This summer, Binnel Studios, in deepest St Lawrence, prepares to welcome visitors once again for their exclusive annual showcase.
The artistic retreat, now in its twelfth year, continues to pulse with understated elegance and effortless cool.
The Summer Exhibition takes place on Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August 2026 – open daily between 11am – 4pm.
Seven resident artists will open their studio doors for the only public exhibition of the year, offering art enthusiasts a rare glimpse into their creative world.
An exclusive annual showcase
The Summer Exhibition offers a great opportunity to see new work by the resident artists; Molly Attrill, Matthew Chambers, Jane Cox, Sue Paraskeva, Sadie Tierney, Amanda Wheeler and Celia Wilkinson.
Sponsored once again by property specialists, BCM Wilson Hill, the Summer Exhibition remains a precious gem, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the vibrant and progressive world of these imaginative creatives, many of whom are internationally revered.
Molly Attrill – International commissions continue
Molly Attrill has been a potter for over 30 years. Inspired by Bernard Leach, she initially trained as a repetition thrower with his son, Michael, in North Devon before gaining a place at the prestigious Farnham Art College. She then worked in potteries in France and Canada.
In 1982 Molly established her own pottery at Mersey Farm, Newchurch (now the Garlic Farm). In 2014 she moved to Binnel Studios.
A feature of Molly’s work is figurative decoration which she creates using Sgraffito and brushwork techniques.
In Autumn 2025 her work was shown in Osaka, Japan by The Gallerie St Ives, Tokyo, and is currently in an exhibition in Tokyo.
The ethos of The Gallerie is based on The Mingei Movement which celebrates the simplicity and beauty of handmade functional pots in everyday use. The Movement was started in the 1920’s by Bernard Leach and Yanagi Soetsu and was the original inspiration for Molly to become a potter.
In September her pots will also be in a show of Sgraffito work at The Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool.
Matthew Chambers – New work and international exhibitions
Award-winning ceramic sculptor, Matthew Chambers, began his ceramics career in 1993 as an apprentice potter, which eventually led to an education finishing at the Royal College of Art in London in 2004.
Matthew has been working on the Isle of Wight ever since then and has had his work represented by galleries in the UK, as well as internationally in Paris and New York.
This year Matthew took part in the Collect Art Fair at Somerset House in London with Cavaliero Finn Gallery as part of their award-winning display.
Then in May he had a booth at Ceramic Art London, showing only small vessels (pictured above), which he’ll have a good selection of at the Summer Exhibition.
Also in May, Matthew had his second solo exhibition at Galerie de l’Ancienne Poste in France.
On 8th August 2026, Matthew has a solo exhibition opening at the New Craftsman in St Ives, and then April 2027 sees his fourth solo at the Contemporary Ceramic Centre in London.
Matthew’s website is regularly updated, and you can follow him on Instagram.
Jane Cox – Prestigious recognition and online presence
This has been a landmark year for award-winning ceramicist Jane Cox. Alongside her regular showing at the York Studio Ceramics Fair, and Oxford Ceramics Fair she was selected for the renowned Ceramic Art London, and her work is available online through OnlineCeramics, one of the leading platforms for collectible studio ceramics.
Jane’s earthenware is instantly recognisable: slip decoration and sgraffito beneath translucent glazes in three signature tones – Aquitaine, a vibrant turquoise; Loire, a deep green; and Carcassonne, a resplendent blue-purple.
This year she has pushed that palette in new directions. Highgate Butterfly Wing introduces a softer, more muted register, its patterning drawn from memories of Hampstead Heath.
The second new collection is more technically ambitious: a luminous yellow glaze finished with cut-out blocks of colour applied in a separate third firing, giving the surface a crisp, layered quality that nods to Jane’s silk-screen prints and collages – a distinctly Art Deco sensibility rendered in clay.
Both collections debuted at Ceramic Art London at Olympia and sold out within days; a second edition of the yellow glaze work is already underway for the Binnel Summer Exhibition.
From Olympia, Jane moved straight into organising The Art Workers Guild’s “Art of Making” exhibition – now in its eighth year and regarded as the Guild’s flagship event.
Her role goes well beyond exhibiting: she helps select exhibitors and shapes the speaker programme, work that has helped establish the show’s reputation among Guild members and the public alike.
Housed in a historic building that lends quiet gravity to the contemporary work inside, this year’s preview drew a particularly notable crowd – including Dame Zandra Rhodes, who commissioned one of Jane’s large platters on the night.
Jane has recently updated her website, and you can follow her on Instagram.
Sue Paraskeva – Porcelain artistry and new dimensions
As a graduate of Middlesex University, Sue Paraskeva has spent more than 30 years immersed in the traditions of firing fine thrown porcelain using real flame kilns.
Her practice has evolved to encompass a range of disciplines, including creating one-off pieces, installations, and live performances, exhibiting nationally and internationally.
Earlier this year Sue exhibited her work with the great team that organise the Under the Bed Sale at Quay Arts.
The arts centre is are celebrating its 50th year and Sue’s huge sunburst piece on the external wall has been shining its beacon for the last 21 years.
Sue also exhibited her Bi Funeral discs at Osip, Bruton a 2 star Michelin restaurant – A gathering, an exhibition and concept by Merlin Labron-Johnson.
Osip also have Sue’s porcelain bud vases which she will be making and bringing to the Summer Exhibition at Binnel.
