As a Brown Bag Lunch Event, Gavin Eddy, Entrepreneur and former investment banker, founder and owner of Forward Space, gave a fascinating talk about what he looks for when he invests in a business. What he looks for is an effective combination of the four P’s:
Purpose
Product
People
Profit
Purpose
Some of the most successful businesses in the world have a higher purpose beyond just making money. In some cases it’s a higher moral purpose, but often this purpose is about solving problems for your potential customers. If you solve peoples’ problems, rather than just sell people things, you are more likely to succeed.
This is particularly relevant today with the “unacceptable face of capitalism” (over-use of limited resources, unsustainable practice etc.) being so much under the microscope. He talked about...
Media Arts Facilitator & animator Howard Vause was speaker on Wednesday when Frome Creative Network had one of their innovative 'brown bag lunches' (ie bring your own) lunchtime talks. With an image for every point - here's how to dip your toe into visual media - his presentation was informative, reassuring, and hugely practical, fulfilling his own criteria of using media for 'fun, creativity, and truth.' Top tip: "Techi-stuff is just a tool - if you don't know, find someone who does and can explain."
"I was recommended the 'Brown Bag' lunches by a friend who said they were a good way of meeting creative people and getting to "know what was happening" in Frome. I turned up not knowing quite what to expect and received a warm friendly welcome and a really useful introduction to a whole different group of people: artists, creatives, professionals and interested individuals. The atmosphere was open and friendly and it was a really positive inspiring experience - one which I hope will be very fruitful for myself and the charity 'Creativity Works' www.creativityworksforeveryone.co.uk which I work for as we are keen to support artists and quality creative engagements".
Mags
"I love the idea of these Brown Bag Lunches. It's a great opportunity to meet a really interesting and creative bunch of people, learn something new and check out some of Frome's venues. I was also...
I trudged into Frome Town Centre this morning, head bowed against the beating rain, blustery wind and fighting off a wave of tiredness as I had just returned from a holiday.
My heart was thoroughly cheered as I walked into a flurry of brave souls happily celebrating the Folk Festival with stalls in the Westway precinct, Morris Dancers bouncing around merrily despite the weather in an array of rainbow colours and wonderful costumes, bells jingling fit to make even Santa jealous. A quick nip into Ellenbray for some essentials and I came out to the rousing sounds of Frome Ukulele Band, my children and I watched as people gathered, listened, joined in the singing and even danced their way passed – brilliant.
Only in Frome could you be cheered up so much on such a foul day weather wise. I had an excellent holiday and really didn’t want to come back but all this frivolity changed my mind. I love living here!
I just wanted to say an extremely big THANK YOUto Carolyn and Jon for all their tireless hard work on behalf of all us Frome Artists. She is constantly coming up with new ideas to help stimulate activity for us, providing opportunities for us to meet informally and formally to discuss stuff and working late into the evenings to get all these initiatives put together.
I've throughly enjoyed the Brown Bag Lunches, having FCN webpage to put things on and I think the Art Jumble Sale was inspired plus I got some very good bargains as I know others did too and I hope it helped raise lots of money for the Black Swan and FCN. Not to mention all the other things she is involved with like Creative Frome for a start.
WELL DONE CAROLYN YOUR HARD WORK IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
David Hockney thinks that over his lifetime art has become "less". He blames the art establishment (museums, galleries, art schools) for becoming over-enamoured with conceptual art: "It gave up on images a bit" the artist laments.
The restoration of a painting by Rubens from London’s Courtauld Gallery has revealed that the work was probably not a commission, but created for the speculative market. Cain Slaying Abel, around 1608-09—one of the most significant works by the artist in the Courtauld’s collection—is due to go back on display next month, following an 11-month project to clean the work and address structural issues.
The Arts Desk has a Q+A session up with a lighting designer (theatrical lighting that is)
"Lighting designers are either wizards or useful pedants. They scrupulously light the action or they make light speak its own language, activating space, time, illusion, imagination - inventing effects that your blinking eyes can only consider as magic. No one performs this wizardry more outstandingly than Michael Hulls, the man who paints the dancing of Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Russell Maliphant and a small elite handful of others with atmospheres and illuminations that seem to reach beyond the visual and into some paranormal place." The Arts Desk
Posting this in 2 places in the hope of a result. I have several artists who would like to take part in the 2012 Open Studios but need space. If you have space or know of a space that could be used or hired please let me know.
