Our Events & Exhibitions programme has resumed…
This page lists all the upcoming public events held at Cuckoo Farm Studios including Exhibitions, Events and Workshops by members of the CFS community and external hirers.
We encourage you to check periodically for future details or join our mailing list to receive updates and invitations.
If you are interested in hiring our Benham Gallery/flexible space visit our Venue Hire page and fill out the contact form.
Collage
Collage' Exhibition in the Benham Gallery. The last in a series of exhibitions about ‘the ages’.
Bricolage - creating work from everyday things.
Our 4th show in the current series of exhibitions at Cuckoo Farm Studios will introduce you to Bricolage - creating work from everyday things.
In this exhibition seven artists -
Karina Carrington | Clare Iles | Becky Jordan | Hanne Mannheimer | Lisa Temple-Cox | Linda Theophilus and Belinda Knapp
explore the everyday by utilising The Found Object.
Meaning is constructed through the interaction of disparate elements in unexpected ways and the resourcefulness of the artist.
Private View: Saturday, 19 October from 12.00 - 2.00 pm
Opening times: Sat/Sun 11.00 am - 4.00 pm or by appointment.
[Bricoler: to tinker, or cobble together, to do it yourself]
Montage: Fragments in Sequence
FRAGMENTS IN SEQUENCE
the second show in our series of the 'Five ages of art' - Montage - will be at the Benham Gallery from 20 to 25 September with:
Stuart Bowditch | Laurence Cawley | James Lejeune | Deborah Suzanne Lander | Marley | Susie Scott
Please join us for the opening on
Friday, 20 September from 6-8 pm
Show open 11am - 4pm Saturday and Sunday
Please note: there has been a change to our printed programme and this show now starts on the 20 September (instead of 14 September!)
There will be a special final event with Richard Layzell:
Psychosomatic | Performance and Film
at 7 pm on Wednesday, 25 September
Tickets are free but booking is essential! Please use eventbrite.co.uk to secure your place.
Open Studios 2024
For one weekend every September Cuckoo Farm Studios opens to the public, the biggest event of the calander attracting over 500 visitors.
The 'Open Studios' event once again coincides with the 'Heritage Open Days'.
A great opportunity to take in the plants and trees, Artists in their studios, Print Workshop demonstrations, an Associate Exhibition in the Benham Gallery, outside workshops and demonstrations. Whether you are interested in talking to local artists and makers about their creative process, buy or commission work or looking for a pleasant day out we hope you will visit us.
A weekend not to be missed, refreshments available, all welcome.
Limited parking, entrance free, find out how to get to us including road closure diversion, below.
Important: There is a road closure near us, please scroll down to see how to get to us...
How to get to us...
The road closure is situated south of CFS at the junction of Boxted Road and Whitmore Drive. You will need to come at us from Boxted Straight Road/northen end of Boxted Road.
Follow these directional posters at key junctions, they will be attached to temporary and fixed road signs/infrastructure to guide you to us.
Fairly Interesting Textures
Fairly Interesting Textures is the first in a series of exhibitions celebrating the 'ages - automatic drawing techniques from the Surrealist movement;
frottage, assemblage, bricolage, collage and montage.
Working in a diverse range of disciplines, the artists explore these techniques, pushing the boundaries of their methodology.
An evolving exhibition of installation drawing, and sculpture including work by Sarah Sabin, Anthony Searle, David Stone, Linda Theophilus, Jevan Watkins Jones and curator, Becky Jordan.Fairly Interesting Textures defines the interstices and solidity around us. Drawing on place, duration and surface the work reflects a very different version of this art form.
Open to public: Saturdays/Sundays - 10/11th August, 17th/18th August, 24th/25th August. 11am to 4pm.
Opening event Saturday 10th August 12am to 2pm
“Street Dreams” two decades of paintings from Gary Winterford
two decades of paintings from Gary Winterford
Our Lovely Mess - Group Exhibition
Colchester 6th Form Graduates - Group Exhibition ‘Our Lovely Mess’
Lupe Cunha’s Alumni Exhibition at Cuckoo Farm Studios Benham Gallery
For over ten years, CFS Studio Holder Lupe has run a popular monthly painting workshop for students in the 'Benham Gallery' and has now arranged this exhibition to celebrate the work of her students over the years.
Countless Edens
Photos and sound exhibition by Mark Edwards and Stuart Bowditch. Made over a three year period in the house and garden of the writer Ronald Blythe.
The images are accompanied by a sound recording of the garden by CFS Studio Holder and sound artist Stuart Bowditch.
Open Saturdays and Sundays - 11am to 4pm
Please join us for the opening event Saturday 1st June between 12 - 2pm.
Infinity & Connection. Sculpture by Lu Yu.
Cuckoo Farm Studios / Colchester Art Society Graduate Award 22/23 winner Lu Yu has an exhibition opening in the Benham Gallery, Cuckoo Farm Studios, on the 11th May.
Infinity & Connection. Sculpture by Lu Yu.
Private View: 10th May, 6-8pm.
Exhibition: 11th - 26th May. Opening Times: Sat & Sun, 11am to 3:30pm (other dates by arrangement, click here to send an email).
Free Workshops (limited spaces): Tai-Chi 15th May, 2-3pm. Meditation 22nd May, 2-3pm.
6 - Art Exhibition
Please come join us for the private view on Friday 3rd May between 6:30 - 8pm.
Exhibition continues Saturday and Sunday as well as Bank Holiday Monday 11am - 4pm.
