Harborough Artist Cluster

28/05/2026

Next on our Open Studios journey… the truly special Pippins Nook in the heart of Great Bowden 🎨🌿

Studio E on the trail, and home to none other than Derek Brittan — our oldest Cluster member — this beautiful village studio was open across both Open Studios weekends and proved a wonderfully popular stop for visitors exploring both the village and nearby town trail locations.

Once again beautifully captured by P N Clin, these images perfectly reflect the calm atmosphere outside the studio, with its lovely planting and peaceful setting welcoming visitors in throughout the weekends.

Inside, it was a wonderfully busy and varied studio space featuring an incredible group of artists.

Alongside Derek’s own semi-abstract narrative works — created through photo collage, watercolour and acrylic painting — visitors could explore the vibrant textile creations of Caroline Jane Creative , whose modern punch needle rug hooked pieces brought colour and texture throughout the space.

Esteemed Cluster member Henrietta Corbett showcased her distinctive work across painting, printmaking and Raku fired ceramic sculpture, exploring simplified forms and totemic symbolism with her instantly recognisable style.

Lois Winfield Studio — Derek’s daughter and a hugely talented artist in her own right — brought colourful, tactile work inspired by personal experiences and everyday life, working across textiles, soft sculpture and mixed media. Many will also recognise Lois from the incredible work she did helping keep everyone organised during Art Windows 2025!

And yes… Maxine Dodd Art existed in two places at once during Open Studios 😄 Her expressive drawings and energetic watercolours inspired by movement and sport added yet another dynamic element to the studio.

Pippins Nook really felt like one of those Open Studios spaces that perfectly captures what the event is all about — creativity, conversation, warmth and a real sense of artistic community.

28/05/2026

Leicester is getting noticed. When Chris Moss from The Guardian visited us, this is what he had to say. You can read his full article at the link below

https://ow.ly/B4G250Z4lx8

28/05/2026

Our "Artist of the Month" for June is (new) Cluster member, Mary Allinson 🎨

We’re delighted to be featuring Mary this month.

Do pop over and take a look at her work, and in the meantime enjoy this lovely screenshot giving a little glimpse into Artist of the Month!

https://harboroughartistcluster.co.uk/our-artists/mary-allinson/

Want to be featured? Get in touch! ✨

28/05/2026

Oakham Castle was built between 1180 and 1190 by Walkelin de Ferrers, lord of the manor and nephew of Robert de Ferrers.

Its impressive Great Hall features a central nave flanked by two arcaded aisles, each supported by three striking stone columns. Look closely and you’ll spot remarkable 12th-century carvings, including six musicians, all painstakingly crafted from local Clipsham stone.

28/05/2026

Beautiful Casaly ... Zoe is one of our members (and usually takes the minutes at our meetings!)... If you see Artist Post Shares with Comment (or cheeky emoji usage!), then it's usually a member! 🫟

28/05/2026

Hidden away on Rutland Street in the Cultural Quarter and once one of the city's major hosiery factories, Makers Yard now houses 10 studios providing workspace for a range of creative entrepreneurs.

28/05/2026

Love this Kayleigh Smith Creative 🎨🫟

27/05/2026

Next on our Open Studios tour… the wonderful Left to Draw Studios 🎨☀️

Studio G on the guide and open across both weekends, this beautiful waterfront venue proved to be a hugely popular stop on the trail.

Beautifully captured once again by P N Clin, these photos really show the creative buzz and relaxed atmosphere across the studio space.

Already home to resident artist (and chief organiser / keeper of everyone in check!) Stacey Barthorpe, Left to Draw Studios welcomed a fantastic mix of artists throughout Open Studios 2026.

Visitors were able to explore the expressive mixed media landscapes of Rebecca Bennett / Rebecca's Canvas , whose work combines charcoal, pastels and acrylic mark making inspired by the landscape around us.

Maxine Dodd Art brought energetic drawings and watercolours capturing movement and sport.

Alongside them was Charlie Hewitt, cartographer and nature illustrator, whose fascinating blend of technical precision and creativity clearly reflects a deep love of maps, landscapes and visual storytelling.

Also exhibiting was portrait and figurative artist Mel White, whose thoughtful observational work captures personality and emotional depth with real sensitivity.

And of course, Stacey Barthorpe’s own creative journey and colourful artistic world helped make the venue feel especially welcoming and vibrant throughout both weekends.

What makes Left to Draw Studios particularly unique is the venue itself — with coffee, ice cream and cakes onsite, visitors could properly settle in, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a slower pace while exploring the artwork.

Art by the waterfront, sunshine, conversation, creativity… and cake. A pretty perfect Open Studios combination really ✨

27/05/2026

Absolute perfection Chloe Kempster Design 🌸 (Chloe is one of our esteemed members at the Cluster!)

Haven't been to the studio much so far this week due to half term but hoping to get a days work in tomorrow.and catch up with emails too! Fingers crossed its a productive day🤞I did manage to drop off my new floral sideboard though at the weekend; displayed with some paintings I had framed for open studios recently in the entrance and it all looked so pretty together?!

Do you like?!

🌼🌼🌼

26/05/2026

🎨 Onwards with our Open Studios journey… and not necessarily in any sensible order whatsoever 😄

Next up, we head out to the village setting of Lubenham and Studio J on the trail — the wonderful studio of Michael Edwards, beautifully captured once again by P N Clin.

One of our slightly more rural Open Studios locations, this was a real treat for visitors during the final Open Studios weekend. There’s something special about travelling out into the villages and discovering creativity tucked away in unexpected places — and Michael’s studio absolutely delivered on that experience.

Michael works across a wonderfully varied range of mediums, exploring watercolour, acrylics, inks, oil bars, pen, paper and everyday objects to create abstracts, landscapes, mono-prints and ceramics. The studio itself reflected that same sense of experimentation and creativity, with plenty for visitors to discover and discuss.

Joining Michael was the lovely Gabby Read showcasing drawing and printmaking work using intaglio techniques including drypoint, etching and photopolymer processes. Together, the studio offered a fantastic mix of textures, techniques and artistic approaches.

These images from P N Clin really capture the atmosphere of the space — calm, creative and full of interesting detail.

A beautiful village stop on the Open Studios trail 🎨