Peter Smith 2nd October 2010

OMG its the end of the month and in 24hours we will have the fantastic Peter Smith in the gallery.!!

Peter is here to promote his fantastic new tour 'It's A Stripe Thing' and we can't wait!! The wall has been hung, the originals have arrived in time and look fantastic.

The Gift is absolutely stunning and is a bargain at £2250!!

As I sit here typing this entry I am looking at the wall and thinking to myself what a fabulous collection and we have already started pre-selling!! There is no clear leader but we have three pieces tying for top spot. It's all very exciting :-)

We have ordered, from Becky Mackenzies in Pocklington, freshly made cupcakes... thinking back to 'I Eat Cake' and of course the one on the fabulous free print 'Keep Calm and Have A Cupcake'



We are so looking forward to having Peter and Jayne back with us again. Peter is on top of his game and it is an honour that he will be with us for the third year in a row.

And finally just a quick update on the top sellers for August are as follows:-

1. Paul Kenton
2. Keith Proctor
3. Alexander Millar

Diane and I will be pleased to see you on Saturday, there will be bubbles and nibbles and one or two cupcakes will be floating around.

I know Peter and Jayne will be pleased to see you and Peter will be happy to tell you the stories behind each of the pieces in the tour and remember if you purchase a print or sculpture from the tour you will be entitled to the print 'Keep Calm and Have A Cupcake' as a thank you from Peter :-)

See you on Saturday... :-)

Shop Local ...

Shop Local is a phrase which has been banded about for years, probably without a proper understanding of what it actually means!

The local economy depends on local support for the businesses who choose to set up in the area. Passing trade and the tourist pounds obviously make a valuable contribution but the lifeblood of a local business is the local people.

Now, as dramatic as that sounds, it can actually be used for illustration purposes: Money can be seen as the lifeblood of the community, flowing between the businesses, keeping them all pumping and supporting each other... keeping the Community alive!

Once money is spent outside the local economy then it never makes its way back, it seeps away like blood from a wound, slowing the pulse and potentially leading to the death of the local economy.

Now this black picture seems very dramatic but it is the chain of thought that goes through the minds of local businesses everywhere.

We look to support local economy whether it is here in Pocklington or away on Holiday in Scotland. We know that our choices will have a direct effect on the local community and it makes us feel good to know that we are doing all we can to support them.

Business in Pocklington has been tough this year however we are looking onwards and upwards to the Autumn Fair in early September where we will see all the latest work by your favourite artists!

We know you like to know everything as soon as we do so we'll be sure to get a newsletter out promptly telling you everything you need to know :-)

It won't be long before Peter Smith makes a welcome return to The Acorn Gallery! This will be Peters third visit here and although we will be sending out invitations nearer the time, we'd be delighted if you would pencil us in for Saturday 2nd October from 12-3pm :-)

We've not got around to telling you about the top sellers for the last two months so we've combined them together to show you the Top Summer Sellers:

1st Place ... Storeyteller Paul Horton
2nd Place ... Impossimalist Peter Smith
3rd Place ... The delicious Sarah Graham

So, watch out for the newsletter and look out for our new adverts in the Yorkshire Ridings Magazine, the regions fastest growing, paid for, quality magazine!

Oh and by the way... Think Local!
Thankyou :-)

Simon Claridge....

An insight into the work of SIMON CLARIDGE.... click to view the video...

Elephant Parade London 2010

At The Acorn Gallery we have been following this fantastic cause on Facebook and took a keener interest when we found out that Alexander Millar, Jeff Rowland, John D Wilson, Louise Dear, Paul Kenton and Peter Smith had been asked to take part.

WHAT?
The Elephant Parade was the largest outdoor art exhibition, displaying 258 life sized baby elephant sculptures, in locations all over the city of London. Created to support leading charity Elephant Family, each elephant is a unique piece of art hand painted by renowned artists and designers.

WHY?
With an estimated audience of 25 million, the campaign aimed to raise over £1 million for the endangered Asian elephant. It was an innovative fundraising and awareness campaign that shone a multi-coloured spotlight on the urgent crisis faced by the endangered Asian elephant. Elephant Parade’s mission is to become the world’s largest financial support organisation for elephants saving the Asian elephant from extinction in the wild.

AUCTION
After going on display in London, a select number of elephants were auctioned by Sothebys at a glittering event on Wednesday 30 June. The remainder were auctioned online and in a public event on Saturday 3rd July in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

We can now update you as to the amounts raised by our own Washington Green artists:-

Lover by Jeff Rowland £26,000

Iconic London by Paul Kenton £21,000

Tinkle by Louise Dear £18,000

Impossiphant by Peter Smith £13,001

Young At Art by John D Wilson £12,250

Nana by Alexander Millar £5,530

So, the 6 pieces donated by our artists raised an amazing total of £95,781 for a very worthwhile cause.

Congratulations to all the artists from Washington Green and we would just like to say WOW to the fantastic price paid for Jeff Rowlands elephant!!

Lover by Jeff Rowland

We are pleased to advise you that the sale of all the elephants at auction raised a total of £4,148,675 which far surpassed the target of £1 million which they were hoping to raise!

Long live the Asian elephant!

Where Have All the Sunflowers Gone...?

Sunflowers by Bob Dylan was one of the most popular images from the 2009 Drawn Blank Series and a different portrayal of the image has been included in this years Drawn Blank release!

In keeping with the 'Drawn Blank' ideal, the use of colour to change the feel of the piece has proven that the popularity of the image remains constant!

We are one of a few galleries to still have this image available as a single item (ie, not part of a set) and so don't miss out if this is one of your favourites!

