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ArtWorks East Exhibition 2025
Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
13th - 28th Sep
10:00 - 16:00
Where:
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Pricing:
Free Entry
25th Anniversary Exhibition of Artworks
With its reputation for high standards of fresh and contemporary work, Artworks East seeks to interest and inspire in a wide range of media created by 30 of East Anglia’s leading artists and has been doing so for 25 years now.
A highlight of the East Anglian art scene, this is a great opportunity to see contemporary 2D and 3D work by 30 of East Anglia’s established and popular artists. All the exhibits are new to the Artworks each year and are for sale.
A great favourite of the exhibition is the Mini Artworks Prize Draw; thirty mini artworks created by the Artworks artists will be on display during the main exhibition and the proceeds benefit their Schools Programme and a chosen East Anglian charity, which this year is East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Meet the Artist
There are also daily opportunities during September to Meet The Artist at the exhibition, where one or more artists will be demonstrating how they create their work:
Saturday 13th: Lucy Perry – Artful florals
Sunday 14th:
Martin Coe – Against the landscape
Monday 15th: Terry Bryan – Eureka!
Tuesday 16th:
Christine McKechnie – Collage my way
Wednesday 17th:
Cathy D’Arcy – The owl and the pussycat
Thursday 18th:
Lousie Chapman – Talk to me, a woman who loves to paint
Friday 19th:
Elisabeth Rutt – In stitches and
Lillias August – Watercolour, freedom and control
Saturday 20th:
Valerie Armstrong – Marks and mixed media
Sunday 21st:
Hazel Bradshaw – Printing for fun and
Lyn Aylward – Painting an oil portrait
Monday 22nd:
Christine McKechnie – Collage my way
Tuesday 23rd: Kit Price Moss – Painting for Pleasure or Printmaking for Pain?
Wednesday 24th:
Eileen Revett – The wonderful world of woodcut printing
Thursday 25th:
Cathy D’Arcy – The owl and the pussycat
Friday 26th:
Valerie Armstrong – Marks and mixed media
Saturday 27th:
Judith Glover – Ten minute pastel portrait sessions
Sunday 28th:
Chris Gamble – Enjoying drawing
You can sign-up for tickets to be invited to the Private Viewing for this 25th Anniversary show on 12th September, by going to the Artworks East website.
The setting for the exhibition is the spectacular thatched, late medieval Blackthorpe Barn, part of the Rougham Estate.
Important information
There is plenty of free parking at Blackthorpe Barn.
Accessible parking is near the café/shop.
More parking is available slightly further down the avenue.
Please be aware that this is a rural location and paths can be muddy depending on the weather conditions.
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25th Anniversary in 2025
This September Artworks will be celebrating its 25th annual exhibition at Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate near Bury St Edmunds.
The initial idea for Artworks was the inspiration of friends Katie Millard and Graham Portlock. They stood together in the beautiful 15th Century thatched barn, looked around and decided as one it was the perfect setting for an art exhibition. Then they set to, phoned artist friends and colleagues and the first exhibition was soon underway proving such a success that there was a resounding vote to exhibit the next year and so it has continued.
“We still have original members in the group and none of us ever dreamt, when we took part in the first exhibition at Blackthorpe Barn in 1999, that we would still be going strong 25 years later. It’s a very exciting time and shows that people in East Anglia have a real interest and appreciation for high quality art from professional artists.
As a group, we have always encouraged the addition of new guest artists and this approach has worked well over the years. It means in addition to the new work of familiar artists there are always surprises. For our 25th exhibition though, we have invited back 3 previous members whose inspiring work we’ve continued to admire; Lillias August, Louise Chapman and Lucy Lutyens.”
Gillian Crossley-Holland, Chair and one of the founder members of Artworks
Over the years Artworks has also established strong ties with local schools, providing free workshops and inviting school visits which are often as surprising to the artists as to the children.
As has been the practice for 25 years all the work exhibited is new to Artworks and ranges from colourful abstract art to exquisite botanical illustrations, dramatic landscape paintings to insightful portraiture, robust ceramics to delicate figurative work, elegant bronze sculptures to surreal constructions.
At the exhibition there will be opportunities to meet the artists and take part in the popular ‘Mini Artworks Prize draw’ which raises money for this year’s charity, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and the Artworks Schools Programme.
