Charles Smith at the Shipley

If you did not make it to the Shipley Art Gallery on the 27th then you missed a fascinating talk by Charles Smith, a lettercarver and calligrapher from Gateshead. Now based in York, his work is in cathedrals, private collections and public buildings throughout the UK.

Trained in letter carving in Newcastle under L C Evetts, he also went on to increase his knowledge of letterforms by studying calligraphy at Reigate College. He has a strong interest in conservation and wildlife, particularly birds, often appear in his work. He also likes his plant forms to look as if they are being blown by the wind so that even in such a still, solid medium as stone there is a strong sense of movement.

A Flock of Books Lands in Jarrow

Our last meeting in September was very busy. Not only did we make books but we broke records - or so we think. A hardback multi-section book was made during a single workshop, created from scratch, glued, sewn and completed. And we made another book too: a concertina book was made by the nimble-fingered. Others were too exhausted to even contemplate the idea but watched the others work.