Sidmouth artist looks forward to debut at Devon Open Studios

A Sidmouth artist is taking part in this year's Open Studios event for the first time, exhibiting with two others at Umborne Bridge Studio in Colyton.

Anna Brewster is an ink and watercolour artist, known locally for her paintings of Sidmouth's dramatic coastline, and the fields and woods around the town. She was also one of the organisers of the art gallery in Sidmouth's Samaritans charity shop, and one of the first artists to show her work there: read more about that here.

During Open Studios, from Saturday, September 11 to Sunday 26, she and two other local artists will be exhibiting at the Colyton studio, as well as holding workshops and demonstrations to encourage people to try creating their own art.

'Finding joy and connection in nature'

The other two – who are also first-time participants in the Open Studios event, are Hesta Singlewood and Alex Boon.

Hesta, a folk artist and crafter who embraces the seasons to provide inspiration for her paintings, said: "The three of us were selected for inclusion in Wild East Devon's 2021 calendar and the accompanying exhibition, which was sadly cancelled due to Covid.

"We decided to do Devon Open Studios as we all share an affinity for finding joy and connection in nature, and we want to communicate this to our visitors."

Alex is an artist and writer best known for his nature journals, which began in 2016 and describe many years of exploration and observation of local wild spaces, such as the Undercliffs reserve, Seaton Wetlands, and Holyford Woods.

During the last three Covid lockdowns, he also created the Lapine Botanica series of rabbit illustrations, based on the flower names of the rabbits in Richard Adams' Watership Down.

He said: "I'm really excited to share my work with the local community and visitors at the Devon Open Studios event, and I will be running a nature journaling workshop for anybody who'd like to learn how to get involved in this rewarding artistic hobby."

The Umborne Bridge Studio is at Unit 1, Dolphin Street, Colyton, EX24 6LU, just a short walk from the tram stop and local shops.

Opening hours are 10:00–16:00 every day from 11-26 September. Parking is available on-site, there is a wheelchair ramp and Covid-safe precautions.

More about Devon Open Studios

Devon Open Studios is the annual flagship event of the Devon Artist Network, when its members open their doors to the public. The network includes potters, jewellery makers, wood workers, needle workers and many other creatives, as well as painters.

For information on the other Open Studios events taking place in East Devon and the wider area, visit the Devon Open Studios website.