Other items from this years Drawn Blank Series are still available - click on the title of this blog entry to see the work for yourself!

Its June!!!

Wow, its June already, what a busy month this is going to be!!

Diane sets off on Friday 11th June from York to cycle 250 miles to Amsterdam and back for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

She is hoping to help raise £30,000! Diane is not cycling this distance on her own, she is cycling with another 59 ladies and will be back in York on Tuesday 15th June, very tired but very pleased with herself.

If you would like to make a donation to her charity ride then you can pop in to the gallery and leave a contribution, every little helps :-). Alternatively you can donate online using this link to their just giving page http://www.justgiving.com/amsterdame10 please quote Acorn Gallery in the message box! The gallery will be late opening on Friday as I will be waving her off :-(

The town of Pocklington is awash with Red and White flags and bunting in the shop windows ready for the start of the World Cup!!

COME ON ENGLAND!!

In keeping with the spirit of the game we have a few specially selected pieces in our NEW World Cup Gallery on line at http://www.theacorngallery.co.uk/

Also this month there is Fathers Day on Sunday 20th June and we have some fabulous gifts starting at just £35.00! Excellant value on superb business card holder, cufflinks and bottle stopper! Order online for fast delivery!

The latest release of work from Bob Dylan was held on Saturday 22nd May and was very well received with almost half the collection selling on the first day!! We do still have some pieces left but for how long who knows!!

Our top sellers for May are as follows:-

1. Bob Dylan
2. Keith Proctor
3. Drew Darcy

As you can see Keith has been knocked off top spot however without Dylan he would have been the top seller for the 4th month in a row - a first for us!!

We have just started a very special event for gallery visitors only... a few specially chosen items are available at a very special price but only for customers who purchase in store :-)

So, come along to Pocklington this weekend and BAG YOURSELF A BARGAIN!

Some like it hot...!

This year the Bob Dylan Drawn Blank Series comprises of 21 images and we started the day with the framed standard edition graphics on the wall - stunning!

The two portfolio sets and the four medium graphics were beautifully laid out in their presentation wallets on a large table especially brought in for the occasion! Atop the folders was a pair of pristine white cotton gloves, for showing off the work and protecting the Hannemuhle paper.

We arrived in plenty of time for the specified opening time of 10am and we nipped out to get a large bag of ice before sealing ourselves in! Down came the shutters and the champagne went on ice...

We busied ourselves with final preparations and watched nervously as the hour approached... Before long a familiar face appeared at the window and we saw a customer waiting by the door, soon joined by another... we had a queue!

Even with the phenomenal success of the 2008 and 2009 collections we had never had a queue! Excitement grew... At 10am on the dot we opened the door and our queue made their way inside - yes, two customers officially make a queue :-)

Both had both come with images in mind but were keen to see the entire collection and we happily donned white gloves and proceeded to show off the work. Very soon we had made our first two sales :-)

The morning progressed steadily and we had a constant stream of people coming in to admire the work, a few more sales followed and by lunchtime we were very pleased with the day so far...!

Outside the sunshine was getting stronger and the heat was intensifying.... fewer people were coming in and we joked that they were all staying home for the weather!

The things is ... we were right! Pocklington became a ghost town and the usually bustling street was half empty! A sight rarely seen in this busy market town!

For the rest of the afternoon we had only a few visitors and as a result we still have a superb selection of work to look though!! This is a first because in previous years we have sold out so fast that of you have been disappointed - so now you have your chance!

The work will remain in the gallery only for as long as it takes to sell - so step up and make your choice!

By the way... Happy Birthday, Mr Dylan, for Monday :-)  

Oh my word...

Bob Dylan is in the building!!

(Well, his artwork is anyway!)

The stunning graphics from this years Drawn Blank Series 2010 release have finally arrived and were quickly whisked away, shrouded in secrecy, ready for tomorrow unveiling at 10am!

Almost everyone in the gallery today has been asking about the new Dylan release and we are getting very excited!

Come and join us tomorrow at 10am :-)

Bob Dylan - Go on Ask Me!!

So, back to news in the gallery and we can let you know that the top sellers for April were:

1. Keith Proctor
2. Paul Horton
3.Alexander Millar

Congratulations to Keith - that's the third month in a row that he has been our top seller! Can he maintain this run or will what I am about to tell you change everything...?

The Drawn Blank Series 2010 by Bob Dylan

World wide launch 22nd May at 10am!!

We still have a few 2008/2009 Brochures available - please ask for details!

The continued interest is this superb body of work is unprecedented and already we are getting interest from around the world!

Once again each image is limited to a selective 295 worldwide and each individual graphic is personally hand signed by the man himself, Bob Dylan!

More information and images from this very special release will be available soon and if you are registered as interested then we will make a point of telling you first! So, don't be shy, let us have your name and email address and we'll keep you bang up to date!

Once the images are released early reservation will be essential so if you are familiar with the collection so far and are waiting for a particular piece - then let us know - this could be your lucky day!!

I Want to Ride my Bicycle...

Diane and I spent Sunday on our bikes taking part in the Great Selby Bike ride, cycling a total of 50.4 miles!!

Great Selby Bike Ride - Over 1000 people took part this year!

It was a brilliant day and good training for Dianes charity cycle ride next month to Amsterdam! If you would like to sponsor Diane then please contact us with your pledge or pop in and leave her a donation. Or you can click on the title of this entry to donate through JustGiving!

Diane's enthusiasm for this fantastic event is such that she even has me considering signing up for next year - it'll have to be the guys ride though - I don't think they'd let me ride with the ladies ;-)

Stopping halfway for a well earned break :-)