Where to find us
Plenty of free parking on site
Please keep to the 5mph limit
Disabled access available
This is a rural location and paths can be muddy
Blackthorpe Barn is situated just south of Junction 45 of the A14, three miles east of Bury St Edmunds, in the village of Rougham.
Look out for the entrance gates to a long tree-lined avenue at the White House junction.
The Barn is down the avenue, on the right.
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The Roaming Sauna is back this weekend!
On the 18th & 19th October you can book it out as a group or individually for an hour at a time.
The converted horsebox has been transformed into a traditional, cosy wood-fired sauna crafted for calm and comfort. Step inside, leave daily stress behind, slow down, recharge and discover why sauna culture has been loved around the world for centuries.
Move from chatting on the bench to a heart‑racing cold shower or plunge, then bask in the warm, glowing afterfeel.
It’s an opportunity to embrace simplicity and reconnect with the timeless ritual of heat and cool amid beautiful natural surroundings of Rougham Estate.
Book here…
https://theroamingsauna.as.me/schedule/d472d783
#Sauna #WoodFired #HorseboxSauna #Wellness #ColdPlunge #HeatAndCool #Relaxation #Recharge #SaunaCulture #Nature #SelfCare #Wellbeing
A few words from George Agnew, about the recent awards win.
A thank you to the team and customers who make everyday possible. #roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #burystedmunds #award #burystedmunds
Looking for the perfect gift as we approach Christmas?
Why not treat someone special to a Rougham Estate Gift Voucher. Whether it’s a leisurely meal at Roots Café, unique finds at the Garden Room Shop, or festive treasures at the Christmas Shop, our vouchers offer flexibility and choice. Valid for 12 months and redeemable across multiple visits, they make gifting effortless.
Available in denominations from £25, and delivered directly to your inbox or theirs. Personalise your message and even select a future delivery date.
Explore and purchase here: https://roughamestate.giftpro.co.uk/vouchers/rougham-estate-gift-voucher/
#RoughamEstate #GiftVoucher #SuffolkGifts #RootsCafe #ChristmasShop #SuffolkLife #ThoughtfulGifting #SupportLocal
This Sunday there are two main events at Rougham Estate: the wonderfully autumnal Rougham Pumpkins and the inspiring Art Exhibition in the Meadow Room at Blackthorpe Barn.
Just 2 minutes’ drive between them, they are both free to enter with plenty of free parking.
At Blackthorpe Barn you’ll also find Roots Café and the Garden Room Shop (soon to become the amazing Christmas Shop on 20 October)
At Rougham Pumpkins, apart from thousands of pumpkins, gourds and squashes, there are big bale pyramids, football goals, pedal tractors and photo ops.
🌯Food and drink this Sunday provided by:
Roots&Co - sausage & bacon baps until 11am, then loaded hashbrowns, cakes and drinks including beer and prosecco
@whatthe_peck - freshly-prepared Suffolk-reared buttermilk chicken
@samu_kitchen - tasty vegan dishes
@geegeebakes - cheesecakes, crumbles and sweet treats
@kiernanscoffee - coffees, hot chocolates, snacks and treats
@badboiburritos - burritos and Mexican-Japanese fusion food
@tikka_tonic - New Delhi style street food
Facepainting by @faceitfaceart
Open weekends in October and every day 25-31 October, 9-5
In the Meadow Room you’ll be impressed with artworks created by 3 talented artists:
Paintings and cards by @cyndispeer
Metalwork from chairs to pokers by @j.w.h.mccaughan
Ceramics and textiles by @carol.pask also @landtoclothtextiles
All pieces for sale
Open until 15 October 10-4
A perfect trip out on a Sunday!
Find us just off Junction 45 of the A14; the pumpkins to the north, Blackthorpe Barn to the south.
All the details from our website.
#roughamestate #roughampumpkins #artexhibition #suffolkarts #burystedmunds #suffolkpumpkins #daysoutsuffolk
Blown away with last nights awards where we took home Investing in West Suffolk Award and George received the Lifetime Achievement Award 🏆
Well done to all the finalists and winners of each category it really feels like an amazing achievement to be finalists and amongst some fantastic local businesses.
