Fairytale theme unites artists at former holiday home of famous literary family

A NEW exhibition has been launched at a famous former holiday home, celebrating fairytales stemming from the region’s woods and forests that have captivated listeners for centuries.

The display was launched over the weekend at the Woodend Art and Craft Gallery, Scarborough, the Grade II listed former holiday home of the 19th century literary family the Sitwells.

It is called Entwined and features jewellery, couture craft and textile art created by Samantha Birch, and artists Lindsey Tyson and Jan Bee Brown.

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The exhibition is designed to interweave the individual passions and talents of the artists, who all work at Woodend, which was sold to Scarborough Council in 1934 and in 2006 was adapted to provide office accommodation for creative professionals.

Andrew Clay, director of Woodend, said: “Co-operation is a central part of Woodend’s philosophy.

“We are delighted that our tenants are working together in harmony to produce something special. It’s what this project has always strived to achieve.”

Woodend was bought by Lady Louisa Sitwell in 1870. She added a conservatory, and a few years later her son, Sir George Sitwell, added a new wing with a library modelled on the family home at Renishaw Hall, Derbyshire.

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The house was the birthplace of Edith Sitwell in 1887 and played a strong role in the literary lives of Sir George’s children – Osbert, Edith and Sacheverell.

The Sitwells were leading lights of literature’s avant-garde in their day and Edith Sitwell’s striking looks and eccentric fashions were made famous in portraits by Cecil Beaton.

The exhibition runs at Woodend Art and Craft gallery until Saturday December 10, from 10am to 5pm on weekdays and from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays.

Entry is free and all the art on display at the exhibition is up for sale.

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