What’s On January 2026: Members’ News

Welcome to the January issue of Members’ News. January is deadline time for the Prism exhibition at Mile End so members are hard at work getting their submissions ready but you can still find several people’s work on show across the country.

Exhibitions & Events:

Jane Riley and Anita Bruce are exhibiting in touring exhibition “Picking up the Thread: the Past Present and Future of Tapestry”; a celebration of Tapestry to mark the 20th year of the British Tapestry Group, featuring 69 artists from nine different countries. Currently in Dovecot Studios, until the 14th February 2026 followed by The Market Hall, Devonport 2nd - 18th March 2026 Morley Gallery, London 13th - 25th July 2026.

Ross Belton is currently showing his sculpture “INVASION” as part of Malton Sculpture Trail in Dalby Forest until 31st May 2026. The Dalby Forest Visitors Centre, Low Dalby, Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering, YO18 7LT1. 1 is open 1 March - 31 October: 9:30am - 5pm and November - 28 February: 9am - 4pm. The what three word location of “INVASION” in the Dalby Forest as part of the Malton Sculpture Trail is ///free.resold.toasters.

Sally Spinks is exhibiting in Guildford House Open at Guildford House, 155 High Street
Guildford GU1 3AJ until 28th February. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm (last entry to galleries 4pm). The Guildford House Open is an annual exhibition celebrating outstanding contemporary art across two and three-dimensional disciplines. Hosted in the elegant 17th-century, Grade I listed Guildford House Gallery in the heart of Guildford, Surrey, the exhibition showcases a wide range of artworks selected by a panel of judges committed to presenting the very best in contemporary practice. Around 100 works will be on display from 22 November 2025 until February 2026, reflecting the gallery’s ongoing dedication to supporting and promoting artists.

Sally Spinks will be exhibiting in (IM)Material at Bobcat Gallery, Upstairs at Putney Exchange Shopping Centre, SW15 1TW from 6th to 24th January, Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. BobCat Gallery will host a showcase of textile artworks in Putney Exchange from 6th - 24th January 2026. Co-curated by gallery Founder, Catherine Sweet, with textile artist and costume maker Elly Platt, ‘(IM)Material’ will focus on fresh and unusual techniques applied by artists who work with a variety of textiles in their practice.

Nerissa Cargill Thompson will be exhibiting in DNNW X MCDC at Manchester Craft & Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JD from 16th January to 21st March 2026. DNNW X MCDC is collaboration between Manchester Craft & Design Centre and Design-Nation, a National Network that has connected and championed UK Craft and Design since 1999, who will be showcasing a collection of their North West members at this important venue. This collaboration represents the importance of offering inclusive opportunities for contemporary design and craft throughout the sector. MCDC are honoured to display the work of these future thinkers and showcase a snapshot of innovation in the North West. Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5.30pm, 2nd Sunday of the Month, excluding January, 11am – 5pm. Free entrance.

Barbara Ash will be exhibiting in "Soft Landing" at 44AD Artspace, 4 Abbey St. Bath. BA1 1NN from 17th - 31st Jan, 12.00 - 5.00 (closed Mondays. Sun 1 - 4). This exhibition involves 44AD associate artists to show their artwork for our annual associates exhibition : SOFT LANDING. This year’s theme, SOFT LANDING, explores how art can turn difficult or uncertain feelings into something open, playful, or comforting. Free to visit.

Barbara Ash will be exhibiting in the Californian Society of Printmakers 111th annual members exhibition at the Piedmont centre for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont, California, U.S.A from January 17th - February 22nd. The California Society of Printmakers is the oldest printmaking organization in the U.S and showcases a range of work from its, around, 250 membership in an annual exhibition.

Anne Amosford will be exhibiting in Camp: Flow State at Make Southwest, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9AF from 31st January 2026 - 21 March 2026. An exhibition by Contemporary Art membership Platform (CAMP). A collaborative project on the theme of Flow State: Immersion, Movement and the act of making.

Workshops

Sharon Kearley will be running a series of workshops over the next 2 months at her studio: Sharon Kearley Weave, Studio 10, Project Workshops, Quarley, Hampshire. SP11 8PX. Tickets for all workshops are available to book on her website.

Off Loom Weaving: Saturday 10th January, 2026, 10am - 3pm Tickets £95. Light lunch included.

One day workshop for all levels. A highly creative approach to the process of weaving - off the loom. Drawing on binding, knotting, looping, deconstructing cloth, chaining, double twining, inlay, knotting, alongside plenty of opportunity to explore needle weaving using basic weaving structures that can then be explored further through colour, texture and unusual found materials alongside conventional wools and cottons.This is a fun and highly creative workshop where you will be gently challenged to think outside of your own thoughts through active experimentation. You will leave the session feeling inspired, relaxed and with your own personal artwork.

Taster Introduction to Weaving: Saturday 24th January, 2026, 10am- 1pm Tickets £75. Refreshments and homemade treats/snacks will be available on demand.

This three hour taster session gives a basic understanding of weave, how to read a pattern and how to use a table loom. You will play with colour and texture using an array of yarns from my yarn store, creating some beautiful, yet simple samples. 

Learn to Weave: Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th February 2026, 9.30am - 4.30pm Tickets £280. Lunch and refreshments are provided and there is plenty of free on-site parking.

This is a two day intensive learning to weave course on a table loom for the complete beginner or those that may be a little rusty and in need of a reminder. It is a fast paced workshop but the quiet and relaxing studio at Project Workshops and Sharon’s teaching style will ensure it is enjoyable and fun course. The course covers the whole process of weaving from thread to finished woven cloth on a Harris Table Loom. You will learn how to design a threading plan, wind a warp, dress the loom and finally read the lifting plans and weave some stunning samples using Sharon’s publication, “A Designer’s Guide to Weave.”

The Interplay & Manipulation of Yarn & Structure Weave: Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March, 10am - 4pm. Tickets £250. Lunch and refreshments are provided and there is plenty of free on-site parking.

A two day workshop understanding yarn properties in weave structures. The combination of yarn and structure is an essential element of weave design, the scientific properties of one or more yarns in a design working with or against one another. These subtle interplays of ‘yarn personalities’, their reaction and interaction with one other, their behaviour combined with certain weave structures are the core elements of this weekend workshop.