All about Karen
Karen loves two things: tapestry weaving and nature. She likely loves more than these two things (for instance, her husband and her dog), but these are the two things that drive her every day.
Karen is a tapestry weaver with a studio at the gorgeous 17th century Westbury Arts Centre in Milton Keynes.
Karen started in textile design at Huddersfield Polytechnic and worked in commercial design whilst also undertaking conversation volunteer projects. This engagement with conservation prompted her to pursue a degree in Biodiversity and Conservation and a PhD in Human-Wildlife Conflict, (yes, you can call her Dr Karen).
She is fascinated by parallels between textiles and nature, such as richness of colour, tactile surfaces, and beautifully balanced patterns , all of which inform her creative work. On discovering tapestry, she was particularly drawn to its handmade, meditative, and tactile characteristics, which continue to inspire and captivate her.
Exhibitions and events
Coming up
Exciting stuff! Probably. Keep checking back to see.
Already happened
November 15th-16h 2025: Westbury's Winter Art Market and open studios. Westbury Arts Centre, MK5 6AA. 10.30-4pm
September 13th-14th, 20th-21st 2025: Milton Keynes Heritage Open Days: open studios. Westbury Arts Centre, MK5 6AA. 11-4pm
July 4th-14th 2025: ‘Nature & Culture: a Collective Interpretation’. An exhibition of work by members of the Artist Collective @ Westbury. At the Queens Park Arts Centre, Aylesbury HP21 7RT.
June 7th-15th 2025: 'Midsummer'. An exhibition by members of the Artist Collective @ Westbury. At the Barn Gallery, Westbury Arts Centre, MK5 6AA.
June 2025: Bucks Art Weeks. Open studios at Westbury Arts Centre, MK5 6AA.
May 1st-30th 2025: ‘Natural Alchemy’. A joint exhibition with Yvonne Elliott (textiles) and Vilma Hing (jewellery). At the Three Hares Gallery, Cowper and Newton Museum, Olney, MK46 4AJ.
June 2024-April 2025: ‘Heallreaf 5’. Weston Park, Shropshire (June 29th-August 23rd 2024); Morley Gallery, London (December 10th -20th 2024): Farfield Mill, Cumbria (January 8th – April 6th 2025).
December 2023: Gallery Live! Christmas exhibition with local Stony Stratford artists. Stony Bistro, Stony Stratford
September 2023 – June 2024: ‘Earth Threads.’ British Tapestry Group (South East). Whitchurch Silk Mill, Hampshire (September 9th-November 28th 2023); The Sunbury Embroidery Gallery, Sunbury-on-Thames (April 22nd – June 23rd 2024).
August 2023: 'What three words'. Westbury Fabric and Fibre Guild annual exhibition. Westbury Arts Centre, Milton Keynes.
June 2023: Gallery Live! Local artist takeover of High Street shop windows. DW Roberts Opticians, Stony Stratford.
February 2023: An exhibition of work by the Artist Collective. Milton Keynes Library, Milton Keynes.
April – July 2022: Open Art Exhibition. Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
August 2021: Annual Show. Westbury Fabric and Fibre Guild annual exhibition. Westbury Arts Centre, Milton Keynes.
August 2021: ‘Threads in Sheds: Small Works’. British Tapestry Group. Whitchurch Silk Mill, Hampshire
