23rd May - 7th June 2026
Venue 34: The Washhouse Studios
Two studios in an Edwardian washhouse displaying art from four diverse media.
How to visit venue 34
Come and visit
The Washhouse Studios
10am - 4pm
23rd May - 7th June
Well-behaved dogs welcome
Please be aware accessibility is poor due to gravel paths and steps up into the workshops.
82/83 Church Road
Durweston
Blandford
DT11 0QA
Directions:
Directly opposite Durweston Primary School.
Park on road by churchyard wall
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Meet the artists
Heidi Dawson: Heidi Gem Jewellery
Jewellery designer and maker Heidi, creates beautiful silver and gold contemporary jewellery from her garden studio in North Dorset.
After nearly 10 years teaching Design Technology in a secondary school, Heidi swapped the classroom for a jewellery studio and has been making jewellery and running metalsmithing classes for over 16 years now.
When not teaching, Heidi creates unique pieces combining silver, gold and gemstones for her own collections. Her work often features gold details, including the signature 9ct gold, square rivet, on hand textured silver. Heidi also works to commission, creating bespoke designs for special occasions and breathing new life into cherished heirlooms.
Tara Nix
Tara is a professional pastel artist who specialises in creating realistic wildlife art and pet portraits.
Having spent years working with and caring for a variety of animal breeds, Tara now loves to spend time in her studio in North Dorset, drawing animals in incredible detail.
Tara teaches beginners’ pastel and acrylic art classes as well as ‘Sip & Paint’ evenings in locations across Dorset. She is passionate about providing expert step by step tuition to help students create realistic and vibrant pieces of art that they can be proud of.
Carla Taylor: The Mousehole Woolery
Fibre artist Carla, creates contemporary sustainable wool sculptures inspired by the wildlife and conservation of the British countryside and coastline.
Each sculpture is hand crafted using the technique of needle felting, where special barbed needles are used to repeatedly stab and sculpt wool fibres together to form a solid mass and can take many hours to complete, transforming fleece in to a sculptural work of art!
Carla runs a number of workshops throughout the year where you can create your own little piece of nature and learn all about the origins of needle felting and the wool used.
As an official supporter of the Campaign for Wool, Carla likes to work closely with local Dorset farmers, promoting the use of local and British wool and will often refer to conservation awareness within her sculptures.
Alan Wicks
Alan began experimenting with chicken wire during Covid lockdown. Inspired by his love of native wildlife, he swapped his camera for pliers and hammer. Over time he has refined his art, expanding into domestic animals and larger, more exotic subjects.
