Rosie and James describe their Garden House show with pop-up taproom!
Rose Emma Ceramics
Hi Rosie and James,
We’re delighted The Garden House is taking part in the Winter Open Houses, after taking part in the festival for the first time last May.
The Garden House
Will your Winter Open House be very different in feel from your May house?
We loved May so much that we are hoping to keep the feeling as similar as possible, but with some seasonal change. We will have new pieces from our incredible artists, will be pouring new beer from our pop up taproom, and will be welcoming visitors to wander with a pint and chat with the artists. The garden is very different this time of year, but still special with its autumn foliage and seed heads, and we will have our log burner going inside to keep things cosy and inviting.
Rose Emma Ceramics
Would you like to tell us about your own work Rosie? And about some of the other artists who will be exhibiting with you?
As a child I used to dig clay out of my parents’ Herefordshire garden to make tiny pinch pots. Now I use the wheel to make stoneware vases, platters, mugs and jugs – I love the versatility of it and the variety of forms you can get from a single ball of mud. My decoration is simple, inspired by Sussex landscapes and seascapes, and I try to let the organic qualities of the clay come through in every piece. I make my ceramics in my evenings and weekends around a full time job, and am very lucky to use a wonderful shared studio which enables that.
Victoria Homewood – Windows
I’ll be showing my work with Louise Ineson, Victoria Homewood and Phillipa McDonnell. Louise makes stunning jewellery in recycled precious metals. Her work is delicate and thoughtful, often inspired by nature, and I love the elegance of it. Victoria paints in oils, and her views through windows into landscapes or domestic scenes are captivating. I especially love her use of colour to evoke light and atmosphere – her work transforms our house.
Phillipa McDonnell – Midnight Swim
Pip is a painter and illustrator, and the artist for North Garden Brewery. Her paintings are inspired by the natural world and the built environment. For James’s brewery, beer and art come together in her dynamic abstracts which bring the ideas behind the beers to life. It’s very exciting to have some of her original works here.
Louise Ineson Jewellery – Estelle Pearl Earrings
How did you select your artists and curate your Open House?
That’s easy – we approached artists whose work we really admire and have bought before. We feel very honoured that they said yes! Also all have a connection to nature or our local landscapes, and so we feel they sit well together. We hope our visitors agree!
James, can you tell us about the history of North Garden Brewery – and will visitors to your Open House be able to sample its wares?
Moving to North Gardens gave me the opportunity to build a shed to brew my beer in, and some of my first recipes were developed here. Drinking own-brewed beers in the garden became our accompaniment to renovating the house in the summer of 2019, and in 2020, the idea for North Garden Brewery was born. I now brew commercially in Burgess Hill, and co-own the Brickworks Taproom. I also deliver to independent pubs, bars and bottle shops in Sussex (as well as home delivery!). The shed gets less use now, but I still have a handy bar in it for summer evenings.
This festival I will be pouring some new beers and look forward to sampling them with visitors.
What are you most looking forward to in taking part in the Winter festival?
The sociability. What we loved in May were the unexpected conversations and connections with our visitors. People made themselves at home and that was very special – we’re both looking forward to welcoming people back and meeting new people. And of course the beer!
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
If beer isn’t your thing, don’t worry. We will probably be mulling something warming too.
Visit: The Garden House
8 North Gardens, Brighton, BN1 3LB
www.instagram.com/rose.emma.ceramics