Tenants impress expert judges with arts and crafts competition entries
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Shropshire art and crafts experts were amazed at the quality of entries in a competition held for The Wrekin Housing Trust’s retirement living tenants.
Winners Sandy Goldstraw, Joan Barker and Janet Dalley receive their trophies
The two judges, local artist, Frank Hilton, and crafter Janet French, both award-winners in their specialist fields, said they were incredibly impressed with the excellent standard of paintings and handicrafts on display.
Residents were invited to enter one of three categories for the contest, submitting either a painting entitled ‘nature’s beauty’, a knitted or crocheted item or any other handicraft.
Frank, Secretary of the Shropshire Art Society, chose a painting of raspberries by Sandy Goldstraw of Hazel Way as the art category winner due to its clean lines, its simplicity and its restrained use of colour.
He said: “I take inspiration from the local landscape for my own paintings so I was pleased to hear of the ‘nature’s beauty’ theme for this competition. It’s been a difficult decision as all the entries were extremely good, but Sandy’s work showed a very high standard of technique.”
Janet French, accomplished embroiderer and joint owner of Janet & Sandra’s Craft Shop at the Maws Craft Centre in Jackfield, picked the knitting and handicraft winners.
Joan Barker of Chockleys Drive won the trophy in the knitting category for her Shetland shawl, which Janet said was an intricate piece, gloriously beautiful and made her smile inside.
Janet Dalley of Neal Court was crowned winner in the handicraft category, for creating a stunning quilted blanket.
Judge, Janet, who has been recognised locally and nationally for her bobbin lacework and embroidered blackwork, said: “Shetland shawls are extremely thin and delicate. The tradition was that you should be able to pull it through a wedding ring. Joan’s shawl was an excellent example.
“I chose Janet’s quilted blanket as it showed beautiful work and a mixture of techniques and fabrics, which gave it a nice colour balance with the choice of materials used.”
Activities co-ordinator at The Wrekin Housing Trust and organiser of the event, Katrina Pooler, said: “I’m thrilled that we had so much interest in the competition and I have to say a big thank you to Frank and Janet for taking the time to come and judge the entries.
“We try and set a range of activities for our retirement living residents to get involved in and this has been a great success. Definitely something to build on for next year.”
26th November 2018