Workshop News : Media and press

  • Lettering A reference manual of Techniques by Andrew Haslam

    Lettering A reference Manual of Techniques

    My work features in this new book recently published by Laurence King, in the section on lettering in stone. The book is a reference guide for any designer wishing either to create lettering for themselves or to commission work from external sources.

    Posted on 20/08/12 • Read full article

  • I love typography article

    Screenshot of Letter & Stone article on I Love Typography website

    I was recently interviewed by Naomi Chapple on my interest in typography and the way I use letters in my work. The interview was featured on a website called I love typography, which is generated a lot of interest from graphic designers who are not used to seeing fine lettering and design on stone. I hope you find the article as inspirational as they did; much of the content has relevance when considering memorial design.

    Read the full Letters & Stone article here.

    Posted on 13/04/12 • Read full article

  • Headstones and bereavement

    Headstones and bereavement page 1

    This month an article on my work has appeared in Funeral Times, which is distributed to funeral directors throughout the UK. The article highlights the important role that memorials play in the bereavement process. Artistic expression is often at the centre of the process, and this can be achieved with close collaboration with clients. Jennifer Hacker, who wrote the article says “In the right hands, the memorial can say so much more than just words ever could, and make the observer see more than just a headstone, but the life it has the priviledge to represent”.

    Posted on 28/09/10 • Read full article

  • Interview in Oxfordshire Preview Winter 08/09

    Cover of Oxfordshire Preview

    I was delighted to be interviewed by Ceri James for the Oxfordshire Preview last month, and extract from the article which appeared in the Winter 08/09 edition is included here.

    “Stone cutter Fergus Wessel fashions slate and stone into messages of tribute and celebration that reach far into the fututre. Ceri James went along to his garden workshop in Milton-under-Wychwood to meet him and find out more about his monumental craft…”

    Posted on 19/01/09 • Read full article

  • Art in Action

    Art in Action was created out of a simple observation: people are fascinated when artists and craftsmen openly demonstrate their skills and discuss their work.

    Bernard Saunders, then guardian of Waterperry Gardens, decided to organise an event at Waterperry based on this principle. Artists and craftspeople would work as if in their own studios, with the public as audience.

    Click on www.craftscouncil.org.uk/whats-on/view/art-in-action to see a recent image of me letter cutting at Art in Action.

    Posted on 29/10/08 • Read full article

  • A Feel for Stone in Beautiful Britain

    First page of article and cover of magazine inset

    I was featured in an article in Beautiful Britain Spring 2008.

    “Fergus Wessel is a talented letter cutter and stone carver, whose impressive work ranges from personal memorial stones to coats of arms for grand institutions.Lorraine Harrison and photographer Laurie Evans went to visit him at his workshop near Oxford. “

    Posted on 03/03/08 • Read full article

  • BBC Radio Oxford Interview at Art in Action

    In July 2006 and 2007, I exhibited at Art in Action. Since 1977, Waterperry Gardens has been host to the leading open air arts festival in the U.K. Art In Action celebrates over 200 artists who not only show but demonstrate their work. Exhibiting is always a great way to increase public awareness of my work, and there is a great interest in sculpture and lettering in stone. I hope one day to run workshops, as I had hundreds of enquiries about how to go about learing my skill. In 2006, I was interviewed by BBC Radio Oxford; click here see their review and hear the interview.

    Posted on 05/09/07 • Read full article

  • House and Garden Magazine

    House and Garden Magazine

    In August 2006, I was interviewed by Jennifer Goulding for House and Garden Magazine. I appeared in a Specialist Profile Feature, which features different artists and craftsmen each month.

    Posted on 21/03/07 • Read full article

  • Traditional Skills

    Article in Period Living

    In November 2006, I was interviewed by Period Living Magazine for inclusion in their news section. The media is often interested in people who keep traditional skills alive, and is important in promoting an awareness of hand cut lettering, and its distinction from machine cut lettering. Click here to view a PDF of the article.

    Posted on 01/11/06 • Read full article

  • Letters in Stone Article in Oxford Times

    In May 2006, I was interviewed by the Oxford Times to announce my participation in Artweeks. I opened my workshop for a week, and welcomed the enthusiasm of my visitors, many of whom had never seen lettering being carved by hand. Click here to view the article.

    Posted on 16/05/06 • Read full article