But a massive THANK YOU to all our team and also to each and everyone one of you who support us and have been on the journey with us for all these years. The last few years we’ve made significant developments and changes to the business but it wouldn’t be made possible without you. ❤️
#Buryfreepressbusinessawards2025 #roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #rootscafe #westsuffolk
It’s the second weekend of Rougham Pumpkins already!!
🍁Time to come and get your fix of autumnal colours, pumpkins, squashes and gourds. The weather looks perfect for doing some foraging.
🎃Thousands of pumpkins are waiting to be picked, but many are hiding in the further reaches of the patch - playing a game of hide and seek!
🌯There’s a cracking range of food and drink to keep you going with your quest this weekend:
Roots&Co - sausage & bacon baps until 11am, then loaded hashbrowns, cakes and drinks including beer and prosecco
@whatthe_peck - freshly-prepared Suffolk-reared buttermilk chicken
@samu_kitchen - tasty vegan dishes
@geegeebakes - cheesecakes, crumbles and sweet treats
@kiernanscoffee - coffees, hot chocolates, snacks and treats deep in the patch
@badboiburritos - burritos and Mexican-Japanese fusion food
@tikka_tonic - New Delhi style street food
🎨Face-painting available from @faceitfaceart
🎃Thousands of pumpkins, gourds and squashes of all shapes and sizes
🎟️Free entry, free parking, no need to book
📸Plenty of photo-ops
🐕Dogs welcome in the picnic area and doggy patch but not the main patch
📍Rougham Estate near Bury St Edmunds off Junction 45 of the A14
🔦Don’t forget! Pumpkins by Torchlight on Saturdays 18th and 25th October 6pm-9pm. Headsets for the silent discos going fast. Tickets from our website.
All the details from our website.
#roughamestate #roughampumpkins #pumpkinpatch #suffolkpumpkins #burystedmunds #pumpkinpicking🎃 #pumpkinpatch🎃 #autumnmood
Tickets available but selling fast!
There’s so much on at Rougham Estate in the coming weeks, most of which is free to enter and enjoy, but some events need to be booked.
🕺Silent Disco Headsets for the 🎃Pumpkins by Torchlight evenings
18 & 25 October 6pm-9pm, free entry
🎟️Headsets available to book: Adult £6, Child £4
🌲Pick Your Own Christmas Tree at the plantation
Come and wander amongst the trees to find your perfect one - it’s a great preparation for Christmas to do with the family!
8, 9, 15 & 16 November 10am - 2:30pm
🎟️Booking essential; £15 per tree
🛍️The famous Arts & Crafts Fair in the gorgeous thatched Blackthorpe Barn
With all the feels of Christmas, the Barn is filled with hand-crafted excellence and gifts you’ll want to keep
Open on 5 weekends before Christmas from 15 Nov - 14 Dec
🎟️Season ticket online: £10 for all 10 days
🎟️Day tickets online: £2.50
Tickets also available on the door: £12 and £3
👩🎨Craft Workshops
Many of the Christmas workshops are already sold out, but there are still a few spaces for Wild Weaving, Make Your Own Fairy, Willow Weaving Decorations and Making Your Own Christmas Wreath
🎟️See the website for individual dates, times and prices
For more information and to book, click the ➡️BOOK button on the top right of our website.
Don’t forget that most events here are free to enter with no booking needed.
Open now and free to enjoy:
Art Exhibition in the Meadow Room until 15 October 10-4
The Garden Room Shop 10-4
Roots Café 9-4
The sunken garden, meadow walk and tree trunk sculpture
Walks around the Estate
October weekends: Rougham Pumpkins and daily 27-31 Oct, 9-5
And … the amazing Christmas Shop opening on 20 October 🎉
So much to do here! See you soon!👋😃
#roughamestate #suffolkcountryside #burystedmunds #suffolklife
Come and see the new exhibition at the Meadow Room!
From today until Wednesday 15th October @j.w.h.mccaughan @cyndispeer @carol.pask @landtoclothtextiles are showing some of their latest work.
Not only will you be inspired but you might also walk away with something new; the pieces are for sale.
The Meadow Room is just outside Roots Café, so perfect to combine with a coffee and a bite to eat, or a wander through the Garden Room Shop.
Open every day 10am - 4pm, free entry.
Plenty of free parking.
#roughamestate #artexhibition #suffolkart #suffolkartists #burystedmunds #beinspired
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