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Grapevine exceeds expectations

Posted by Tim Lenton on 29 March 2009 at 23:02

Tags: grapevine launch paston

Medieval magic from Paston Heritage Society members Artist Martin Laurance with gallery owner Peter Low Artists Annette Rolston and Sharon Teague InPrint artist Joan Murray with her husband John and former InPrint poet Rupert Mallin (right) Crowds gather round the book demonstration Paston Heritage Society chairperson Lucy Care InPrint poet Tim Lenton reading Blue Days, Black Knights Annette demonstrates the handmade book, value over £1000. Poet Adrian Ward takes time to do a spot of research.

The launch of the new, expanded Paston exhibition at the Grapevine Gallery on Unthank Road, Norwich, today exceeded expectations, with the gallery room well filled for over three hours and huge amounts of praise heaped on exhibitors by all and sundry. This was a reward for the organisers and everyone who took part, but especially for hardworking InPrint artist Annette Rolston, who demonstrated the hand-made book to visitors with assistance from InPrint poet Caroline Gilfillan and artist Martin Laurance. Such was the enthusiasm that for much of the time crowds were gathered round them and the book was invisible to the rest of the room!

Paston Heritage Society chairperson Lucy Care, without whom the whole project would never have happened, was happily well enough to attend with her family and gave a brief introduction to the Paston Letters, just before the poetry reading. All the InPrint poets read: Caroline, who had acted as lead poet for the project, followed by Lisa and former InPrint poet Rupert Mallin, opened proceedings. Then Dot Cobley, Kay Riggs and Adrian Ward, followed by InPrint poet Tim and ending with Rob Knee. All poets were very warmly received by what must have been a crowd of about 50 people.

The exhibition itself featured a large amount of impressive new work, and although the handmade book itself drew most interest and comment, there was also a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for the scope and quality of the work on display. Paston Heritage Society members in medieval garb also drew interest for their calligraphy and paper-making demonstrations. All-in-all, a day to remember.

Comments

Posted by David Lenton on 30 March 2009 at 22:29

Looking forward to a chance to get there to take a look!

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