Media Coverage

Septuagenarian Margaret Barrett has welcomed hundreds of art-lovers into her intimate Mews Studio - hidden away in Clanricarde Road, off Mount Pleasant Road in Tunbridge Wells - where she works alongside four other artists.

Mrs Barrett, who as a mature student gained a Fine Arts degree in 1995, said: "When I was studying for my degree I used to go looking for materials thrown out by companies.

"This was before they started locking up the bins, but I found some amazing things to work with.

"I love the element of play involved in using urban waste materials.

"It gives the work a sense of history, at the same time as considering the future of the planet."

Among the cluttered yet cute Mews Studio, which opened in December 2007, sits potential materials to be used in her projects.

These include tin can lids, discarded fishing tackle, paper clips, greaseproof paper and clay moulds.

The 70-year-old, who has lived in Langton Green with husband Brian for more than 40 years, added: "I guess I've always had a creative mind but never had a channel to focus it down.

"I taught floristry and flower arranging at the Adult Learning Centre and it was through that I got into art.

"I tend to give away my art rather than sell it, and after the SEOS most of my art will be going to people who have expressed an interest."

Everything Mrs Barrett uses in her art is recycled and one of her works is set to be shown at the Cranbrook library from July onwards.

She added: "I would love to exhibit more but it's very difficult finding somewhere to do it.

"One place which would absolutely brilliant to use would be the shop windows on the old ABC cinema site."

SEOS ends on Sunday and visitors can go to the Mews Studio tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday, from 10am-5pm.

Would you like to work on your art in the Mews Studio? The studio is looking for two more artists to use the space. Anyone interested should contact Matthew Grant on 07788 805059.