 |
| Collaborative work with artists L-R Nicky and Dee Luntley |
Throughout October, we will be featuring work in the cafe gallery by two Warwickshire artists who have a lot of experience in making and showing work together. Mother and daughter artists Dee and Nicky Luntley exhibited in Princethorpe until 2022 as Art at the Sheepdip. (The name, along with Dee's studio, is now moved to Harbury, but Dee, Nicky and Michael remain connected to Rugby through their family and their art).
Both artists sell cards here at the Alex in a range of styles and Nicky's Christmas character 'Fred the Festive Llama' is our Alexmas mascot again in December. Folk singer and poet Michael Luntley (Dee's husband and Nicky's father) is also no stranger to the Alex. He was the first of our First Thursday musical acts in February. All three are here in October as part of the new 'Between us' exhibition and the launch for this.
.jpg) |
| Tricaoraoch: L-R Maura Barnett, Nicky Luntley, Michael Luntley |
This show exhibits collaborative work by Dee and Nicky as well solo works. There is also music by Michael as part of the trio 'Tricaoraoch' (with violinist Maura Barnett and daughter Nicky) on opening night (5th Oct) as part of our First Thursday event series. (The Alex is open 4-8pm on first Thursday of each month with poetry and readings from around 4.30pm (drop in) and music from 6pm).
On this First Thursday you will also be able to listen to a first public reading of the children's Christmas book currently being written by Michael and illustrated by Nicky. (The star is Geraldine the Giraffe, who already appears on cards and gift items sold by Nicky at The Alex and elsewhere).
Come and visit the exhibition (there will be merchandise from
Nicky Luntley for sale in one of our display cabinets too, alongside work by other local artists around the Alex, fresh for the new month). With 'Between Us' art, music and literature combine to showcase the talents a very creative local family and 5th October will be a special evening to kick off a special show. We hope you can make it.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Dee Luntley is a painter in watercolour, acrylic and oils who passed on her skills in watercolour to Nicky, and - since retirement from a long nursing career - increasingly works with linocut and screenprint techniques. Nicky's work is multi-media and always full of colour. You can further examples on her Instagram @nickylart or her website www.nickylart.com). Nicky also provides vocals for Tricaoraoch.
The sound of Tricaorach is acoustic/folk. Michael is currently rehearsing for the premiere of the show 'from this ground', a
cycle of songs and poetry based on the histories of farm labourers and their
families from Warwickshire who, facing a late C19 cost-of-living crisis,
were enticed into an emigration scheme which, like most such narratives
throughout history, turned out to be a thoroughly sorry affair. But Michael promises the trio will also offer
upbeat jollier material too!