Sheila Scholes

 

Sheila Scholes, a distinguished textile designer and artist, is celebrated for her exquisite craftsmanship and unwavering dedication to the Arts & Crafts movement. A graduate of Berkshire College of Art and Design, Sheila has cultivated a diverse and impressive career. Over the past 33 years, Sheila, alongside her husband Gunter Schmidt, has devoted herself to restoring and revitalizing the historic Houghton Manor near Huntingdon. This 1905 treasure, originally built by Reverend Frederick Oliphant, was once a neglected former nursing home. Through their combined efforts, Sheila and Gunter have transformed it into a magical, fairytale residence, preserving its historical significance and breathing new life into its artistic heritage.

 

Sheila was born in Manchester but currently works from her studio in Cheshire. Her work spans painting and printmaking and she has regularly exhibited at the St Ives Arts Club. She is also a regular exhibitor at STISA open shows, showcasing her talent and passion for the arts. Notably, her painting “It’s all in the Game” was selected for The Christmas Open in the Mariners Gallery by the St Ives Society of Artists on December 24, 2015.

 

Sheila’s artistic journey has always been intertwined with her passion for restoration. Ty Bryn, a house with a rich history, was an immediate draw for her. “I have always wanted to be an artist, my dream was to be a painter, but I always got sidetracked,” says Sheila, who had her own successful textile printing business in the US and now exhibits at galleries in St Ives. “We have always renovated houses, and I have always taken on hopeless cases,” she admits. “I enjoy bringing them back to life; rescuing them. It’s what we have always done".