Pollyanna Pickering exhibition to launch new Inspired by Nature book
More than 50 original paintings by the late Rotherham wildlife artist Pollyanna Pickering will go on display during a free exhibition at her private gallery in Derbyshire.
The event will run from November 7 to 15 at Brookvale House, Oaker, Matlock. It will be open from 10am to 6pm each day and admission is free.
The exhibition will mark the exclusive launch of Inspired by Nature, a new book pairing more than 50 of Pollyanna’s paintings with inspirational quotations.
Throughout her life, Pollyanna collected phrases which made her laugh, pause or think. She tore them from magazines, copied them from books and wrote them in the margins of her sketchbooks while working in the field. Many reflected her lifelong love of wildlife and the natural world.
Her daughter, Anna-Louise, selected the quotations for the book and matched them with Pollyanna’s artwork. Many of the paintings included in the lavishly illustrated publication are being published for the first time.
Several works featured in Inspired by Nature will be among the original paintings on display. Anna-Louise, who was also Pollyanna’s business partner, will be at the gallery throughout the exhibition to speak to visitors about the artwork and the wildlife behind it.
The gallery will also stock greetings cards, fine art and limited-edition prints, stationery, jigsaws, tea sets, china mugs, linen ware, cross stitch kits and other gifts featuring Pollyanna’s images.
Visitors will be able to buy signed sets of her postage stamps issued internationally, first day covers for the Royal Mail and her illustrated books. New sewing and paper crafting kits will also be available following their launch in television programmes featuring Anna-Louise on the Sewing Street and Highlight Craft TV channels.
The seasonal collection will include more than 150 Christmas card designs. Among them will be charity cards created by Pollyanna for the RSPB and Marie Curie, as well as other organisations.
Fine art calendars for 2027, eco-friendly wrapping paper and cards, and Christmas decorations featuring Pollyanna’s work will also be on sale.
Prize draw tickets will be available for the chance to win a unique hand-embellished picture, while tea and coffee will be served throughout the event.
A minimum of 10% of all purchases will be donated to British wildlife conservation through The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation.
Full details and directions are available at www.pollyannapickering.co.uk.