Exhibition
​By Louise Arthur

The basket is a very small part of a much longer journey travelling through the natural world observing, identifying, gathering and understanding the plants, their growth cycles and habitats, before exploring their properties and weaving potential.
 
I see each basket as a collection of memories, walks or transient experiences shared with these plants and places that can then be made solid. The fact that the baskets can be used to revisit these places to forage for fruits, nuts and berries and encourage others to explore their countryside completes the circle for me.
 
When I teach workshops in making baskets I often think of it as introducing the plants themselves, hazel, willow, ivy, dogwood, or bramble to participants. I hope that people will go and find the plants in their natural habitat not just to gather and possibly make another basket but really to engage with nature.
 
The making of baskets has a seasonal rhythm. Plant material can be coppiced in the late autumn, winter and early spring when dormant. This does not kill the plant but is more like pruning and simply shapes future growth. Weaving of baskets extents into the summer only by preparing and soaking materials to re-hydrate and create a flexible material.
 
Using the baskets for collecting and storing peaks in the autumn and they are often used for gift giving in the winter. The walking and time spent with the plants and their places is year round.
 
This exhibition includes some work made with some of the permaculture design principles in mind.

Courses

Louise Arthur teaches many willow courses at The Sustainability Centre.

Find Out More

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Beech Cafe Gallery

Opening Times
10am to 3.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and bank holidays.

Hot food served from 11am to 3pm.
Large Groups, walkers, campers are advised to book in advance. 

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Exhibitors Applications

We are seeking applications from artists whose work relates to the ideas and concepts of nature, caring for the natural environment, sustainability, green issues and living lightly on the earth.

The art needs to be wall based, for sale and we can also sell cards and prints.

If you are an artist and would like to exhibit in our Beech Cafe Gallery,  then kindly complete the questionaire below.