Grand Opening of new Visitor Welcome Point and Gallery

On Easter Sunday 5th April 2015 at 10am, Cockington Court will open its new Visitor Welcome Point and The Gallery to the public at the front of the Grade II listed Manor House.

The Visitor Welcome Point will help visitors understand what Cockington Court offers and the Gallery will showcase contemporary crafts by innovative makers, a wedding display and ever changing exciting displays of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, metal work and woodwork.

Between 10am and 4pm, visitors can get creative at our free yarn bombing pom-pom making activity with Sue Pearson, enjoy an Easter trail for children in the Courts grounds and enter a drawing competition.

Artists exhibiting in the new Gallery will include ceramicists Alison West, Vera and Peter Stride, Bob Dawson, Ed Taylor and Gesche Buecker; Textile artists Petra Turner, Francesca Lindsay-White and Rowena Jones; Jewellery designers Stephanie Buddle, Pete Reeves, Yinka Fedden; Mosaics artist Polly Brown and Paper flowers by Amy Denney.

Visitors to Cockington Court can also discover artists and craft makers at work in the Stable Yard and Sea Change Studios, where anyone can commission or purchase high quality crafts directly from the makers. With glass blowers creating amazing works of art, blacksmiths clinking at their forge, and delicious chocolate being made by the chocolatiers, it has a very wide appeal to all ages.

Cockington Court Craft Centre and the Cockington Chocolate Company are working in collaboration to bring an exciting new art competition to children and young adults. The selected artwork will be made into 'official' Cockington Court merchandise that will be sold in the gift shop. The winners will receive a delicious luxury prize from the Cockington Chocolate Company, and will also be invited into the workshop to spend some time watching and learning how chocolate is made.

Marissa Wakefield, Centre Director of Cockington Court Craft Centre said: “Cockington has so much to offer all year round. At Easter, there are some fantastic activities for everyone to enjoy for free. I can’t wait to see visitors enjoying the new Visitor Welcome Point and The Gallery, with its excellent local artists, and everyone being creative with their drawing designs.”

Operated by TDA as a visitor attraction and South West Business Centre, Cockington Court is one of Torbay's favourite destinations and enjoys a growing reputation as a regional centre for quality arts and crafts.

Details of the events and much more can be found by visiting www.cockingtoncourt.org or calling 01803 607230.