UNO24 EIGHT – A Cornucopia
An ARTWAVE 2024 exhibition
Featuring Linda Lethem
Wednesday 4 – Wednesday 25 September
OPEN DAILY
Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 4.00pm Sunday 12.00 – 3.00pm
Breakfast Morning in Aid of Macmillan Cancer Trust
Sunday 8 September 10.00am - 1.00pm 

The month of September marks the transition between summer and autumn and heralds the climax of Gallery UNO’s year with two more fantastic exhibitions. The month begins with the annual celebration of local artists and makers, Artwave, organised by Lewes District Council. As you would expect, Gallery UNO will rise to the occasion; UNO24 EIGHT “A Cornucopia” will be a dazzling display of work truly reflecting the diversity and talent evident across the many venues in and around Seaford, Newhaven, and Lewes.

Wrapping up the month, we complete our sequence of UNO SOLO exhibitions with Gallery UNO favourite Jan Beesley. Last year, Jan presented a truly stunning exhibition of her work. This year, along with guest fellow fine art photographers Susi Petherick and Alison Buchanan, you will see yet another display of new work which will last long in the memory.
Our "Exhibitor of the Month" is printmaker and painter Linda Lethem who has had a long association with the Sussex Arts Collective. As Gallery curator in Lewes several years ago she presented one our very first exhibitions. 
 

Linda Lethem – Printmaker and Painter

Linda’s artistic story spans many landscapes and influences. London-born and raised in leafy Stanstead Abbotts in Hertfordshire, her artist mother attended Hornsey School of Art to study Theatre Design. Unable to pursue a career in art herself, she vicariously supported Linda’s love for art.

Her secondary school art teacher, Martin Howard, ignited Linda’s enthusiasm for art further, encouraging her to study at A level and beyond. As a student of The Slade School of Art, Martin strongly emphasised the teaching of drawing. They remain good friends and plan to exhibit their work together at The Brothership Gallery in Hertford next summer.

Studying painting at Cheltenham and mentored by painter Paul Thomas, she was exposed to a broad range of artists: Chagall, Picasso, and figurative expressionist Beckmann, as well as Titian and the wonders of Greek Mythology, which became the basis for her thesis. This left a lasting impact on her work, inspiring her to express herself through vivid colours and narrative imagery. Upon graduating, she continued her studies at Brighton University, achieving an MA in printmaking in 1991.

Driven to experience Greece, particularly the Parthenon, she moved to Athens. There, she worked as a teacher of English as a foreign language, initially for nine months but stayed for thirteen years. There, she taught and wrote English Language textbooks, all the while keeping a sketchbook capturing the Greek light, colours, and landscape.

After developing a long-distance online relationship with her future husband Mike, she returned to the UK and settled in Sussex where he lived. On her return, Linda ran a gallery in Lewes and later a village pub, immersing herself in community life as a landlady and head chef. However, she missed having time for her art. It was only during the pandemic that she had the opportunity to rekindle her artistic flame, building a studio in her garden in Chailey where she could dedicate herself fully to her work.

Linda’s artistic expression combines traditional printmaking methods with painting, and she’s increasingly drawn to mixed media. Sussex and Greece continue to influence her creations that echo British artists like Stanley Spencer and John Craxton, ensuring her art remains a vibrant blend of natural forms and landscapes. Her unique blend of influences promises exciting artistic explorations ahead.

UNO SOLO two: “Paw-Fect Moments”
Liza Morton
Saturday 13 July – Sunday 21 July
OPEN DAILY: 10.00am – 4.00pm 

As the sun climbs higher in the sky, casting its golden glow upon the world, we find ourselves in the heart of summer. The sun-kissed months of July and August beckon us to embrace their virtues. Together, they weave a tapestry of wonder and enchantment, warmth and conviviality. They remind us to savour life’s simple pleasures.
At Gallery UNO we hope this is amply reflected over the next few weeks as we present another two great exhibitions to tempt and tantalise you. The ceramicist Liza Morton, of Woofing Fabulous, features in our second UNO SOLO exhibition of the year. “Paw-Fect Moments” sets out to capture the sights and sounds of her daily dog walks and our relationship with man’s best friend.

LIZA MORTON - Woofing Fabulous Ceramics
Originally from Essex Liza first came to Sussex to study for a degree in 3-Dimensional Art at Brighton University in the 1990s. On graduating she completed a PGCE and embarked on a fulfilling 20-year career as a teacher, eventually becoming a Head of Art in several schools in Surrey. In 2016 she moved back to Sussex and became a full-time artist and ceramicist.
Now living in Saltdean with her musician husband they are lucky enough to enjoy daily walks along the Sussex Coast and South Downs accompanied by their beloved dogs. Her endearing "Woofing Fabulous" ceramic dogs have become a firm favourite at Gallery UNO and are truly delightful.   