"Objects being made" videos are not only good for making people aware of production, but when well-done, they're beneficial for sales: Within two weeks of release, this one reportedly led to a 500% increase in sales of the bag being shown, the $3,200 Tradition Double Document Case. Linked from Core77
A creative passion is at the heart of every enterprise. Many entrepreneurs have developed their creative talents into successful businesses in the creative and cultural fields.
It’s creative, but is it a business?
Creativity is necessary, but not sufficient. It’s fatal to assume that creativity alone deserves or guarantees business success.
For many creative people, their creative passion is not part of an enterprise at all – and they don’t want it to be. This means that they can allow their creativity to flourish without the constraints of business or the requirements of the marketplace.
They have the freedom to create without having also to calculate prices, promote their work, deal with customers or keep an eye on the accounts. This option is valid in artistic terms, but is not a business option.
As soon as the creative person decides to make money from their creativity and enter the marketplace, a range of business factors immediately come into play, including pricing, marketing, financial...
Poor old Saatchi. Did you read his rant over the weekend? the nub of it is that "being an art buyer these days is comprehensively and indisputably vulgar", the sport of "art dealers with masturbatory levels of self regard" reducing relentlessly exploited oligarchs to "jibbering gratitude". Luckily, if you're in the "great majority of gallery shows where dealers display art they hope someone will want to buy for their home", Saatchi comes over all warm and cuddly at the thought. It's a ridiculous notion, as if Nigella was reading over his shoulder, sweetening his bile, honeying his tableau of self-interest which yet delivers its salty sting with a swipe at the lack of coverage his latest show is inspiring in the art press.
We're delighted to provide the perfect antidote to such self-important mutterings. Here's our selection of highlights this week from across the UK, where you'll find researched expertise at Agnews with their exhibition of drawings from the 17th-19th centuries, catch the last weekend of fresh eyes on the...
Timing! new
Submitted by Anonymous on 10 November 2011 - 9:00pm.
Really wish that this was an evening group - for those of us that write and have a day job too! Jenny x
I am trying to find if there is a creative writing group in Frome which I would wish to join when I move to Frome shortly. My writing is in the historical fiction field over the period 1860-1945 and I have lectured on Novel Writing and have recently been published in 'Loves Me, Loves me Not' published 2009 by MIRA. Where are you Frome writers?
Contact Name: Geoffrey Harfield Email: luxart@freeuk.com
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Frome Library Writers Group
Meets on the second Monday of each month. 1 - 3pm in the library meeting room. £4.00 admission on the door.
10th Jan 2011 ' Writing Short Plays' with Chrysse Morrison
writersgroup@FromeLibrary
Dear All, Happy New Year! Here's another reminder re...
I am trying to find if there is a creative writing group in Frome which I would wish to join when I move to Frome shortly. My writing is in the historical fiction field over the period 1860-1945 and I have lectured on Novel Writing and have recently been published in 'Loves Me, Loves me Not' published 2009 by MIRA for which I have aready have received advance and royalties of over £400. Where are you Frome writers?
A lot of people want to get into music, but very few understand how they'll be paid once they do. Knowing more about the money means you'll be better armed to take on the business on your own terms.
Sales income
This is probably what most people think being a successful musician is all about: making money from selling records. In practice though, this often represents a relatively small percentage of income for musicians.
When you're starting out, it's often more important to think of record sales in terms of promotion rather than income. On a small deal, there isn't normally a great deal of money knocking around. What's actually more useful is the opportunities that having a release on a label with national distribution can offer you.
When you come to sign a bigger deal, it's usual to take some of your sales income as advances.
Once you do start selling stuff, your label will claim these advances back.
Paying off your advances – or 'recouping' as people call it – can have implications that go...
Nat West Community Force are offering 3 grants to community organisations in each of their areas. The way Nat West are deciding who gets the grants is through a public vote.
FromeFM has submitted a project bid to Nat West and now we have to get as many votes as we can to try and win the £6000. If we get the money, more than half of it will be used to refurbish the main mixing desk so we’re ready for FM. The rest will be put towards our running costs.
We’re up against 58 other projects in our area (which in Nat West terms is the Salisbury area) and the 3 projects that score highest in the public vote will win out.
