Henshaws (Arts & Crafts Centre) News Archive

These monthly events are very popular with visitors as stands display a wide range of attractive and original gifts and gadgets for sale, from paintings and leather goods to jewellery and other accessories. 

This Sunday’s fair is complemented by several other family-focused activities at the Arts & Crafts Centre: the Summer Picture Word Trail for children – a treasure trail with clues hidden around the centre and gardens; an inspiring Summer Show of artworks from artists, sculptors and other creative contributors; and of course the centre’s own shop which offers more beautiful gifts created under the ‘Handmade @ Henshaws’ initiative.

The craft fair and exhibition are completely free admission so bring the family and make a day of it – in fact, why not get a head start on your Christmas shopping!

Harrogate artists of all ages and abilities were invited to send in their work. The exhibition, which has no set theme, runs from 24^th July to 5^th September.

Centre manager Phill Hopkins said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for artists from any discipline to show their works to the public for over six weeks. People of all abilities, from professionals to beginners, have sent in exhibits, and we hope that people from Harrogate, Yorkshire and beyond will take advantage of the free admission and enjoy the exhibition.”

Jon, a resident artist at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, has been deaf from birth and has Retinitis Pigmentosa which results in tunnel vision; he also has additional learning difficulties.

However, he does not let this get in the way of fulfilling his passion for creating works of art. Over the last 16 years, Jon has become one of the centre’s most accomplished artists; he has held exhibitions to display his work, as well as receiving a grant from the Arts Council to work with acclaimed Escrick-based sculptor, Peter Maris.

Jon – who was a student at Henshaws College and now lives in one of our Harrogate based community houses – works at the centre four days a week, predominantly in the 3D sculpture and paper workshops where he creates large scale pieces using a combination of papier-mâché and cardboard techniques.

Phill Hopkins, manager of the Arts & Crafts Centre, said “Jon is an absolute pleasure to work with because he is extremely enthusiastic about his work, which is inspiring and fascinating to witness. We communicate with Jon by signing to him whilst holding his hands, and finger spelling to him.

“Everything that he has achieved just goes to show that deafblindness does not need to be as restricting as so many people assume. Jon is the perfect person to raise awareness about dual sensory impairment this week, I am sure Helen Keller would have been proud!”

CEO of Henshaws Yorkshire, Caroline Smale, said: “Deafblind Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity for us to raise awareness of visual and hearing impairment and celebrate the achievements of our art makers, as well as students at Henshaws College. We are extremely proud of their independence and it’s a pleasure to be able to focus on their successes.”

Those interested in looking at Jon’s work can see it at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre on Bond End in Knaresborough.

A major exhibition that surveys the craftwork produced by a selection of the    

art makers who access Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre. The exhibition is curated by Alan Stimpson & Makiko Hastings.

All works are for sale.

Makers taking part are: 

Matthew Briggs  Andrew Holmes  Rachel Jewett  Vicky Pinder  Graham Cook 

David Stuttard  Paul Jensen  Dolly Conner  Sharon Garrard  Thierry Cordero

Stuart Metcalfe  Debra Roberts  Darcy Lindsey.

The exhibition continues until Sunday 18 July.

Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre continues to host some of the best folk singers and musicians in the country.   

Martin Simpson - 20 August  7.30 - £14

The BIGGEST act to hit Knaresborough during FEVA week!

Knaresborough fanfares for world-famous folk musician

Henshaws Yorkshire’s Knaresborough-based Arts & Crafts Centre has teamed up with an internally-renowned folk musician to stage an exciting live music event.

Martin Simpson, who is widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, will be playing at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre on 20^th August. The booking is an enormous coup for the centre, which also runs day-care services for people with visual impairments, learning difficulties and other disabilities.

Martin is an extremely accomplished musician with over 35 years’ experience as a live performer. He has been nominated 23 times in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - more than any other performer - with nine consecutive years as a nominee for Musician of The Year, which he has won twice.

Phill Hopkins, the centre manager and a passionate devotee of folk music, said: “During 2009 we built up an excellent local and regional reputation for showcasing nationally and internationally acclaimed folk artists. Having Martin play here speaks volumes about the talent that we welcome to the Arts & Crafts Centre. He really is one of the best folk musicians of a generation, and we are so excited about his forthcoming performance.

