MELISSA COLE

C.V.

COMMISSIONS

• 2026 Selected artist, Stonewater Housing Gates project. Private commission gates.
• 2025 Bronze flame sculpture for Beyond London. Bronze candelabra, private commission.
• 2024 Ridgeway Farm Community Orchard Project. Private Garden sculptural arch, ‘Swifts’ and ‘Hares In The Rye’ commissions.
• 2023 Install Ridgeway Farm Public Art project entrance sign.
• 2022 A2Dominion Ltd Public Art Project hanging sign, nest and flaming egg relief sculptures at Paradise Street, Oxford. QEII Anniversary Commissioned Bird Bath for WCB Hampton Court Palace.
• 2021 Private commission, gate and table. Octopus Candelabra commission.
• 2020 Ridgeway Farm Art Project, Purton, Wiltshire – Illustrated nature map, schools’ workshops, bat boxes, sign, orchard.
• 2019 Stanford In The Vale Decorative planter/entrance pieces to design stage. Launch Ridgeway Farm Art Project for Taylor Wimpey. Private commissions.
• 2018 DNA sculpture for Cosmic Walk at Winchester University. Moravian Star sculpture project, Malmesbury, Wilts
• 2017 Decorative window panels for a Sir John Soanes designed private house in Wiltshire.
• 2016 Seaside handrail, Bridport, Private client. Decorative grape vine support, private garden. Rose arbor, private commission.
• 2015 Latchways PLC Seasonal greetings product of a limited presentation edition of 500 copper feathers for worldwide distribution. ‘Wishing Dish’ Bronze bowl for private clients.

• 2014 Cherwell College, Student Accommodation decorative screening panels to entrance wall based on brain neurons. Private commission- Fern Gate. Private commission – Water mill gate. Private Commission – Altar Cross and candlesticks for St Katharines Hospice, Banbury.
• 2014 Selected artist Ridgeway Farm, Purton. Public Art Commission, Taylor Wimpey
• 2013 River Route wall mounted installation representing the River Cherwell 24m wrapped around the exterior of the gatehouse building, Chapel Street, Oxford for A2Dominion.

JHQ Rheindahlen, Germany. Sculpture project to commemorate the closing of the UK MOD base working with The Ark School, Windsor School, residents, staff and German schools.

• 2012 ‘Driftway Imprint’ Bronze and steel sculpture at The Slade, Oxford for Oxford City Council.

Tiny Red Garden Gate, Newbury.

Selected artist -YAA Asantewaa Carnival Village Entrance Gates, Notting Hill, London – design phase.

• 2011 Story-telling sculptural tower and web for Wootton and Drysandford Community Centre.

St Francis C of E Primary School, Swindon - Entrance sculptural cross and signage.

Three-part pedestal glass-topped dining table, private clients, Wiltshire.

• 2000’S Knowle House, Marlborough. Entrance gates in white. 2009 - Rabley Contemporary Drawing Centre, Marlborough, entrance gates and side panels. Stockcross House, Newbury, double garden Red Gates and panels. 2008 Chantry Court Retirement Home, Westbury Public Art commission gates and railings. St Johns Infant School Residency. 2007 - Robert Sandilands Primary school residency and sculpture. 2006 - Greatham Primary School, Hampshire. National Lottery funded two-week residency. 2005 - Ditcham Park School, West Sussex. Two-week residency with Junior and Upper school. Corfe Hills School, Broadstone, Dorset. Memorial sculpture. Selected Artist; Paramount Development Entrance Gates Project. Swan Hill Homes Ltd. 2003 - Two large screening panels, Wellington Street, Swindon, Wilts. 2002 - Short listed for the Britwell Library Public Art Commission, Slough, Berkshire. ‘Jubilation‘4m stainless steel sculpture. Private commission. Bloxham, Wilts.

2001 / 02. ‘Forged & Gorged’. Commissioned by Salisbury District Council. Working with Hoodwink Theatre Company 2001 Chippenham Town Bridge replacement steel railings.

• 1990’S ‘Soundwaves’. Wall-mounted entrance piece for Dolby Laboratories European HQ. Neeld Hall Entrance Sculpture/signage. Chippenham, Wilts

EXHIBITIONS

2025 ‘Landscape Open’ Salisbury Museum. ‘Earth Fire Iron’ Museum in The Park, Stroud. ‘Curator’s Corner’ Pound Arts, Corsham. Marlborough Open Studios

2024 Marlborough Open Studios

2017 ‘New Lines; Ancient Landscapes’ with Jonathan Mansfield at Pound Arts, Corsham, Wiltshire.

Fresh Air 2017 Quenington, Glos. British Art; Ancient Landscapes at Salisbury Museum.

2016 Liberty Arts Trust Summer Exhibition, Kings Hill, Kent.

2015 Savill Garden Sculpture Exhibition, Windsor

2014 Savill Garden Sculpture Exhibition, Windsor. Wine St Gallery @No.10 Christmas Exhibition.

2013 Pop Up Gallery New Brewery Arts Cirencester. The Shed Space Gallery with Mark Somerville

2011 ‘Foursight’ at Puthall Farm. ‘Made To Last’ Salisbury Cathedral in conjunction with Salisbury International Arts Festival, June 2011. ‘Received Wisdom’ Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury, May 2011. ‘Galvanize’ Sheffield Winter Hill Gardens, March 2011.

2010 Chapel Row Gallery, Bath, Joint Exhibition. The Shed Space Gallery. Rabley Drawing Centre Garden Sculpture Exhibition.