The multi-media artwork of sound and vision Liza has produced for "Paw-Fect Moments" sets out to capture the essence, sights and sounds of her daily dog walks on all kinds of terrains and through all kinds of weather. Liza believes that for our furry companions, time passes more swiftly, leading them to
experience life with heightened intensity. She invites you to imagine the dog’s excitement as they climb a hill, the breeze ruffling their fur as you then rest and share an awe-inspiring view with a hot drink and treats. They lean into you as if to say, “I’m here if you need me.” In her art Liza aims to celebrate the love our dogs shower upon us daily. Their eyes speak volumes—the unwavering friendship, endless cuddles, and steadfast support. In their shorter lifetimes, they teach us about joy, loyalty, and living in the present.

UNO24 FOUR: Onwards and Upwards
Thursday 11 April – Thursday 2 May
OPEN DAILY: Mon – Sat 10.00am – 4.00pm, 
NOW OPEN Sundays 12.00pm – 3.00pm

April, the month that dances on the cusp of seasons, it beckons us with its kaleidoscope of variety. Not unlike Gallery UNO latest exhibition UNO24 FOUR! 

As winter’s chill retreats, April unfurls its vibrant tapestry, weaving together spring’s tender blossoms, summer’s sun-kissed days, and autumn’s golden hues. It is a month of metamorphosis, where buds burst forth, birds serenade, and nature whispers secrets. Onwards and upwards we indeed go, and embrace this month of change. In this fleeting moment, UNO, as with the month of April, invites you to savour every season as one, reminding us that change is not a destination but a journey. 

Our featured exhibitor is a recent recruit to our ranks who has quickly contributed to the changes that has shaped the gallery on our continuing journey to bring fantastic local talent to the attention of the public.

Clare Filskow – Printmaker
Born in London and raised in Essex and Somerset, Clare’s artistic roots run deep. Both her parents trained as graphic designers at the prestigious Royal Academy of Art. Her brother, an architect, further fuelled her passion for design. At school Clare loved art, but due to limited examination options, she was unable to study it academically. Instead she followed a career as a social worker. On gaining a degree at the University of Plymouth she moved to London where she took up a post with the Westminster local authority working with a team specialising in the elderly. 

It was when the second of three children was born in 2000 that her and her husband moved to a more enriching life in the countryside settling in the idyllic Ashdown Forest. There she initially worked as a Teaching Assistant at her children’s primary school and latterly, as a researcher for an architect practice where she began to understand how design could impact on peoples lives.

Whilst still in London, Clare explored working in stained glass and photography valuing them for their strong compositional qualities but it was the move to Sussex that her future artistic endeavours truly took shape. With her circle of artist friends and her architect-artist husband, she found camaraderie, motivating her to start creating her own artwork and greetings cards.
 
 

Discovering lino relief printing Clare found a process which allowed her to express herself organically; that resonated with her design sensibilities; made use of her photography and achieve stunning results without the use of costly equipment. To develop her skills set further Clare attended evening classes at Lewes College, workshops with reputable printmaker Catherine Greenwood and veraciously read around the subject. Now as a full time printmaker her challenge is to print on an ever larger scale and still maintain the consistent quality. Her dedication to learning and evolving as an artist remains unwavering.
 
 

In the Ashdown Forest Clare has found endless inspiration along with the rolling South Downs, and the ever-changing sea. To realise her creative ambitions Clare has shown tremendous resolve. Her prints speak of landscapes, memories, and the beauty that surrounds us. As she continues to create, we eagerly await the next chapter in her remarkable story

UNO23 TEN: UNO is DUO
Celebrating our Second Birthday at Gallery UNO
Wednesday 8 November - Thursday 30 November
WINTER OPENING TIMES:
Tues – Sat 10.00am – 4.00pm, Mondays 12.00pm – 3.00pm  CLOSED Sundays

As Gallery Uno celebrates its second birthday it also marks a landmark in the life of the Sussex Arts Collective group who begin their 20th anniversary year. 

Uno and the Collective look forward to another year, and are proud to continue providing cost-effective exhibition space for members of the Sussex Arts Collective. This allows them to rightfully profit from their labours and makes owning quality art and craftwork accessible to a wider audience.

This month’s featured exhibitor is one of the many superb new members to the Collective who’s exquisitely crafted and stylish jewellery has already enchanted many of our visitors.

