Stody Lodge Gardens and the Animal Art Fair raise £6,000 for Ormiston Families

The Future, by Bruce Little

The Animal Art Fair and Stody Lodge Gardens are delighted to have raised £6,000 for Ormiston Families, the charity caring for vulnerable children, young people and families across East Anglia.

Ormiston Families was the nominated charity for the Animal Art Fair’s Spring Exhibition this May at Stody Lodge’s sensational rhododendron and azalea gardens near Holt. Funds were raised at the Private View of the Spring Exhibition on Saturday 16th May as well as through the online auction of a beautiful sculpture by Bruce Little. This delightful sculpture of a young rhino, entitled The Future, was sold to an anonymous bidder for £1,700.

The funds raised will go to two of Ormiston Families’ key Norfolk projects:

HMP Norwich - aimed at maintaining positive links between prisoners and their families, a wide range of services are offered including children visits; ‘baby-bonding’ sessions; accredited parenting courses; and ‘Story Book Dads’ scheme, whereby fathers dictate stories onto CDs for their children to keep.

The Holt Youth Project – Ormiston Families works in partnership with Holt Youth Project to deliver Young Carer’s Groups - supporting children and young people who find themselves caring for family members with illness, disability or drug-dependency, whether short-term or long-term.

Stody Lodge Gardens open today and Bank Holiday Monday 25th May, 1pm - 5pm

Stody Lodge Gardens is open today, Sunday 24th May, and Monday Bank Holiday 25th May, from 1pm - 5pm. The rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom and visitors can also enjoy the final two days of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition in the exhibition marquee on Stody Lodge's main lawn.

£5 entrance (cash or cheque), children under 12 free. Ample free parking, dogs on leads welcome and plant stall. Delicious homemade teas by the Holt Youth Project.

Stody Lodge Gardens opens this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1pm - 5pm

To celebrate its collaboration with the Animal Art Fair this May, Stody Lodge Gardens is for the first time opening to the public mid-week. Visitors can come and enjoy 14 acres of rhododendrons, azaleas and specimen trees in and amongst the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition and Sculpture Gardens.

Doors will open from 1pm - 5pm on Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd May. 

Entrance £5 (cash or cheque), children under 12 free. Delicious homemade teas provided by About with Friends. Ample free parking, plant stalls and dogs on leads welcome.

Stody Lodge Gardens opens in aid of the National Garden Scheme today 1pm - 5pm

Stody Lodge is delighted to be opening its gardens in aid of the National Garden Scheme today, Tuesday 19th May, from 1pm - 5pm. Non-members also welcome.

Entrance is £5 (no concessions) and proceeds will go to the charities selected by the National Garden Scheme.  This year these include: Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie Cancer Care,Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queen's Nursing Institute, Perennial and Parkinsons UK. 

Delicious homemade teas will be provided by About with Friends. There is a plant stall, ample free parking and dogs on leads are welcome.

The Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition opens this Sunday 17th May

A collection of beautiful paintings and sculptures by the UK’s leading animal artists at Stody Lodge Gardens near Holt

This Sunday 17th May, the doors of a specially designed exhibition marquee on the lawn of Stody Lodge near Holt will open to the general public. Stunning oils, watercolours, drawings and table top sculptures by fifteen of the UK’s leading animal artists will be on display for everyone to enjoy.

From pop art representations of African animals, traditional watercolours of British game, dramatic contemporary racing images or delightful pencil drawings capturing the character of a much-loved Norfolk terrier, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste and pocket.

The Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition will run from 17th to 25th May 2015 (open daily 1pm - 5pm excluding Monday 18th and Saturday 23rd May.)

Since 3rd May, Stody Lodge’s celebrated rhododendron and azalea gardens have played host to over twenty five life size sculptures as part of the Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens. Visitors have been able to follow winding pathways under canopies of rhododendron blooms to discover beautiful life size pieces within the different areas of Stody Lodge's 14-acre garden. The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens exhibition is open to the public 1pm – 5pm every Sunday in May plus 1pm – 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “We are really delighted to have secured this wonderful art exhibition for Norfolk.  We have had a fantastic response to the Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens with record visitor numbers and we are very excited about the fun and enjoyment that the Spring Exhibition itself will bring.”

