What's on in and around the Vale
Museums and Galleries
March 2008

4 - 22 March:
Diversity: textiles and mixed media by Losing the Thread a group of 13 artists based in the South. Each pursues her own line of work using fabric, fibre, thread, paper and mixed media. From large hangings to 3D pieces using textiles to express ideas. Allsop Gallery, Bridport Arts Centre. 01308 424204.

Until 5 March:
Under Cover recent work by Clare Shepherd at the Hub, Centre for the Community and the Arts, Brock Way, Verwood. 07748 113152.

5 - 22 March:
Michael Cullimore, Works on Paper The Art Stable, Kelly Ross Fine Art, Childe Okeford, Blandford. 01258 863866.

6 March - 19 April:
Human Form - working with the figure An exhibition of various media by artists Felicity House, Julia Polonski, Duff Pearce, Craig Seabright and Toby Wiggins. Atrium Gallery, Bournemouth University, Poole House, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow.. Contact Julie Herring, Curator 01202 961428.

7 March - 12 April:
Women in Farming A residential project of Aune Head Arts. Across the seasons of one year six women artists explored the entwined life and work of three women hill farmers on Dartmoor. Living on the farms the artists recorded their experiences and explored farming practice - more significantly they were inspired to look at the people themselves and their relationship to the place in which they live and work. Exeter Phoenix and Bridge. 01392 667080.

Until 8 March
'On Yer Bike' Cycling in Somerset since the Boneshaker An exhibition of different bicycles through time, from Victorian examples with iron tyres to today's lightweight hi-tech models. Alongside the exhibits are quizzes and activities for all ages on the theme of bicycles and wheels. Somerset Rural Life Museum. 01458 831197. www.somerset.gov.uk/museums.
Until 9 March: Favourite Pieces 2D and 3D work by local emerging artists - a wide range of media, styles and subjects curated by Ronnie Creswell. Town Mill Galleries, Mill Lane, Lyme Regis DT7 3PH. (01297) 443579.

Until 11 March:
David Brooke - Paintings of Memory and Imagination themes for his paintings often originate from mythology although not based on any actual story. Creative Arts at the Octagon. Octagon Theatre, Henford, Yeovil.

Until 12 April:
7 Artists During the 1970s, seven artists living on the Hampshire Dorset border joined forces to share studios for portrait, figure and still life studies. Early members, Dennis Hill, Jean Lunn and Keyna Emerson have ben joined by Michael Gough, Bonnie Brown, Peter Symons and most recently Ursula Leach. The new members bring the group a more contemporary focus whilst retaining 7 Artists strong painterly approach. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton. 01404 45006.

13 March - 8 April:
John Rabbetts Dorset based artist John Rabbetts' vibrant, highly collectable oil paintings are appreciated for their mood and atmosphere. He has a strong sense of the nuances of light and a rare talent for capturing expression and movement. Creative Arts at the Octagon. Octagon Theatre, Hendford, Yeovil.

Until 14 March:
In A Good Light photographic exhibition on Holidays in Victorian Somerset, with photographs by the Reverend John Derrick. Museum of South Somerset, Yeovil. Contact Clare Robinson 01935 462855.

14 March - 6 April:
Anne M D Jones Pictures in Pastel. The Exchange Gallery, Sturminster Newton.

Until 15 March:
Peter Thursby, a retrospective sculptures, paintings and drawings by this distinguished RWA Academician dating from 1950 to 1990. A unique opportunity to see and purchase his work, some of which has not been shown since the 1960s. Organised by Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester. 01305 262735.

15 March - 13 April:
Tangents. Alastair Michie FRWA - Celebratory creations in which the visible world is translated and transformed into abstract and semi-figurative compositions. Curated by Vivienne Light. Town Mill Galleries, Lyme Regis. 01297 443579.

15 March - 27 April
'4 Dimensions Exhibition of Carved and Painted Wood Reliefs by Mike Grevatte; Abstract sculptures derived from natural forms and inspired by Indian Tantric Art. Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. www.somerset.gov.uk/museums . 01458 831197.

16 March - 11 May:
Robin Rae: A Retrospective at 80. (see p68). Also Inspired - an exhibition of top designer makers inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School as part of the Fra Newbery Trail. Sladers Yard, West Bay, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4EL 01308 459511. info@itrefurniture.co.uk. www.sladersyard.co.uk

Until 17 March:
Lyme's Disappearing Farmland
An exhibition featuring Lyme's fields lost to development, supported by Lyme Regis Town Council, Lyme Regis Museum, Bridge Street, Lyme Regis. 01297 443370. www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk.

