The Wytchwood Gallery & Studio

18/06/2026

I'm away in search of inspiration and a rest! The gallery will be back to normal hours (and with a NEW exhibition) 8th July.

In the meantime, the amazing Julie will open Mondays and Wednesdays and by special request x

17/06/2026

...no, not cheese, but a sheep, doing sheepy things like staring at the camera and saying " look at these curls daaaarling! "

🐑🐏

York Textile Artists Visit Malton

16/06/2026

A huge thank you to the gallery visitors yesterday who decided they wanted "Duck's Ditty" to go and live with them.

This particular piece was a joy to make and put a smile on my face every time I looked at it!

It's lovely when someone else feels the same way about your work as you do x

Visit Malton York Textile Artists

13/06/2026

You'll find me here again this year, looking forward to more fun, chippy teas and early morning walks along the harbour, as well as talking to every visitor I can buttonhole about textile art and felting!

Meet Alison Spaven

Studio/gallery: The Wytchwood Gallery & Studio

Artform: Needle felted wool

Alison is an award-winning animal artist working principally in wool.

Alison’s work captures the spirit and essence of each subject. The semi-sculptural nature of the pieces, created with a single felting needle, gives them a textural dynamism and vitality unusual in framed wall art.

Each piece is professionally framed behind clarity glass, preserving the integrity and natural beauty of the wool.

A founder member of York Textile Artists, Alison has exhibited widely, and Alison’s work can be found in the collections of art lovers across the globe.

Where:
The Old Chapel, High Street, Staithes, TS13 5BQ

When:
Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage Weekend
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026
10am–5.30pm

Preview Evening:
Friday 11 September 2026
6pm–9.30pm, where available/subject to confirmation

Find out more:
Staithes Festival artist page: https://www.staithesfestival.com/festival/artists.php?artist=26

Artist website: https://www.thewytchwoodgalleryandstudio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewytchwoodgalleryandstudio

13/06/2026

It's the final weekend of and although we have grey skies, there's plenty of colour and warmth here in the gallery and studio.

Come and say hello and find out what I do, how I do it and what drives me to keep felting and innovating.

Perhaps you like what I do but want something more personal to you? The commissions book is open and I'm more than happy to talk you through the process.

Open today and tomorrow 10am - 5pm x

12/06/2026

Help the Dartmoor Hill ponies!!

There is a consultation on grazing by Natural England (of all people) that could affect the future of these already endangered and beautiful wild ponies.

But despite growing public concern,
the proposed grazing contracts could lead to reductions of 67–92% in the Dartmoor Hill Pony population.

These ponies are already endangered. Their numbers have fallen from around 6000 ponies to fewer than 1000 breeding mares in just 25 years. Once these bloodlines and semi wild herds are lost, they cannot simply be recreated.

The 2023 Defra-commissioned Dartmoor Review found that much of Dartmoor is already undergrazed and suffering from invasive Molinia grass spread. Research has shown Dartmoor Hill Ponies play an important role in controlling Molinia and supporting biodiversity across the moor.

That is why so many people are asking the same question:

Why are decisions that could drastically reduce these ponies being pushed forward BEFORE the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group has completed its work on establishing the correct grazing levels for Dartmoor in 2027?

This campaign is not about conflict. It is about asking for transparency, evidence-based policy, and meaningful long-term protection for the last truly semi wild pony population in England.

Every signature, share, comment, conversation, and letter genuinely matters. Public awareness is growing because of all of you.

Please sign the petition - link below

https://c.org/JYcBYJGGXz

10/06/2026

Back to work after recovering from the weekend, and working on this tiny garden visitor with the big voice!

Did you know their song achieves as many decibels as a revving motorcycle?

❤️

07/06/2026

Huge thanks to everyone who came to visit the studio this weekend especially for ! Your support and encouragement means the world.

The gallery will be open as usual this week, then the extended hours once again on Saturday and Sunday.
As well as browsing and buying art, Malton has a Feastival on, so there will be lots of extra things to do too x

06/06/2026

Starts TODAY! Don't let the grey skies put you off - there's a world of colour and texture waiting for you out there in North Yorkshire with over 200 artists to meet!

Come and see how I make my sculptural 3d pictures, and find out what inspires me.

The gallery and studio are open until 5pm Saturday and Sunday - and with the studio being surrounded by lots of other lovely independent shops, you can't beat a visit to see me here in Malton x

03/06/2026

It's felt like forever away, and now all of a sudden - ITS OPEN STUDIOS TIME!

I'm one of over 200 artists welcoming you to visit our workspaces this weekend and next. Come and find out how the work is created, what inspires it and of course, how you can own it!