Jamie Polk, Founder and Director of the Animal Art Fair, said: “Holding our Spring Exhibition within Stody Lodge’s exceptional gardens is a perfect fit for us: beautiful art in beautiful surroundings. The artists we have selected to take part in the exhibition offer something for everyone and we are delighted to be introducing some of the UK’s leading animal artists to this very special county.”

Exhibiting artists include Guy Allen, Ashley Boone, Lucy Boydell, Kate Denton, Bruce Little, Ian Edwards, Matt Falle, Tom Hiscocks, Michelle McCullagh and Jamie Wild.

Entrance £5 (children under 12 free).

Announcing the winners of the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards!

Stody Lodge Gardens and the Animal Art Fair are delighted to announce the three winners of the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards:

In the year 4 category, Jesse Brown of Corpusty Primary School was selected by the Animal Art Fair panel for his excellent use of colour and different mediums in his delightful depiction of a frog floating in bubbling blue-green water.

In the year 5 category, Carys Thaxster of Astley Primary School was chosen for her ambitious use of foreshortening and perspective and anatomically accurate drawing of two beautiful kestrels.

In the year 6 category, William Stoppani of Beeston Hall Preparatory School stood out for his remarkably lifelike painting of a kingfisher. His energetic use of paint perfectly depicted the movement of the bird’s wings and the beady gleam of its eye.

Five North Norfolk primary schools were invited to take part in the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge Gardens this May. Years 4, 5 and 6 at Astley Primary School, Holt Community Primary School, Corpusty Primary School, Beeston Hall Preparatory School and Greshams Preparatory School have in the past two weeks been hard at work creating beautiful depictions of animals, birds or fish in any frameable medium.  The 45 finalists were exhibited at a fun-packed day at Stody Lodge on Sunday 10th May with children coming to admire their art and enjoy the pony rides, petting zoo, goat show and treasure hunt throughout Stody’s 14-acre gardens.

Jamie Polk, founder of the Animal Art Fair, selected the three winners from each year group and has invited the three winning paintings to be hung for sale alongside the works of some of the UK’s leading animal artists as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition from 17th May – 25th May.

Jamie Polk, said: ‘I was very impressed by the strong lines and unfettered approach taken by these young artists – it shows just exactly how children see life and wildlife around them. It was very hard to choose but all three pictures will be a welcome addition to the works of the UK’s leading animal artists as part of our Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge Gardens next week.’

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: ‘The standard of art work was really very high with a huge variety of different mediums and approaches to representing wildlife. We are delighted that the Animal Art Fair has inspired our local primary school children to be so creative. With the three winning paintings being hung for sale in the Spring Exhibition, we are very hopeful that this could be a fantastic start to a budding art career.”

Come and enjoy a day of family fun with the Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ day this Sunday 1pm – 5pm

Children enjoying delicious ronado ice creams at stody lodge gardens

This Sunday 10th May is the long-awaited Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ Day with a wide range of fun and entertainment for all the family.

Ponies Bonzo, Mitch the Titch and Dolly have been undergoing a rigorous grooming programme to get spruced up and ready for the pony rides. Duncan Jeary will be bringing two yearling calves from his award-winning pedigree Aberdeen Angus herd and Gareth Daniels will be allowing visitors to admire his delightful lambs. 

A treasure hunt will also test the wiliest of pirates who will need their wits about them to find the treasure in and amongst the Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens. A selection of the UK’s leading animal sculptors are exhibiting their works within the gardens of Stody Lodge throughout May.  Visitors will be able to follow winding pathways under canopies of rhododendron blooms to discover beautiful life size pieces within the different areas of Stody Lodge's 14-acre garden.  

The finalists of the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards will also be exhibited in an exhibition marquee on the lawn of Stody Lodge. Five local primary schools have entered the competition as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge Gardens this May. Pupils at Astley Primary School, Holt Community Primary School, Corpusty Primary School, Beeston Hall Preparatory School and Greshams Preparatory School are putting the finishing touches to their animal art this week. The finalists will be judged by the Animal Art Fair panel and the three winners will be presented with their professionally framed paintings at Stody Lodge on Monday 11th May.

Over at the Azalea Water Gardens, via Ronaldo’s sensational ice cream van, Stody is delighted to be hosting the Norwich & District Kid and Goatling Show. Young goats and adorable kids will be on parade with plenty of opportunity for visitors to pet the animals and get involved.  And if that wasn’t enough, children can also have their face painted!

