learning how to make a garden Art Book with Mary Walker. This workshop will be in Bungay from 11am to 3.30pm on Saturday 24th April and it will cost £20 full price and £15 concessions.

On 8th May Marion Williams will show workshop participants how to dye silk scarves with organic dyes and other natural materials.

Then on 22nd May sculptor Jenny Goater will help people make wire garden sculptures of birds and beasts!

The last two workshops on felt making and creating jewellery will be held in June.
All the workshops are open to everyone from complete beginners to experienced artists.
If you would like to book a place, or find out more, ring Jan on 01986 895227 or email her on [email protected]

Be a “Garden Artist in Residence” – for free!

If you are a professional, emerging or amateur artist or art student and you are inspired by gardens, you may wish to become one of “Black Dog Arts” Gardens Art Trail artists.
Each artist is allocated one of six Bungay gardens.
They then spend time in “their” garden getting inspiration for at least one original artwork.
This artwork is then shown as part of the public Gardens Art Trail.
If you would like to be a Garden Artist or find out more, ring Jan on 01986 895227 or email her on [email protected]

Gardens Art Trail

This year’s Gardens Art Trail will take place from 11am to 3pm on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July, as part of the Bungay Festival. So put the dates in your diary now, tell your friends and family, and don’t miss the chance to see some creative crafts, amazing art and gorgeous gardens!