Artsite's Christmas Market

Founded 20 years ago, Artsite has hosted many excellent events in the former Post Office, now offering a fabulous gallery space in Theatre Square. They say:

'Artsite set out to develop affordable studio space and act as a platform to showcase and support the visual and creative arts in Swindon. Over the last 20 years it has also come to play a vital role in the arts infrastructure for the town.

​Artsite aims:

• To create a supportive environment in which artists are encouraged to develop their practice
• To provide an affordable, inclusive environment for the making and showing of art and for creative learning to use creativity to promote the health and well-being of the people of Swindon.
  
  
  Currently Artsite, run by artists, provides 13 studio spaces for artists and craftspeople in the Cultural Quarter of Swindon’s town centre. The Post Modern is available to hire for events, and recently hosted a Christmas market, before Christmas.'

I went along to help Tim Carroll and took a few photos of the event, starting with Tim's stall: 

 Firstly the area behind the stall, and the table with all sorts of goodies on it.

 Including the beautiful love bird badges

 Novelty fridge magnets

Not forgetting  the ever popular angels

 A lovely 4 seasons dish

 a close up of the right hand side of the table with ceramic bowls and plates

 And the brilliantly conceived clock, there are 12 month and 12 hours in half a day, this clock has months instead of hours of the day

 The market is a great chance for everyone to socialise and catch up with what's been going on

 There were lots of great stalls including Sam Silverton's special knock down event. I was lucky to win one of Sam's pieces in the raffle as well as buying one. I'll include my acquisitions at the end of this piece.

 Not easy to see, but behind the grassy wreath, Twigs had a plant stand with some excellent plants arranged in turned wood holders, and ceramic dangling pots

 I tried to capture the greatest number of people at any one time!

 Great event, and these four lovely items have stayed with me, and not been used as Christmas presents!!

 Above a pot from Sam Silverton looking fantastic with fuchsia pink cyclamen

 This is a tulip wood planter made by Alan Holland. It's so beautiful.

 I won this piece by Sam Silverton in the raffle

 There are two plants in this pot, one I had years ago hanging from a high shelf, it used to catch onto people's glasses. The pot is very interesting, it has Robert & Stevens Pottery 1875 on the side which is rather wonderful. I've looked them up, I think they're 'aged look', but lovely all the same.

 And how about this beautiful ceramic plant holder? Impossible to resist, and looks lovely hanging in the window. It was made by Phyllida Richards