Entrance is £5, children under 12 free. Families are welcome to bring dogs, there are great picnic spots, a plant stall and delicious homemade teas.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge and wanted to have a day to celebrate this exciting collaboration with younger visitors in mind. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to what promises to be a day of real animal magic.’

On Sunday 10th May Stody Lodge Gardens is delighted to be supporting North Norfolk Riding for the Disabled through the homemade teas and pony rides. Proceeds from the day will also be donated to North Norfolk Radio Kids' Trust.

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The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens opens tomorrow! Sunday 3rd May 1pm – 5pm

It has been a very busy week at Stody Lodge Gardens.  Thirty life size sculptures by the UK’s leading animal artists have been safely installed in their new home for the next month.  The artists themselves travelled from around the UK to see the safe delivery of their pieces and to choose where they will be sited in and amongst Stody’s 14 acres of rhododendrons and azaleas.

Creativity was flowing with one artist, Ian Edwards, opting to cover over the entire sundial in the middle of Stody’s Old Rose Garden with a large plinth on which his soaring sculpture, The Calling, was placed. Behind this visitors can catch a glimpse of Kate Denton’s majestic stag, the Young Pretender, striding confidently across Stody’s expansive main lawn.

The gardens are now bustling with a huge variety of beautiful birds, fish and animals, all of whose energy and vitality belie the metal they are made out of. There are deer, sail fish, horses, badgers, hares, warthogs, leopards, dogs, crows, donkeys, raptors – even a touch of the magical with a griffin! Sculptors include Kate Denton, Jamie Wild, Ian Edwards, Bruce Little and Tom Hiscocks.

Visitors are invited to come and discover these life size pieces both in its open lawn areas but also along Stody’s winding woodland pathways under canopies of rhododendron blooms. With the Sculpture Gardens and the wide range of art on display in the exhibition marquee, this event promises to provide enjoyment and interest not just for gardening enthusiasts and art-lovers but for all those looking for a fun afternoon out in unusually beautiful surroundings.

Entrance £5, children under 12 free.

Announcing the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards!

Five Norfolk primary schools have entered The Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge Gardens this May. Over the next two weeks, Years 4, 5 and 6 at Astley Primary School, Holt Community Primary School, Corpusty Primary School, Beeston Hall Preparatory School and Greshams Preparatory School will be putting the finishing touches to their animal art.

Pupils are hard a work creating representations of animals, birds or fish in any frameable medium. The relevant teachers will select three finalists from each year group (making a total of 45 paintings in total from the five schools) to be displayed in an exhibition space at Stody Lodge Gardens when it opens to the public from 1pm – 5pm on Sunday 10th May.

Sunday 10th May is the Stody ‘Kids for Kids’ Day with the Norwich & District Kid and Goatling Show, pony rides, face painting, a treasure hunt, and of course the Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens. Entrance is £5, children under 12 free. Families are welcome to bring dogs, there are great picnic spots, a plant stall and delicious homemade teas.

Local press are invited from 4pm on Monday 11th May to come and enjoy Stody’s renowned rhododendron and azalea gardens with a drink in their hand before joining the Young Talent Awards ceremony in the gardens at 5pm. The three winners, one from each age group, will be selected by the Animal Art Fair panel and presented with their professionally framed painting by Jamie Polk, Founder of the Animal Art Fair, at 5pm.

In a fitting conclusion to the art competition, the three winning paintings will be hung for sale alongside the works of some of the UK’s leading animal artists as part of the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition from 17th May – 25th May. Jamie Polk will advise on the sale price of each painting and proceeds can be kept by the pupil or, if they wish, donated to Ormiston Families, the nominated charity for the Spring Exhibition.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition at Stody Lodge and wanted to celebrate this exciting collaboration by involving our local primary schools. We can’t wait to see what the pupils have created and hope they will be inspired by the wonderful paintings and sculptures within the gardens.’

Jamie Polk, Founder of the Animal Art Fair, said: ‘It is fantastic so many local schools are taking part in the Stody Animal Art Fair Young Talent Awards. We hope the competition will encourage pupils to engage in their art work and that it could be a fantastic start to a budding art career.’

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The Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition - timeline of events

Stody Lodge is delighted to be hosting the Animal Art Fair's Spring Exhibition within its gardens this May. Below is a list of opening times and events taking place during the month.

Sunday 3rd May: The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens open 1 – 5pm. Teas in aid of Hunworth & Stody Village Hall.

