New craft makers for gift shop
Ilminster Arts Centre is supporting six new local craft makers by displaying their products in the art centre's refreshed gift shop.
It follows an open day when crafters were invited to showcase their wares before being selected to join the roster of more than 90 West Country craft makers whose products are on sale in Ilminster Arts Centre, which was formerly a church. The shop is housed in an alcove where the large church organ used to be.
The new craft makers include Michelle Joy and her husband Andy, from Yeovil, trading as Shelden Glass. They make attractive items, such as earrings, tea lights and glass boats, out of fused and recycled glass.
Potter Rob Ellis, of High Ham, and his wife Sarah, produce an eye-catching range of pottery such as mugs, jugs, bowls and lamp bases.
Painter Sue Allen supplies greeting cards for all occasions, using mixed media techniques with Indian ink.
Melanie Lucas, from Martock, is a jeweller offering a dazzling array of sterling silver and bronze earrings and pendants.
Glinting stained glass is the forte of Sharan James, who learned the techniques of lead work and copper foiling at Strode College, Street. Also on display in the gift shop are her hanging decorations, using vintage and antique maps and music manuscripts.
And Ella Gardiner, of Gardiner & Gilbody Creations, has a selection of scented candles on display, handmade in North Somerset from natural soy wax.
All items are for sale and, as a charity, the arts centre receives a commission on each product purchased. The gift shop is open on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9.30am to 3pm.
Elsewhere, the arts centre continues its busy programme of Friday night concerts, bringing top quality live music to the town, including classical, folk and jazz performances.
On 26 May there's a celebration of the legendary music of Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald, brought to life by the talents of Joanna Eden and ever-popular pianist Craig Milverton.
The following Friday, 2 June, Concerts in the West present a wonderful evening of some of the finest chamber music from the ChamberMusicBox quartet.
On 9 June, the foot-stompingly-good Mike Denham's Sunset Café Stompers comes to town, promising an exciting evening of vintage jazz from 1920s and 30s New Orleans, Chicago and New York. Not to be missed!
The entertainment continues with Flying Folk on 23 June, hosted by Jemima Farey, who with other musicians will be performing a mix of traditional and original folk songs.
All concerts start at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.30pm with a cash bar. Don't forget that the arts centre now offers £5 tickets for students and free entry to concerts for children aged 12 or under, accompanied by a paying adult.
In the free-to-enter Gallery there will be a display of entries from Ilminster's Annual Open Art Exhibition from 23 May to 16 June. Sponsored by Branston, the exhibition offers the public an opportunity to vote on the best painting or piece of art on display, so be sure to pop along and have your say! And you can cap off your visit by enjoying tasty refreshments from the café, including its famous cheese scones!