17 - 30 March:
Matchstick Fleet Nothe Fort, Weymouth. A remarkable exhibition of hundreds of post 1945 warships made entirely from matchsticks and matchboxes. The models all to scale, are the lifetime work of one man - Philip Warren, who will be present for most of the time.

17 March - 31 October:
Ceramics to Cherish by the Eeles Family Potters, David, Patricia, Benjamin & Simon from Mosterton, West Dorset. In the Undercroft, Forde Abbey, nr Chard. Contact Simon Eeles 01308 868257.

Until 19 March:
Dorchester Art Club. Spring Exhibition Dorset County Museum, High West St. Dorchester, Dorset. 01305 269734 (Membership Sec).

Until 20 March:
Home: Robert Golden 70 black and white photographs +films, texts and sound works that record key moments of social and political change over the past 40 years. The exhibition raises fundamental questions about globalisation, the loss of industry, community and cultural traditions - that is - the loss of HOME. The Study Gallery of Modern Art, Poole. 01202 205200. www.thestudygallery.org

21 - 24 March:
Bridport Art Society Exhibition at the Salt House, West Bay, Bridport. 10- 4pm. Contact Anne Parker 01305 871116.

21- 29 March:
Dorchester Art Club Spring Exhibition
Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester 01305 269734.

Until 22 March:
Art & Collectables An exhibition and sale of studio pottery, art glass, 20th Century Collectables, jewellery, original paintings, prints, sculpture, Art Deco, and more! Saturdays only, 10am - 4pm. earth gallery/studio, Unit 5, Old Parkstone Dairy, r/o 113 Commercial Road, (Ashley Cross), Lower Parkstone, Poole. Contact Julie Herring 07720 353454.

Until 22 March:
Nexus Three: Landscape and Archaeology curated by Sian Bonnell for TRACE. Ongoing project, artist-led initiative based in Weymouth, juxtaposes the work of different artists, at different stages in their careers, all working within similar genres and examining the connections, the nexus, between them. Sherborne House, Newland, Sherborne. 01935 816426.

From 22 March:
Who do you think they where? Little known Luminaries Beaminster Museum. 01308 862880.

27 - 30 March:
RAISE Regional Art in Schools Exhibition exhibition of work by local Primary Schools. Sherborne House, Newland, Sherborne. 01935 816426.

Until 29 March:
Winter Exhibition featuring MaryJane Carruthers, ceramics, Felicity House, paintings, Paul Jones, paintings. Acanthus Gallery, Wareham. 01929 555331.

Until 29 March:
So, What is Home. Photography exploring the lives people lead. individuals & members of local school and community groups including a group of travellers who have worked with artist-photographer Teresa Holmes-Thompson. Lighthouse, Poole Centre for the Arts. 08700 668701. The exhibition forms a link to the concurrent feature exhibition entitled 'HOME' by acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Robert Golden at The Study Gallery of Modern Art, Poole - see www.thestudygallery.org and entry above.

Until 29 March:
Neil Edgson 'Selling Showcase' exhibition
A selling display of ceramic pots, jugs and bowls by Neil Edgson inspired by the simplicity and elegance of oriental art. Neil deliberately embraces the fact that each of his pots is handmade and therefore unique. The decoration
of the pots is purely from the interaction between the glazes and metal oxides, and occasionally tool made marks added during turning. Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Elmfield House, Dowell Street, Honiton. 01404 45006.

29 March - 29 May:
Henri Matisse, original lithographs some signed by the artist on the plate in 1954, some from earlier limited editions. John Leach Gallery,
Muchelney Pottery, Nr/ Langport. 01458 250324.

Until 31 March:
Watercolours by Margaret Jay-Jenkins new to the area this is her first local exhibtion. Watercolour and acrylic paintings. Mill Lane Gallery, Wimborne.

Until 6 April:
Alex Frost Glasgow-based artist, range of new sulptures and drawings that relate directly to his 2007 residency, playing upon the concept of the rural retreat in contrast to the artist's urban, or specifically suburban, standpoint. ArtSway, Sway, Hants. 01590 681989.

Until 6 April:
Elizabeth Frink, works from the Archive Sherborne House, Sherborne. 01935 816426.

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