Local artists get festive for wildlife
Art lovers are being given the chance to discover new works by local artists at College Lake nature reserve.
The College Lake Artists will showcase their work once again at one of the Wildlife Trust’s flagship nature reserves.
The group, which have exhibited their work at College Lake for the past four years, will be showing a range of work from Sarah Russell’s contemporary monoprints to Nigel Thompson’s classic stoneware ceramics.
Shirley Jones will have her unique silk scarves on show and Jenny Hoole will be showing her latest range of textures-fused glass. Linda Cavill will have an eclectic range of work from her acrylic ink paintings to her range of ceramics.
The show is open from 10am-4pm from Thursday 28 November to Sunday 1 December. Ten per cent of all sales will go to BBOWT.
‘We’re delighted to welcome the artists back to College Lake,’ says Visitor Centre Manager Toyah Baulk.
‘Their work is done to such a high standard so this will be a great place to pick up a unique Christmas present for a loved one.’
‘College Lake is a fantastic venue to showcase College Lake Artists work, you cannot help but be inspired by the landscape surrounding you and the wonderful vista from the visitors centre,’ says Niki Bell who will be showing her animal inspired paintings and her complement bone china tableware.
‘Everyone who works and volunteers at the venue is so helpful and passionate about the work they do and it is wonderful to be able to contribute ten per cent of our sales to this glorious site.’
College Lake is a fantastic example of what people passionate about wildlife can achieve through a shared vision and sheer determination. Until 1991 this site at the foot of the Chiltern Hills was a working quarry owned by Castle Cement. Thanks to a joint project between the company and the Trust, and the hard work of BBOWT staff and volunteers, a thriving nature reserve now supports more than 1,000 species. An eco visitor centre, together with two bird hides, all with stunning views of the lakes, opened to the public in 2010.
Widely regarded as one of the best places in Buckinghamshire for water birds and with many hides overlooking the water College Lake is a great destination to bring your family for a wildlife walk, whatever the weather or time of year. In the winter, the combination of the water, mud and vegetation, such as rushes, growing in shallower areas, attract wildfowl such as wigeon and teal, and waders like snipe. If you’re lucky, you may see a large flock of lapwing or golden plover.