Denise Bliss – Silversmith
Denise creates beautiful pieces of silver jewellery incorporating touches of colour with precious and semi-precious stones. Working from her garden studio, which she and her husband built themselves, she exhibits widely in galleries and craft shows around Sussex. Influenced by her parents’ talents Denise’s creative journey began in her childhood in Blackheath, London. Her creative mother would sew, knit, crochet, embroider and work in other crafts, having come from a culture (she was Egyptian) where it were expected of her. Her father was a draughtsman in the RAF who met her mother during the war, when he was posted to Cairo. He never had the opportunity or time to be creative, but he often desired to learn to paint. Both were always encouraging and supportive of Denise in her endeavours.

Having studied Botany at A level she initially started studying in the science department at Portsmouth College of Education but found it wasn’t to her liking; especially the locusts! Subsequently, Denise transferred to Craft and Design specialising in textiles, yarns, weaving and complementary materials. After successfully graduating, she began a highly fruitful teaching career at a large comprehensive school in East Grinstead becoming a trailblazer for women teaching Design Technology; she was the only woman in the department and one of very few women nationally teaching Resistant Materials. 

In subsequent years, while still working full time, she attained a demanding yet stimulating Masters Degree in Education at Chichester, completing it over three years. Her reward was becoming the Head of Faculty and playing a key role in the school achieving Specialist Status in Engineering. She was passionate about inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths and seeing her students’ creativity blossom.

But, after 25 years of teaching, 8 years as Head of Faculty, Denise retired and decided to pursue her own creative interests taking up silversmithing. She attended lessons with a brilliant local metal smith, Phil Mar of Heathfield, who became her inspiration and mentor for 8 years. With him she learnt skills and techniques, such as stone-setting, casting, forging and enamelling enabling her to develop her own unique style and achieve an Advanced Stone-setting certificate from the prestigious London Goldsmiths College. 

She now has the freedom to enjoy experimenting with form and design inspired by nature. She now has her own Hall Mark, validated by the London Assay Office, which guarantees the quality of her craft and underlines Denise’s talent and versatility as a silversmith; she doesn’t fail to impress.
 www.silverblissdesigns.co.uk Silver Bliss Designs - Creators of Unique Items of Jewellery 

 UNO23 EIGHT: A Cornucopia! ARTWAVE 30th Anniversary Exhibition
Friday 1 September – Wednesday 27 September
OPENING EVERY DAY DURING ARTWAVE:
Mon – Sat 10.00am – 4.00pm, Sundays 12.00pm – 3.00pm
(Exception CLOSED Monday 25 September) 

 
There is a feast of art, craft and design when you visit Gallery Uno where they are hosting UNO23 EIGHT “A Cornucopia!” as part of the annual Artwave festival this September. The gallery will showcasing works of art and craft by the Sussex Arts Collective and will strongly reflect their diverse and vibrant artistic vision, 
 
The Collective have been participating in the Lewes District Artwave art festival since 2004 winning the best venue prize twice. They are immensely proud to be taking part once again in this its 30th anniversary year and continuing its mission to promote to the public the creative talents of the region. 
 
This month’s featured exhibitor, Margaret McGregor Betts, is an artist who has had a long and highly successful career as a special needs teacher balanced with an undying zeal for music and art. 

UNO23 FIVE: Festival Time! Celebrating in art, craft and design, all the fun of the fair.
Saturday 13 May – Thursday 8 June
SUMMER OPENING TIMES: Tues – Sat 10.00am – 4.00pm,
Sundays 12.00pm – 3.00pm
Mondays CLOSED(except late May Bank Holiday Monday 12.00pm - 3.00pm)

  Palo ALMOND  (painter)

Lynn BECK (painter) 

Deryn BELL  (ceramic sculptures)

Jackie BENNETT (tapestry weaver) 

Margaret BETTS (collagraph prints)
Helen CARTER (miniature landscape painting)
 Sue CASEBOURNE (needle felt animals)
 Jeewaranga GUNASEKERA (travelogue photography)
 Chris HEAPE  (wheel thrown ceramics)
Sally Mae JOSEPH (hand-built ceramics)
Gary LONG (painter)
Polly MANDELL (printmaker)
Alejandro MARTINEZ (digital prints from original drawings)
Alison MCDONAGH (textiles)
Katrina MILLER (basketry) 
Stefan MUCHA (abstract digital painter)
Keith PETITT  (block printmaker)
Chrissy SMITH (one-off bags & quilts)
Sophia TEMMERMAN (painter)
Sarah VOSMER (hand-built ceramics)
Adele WALSHE  (leaded stained glass)
Rachel WARD SALE (hand bound notebooks)
Rowena WILLIAMS (wheel thrown ceramics)
Anna WOZNY (driftwood sculptures)