A contemporary Exhibition Space showcasing new and experimental work from established and emerging artists. SVAF also actively promotes and engages with artists’ collaboration projects and formulate interactive community, school and University projects in the Gallery.
Rosalind Barker MA and Susan Evans MFA with the members of the Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum, run The KCC Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Art Gallery as an artist led space.The forum is based at the Gallery.
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New exhibition opens Wednesday 1 October at 10 am Domestic Pleasures.
Artists’ discussion: 6-8pm, 1st October
Join us for refreshments and to view the exhibition from 6
At 6:30 Curator Sarah Cliff will introduce the concept of the show and lead a Q&A with Sally Eldars and Caroline Penn about their work. Exhibiting guest artists will be invited to speak.
Domestic Pleasures
Sarah Cliff, Caroline Penn, Sally Eldars and guests
1 – 25 October
An exhibition in celebration of the eclectic, postmodern, domestic life. Curator: Sarah Cliff
Sarah Cliff, Caroline Penn and Sally El Dars are joined by SVAF members of The Bridge Art School (2024/5) and other guests in this exhibition encompassing film, bookmaking, printmaking, architecture, made and found objects, textiles, drawing and painting.
Exhibiting artists: Adam Green, Amanda Hopkins, Carole Aston, Caroline Penn, Cherie Lubbock, Christine Highland, Cliona Murphy, Donald Smith, Eve Penn, Franny Swann, Jane Sandoe, Jill Laudet, Kate Grimes, Louisa Crispin, Lu Donovan, Mai Osawa, Maria Turner, Peps Barkhan, Rosalind Barker, Sally Eldars, Samuel L. Herbert, Sarah Cliff, Sonia Griffin, Sue Evans, Susanne Beard
Installed in The Open Dresser, Sally El Dars’ Nonna Neana Hanim, is a collection of works inspired by her Egyptian grandmother and the dressers and display cabinets of her aunt.
The Open Dresser is adjoined by small, diverse expressions of domestic pleasure by SVAF members of The Bridge Art School (2024/5) and other guests.
Caroline Penn’s installation, What is Left is an incisive and poignant examination of our relationship with everyday objects, exposing their hidden narratives. Using the inherent qualities of the artists’ book, objects, film and printmaking, she conceals and then reveals a story in an intimate and tactile form.
Sarah Cliff’s Book of Hours, is a three dimensional, secular interpretation of a medieval, domestic devotional book of illuminated texts, recited at specific times of day and intended for private reflection.
The exhibition features The Model House, a scale-model of a 1970’s postmodern social housing project in Notting Hill Gate, constructed over a thirty-year period by Eve Penn, accompanied by Sarah Cliff’s personal response through printmaking, objects and research
Domestic Pleasures Workshops
Title: Domestic Pleasures Still Life Collage
Saturday October 4 10:30 – 1:30
Over 10s and Adults
Book a place luscombehouse@hotmail.com 8 places only
Artist Tutor: Sally El Dars
From a still life setup of domestic household items, and using found and recycled materials, come and create your own Picasso cubist collage.
© Caroline Penn
Title: Domestic Pleasures Pocket Accordion and Other Bookmaking
Artist Tutor: Caroline Penn
Saturday October 18 10:30 – 1:30
Adults only
Book a place luscombehouse@hotmail.com 6 places only
Artist Tutor: Caroline Penn
Fold a pocket accordion book with an integrated cover and insert your own keepsakes and papers in the pockets.
Please bring a few of your own keepsakes e.g. drawings, photos, poems, tickets, decorative pieces that you can cut to fit pocket size max 7 x 12.5cm. You will also have the opportunity to emboss small papers on the press with cut out shapes or soft threads, to fit the pockets in your book.
If time, we will also make some simple folding books with cuts.
Mezzanine Exhibition Space
NOT JUST 7 OAKS the KALEIDOSCOPE FOREST of the IMAGINATION
The SVAF Community Art Project 2025 to accompany TREEN.
NOT JUST 7 OAKS the KALEIDOSCOPE FOREST of the IMAGINATION
Thank you for all your arty Trees in every sort of media for our Forest of the Imagination on the Mezzanine outside the Gallery.
Thank you to The Otford Embroidery Group, The Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Knit and Natter Group, EPIC St Barts Youth Club, Sevenoaks Adult Social Services, Otford Library children’s craft morning and Forget-me-Not-Cafe for many stunning fun trees.
Every Saturday in June and July the drop-in workshops at Kaleidoscope were enthusiastically attended by many families. The inventiveness and pleasure expressed in making by all the family members has made this a joyful project. We owe a big thank you to lead artists Sarah Cliff, Susanne Beard, Sue Evans, Amanda Hopkins and Irene Vaughan who volunteered to run them.
It is not too late.
Everyone loves trees. You can still help grow the Forest.
Our community projects are simple to take part in for all ages and abilities 2 – 92
Join in make us a fun imaginative tree in any media. The trees must fit on A4 lightweight card with a small gap at the top to be hung as bunting.
Encourage your family and friends to take part and invite any groups you are engaged with. Help spread the word.
Leave your contributions in the Mezzanine boxes just outside the Gallery.
NOT JUST 7 OAKS the KALEIDOSCOPE FOREST of the IMAGINATION Now on the Mezzanine
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