You get up to 3 votes, but you can only cast 1 for any particular project. You can vote for projects anywhere in the country.
I’ve attached instructions on how to vote for us. You have to register with the Nat west site, go to our project and then you vote. Then you can vote for 2 other projects either in our area or elsewhere. In the instructions I’ve mentioned a couple of other Frome...
Wikimedia is an interesting source of free images. If you are not up on the copyright / copyleft arguments , the media on this stuff does not have copyright so can be used as you want - actually it isn't that simple but look at the site and see what they have.
In their own words
Wikimedia Commons is a media file repository making available public domain and freely-licensed educational media content (images, sound and video clips) to everyone, in their own language. It acts as a common repository for the various projects of the Wikimedia Foundation, but you do not need to belong to one of those projects to use media hosted here. The repository is created and maintained not by paid archivists, but by volunteers. The scope of...
The Ashmolean Museum has set up this interesting site for those who would like to improve their drawing skills. Or perhaps just learn a little more about John Ruskin.
Just click on the picture to see how Ruskin taught (and drew)
Do you want to join in this year's Festival Art Trail. Please send your expression of interest to Caroline Walsh-Waring. We are looking at all cost options for design and distribution but we do know that cost may be slighty higher this year because everything is more expensive. Please let us know as soon as possible as key deadlines are already looming.
Commercial design versus artists: A sell out or patronage?
This was a bit of the conversation that followed Thursday's Brown Bag Lunch with an excellent presentation by Luke Manning of Pencil design.
It was a very interesting and diverse group that met on Thursday at Rook Lane. Discussion ranged from art should shock and provoke. Artists may be self-indulgent, as they can produce work they want to and then find a market to exhibit or sell to if they choose or you could argue that commercial design rather than 'selling out' harks back to the Renaissance when patrons purchased work but stipulated what should be drawn or painted by the master or apprentice, what materials should be used including their quality (for example ultramarine 1 florin or 4 florins and how much gold), the delivery date and the penalties for not meeting the contract!
Somerset and Mendip Councils are two of only three councils in the UK to have cut Arts funding completely. The consequences for Arts organisations in Frome are severe. As reported this week, these cuts play poorly with national funders such as the Arts Council who have used them as a reason to deny funding to the Merlin theatre.
While the substantial donations to our 25th anniversary appeal demonstrate the strong local support for Black Swan Arts, Trustees have so far been unsuccessful in finding a replacement for core funding for future years. Therefore I have had the unfortunate task of issuing a number of redundancy notices this week. This is especially upsetting after a year where our staff have put so much into re-invigorating Black Swan Arts.
We are closing the shop and the office. We expect a new shop to open shortly. The gallery, Divas Café and the studio shops remain open as usual, and the Round Tower is available to the community to rent for meetings, performances and workshops.
Would you be interested in applying for this as part of Frome Creative Network??
NAN is launching a new one-off bursary for 2011 with a sustainability focus.
NAN Futurific! bursaries are artist-led, peer-reviewed bursaries, focusing on supporting the long-term sustainability of artists' groups and artist-led networks in the UK
Although "sustainability" is increasingly used to describe ways in which culture should be organised and funded, artists are not always part of this important dialogue. NAN believes that artists should be at the forefront of this debate and have access to the necessary resources to take part in the research and development processes central to long-term planning for our economic, environmental and social future.
Futurific! bursaries complement the NAN Go and See bursaries, supporting new ways for artists to think about networking by looking at:
* What creative approaches can be used to ensure the future of artist-led initiatives
*...
Just wanted to tell about a group called Animusic - I found them on the internet a few years ago, and love the concept. They are animatronics, playing great stuff. Have a look, and share my delight: http://www.animusic.com/
FROME
CREATIVE
NETWORK
I am really pleased that the Brown Bag Lunches organised by Frome Creative Network are proving so popular. Thanks Fay for the great write up in the List this month.
We are oversubscribed for the next one on Communication with John Harris as we have more than thirty people wanting to join in, but we have solved the problem with the help of the Black Swan Arts administrators and we will be meeting in the main gallery instead of the workshop.
Firstly, I would like to ask you to please confirm by e-mail if you are definitely coming? Several people had signed up for all three but were unable to attend and some had not signed up but did attend, so we need to know if you are planning to come to the next one because we really cannot accommodate more than 30 people.