Cuckoo Farm Studios is delighted to host this exhibition of 6 BA (Hons) Fine Art 1st year students from the Colchester Institute:
Ash Barrett
Elaine Sutton
Freya Jackdaw
Gail Singleton Parkes
Belle Femme Artisan
Sheryl Scharschmidt
Live At Cuckoo Farm
Event organisers Courier Sound & The EA Noise Alliance invite you to join them between 1pm & 7pm on Saturday April 20th to celebrate a wide range of electronic & experimental music, from drone to jungle from neoclassical to noise, with live performances from 7 local artists.
Entrance is free but donations are welcome.
Colchester Art Society - Curators' Choice at The Benham Gallery
Curators’ Choice - Cuckoo Farm Studios welcome Colchester Art Society for an exhibition of 45 works selected by Chair of Cuckoo Farm Studios, Linda Theophilus & Director of The Minories, Emma Howe.
Open to the public Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 11am - 4pm. 29th March to 14th April 2024.
Alternatively please make an appointment, details enclosed…
CFS PRESENTS - pre-Christmas exhibition
As the festive season begins Cuckoo Farm Studios is proud to host our pre-Christmas selling exhibition.
Works by 30 CFS members ranging from ceramics, drawings, glass, jewellery, paintings, prints, sculpture, textiles and wood.
Join us on Saturday 4th November between 12 - 3pm for the grand opening.
Great Cornard Portrait Group
The Great Cornard Portrait Group are holding a week long exhibition in the Benham Gallery at CFS.
Open Wednesday 18th to Tuesday 24th October 2023.
Hours include:
18th 11am - 5pm
19th & 20th 11am - 3pm
21st & 22nd 11am - 5pm
23rd & 24th 11am - 3pm
MYTHS & LEGENDS
Works inspired by the foundational stories that shape beliefs and cultures from around the world.
Curated by Studio Holder David Smith and Print Workshop Chair David Stone.
You and your guests are warmly invited to celebrate the opening of MYTHS AND LEGENDS on Sunday 24th September 2023 between 12noon - 2pm.
Exhibition runs from: Saturday 23rd September until Sunday 15th October 2023.
Open: between 11am – 4pm Saturdays and Sundays
Wednesday afternoons: between 2 - 5pm
BIGGER PICTURE
This year we are extending part of our annual Open Studio event to include this exhibition giving CFS members the chance to display their larger works not easily or practically displayable during Open Studios.
Open Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm.
Open Studios 2023
Each September, Artists at Cuckoo Farm Studios open their workspaces to the public for one weekend. It is the biggest event of our year, welcoming over 500 visitors. With lots to see and do it's a complete day out for the family.
As well as 30 Tenants (Studio Holders), Cuckoo Farm Studios Print Workshop will demonstrate different print techniques and the Benham Gallery will host an exhibition of work by our Associate Members.
Opening Event - NATURE: TAMED AND UNBOUND
You and your guest are warmly invited to the opening of NATURE TAMES AND UNBOUND exhibition be CFS Honorary Associates.
NATURE TAMED AND UNBOUND - Exhibition by CFS Honorary Associates
NATURE TAMED AND UNBOUND is an exhibition by CFS Honorary Associate members Simon Carter, Jane Frederick and Jevan Watkins-Jones.
Open every Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm.
And Wednesdays 5-7pm.
DRAWING@CFS - Exhibition of drawings made at CFS.
20 artists show the different uses and approaches to drawing produced recently at Cuckoo Farm Studios - from experimental trials made in day workshops, through preparations and designs for other work, to finished drawings, and drawing in combination with other media (painting, printmaking, or in 3-D).
TIME-OUT: responding to landscape workshop by Terry Flower
TIME-OUT: responding to landscape.
Talk, walk and workshop to create a small bookwork led by Terry Flower
Explore the grounds at Cuckoo Farm, to gather personal responses to the location as words, images/sketches, colour notes and small natural objects, recorded in a sketchbook*.
Use this material to make a small personal bookwork, with guidance from Terry Flower, as a catalyst and template for your own future artwork.
£35 including refreshments, sketchbooks, and paper – but please bring your own colouring pencils. Booking required.
BEYOND SURFACE PV - Exhibition by Terry Flower
You and your guest are warmly invited to the opening of the BEYOND SURFACE - Bookworks and Photography exhibition by Terry Flower.
Private View 2:30pm on Saturday 24th June 2023.
Part of Essex Book Festival.
BEYOND SURFACE - Exhibition by Terry Flower
BEYOND SURFACE:: Terry Flower - Bookworks and photography.
PV 2:30pm Saturday 24th June 2023.
Thereafter: 11am - 4pm Saturdays & Sundays 24/25 June, 1-2 July, 8-9 July.
Part of Essex Book Festival.
Contemporary Painting Workshops by Lupe Cunha - 24th June
This workshop is run by Lupe Cunha a Studio Holder at Cuckoo Farm Studios.
Sessions typically include a small group of four to eight members, and a cohort of around twelve people come irregularity.
Workshop is 10am - 4pm.
Cost for the day is £60.00 (bring your own materials and a picnic lunch, Tea and Coffee will be provided)
SALVAGE - Exhibition in the Benham Gallery
Curated by CFS Studio Holder Iris Gunnarsdottir.
Works using locally sourced reclaimed materials showing how art can be made in an environmentally friendly manner.
Part of Essex Book Festival.
Opening event for the SALVAGE Exhibition - Benham Gallery
You and your guest are warmly invited to the opening of the SALVAGE exhibition on Friday 2nd June 2023 between 6 - 8pm.
Some of the artists will be in attendance and would be more than happy to talk to you regarding the concepts behind their pieces.
Opening event for the TRANSIENT outdoor exhibition.
TRANSIENT : opening talk by Matthew Bowman, followed by a tour of the exhibition on Saturday 27th May 2023 at 6pm.