Sunday 10th May: The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens open 1 – 5pm including the Stody 'Kids for Kids' day. Enjoy some family fun with the Norwich Kid & Goatling show, pony rides, face painting and a treasure hunt. In support of North Norfolk Radio Kids Trust. Teas in aid of North Norfolk Riding for the Disabled.

Saturday 16th May: Private View of The Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition (by invitation only) in aid of the Norfolk Projects of Ormiston Families http://www.ormiston.org/.

Sunday 17th May:  The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens & Spring Exhibition open 1pm – 5pm. Teas in aid of St Johns Ambulance.

Tuesday 19th May – Friday 22nd May: The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens & Spring Exhibition open 1pm – 5pm. Teas in aid of About with Friends. Open on 19th May in support of the National Garden Scheme (non-members also welcome.)

Thursday 21st May: Drinks & Canapés Reception including Sculpture Gardens. 6.30pm – 9.30pm. A unique corporate hospitality opportunity. Please contact Softley Events on 01603 757658.

Friday 22nd May: Exclusive dinner with a talk from an artist. Limited availability. Please contact Softley Events on 01603 757658.

Sunday 24th May: The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens & Spring Exhibition open 1pm – 5pm. Teas in aid of the Holt Youth Project.

Monday 25th May: The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens & Spring Exhibition open 1pm – 5pm. Teas in aid of the Holt Youth Project.

Sunday 31st May: The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens open 1pm – 5pm. Teas in aid of Heritage House.

Stody Lodge Gardens hosts the Animal Art Fair Spring Exhibition in May 2015

In a major coup for Norfolk, the prestigious Animal Art Fair has chosen to hold its Spring Exhibition within Stody Lodge’s rhododendron and azalea gardens near Holt. The Animal Art Fair showcases the UK’s foremost contemporary animal artists. Founded in London in 2010, it is now a leading dealer in its field and represents artists working in a wide variety of mediums and styles, from the cutting edge to the traditional, bronzes to oils, etchings to watercolours.

Stody Lodge Gardens is renowned for its extensive collection of rhododendrons and azaleas which burst into spectacular coloureach Spring. Over a five-week period, a riot of different shades develop through the garden, from the bold pinks and purples of the tall rhododendrons towering over more delicate acid-coloured azaleas, to the paler hues of bluebells and lily of the valley below.

A group of the Animal Art Fair's leading sculptors will exhibit their works within the gardens of Stody Lodge throughout May.  Visitors will be able to follow winding pathways under canopies of rhododendron blooms to discover beautiful life size pieces within the different areas of Stody Lodge's 14-acre garden. The Animal Art Fair Sculpture Gardens exhibition is open to the public 1pm – 5pm every Sunday in May plus 1pm – 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday 25th May.

Alongside the month-long sculpture show, Stody Lodge and The Animal Art Fair will showcase stunning oils, watercolours, drawings and etchings in a specially designed exhibition marquee from 17th to 25th May 2015 (open daily 1pm - 5pm excluding Monday 18th and Saturday 23rd May.) From pop art representations of African animals, traditional watercolours of British game, dramatic contemporary racing images or delightful pencil drawings capturing the character of a much-loved Norfolk terrier, there will be something to suit everyone’s taste and pocket. There will also be a collection of tabletop bronze sculptures with a focus on African and British wildlife.

Kate MacNicol of Stody Lodge Gardens, said: “We are really delighted to have secured this fantastic art exhibition for Norfolk.  The gardens are almost overwhelming in their colour throughout May and the sculptures will look sensational in and around its many rhododendrons and azaleas. We look forward to welcoming everyone – not just art and gardening enthusiasts but all those looking for a fun and unique afternoon out.”

Jamie Polk, Founder and Director of the Animal Art Fair, said: “Having holidayed in Norfolk for many years I have seen first hand both the creativity and passion for wildlife within the county. Holding our Spring Exhibition within Stody Lodge’s exceptional gardens is a perfect fit for us: beautiful art in beautiful surroundings. The artists we have selected to take part in the exhibition offer something for everyone and we are delighted to be introducing some of the UK’s leading animal artists to this very special county.’

Exhibiting artists include Guy Allen, Ashley Boone, Lucy Boydell, Kate Denton, Bruce Little, Ian Edwards, Matt Falle, Tom Hiscocks, Michelle McCullagh and James Wild.

Entrance £5 (children under 12 free).