Eastleigh has a thriving artistic hub – The Sorting Office.
The Sorting Office has gathered a strong team of 16 designers and makers, all of unique talents.
Two months ago, I met five of the artists from the Sorting Office at Eastleigh Library, where they introduced their work to the public.
Karen Head, textile artist
Textile artist Karen Head
Karen Head specialises in hand dyed, hand made nuno felt scarves. She said making a nuno felt scarf is quite physical.
“With such gorgeous hand dyed silks and wool around me, I’m able to make scarves which are beautiful and unique. The technique is nuno – physically making the fibres go through a fabric with friction, which involves a lot of rubbing and rolling.”
Carly Mann is a contemporary stained glass artist, who creates distinctive, original and experimental pieces that incorporate mixed media including collage and her own paintings.
Carly studied painting and printmaking at Canterbury Christ Church University and her work is influenced by her interest in local heritage and landscape, ancient history, and symbolic imagery from other cultures.
Her striking work intricately weaves stories from physical artifacts and vintage ephemera through the cleverly crafted use of stamps, postcards and maps.
Mariska is a print designer creating designs for the home and commercial interiors market. From florals to ships, she incorporates appealing hand-drawn imagery with a surreal and playful twist.
Mariska Parent: print designer.
She enjoys painting and loves working in a variety of media to create texture and detail. She works on canvas and textiles either printing or painting.
“My work primarily involves printing in one way or another onto the ceramic surface. From iconic images like the £20 note which I have developed into a range of coasters and smaller wall pieces, to handwritten images from previous generations. I collage and layer to create pieces that evoke memories and links with our family heritage.”
Sheena Bond’s work
“My Great Grandfather was a master baker, so I have handwritten recipes dating back to Victorian times. My Grandpa fought in World War One; I have a handwritten letter to his family about the day he was awarded The Imperial War Medal. The letter is very fragile, but it will be used to create something long-lasting for future generations to appreciate. I even have a letter written by my Dad to my Mum, written on the day I was born….. a beautiful love letter. It has served as source material for me to use in a variety of creative ways.”
Helen McArdle’s costume design business has grown out of her own passion for historical costume.
Helen McArdle: specialises in historical costumes.
Helen is a graduate of Wimbledon School of Art, has worked in theatre, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has an MA in historical textile and dress. She is also a member of the Hampshire Regency Dancers, who have a reputation for historically accurate costume.
Helen McArdle shows me the bobbins on the lace pillow.
Helen shows me the bobbins on the lace pillow. She tells me that the spangles are the beads on the ends of the bobbins.
Helen has created costumes for museums, theatre, re-enactors and dancers. She is notable for her hats and male costume specialism.
Find out more about Helen McArdle in this Sorting Office page.
Designers and artists from The Sorting Office in Eastleigh: Carly Mann, Mariska Parent, Helen McArdle, and Karen Head.
Meet the artists this Christmas at the thriving artistic hub – The Sorting Office – in Eastleigh.
It’s that time of year when we throw open our doors for our annual Winter Open Studios.
This is a rare chance to meet our talented artists, to watch them work in their space, fire questions at them – and to grab some unique, handmade Christmas pressies, too.
Winter Open Studios is a thrilling experience to see behind the scenes of artists’ studios.
There will be a special festive chap and his little helpers to keep the children occupied, freeing you up to shop ’til you drop.
Handmade scarves, bespoke jewellery, hand-crafted Christmas tree decorations, beautifully crafted ceramics and glassware, hand-drawn Christmas cards, artwork, accessories… you’ll be spoiled for choice for ideas for stocking fillers and festive gifts with the wow factor.
RECREATE is a cross-border project to boost economic regeneration and create jobs through the development of the creative industries supported under the cooperation programme INTERREG IV A France (Channel) – England. It is an Eastleigh Borough Council project and managed by ‘a space’ arts: Growing Creative Communities.
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I went to this yesterday and it was absolutely wonderful. The Sorting Office is a real hidden gem and is a fabulous showcase of creative talent in Eastleigh. Eastleigh Borough Council should be congratulated for both having the initial vision to set up a project like this and for providing business support to all the artists to produce a really thriving creative industry in the local area. This is the 3rd open day that I have been to and it was amazing to see the development in the artists’ work and to hear about the exciting commissions they are starting to get. I would really recommend that you go along to the next open day if you weren’t able to make it yesterday.