Sue has returned to making porcelain and stoneware, with a plan to fire the wood fired kiln before the Summer exhibition at Binnel Studios when she will launch a new range of tenmoku stoneware using this iron rich traditional glaze.
For the Summer Exhibition, Sue will be exhibiting her new paper works made during her time away from the ceramics studio.
Sue says,
“Long Covid meant working small, working slowly. I found myself in the dining room at home with paper, objects and real flame. Some of the objects I used as a mask were mine, some came from charity shops and were things that clearly mattered to someone somewhere.
“I use them to block the fire and what remained was their trace in carbon. I call them Ignis, Latin for fire each one is unique.”
In the last year Sue has received new orders of one-off plates from Tom Kerridge, as well as Shino Porcelain pieces for private collectors in the USA and a return to making her creamware porcelain for her online store.
See Sue Paraskeva’s website for more information, or follow her on Instagram.
Sadie Tierney – Island perspectives and impermanence
Step into the creative world of painter and printmaker Sadie Tierney, the newest studio holder at Binnel, working from the small studio with the direct view of the ocean.
With an MA from the Royal College of Art, her work is rooted in her surroundings. She begins outdoors, painting and sketching directly from the landscape before developing these observations into more sustained paintings and original prints in the studio. Visitors will have the chance to see works in progress, discover the printmaking process, and learn how each piece evolves from field sketch to finished artwork.
This July, Sadie was elected an Associate Member of the Royal Watercolour Society – founded in 1804 and the world’s oldest watercolour society championing innovation and excellence for more than two centuries. With just 75 elected Members and only eight Associate Members, the appointment is a significant recognition of her work.
Also on display will be Artist’s Proofs of Sadie’s woodcuts currently featured in this year’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, alongside the very press on which they were printed.
Sadie says,
“I love taking part in Binnel Summer Exhibition. We’re not usually open to the public, so it’s a wonderful opportunity to welcome visitors, share my process, and talk about the inspiration behind the work.”
Find out more about Sadie’s work by visiting her website, or following her on Instagram.
Amanda Wheeler – Nine years of creative evolution
Amanda has enjoyed another fruitful year in her creative endeavours.
She has attracted growing interest from international clients and has seen her work featured in notable gallery exhibitions.
Amanda explains that she often has no idea what the finished result will be, because there’s always a touch of unpredictability, which she loves.
The diverse landscapes of the Isle of Wight serve as an endless source of inspiration for Amanda.
The Island’s natural beauty, from its rugged coastlines to its serene countryside, provides a wealth of material for her art. This environment not only fuels her creativity, but also plays a crucial role in shaping her artistic identity.
Her art reflects a deep connection to the place she calls home, bringing a piece of the Isle of Wight to viewers everywhere.
Amanda says,
“I guess it’s an artist’s job to translate what we see around us but we’re so lucky to have this Island to inspire us.
“I’m really fortunate to have found outlets for two creative pursuits in my life, food and art.
But it has taken time for me to understand that any creativity can’t flow in chaos, so this summer (my tenth at Binnel) is the first that I’ve focused primarily on my art. This freedom is giving me the space I need to really think, to really wallow in an idea… explore it, maybe battle with it, but ultimately good or bad outcome, I learn from it.”
This coming year Amanda hopes to reach out to explore new creative outlets for her in the art world, more galleries and travelling and but always keeping the Island in her heart.
You can find out more about Amanda by visiting her website, or following her on Instagram.
Celia Wilkinson – Exploring new artistic territory
Isle of Wight Landscape painter, Celia Wilkinson, graduated from BA Hons in painting at St Martins College of Art in 1989.
She built her painting career in London before moving to the Island in 200. Celia comes from a long line of artists in her family and primarily works in Acrylic on canvas.
Her unique style incorporates the design influence of her father and painterly influence from her mother, amongst others.
Her paintings are semi-abstract, vibrant, energetic and although they depict the landscape, they are very much about representing a memory of the place. Celia paints very subconsciously and for this reason she paints from memory rather than referring to photographs or sketches.
Since last August, after a deliberately quiet year recovering from a riding accident, she has been in high demand.
As well as continuing to show with her regular galleries on the mainland she was taken up by a London based gallery who have been showing her work at Art Fairs around the USA , Hong Kong and Singapore. Celia has also joined Cowes Gallery who also have a gallery in Chiswick, they show Celia’s work exclusively on the Island.
Along with several commissions this year as well, Celia is looking forward to a well earned holiday in September after the twelfth Binnel Studios Summer Exhibition.
Find out more about Celia’s work by visiting her website, or following her on Instagram.
A mélange of styles and mediums
Reflective of the diverse talent housed within its walls, Binnel Studios promises an exhibition bursting with a broad array of styles and mediums.
Whether you’re a fan of traditional techniques or modern twists, there’s bound to be something that speaks to your artistic preferences.
Visitors can embark on a unique sensory journey this August Bank Holiday weekend, where every corner holds a new discovery.
Where and when
The Summer Exhibition takes place on Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August 2026 – open daily between 11am – 4pm.
If you are unfamiliar with St Lawrence, from Ventnor continue on the A3055 past Ventnor Botanic Garden until you reach Old Park Road (on your left) and then follow the signs for Binnel Studios.
Entry is free, but don’t forget to visit the cash-point first, because you might just fall in love with what you see. Credit/debit cards can also be used.
See the Binnel Studios Website for more information.
Our thanks to BCM Wilson Hill for sponsoring this event feature. They and other businesses taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free
