Artists Trail

This summer Sydenham showcases the best of the visual arts with two weekends of open studios. The trail starts with the famous Recycled House in Longton Avenue where Mark Hill and Kate Shipp have created a home that is a work of art in itself. If you can’t get to the Recycled House on the weekend of 17-18 July their exhibition “The Annexe” at the Kirkdale Bookshop is on until the end of August. Turn the corner into Jews Walk and visit jeweller David Matthews and sculptor Yasemen Hussein; on 24-25 July wood engraver Fay Watson will be exhibiting in Beaulieu Avenue. A short walk up the hill into Kirkdale brings you to Alhambra Home & Garden, and the work of Una Joy. Nearby Panmure Road has the first of this year’s new venues, where Viv Yankah and Gill Dove will show paintings and photographs.

At the junction of Kirkdale and Sydenham Road Sugahill and Sema’s Café both have “taster” exhibitions, and there are two venues with artwork inspired by Africa: Walter Buchholz at the Blue Mountain and Adriana Fabin at Kente. The old ticket office on the bridge is open on both weekends with Lara Bowen’s paintings. Next head towards Studio 9 in Tredown Road to see the work of five exciting artists.

In Tannsfeld Road three artists have open houses – painter Tony Tidy, potter Sheila Cox and sculptor Alan Taylor-Russell. Cross into Queensthorpe Road and be inspired by the drawings of Pippa Stacey’s students. In Kingsthorpe Road Pippa’s glasswork is on display, and she is joined by guest artist Joanne Green. Bishopsthorpe Road has a cluster of talent – textile artist Diana McKinnon, jeweller Leila Khasal, watercolourist Anne Harrison and printmakers Joanna Acaster-Davis and Yvonne Riordan. The garden of number 52 is the perfect setting for oak sculptures and a glass nature trail.

Next head towards leafy Woodbastwick Road where number 7 is hosting a group of craftspeople: jeweller Sally Daley, quiltmaker Alison Kirkby and felt-maker Carole Ward. The new Enterprise showroom in Sydenham Road provides a perfect space for four contemporary artists. A short break for a drink at the Dolphin – and the beautiful paintings of Liza Saunders – should fortify you for the walk along Mayow Road to Perry Vale and Normanton Street. On both weekends the beautiful contemporary church here
becomes a gallery hosting the work of artists, photographers and potters.

Forest Hill features strongly with both Havelock Walk and Pat Rae’s studio open on the weekend of 24-25 July. Finally, at the Dartmouth Arms, Jane Denyer exhibits her dreamscapes – some of which feature familiar local settings. Enjoy both weekends!