A Burst of Colour and Friendly Faces: Amy Rhodes’ “VERDIA” at Swan Hill

Colour, connection and a laid-back vibe

A few months back I was working from Swan Hill Studios when Sam, who co-runs the space, mentioned they were planning an exhibition with an artist called Amy Rhodes. I hadn’t come across her work before, but as I usually do, went straight to Instagram, followed her, and went down a bit of an Instagram rabbit hole.

Amy’s art instantly hits you in the face in the best kind of way. It’s like a dopamine hit and a half. Especially for someone like me who loves bright colours, particularly pink. There’s a joy to her work that I connected with straight away. And I don’t claim to be an art connoisseur in the slightest. Depending on my mood, I’ll either take art in at surface level or think more deeply about it. I think her work strikes a really good balance between the two.

A couple of weeks later, I happened to pop into Shrewsbury Arts and Crafts (shockingly, for the first time). It’s a proper mix of styles and mediums and the people in there were genuinely friendly, happy to talk about the artists they stock. After wandering around, I looked up and spotted a few small original pieces by Amy. It took very little deliberation, despite me being a pretty skint freelancer, to pick one up for my bedroom gallery wall. It’s still in its early stages, but I do know it needs to be filled with colour.

We’d messaged a few times on Instagram and she always came across as friendly and open. She shares her work, her process, and the thinking behind what she does, which I really appreciate. She never feels like one of those highbrow artists who make things intimidating. Just approachable, and very passionate about what she does.

When her exhibition VERDIA opened at Swan Hill, I went to the private viewing. I won’t lie, I was absolutely shattered that day. It had been a busy week, but I still wanted to make the effort to show up and see it all in person. The exhibition was busy, but in a good way. There was a warm, relaxed energy. People seemed like they genuinely wanted to be there, and there wasn’t any pressure to overanalyse the work. You could just walk around, take it in, and chat with people if you felt like it. I liked that.

Amy’s paintings really filled the space but didn’t take over or anything. There’s movement and colour going on, but also quieter moments. Some pieces feel bright and bold, others softer and more layered. The building at Swan Hill always seems to show art in a really natural, grounded way. Not like it’s been overthought or made to feel all posh.

I met Amy properly for the first time that night, and she was just as warm and approachable as she is online. I also ended up chatting with her mum and sister, who were both really down to earth. You could feel how proud they were of her, and that stuck with me. It reminded me of how my parents always support me doing things that make me happy.

That evening I also bumped into Anna Johnson (see links at the end), who I’d been following on social media for a while. She’s a freelance writer and social media creative, and a really talented travel photographer. It was so nice getting to chat properly and realise how much we had in common. You know how it is, sometimes you follow people online but don’t quite get the full sense of who they are until you meet face to face. This was one of those moments.

Too many bloody fab people in one building!

About a week later, I was back at Swan Hill to take some photos of my friend Meg, who’s a brilliant artist in her own right. She’s got an exhibition coming up later this year, which I’m really excited about. After we’d finished shooting, I had the whole exhibition to myself for a while. It felt totally different, quieter and calmer, and gave the paintings space to breathe. Just before I left, I bumped into Amy’s mother-in-law, who’d brought some friends along to see the show. She was just as friendly and open as the rest of Amy’s family. That feeling of support really echoed through the whole exhibition.

The person with the best heart in Shrewsbury! And super-talented artist Megan Ward

I think it’s obvious by now that if I meet someone who’s even slightly creative, I’ll probably try and convince them to put their work out there. We need to be reminded it’s okay to take up space with what we make. I’m definitely guilty of downplaying myself, but I find it easier to hype up other people, especially when I know how much it means to be seen.

Swan Hill Studios is right in the heart of Shrewsbury and is co-run by Sam, Clare and Harriet. It’s a creative space that regularly hosts exhibitions, workshops and events, bringing together artists, designers, makers, freelancers and other local creatives. More than anything, it’s about community, a genuinely welcoming and down-to-earth place to make connections, share work, and feel supported doing what you love. Places like this really matter.

VERDIA is still on until Thursday 27 June, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. It’s free, and honestly, if you’re anywhere near Shrewsbury, it’s well worth popping in. A quiet little moment of colour and reflection. I think that’s more than enough.