St Barbe is delighted to announce the winner of ‘The Chalk’s Gallery People’s Choice Award’ – Jill Fry with ‘My Secret Garden’ – a intricate textile piece with beading, embroidery and tiny stitches depicting Jill working in her own beautiful garden.
The award is voted for by the visitors to our Open 2023 who selected their favourite artwork in the exhibition. Jill was a clear winner with 108 votes. Mother and daughter team, Harriet and Rosie from Chalk’s Gallery came along to St Barbe to present Jill with her £200 prize.
Jill says that she ‘started working on the textile during lockdown and found the artwork to be a huge comfort, emotionally and spiritually.’ It is especially poignant to Jill as the recognition of her work has come to her at the school where she used to be a pupil, the building which is now St Barbe!
Penny Curry from St Barbe said ‘We would like to thank The Chalk’s Gallery for their support sponsoring the award which is extremely popular with our visitors. Our volunteers love encouraging the visitors to vote and hearing the debate that follows!’
The St Barbe Open is an annual exhibition open to artists from across the UK, sign up to our newsletter via our website to hear news of submission dates for 2024 and other updates.
an excellent choice . what a wonderful piece of art
It is very special isn’t it? Such a detailed piece of artwork.
I’m so glad Jill Fry has won this award. i chatted to her once in the cafe and it was fascinating to hear how she constructs her art.
I agree. It really is a work of art, the detail is incredible!