Secondly, these talks were designed to test the market. We think you will agree that there is a demand, the question is how to fund them as we need to cover the cost of materials, venues and possibly speakers. There are several options that we are...
A near capacity audience dragged themselves out of bed and braved the huff and puff of the steep climb to Frome’s premier chamber music venue, Rook Lane Chapel, on Sunday 16th January to enjoy the opener in Somerset’s best-loved Coffee Concert series. Hailing from Oxford and London, the six members of the Marian Consort were the first purely vocal group to be presented at a Rook Lane Coffee Concert since the inception of this series eight years ago.
Singing one voice to a part, the members of the Marian Consort aim for a high degree of textual clarity. While in rehearsal they found the acoustic of the restored chapel somewhat ‘drier’ than the lofty churches that they usually inhabit, the singers quickly got the measure of Rook Lane’s special qualities and characteristics and were able to adjust their voices accordingly.
The four male voices (counter-tenor, tenor, baritone and bass) are augmented in this group by two sopranos...
Musician and researcher Charles Limb wondered how the brain works during musical improvisation -- so he put jazz musicians and rappers in an fMRI to find out. What he and his team found has deep implications for our understanding of creativity of all kinds.
Well personally, I think the first one went really well. It was a bit cramped in the room as more than 20 people turned up to listen to Helga Watkins-Baker and Alex Webb talk about Frome Creative Network and creative Frome. David Chandler recorded the session for FromeFM and has promised to realease a brilliantly edited podcast for anyone who missed it. We had people from as far away as Shaftsbury, so the word is getting out that Creativity happens in Frome, so please keep spreading the rumour. An interesting mix of people from both business and the arts with lots of chatting and finding out what else was in the pipeline at all sorts of levels, the festival, empty shop projects, directories, Artisan Market etc. TheList was highlighted as having led some people to find out about the event as well as posters and flyers around town. All in all a good event with offers of more help, so I hope lots of you will turn up at the next one on Monday, Jan 17th at Rook Lane when Jim Brewster talks about engaging audiences. Thanks for coming. Carolyn
It is with great sadness that I am writing to announce that South West Open Studios will cease trading and www.southwestopenstudios.org will be taken down on 1 January 2011.
South West Open Studios has been ticking over without funding for sometime and unfortunately the current financial climate means that further grant funding has not be forthcoming and it is for this reason that South West Open Studios is being dissolved.
We'd like to wish artists, open studio and arts trail coordinators across the South West success in 2011.
We think that a giant new supermarket is being planned for Saxon Vale in Frome (the site between Lidl and M & S, bounded by the River Frome. It could be a Tesco Extra.
The plan that was agreed with Mendip District Council for Saxon Vale has fallen through. St James Investments (who work with Tesco) have stepped into the vacuum. 550 car parking spaces are possible (twice the size of the Market Yard car park). Garsdale will be the main access and exit so huge traffic increase is predicted through Wallbridge, Portway and Christchuch Street. 24 hour lighting and deliveries will affect other residential areas. A Tesco Extra is the size of store that many blame for Shepton Mallet’s High St. decline. Supermarkets tend to have a negative impact on independent local shops. Frome has only recently recovered from having many boarded up shops.
If you are concerned about this prospect and the many other issues associated with a giant supermarket arriving in the heart of our town you can act...
I am just sending on the email to the Frome Creative Network sent to me from Frome Festival Office on 3rd December. (see below).
As Caroline Walsh-Waring has already flagged, we might like to talk about this at the January artists cafe Jan 26th, because, as Robyn says below, the submission deadline is 27 February. That is the submission deadline for an arts trail entry in the main festival programme. Submission deadlines for actually taking part in the art trail would likely be a month later. But we would need to know in January that enough people want to do it.
I wonder whether we might decide, at the next cafe, whether we do one weekend, rather than two. Or whether two weekends is best. Or all week. That usual dilemma! Personally I think I'd favour one weekend. Anyway, perhaps we can chat that through in January. As well as who might be up for sorting things out.