2009 Chapel Row Gallery, Bath. Joint Exhibition. The Shed Space Gallery

2008 The Shed Space Gallery with photographer Mark Somerville. Puthall Park Sculpture Show

2007 Fresh Air 2007, Quenington, Hackwood Arts Festival, Basingstoke. ‘Insight 2007’ New Greenham Arts. The Shed Space at Puthall Farm. ‘Transitions’ at Arlington Arts Centre, Mary Hare School, Newbury

2006 Puthall Park Sculpture Show, Marlborough, ‘Insight 2006’ New Greenham Arts Centre,

2005 - 1996 Group exhibition Morgan Boyce Fine Art, Marlborough. ‘Insight 2005’ New Greenham Arts

Puthall Park Sculpture Show, Marlborough. ‘-40° Christmas Exhibition’ at The Shed Space,

Marlborough. ‘Insight 2004’ New Greenham Arts Centre, Newbury. ‘Art on the Balcony’ Corn

‘Fresh Air’ at Quenington Rectory, Glos. Abstract Exhibition at the Wine Street Gallery, Devizes. The Garden Gallery at Broughton. Hook House Gallery, Westonbirt, Glos. ‘Spring Exhibition’ Handel House Gallery, Devizes. Chippenham Town Bridge Competition at the Citadel Gallery, Chippenham. ‘In-Dent‘ Mixed Exhibition at Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, Glos. ‘Relativity’ The Citadel Gallery, Chippenham, Wilts. Joint exhibition with painter Terry Ilott. Chippenham Community Art Project end of residency Exhibition at The Citadel Gallery.

PUBLICATIONS/PR

2026, BBC Points West News feature for Silver Medal. * 2025 ‘Earth, Fire, Iron – Alan Evans & The New Iron Age’ contributing Artist Profile. * 2020/21 Artist Blacksmith * 2018 ‘Anvils Ring’ Artists Blacksmiths Association of North America flagship magazine * Wiltshire Life Magazine 2019. * ‘Countryside Voice’ publication for Campaign for the Protection of Rural England Summer 2017 * ‘Escape To The Country’ BBC2 Follow up feature. * Women In Trade Journal Summer Issue 2015. * ‘With Love’ Project Summer 2015 limited edition book, video and blog. * Escape To The Country BBC2 ‘Wiltshire’ Spring 2015 * BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show guest Oct 2013. * Garden Design Journal Jan 2010. * ‘Countryfile’ BBC One June 2009. * ‘Grand Designs’ Channel Four Rabley Barn project Feb 2009. * AN magazine, July 2009. * Western Daily Press West Country Life Supplement Nov 2008. * ‘Out and About’ Newbury Weekly News Feb 2008. * BBC Woman’s’ Hour, November 2007. * Daily Telegraph Weekend Section June 2007. * Meridian News Aug 2006. * Wiltshire Life Magazine Apr 2005, Feb 2004. * Chroma Magazine, Aug 2004. * Western Daily Press, West Country Life Supplement, June 2004. * British Artist Blacksmith Association magazine, Autumn 2019 and 2002. * Period Living & Traditional Homes April 2000. * Cotswold Life Magazine March 1999. * Times Educational Supplement, Apr 1999. * Art & Craft, Design & Technology Jun 1996 *

AWARDS

2025 Silver Medal, The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

2020 Wiltshire Life – Individuals Arts, Culture & Music Award Winner for Moravian public art sculpture.

2016 Admitted as Liveryman under redemption to The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, Granted Freedom of The City of London.

2007 Bronze Medal, The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

2005 Arts & Business New Partners Investment. With Tin Horse, for Puthall Park Sculpture Show.

2002 Certificate of Merit. Chippenham Town Bridge design, Chippenham Civic Society.

2001 Investment In Individuals Award. Southern Arts.

1990 Student Service to the Community. Chippenham Technical College.

1996 Certificate of Merit. The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

TALKS

2023 British Artist Blacksmiths Association Conference Guest Speaker

2021 British Artist Blacksmiths Association Summer Digital Talks

2012 ‘Marketing for Artists’ talk for Marlborough Open Studios artists on the use of social media.

2010 Marketing and PR talk, New Greenham Arts Centre for Newbury Open Studios

2004 Annual Arts Conference for Hampshire County Council. Talk and slide show of working with an Artist Blacksmith in schools followed by practical metal workshops for school-teachers.

Various projects funded by Arts Council England including equipment funding and The Golsoncott Foundation. Schools projects funded by The National Lottery, Barclays New Futures, The Ironmongers Company.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Ÿ One on one specialist blacksmithing tuition for SEN pupils 2023-26

Ÿ Crafts and Awards Committee member for Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, 2020 ongoing.

Ÿ Freedom of the City Of London by Redemption via The Worshipful Company Of Blacksmiths 2016

Ÿ 13^th World Forging Championships, Stia, Italy. September 2011 Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and The Jinny Quinnell Memorial Trust to compete as one of three in the first all-female team of professional blacksmiths.

Ÿ Puthall Park Sculpture Show 2004, 2006, 2008. In response to the lack of opportunities in the area for showing larger scale sculptural work, I devised and raised over £23K of sponsorship for this large outdoor exhibition. 4500+ visitors over three shows, featured on Meridian News. This exhibition was supported by: Arts Council England, Kennet District Council, Tin Horse, and Dolby Labs Inc. and Arts & Business.

Ÿ BA(hons) Art Education Studies, Cardiff University 1992

@melissacole001