Gorse Mill Studios to host a Weekend of Events for its Holiday Open Studio and Historic Exhibit

Needham's Gorse Mill Studios Hosts a Weekend of Events for its Open Studio and Art Sale and Needham Tercentennial Historic Mill Exhibit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gorse Mill Studios (www.gorsemillstudios.com) will hold its 2nd-annual holiday open studios on Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5, at 31 Thorpe Road in Needham. Open to the public, the family-friendly event will feature glass blowing and pottery demonstrations, story telling performances, children's book readings, and a chance see and to purchase the unique work of Gorse Mill artists, including pottery, hand-blown glass, jewelry, paintings, photographs and many other gifts.  To help celebrate the Needham tercentennial celebration, Gorse Mill Studios will also host an exhibit of historic photographs featuring images of the knitting mills of Needham.  The Gorse Mill Gallery will feature works created by the Gorse Mill artists, including some works which that were inspired by the tercentennial event. 

This free event will provide visitors with an opportunity to meet a wide variety of artists and craftspeople in their studios, some of which are open to the public only twice a year. Hours for the event are: Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 5, noon-5 p.m.

At 2 p.m. on both days, award winning story teller Cindy Rivka Marshall (www.cindymarshall.com) will perform the story of "Claire," a textile worker who worked in the building when it was one of many textile mills in 19th- and 20th-century Needham. Gorse Mill opened as the Thorpe Mill in 1893.

From 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Cindy will celebrate the release of her new award-winning CD, Bear's Tail and other Animal Tales, by telling folktales from around the world. All ages are encouraged to come hear these tales and to swap their own stories (5 minutes maximum) about animal encounters, predicaments or endearing anecdotes about the animals we love.

At 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, children's book author and illustrator Barbara Johansen Newman will read from her book Tex & Sugar. <http://www.texandsugar.com/>

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Simple Syrup Glass Studio will give glass-blowing demonstrations.

On Saturday at 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 4 p.m., Steven Branfman of the Potters Shop will demonstrate wheel-throwing pottery techniques.

The Thorpe-Gorse Mill, located at 31 Thorpe Road, operated as a textile mill from 1890 until 1982 - the longest operating mill in Needham.  The building was recently renovated to create art studios and the Gorse Mill Gallery, a shared gallery space that has featured several art exhibitions. Among the building's artists are potters, ceramicists, glass blowers, painters, sculptors, mosaic artists, jewelers, photographers, illustrators, stained-glass artists, graphic designers, mixed-media artists, a storyteller, a poet and a clothing designer.

Over the past two years, Gorse Mill has grown into a vibrant community of artists from Needham and neighboring towns. Come see their latest creations and see demonstrations by potters, glass blowers and more. Whether you are looking to see the latest trends in contemporary and classic art or are shopping for gifts, stop by to see what the Gorse Mill artists and craftspeople have to offer. Visit www.GorseMillStudios.com for more information.

The Gorse Mill Studios open studio event is part of the Needham Holiday Sale hosted by many artists and craftspeople across Needham.  For more details, please visit www.needhamholidaysale.com/