Press Clippings

Clippings from articles about Barn Acre Gallery and it's artists...

Return of the Snails
(…plus lobsters, monkeys, mermaids and other art works.)

Barn Acre Gallery’s Christmas exhibition will have some very special trimmings, exciting new art works, sculptures, jewellery and perfect Christmas presents. This will include “Brian’s Brother” Phil Smyth’s latest edition of the bronze snail. The Gallery will open for two weeks from Saturday 25th November until Sunday 10th December, from 10.00am to 6:00pm every day with late openings until 8:00pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Set in beautiful gardens on the river in Wargrave, Barn Acre Gallery has 3 separate spaces, which provide a warm welcome and visual array of beautiful objects to distract you from the chilly weather. Those with warm coats and a fearless approach to swans and chickens are welcome to enjoy a winter wander around the gardens.

This splendid collection of creativity offers a one-stop shop for all your Christmas presents, with contemporary art from over 25 established artists and makers. Sadie Brockbank’s bronzes balance beautifully against a backdrop of moody landscapes by Lindsay Green, whilst Julia Bailey’s curiously beautiful ceramics wait to be discovered like corals on the sea bed. Seven jewellery cabinets are packed with precious “must have” jewellery by “Mary Mary”, Yvette Phillips, Deborah Howard Harris and Sarah Withers and Sarah Withers. In addition, quirky limited edition prints by Suzie Brooks, show along-side fabulous prints by Helen Coleman and etchings by internationally acclaimed artist Frederic Pierre. Modern textiles by Jayne Ward will provide a dramatic addition to your home and original handbags by Vicky Baker will be there to entice. Obviously all out regular exhibitors will be showing new work, so expect to see Ali Holden’s beautiful window boxes and Este Macleod’s angels. . plus new paintings by Brenda Graham, Marta Daeuble and Kirsten Jones.. among many others!

The gallery was established 4 years ago and now holds two unique yearly exhibitions in the spring and autumn. Whether you are one of our regular visitors or if you haven’t visited Barn Acre Gallery before, then why not come along to our beautiful riverside setting and enjoy a glass of wine or a hot coffee and cake in the gardens. Perhaps you will meet Eric, Derek and Charlie our resident chickens who can often be seen perusing the art work in the galleries: whilst they don’t offer you an artistic opinion, you may find the occasional egg!

Wargrave News, December 2006

Artist puts all her eggs in one basket – and wins award

A painting by a Wargrave artist has beaten hundreds of others at a prestigious national exhibition to win an award.

Eggs in China, by Kirsten Jones, won the Frank Herring award for still life at the annual exhibition of the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours.

Miss Jones, 38, who runs the Barn Acre Gallery on Loddon Drive, said: “I nearly fell off my chair when the institute’s secretary phoned.

“It feels great. I was really flattered, the standard of work in this show was really high.”

She was presented with an easel on the opening night of the exhibition to mark her success.

Only 10 of the exhibition’s 510 paintings received awards.

Miss Jones had only ever had one picture accepted in the exhibition before this year’s winning entry.

Eggs in China is a painted collage inspired by her travels in China in 1998. As she traveled from village to village, she would visit roadside cafes with bowls or plates of boiled eggs laid by the chickens which pecked at her feet.

The theme of bowls and eggs is one she has worked on since becoming a professional artist and led to the painting of Eggs in China in 2003.

It is on display at the Royal Institute’s exhibition at the Mall Galleries, the Mall, London, until April 5th.

Some of Miss Jones’ works are currently on display in an exhibition she has organised at the Horns pub in Crazies Hill. And the next exhibition at Barn Acre Gallery opens on May 12th.

David Connop Price, Henley Standard, 30th March 2007