Thursday, 6 to Tuesday 11 July, 10am to 5pm, Free admission to Exhibition, Abbey and grounds

Quarr Abbey will be hosting a ceramics and art exhibition in its art gallery by ceramic artist, Andrew Dowden. Quarr Abbey is set in tranquil, landscaped surroundings. Its teashop is popular with visitors, as is the farm shop, bookshop and visitor centre.

A carpenter for 22 years, Andrew Dowden was inspired to take up ceramics whilst watching a bowl being thrown on a wheel during research for a book on Isle of Wight pottery.

Ideas for his distinctive handmade and hand-carved ceramic forms and wall panels are mainly derived from the surrounding countryside around the Island; tracks made by man, machine and nature leaving their imprint on the earth. Surface texture and structure are his prime areas of interest, with form being more important than function. More recently, influences from archaeology, architecture and machinery have been incorporated into designs adding further dimension.

Andrew will also be showing contemporary, abstract wall art in mixed media, painted in oils

Work is for sale, and Quarr Abbey receives a percentage of all exhibition sales.

The exhibition is open 10am to 5pm from Thursday, 6th July until Tuesday, 11 July, free entry to exhibition, Abbey and grounds.

Additional venue information: Large free car park, Licensed tea room and gardens, Bookshop, Visitor centre, Farm shoop, Woodland walk, Old abbey ruins, Disabled access, Toilets.