28°C Ceramic artist Caroline Rhys-Lewis and abstract painter Johnny Rhys-Lewis will be exhibiting together at The Minories next weekend, bringing their different artistic styles together in a joint exhibition for the first time.
The Rhys-Lewis Summer Exhibition takes place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August, showcasing Caroline’s hand-built ceramics alongside Johnny’s abstract paintings. While both have exhibited individually and as part of group exhibitions over the years, this is the first time they have shared an exhibition dedicated solely to their work.
The exhibition came about through their involvement with The Minories’ Artists’ Network, which allows members to hire exhibition spaces within the historic building.
“We’ve always loved the first room on the left as you enter and thought it would be fun to stage a joint exhibition there,” they said. “We’ve both exhibited individually and taken part in group shows before, so bringing our work together just felt like the natural next step.”
Although they work in very different mediums, they say their ideas often overlap.
“We definitely influence each other, although we still have our own very distinct ideas, which don’t always coincide. It’s a healthy balance. We often visit the same exhibitions together but usually come away talking about completely different artists, which probably reflects our different approaches.”
As husband and wife, they’ve spent years encouraging each other’s creativity, and those conversations continue long after the working day is over.
“We’ve built our lives around our shared interests and spend most days together, so yes, we talk about art quite a lot. It’s not as full-on as it sounds though. We ask each other’s opinions, bounce ideas around and have a great deal of respect for each other’s work and creative instincts.”
Their routes into art have been very different. Caroline combines her own ceramic practice with teaching, helping people of all ages discover the possibilities of working with clay. She says helping others solve creative challenges often inspires new ideas in her own work.
Johnny, meanwhile, is entirely self-taught. Rather than following formal artistic training, he has developed his own style through experimentation, with shape, texture and colour at the heart of his paintings.
Exhibiting at The Minories is something they both say still means a great deal.
“We’ll definitely be in awe of the space and of all the influential local, national and international artists who have exhibited there before us. The Minories is a wonderful venue with a dedicated team committed to helping people in Colchester engage with all kinds of art. We’re delighted to be playing a small part in that.”
Having both been connected with Colchester’s arts scene for many years, they believe the city continues to benefit from a wide range of creative venues and opportunities, while recognising the importance of supporting local artists and exhibitions.
As for the exhibition weekend itself, they’re simply looking forward to seeing people enjoy the work.
“Meeting friends, welcoming new visitors and sharing what we’ve been creating is what we’re looking forward to most. Above all, we hope people leave having had a positive experience.”
The Rhys-Lewis Summer Exhibition takes place in The Front Room of The Minories, 74 High Street, Colchester, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August 2026, from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free.
