Back in our first year of setting up Art at the Alex (2022), a very long cold winter with a fuel crisis following the COVID years, we decided to brighten things up for our visitors and for the artist community. We invented a winter festival and called it Alexmas. Local artists donate their time and the Alex donates space and materials. We show visitors each day a different art or craft which can be practiced at home without paying much. Often using waste materials in playful or useful ways. Some skills are traditional but largely forgotten, some are new twists on old crafts. All sessions are led by skilled artists and there is no cost and no need to book. We encourage adults to take part in these crafts, as well as accompanied children age 7+ (with a special final children only workshop with Jessica Harthorn. Drop in and take part. Its great fun and company.
Check out this year’s 12 days of Alexmas in this handy poster showing all events.
This is a free event supported by the Alex. There will be lots of tempting shopping opportunities during Alexmas, in cabinets, gallery and at special pop-up stalls. Workshops are 1-3pm but we are open 11-4 each day. (Note that we also open on Sundays during from 16 November to 21 December, with extra stalls during Saturdays and Sundays).
THANK YOU TO THESE LOCAL ARTISTS FOR DONATING THEIR TIME THIS YEAR (listed in order of appearance): Steve Davies (@stevedavies1st), Jenny Ball (@ditherella’s workshop), Matt Pooley (@thedoodlematt), Angela Dewes (@barnspunyarnfarm), Aish Magesh (@designish_studio), Tamsen Flack (@ceramicsnsilks), Lee Becker (Fabric Savers and @Treasurewrap), Chris Pegler (@peglerpurl), Gemma Whitford (@gemscreativeplace), Sam Basnett (@sambasnett_illustration), Jessica Hartshorn (@jessi_illustrates). You can download a printable flyer here.
Look back at 2024 programme here, The montage below shows snapshots of last year’s activity.
