Art

Our Spring/Summer Exhibition features Canterbury based artist and designer Kathryn Rennie a master of colour and design, and and local artist Linda Smith whose diverse subjects are created in a variety of media including egg tempera, glass painting, pastels and graphite. Both artists also plan to run associated demonstrations and creative workshops (details still to come). Exhibition entry is free, along with free wine tastings in our wine shop beside the gallery.

Introducing Kathryn Rennie: With over 35 years’ experience in creative industries, Kathryn brings a rare depth of insight and artistry to her practice. After attending Camberwell College of Art, her early focus on portraiture and sculpture laid the foundation for a versatile career spanning both private and commercial commissions. Whether working on bespoke interior designs, decorative finishes, or fine art pieces, Kathryn adapts her skills intuitively to the needs of each space and project.

Her practice is as diverse as it is refined, working across a wide range of media including oil, watercolour, egg tempera, pencil, conté, and other water-based paints. This breadth allows her to respond fluidly to the demands of different subjects and surfaces, always seeking the most expressive means to bring her vision to life.

From 2015 until the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Kathryn ran Conquest House Gallery in the heart of Canterbury. There, she curated a wide range of exhibitions and led classes in life drawing and portraiture - supporting a thriving creative community while nurturing emerging artists through teaching and mentorship.

Kathryn’s creative path has always been more than a professional journey; it’s also a deeply personal and spiritual one. An aspiring practitioner of Bhakti Yoga, her work draws from a profound connection with the Self and the natural world. These influences shine through in her evocative use of colour, light, and form - capturing not just likenesses, but the spirit and emotional essence of her subjects.

Today, Kathryn continues to evolve as both an artist and guide, driven by curiosity, contemplation, and a constant desire to explore the deeper dimensions of beauty and human experience. Her work invites us to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the poetic threads that weave through our everyday lives.

Introducing Dr. Linda Smith PPSWA: Linda is a figurative artist based in Kent. Her education includes a PhD in Chemistry, science teacher training, PGCE in Fine Art Glass and a PGCE in Architectural Glass and Icon Painting.

Linda has taught glass art at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), exhibited widely, including The Mall Galleries, the Meniere Factory, Chatham Dockyard and Linden Hall Studio. She has won many awards, one being the Great Art Award from the Society of Women Artists (SWA), of which she is a council and a past President. As well as painting on glass, Linda also uses a variety of materials including graphite, ink, egg tempera and gold leaf. Her work features iconic buildings and their history; the negative impact humans have on other species and figurative portraiture, where Linda aims to capture individual characteristics, emotions and stories of people.