Like you, I was fortunate enough to have met some of the most brilliant artists in Eastleigh. They all have unique talents in specialised areas. Giving artists business support is important to help them launch their careers.
Eastleigh is not just a typical railway town. It is a place bursting with artistic talents (and of course, many coffee shops). We are very fortunate. Their work and their success are inspiring to so many of us in the local community. It may also change how people perceive Eastleigh in the future.
However, I think that the Sorting Office could do better:
1) Better brand promotion of The Sorting Office Open Studios:
I agree with Sue Phillips in Streetlife | Sorting Office Winter Open Studios that the Sorting Office event was not well advertised. Many people did not know its location and opening times. The event had been unfortunately ‘buried’ under the Eastleigh Christmas Lights Switch On heading, and the ‘fun’ element of the Christmas event.
The Sorting Office Open Studios is distinct from any Christmas market in Britain, and it should be celebrated and it deserves a strong brand promotion.
Website navigation and artists’ products, website, and shops should certainly be improved. Currently, when you click ‘Visit my Website’, ‘View my blog’ or ‘View my shop’ of some artists, many pages remain blank. I think The Sorting Office needs to make sure the artists have a strong online presence – at least a clear and simple website. Facebook is however optional.
And, could the purchase be centralised? Currently some artists sell on etsy or through their own website, and some don’t. It would be a good idea if the Sorting Office could launch a sales page to enable people to buy from one central place directly.
Thanks so much for this post – I saw an advert last year but didn’t get round to visiting – will certainly be doing so this! Wendy x
Really pleased to see this. Lived in Eastleigh for years but never knew about ‘The Sorting Office’ or its existence! Will definitely be attending!
I went to this yesterday and it was absolutely wonderful. The Sorting Office is a real hidden gem and is a fabulous showcase of creative talent in Eastleigh. Eastleigh Borough Council should be congratulated for both having the initial vision to set up a project like this and for providing business support to all the artists to produce a really thriving creative industry in the local area. This is the 3rd open day that I have been to and it was amazing to see the development in the artists’ work and to hear about the exciting commissions they are starting to get. I would really recommend that you go along to the next open day if you weren’t able to make it yesterday.
Hi Tina,
Like you, I was fortunate enough to have met some of the most brilliant artists in Eastleigh. They all have unique talents in specialised areas. Giving artists business support is important to help them launch their careers.
Eastleigh is not just a typical railway town. It is a place bursting with artistic talents (and of course, many coffee shops). We are very fortunate. Their work and their success are inspiring to so many of us in the local community. It may also change how people perceive Eastleigh in the future.
However, I think that the Sorting Office could do better:
1) Better brand promotion of The Sorting Office Open Studios:
I agree with Sue Phillips in Streetlife | Sorting Office Winter Open Studios that the Sorting Office event was not well advertised. Many people did not know its location and opening times. The event had been unfortunately ‘buried’ under the Eastleigh Christmas Lights Switch On heading, and the ‘fun’ element of the Christmas event.
The Sorting Office Open Studios is distinct from any Christmas market in Britain, and it should be celebrated and it deserves a strong brand promotion.
2) Improve The Sorting Office website:
Website navigation and artists’ products, website, and shops should certainly be improved. Currently, when you click ‘Visit my Website’, ‘View my blog’ or ‘View my shop’ of some artists, many pages remain blank. I think The Sorting Office needs to make sure the artists have a strong online presence – at least a clear and simple website. Facebook is however optional.
And, could the purchase be centralised? Currently some artists sell on etsy or through their own website, and some don’t. It would be a good idea if the Sorting Office could launch a sales page to enable people to buy from one central place directly.
Who is responsible for the promotion of the artists? The Sorting Office? aspacearts? Creative Eastleigh | Creative Industries in Eastleigh Borough? Eastleigh BID? Or the artists themselves on their own Facebook pages?
Congratulations to The Sorting Office. I hope next year we get to see you more and I look forward to your next Open Studios.