“The centre is a perfect venue for hosting music as it has a lovely relaxed atmosphere. We also plan to promote local acts as support artists at our future gigs, so the community will really benefit: lots of agents and artists are now approaching us for bookings. Great folk music is very much alive in Knaresborough.”

 Damien Barber & Mike Wilson - 30 September

Megson - 15 October

 Jez Lowe’s - WINTER ALMANAC RADIO ROADSHOW  - 17 December

 and then there's 2011...

 There's always a bar selling 'Daleside' local beer and food available at all our events.

Telephone: (01423) 541888         

Email: arts&crafts@henshaws.org.uk

We are giving away a pair of tickets for the Sprite Production at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre on Saturday 26 June.

(see our 'Events' page for further deatils)

To enter all you need to do is answer the following question:

Q: Who said, “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”

Then you can email the answer to us arts&crafts@henshaws.org.uk and don’t forget to include your name and address.

Or send you answer on a postcard, don’t forget to include your name and address, to:

Shakespeare Competition - Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre - 50 Bond End, Knaresborough HG5 9AL

Closing date is Friday 11 June 2010.                               

GOOD LUCK!

With the shelves awash with romantic ideas, Henshaws Yorkshire is urging valentines shoppers to opt for unique handmade gifts this year which help support people with visual impairments and other disabilities.

‘Handmade at Henshaws’ is the range produced by art makers at the Knaresborough-based Arts & Crafts Centre. The team of visually impaired and disabled arts makers work with instructors from the centre to create a range of cards and gifts, including notebooks, key rings and broaches.

Centre Manager, Phill Hopkins, comments: “We find the work produced by our art makers proves extremely popular at Valentines as the public look for original cards and gifts. As we are able to personalise many of the items we make, including cards, it adds a unique, handmade element that can’t be found on the high-street.”

All profits from Handmade at Henshaws go back in to the centre while the programme also provides vocational opportunities for art makers who build their skills and are given the opportunity to participate in rewarding activities.

A major exhibition that surveys the artwork produced by a selection of the    

art makers who access Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre. The exhibition is curated by Shirley Hudson.

All works are for sale.

Artists taking part are: 

Kerry Butler  Andrew Copley  Jon Cove  Simon Haw  Mark Hull  Andrew Kipling  Di Lofthouse

Mark Porritt  Sam Taylor  David Tomlin

The exhibition continues until Sunday 6 June.

This exhibition celebrates all the wonderful art and craft work made at Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, with a special Christmas twist!

Sparkle & Shine features a fantastic mixture of two and three dimensional pieces in a variety of materials ranging from jewerlly, pottery, handmade paper items and lots more that glistens and shimmers.

All the items in the exhibition are for sale and make perfect unique Christmas gifts.

This exhibition celebrates the art, craftwork and achievements of two of the most successful Henshaws art makers - Simon Haw and Debra Roberts.

The exhibition, which runs from Saturday 5 September to Saturday 7 November includes paintings, jewellery and other pieces of craft. 

Simon and Debra have worked at the Arts and Crafts Centre since it opened over 10 years ago. They first met at Henshaws College and have lived together in one of our community houses ever since.

Simon is a wonderful painter and works in his own large, colourful and distinctive style. Examples of his work can be seen around the centre.  Debra makes beautiful pieces of jewellery and other craft pieces and enjoys making items for children.

The Arts and Crafts centre has become home to some chickens!  Why not come along and meet the chickens, try the eggs in the café or buy some to take home?

The free range chickens arrived in May and are now laying an egg a day each.

The rare breed chickens – Pied Suffolks, Hipswell Whites and Rhode Rocks – produce a variety of different eggs, including brown and white – and every so often blue!

The eggs are used by the café at the centre and can also be bought in our shop – just 90p for six!

NEWS FLASH – WINTER SALE!

We are pleased to announce our 20% OFF SALE on ALL stock. This runs until Saturday 27 February.

The Arts and Crafts Centre got a very special 10th birthday present – with a new visitors’ centre and a redesigned café and gallery area.

We welcomed the mayors of both Harrogate and Knaresborough to officially open the new areas.  The guests were treated to a tour of the centre, a walk around the sensory garden and lunch in the refurbished café.

A jazz extravaganza was supplied by in-house band The Hotspots.

Phill Hopkins, Arts and Crafts Centre Manager said, “The refurbishment looks great thanks to the hard work of all the staff and art makers.  Now it is an even more enjoyable experience for its residents and the many visitors it receives each year.”