I am so pleased that, like me, you are supporting I Value the Arts. The campaign aims to provide a voice for everyone who values the arts in their community and it has now received 16,430 pledges of support. This is great news, and a true reflection of how cultural services are an integral part of every community. However, in light of recent developments it is now more important than ever that everyone has the opportunity to sign up. I would like you to help raise the profile of the I Value the Arts campaign and get more people involved. It is vital that you get in touch with as many people as you can and ask them to pledge their support at www.ivaluethearts.org.uk
As you may know, the recent Comprehensive Spending Review left local councils facing an average cut of 28 per cent. The non-statutory status of local funding for cultural services has meant that the arts sector is left vulnerable to bear the brunt of these local authority cuts. ...
Talinn is a beautiful city so I'll add another reason to visit as it's next years European Capital of Culture. The Estonian are a singing nation and have performances of choirs up to 30,000 strong. Music will be a strong theme. but how about knitting graffiti.
I for one really enjoyed this month's Art Cafe even though the event was oriented towards the visual arts and painting in particular. Listening to Sue Conrad's background from studying textiles at Goldsmiths in the 60's which was one of the first courses to move from traditional embroidery techniques to mark making. By the sound of things, it was also a very nuturing evironment in which to discover and experiment. She then went on to teach and eventually found the confidence to go back for a fine art degree and a masters at UWE. She mentioned she was mainly influenced by landscapes and is currently working on mdf board which she prepares with muslin and gesso and then gouges and adds layer upon layer of paint, scratching back areas until she is satisfied with the results. To see more of her work click here
Next month's Art Cafe will involve the organisation of the Frome Festival Art Trail.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We would like to urge you to continue your support by lobbying your local Councillors – you can find contact details by clicking on the link below and looking at ‘Who is your Councillor?’
The case for the arts goes beyond the pure financial benefit to Somerset and needs to take into account the cultural, social and community benefits the arts bring. Please emphasise the value of the Arts to your local area and the support that they offer to your own community’s societies, groups and schools.
Luke Manning Creative Director of multi media company Pencil won two prizes at a national award ceremony last week. "This is a great achievement for Pencil Studio as we were up against some the biggest names in design. I am delighted," Luke said
TED collaborates with animator Andrew Park to illustrate Denis Dutton's provocative theory on beauty -- that art, music and other beautiful things, far from being simply "in the eye of the beholder," are a core part of human nature with deep evolutionary origins.
Reprint of part of an article from the West Wilts magazine Nov 2010
"When you buy a jar of fairtrade organic coffee you already know a certain amount about the product just by an understanding of those two words, fairtrade and organic. There is a certified process going on that guarantees those two things. Nothing exists like this for a table lamp, a sofa or a car even. I think it is important that governments and institutions establish guidelines for buying ethically within those spheres in the first instance and then, quite simply, we should try harder as consumers. If you buy a vase that has been made by local craftsman or woman down the road in a workshop that you can go and visit then even if it costs twice as much as the one you may get from the high street then your relationship with that object will last the rest of your life, you will want to keep it for the rest of your life. It is that simple. You by a vase for £2.00 you are treating it as a throwaway item and that's exactly what you do with it. And of course there is no 'away', that's the...
For decades the world of poetry has been simultaneously lamenting the supposed demise of its impact on society, and having an internal discussion about whether poetry still has any relevance in the modern world.
Arts Cafe to be hosted by Caroline Walsh Waring and Mel Sewell at Stoney Street Studios (above Garden Cafe) at 8:00pm
Hi folks,
Further to my previous suggestion about the next meeting being a discussion around how to give Frome artists more market noticeability I would like to take that thought further. And please stop me if you have all been down this road before.
Where are we?
Points for discussion (in no order):
How does the outside world see Frome artists? What is the USP (unique selling proposition) of Frome and it's artists? Need for commercial trademark. Branding.
Frome for art. Who teaches?
Commercialisation.
Where the new 'economy’ has been, where it could be taking us, lessons learned.
Crafts council research shows that potential buyers of art and crafts value their relationship with the creators. So interface and conversation is important.
Other Frome websites all lack anything about the Arts.
Hats of to those of you who worked so hard to make this happen. The lantern procession and float were amazing, ethereal, evocative, beautiful and sustainable. Well done. I hope you enjoy the pictures we were able to capture even though they do not do it justice.If you have better ones you would like to include please send them in.
Thoroughly enjoyed last night's Artists Cafe, great group of people, good to see some new faces too, nice, enjoyable, relaxed evening.
I'm afraid I wasn't chatting about anything too highbrow, children mainly with Amy and Martin, and the accompanying problems of trying to get involved, do some painting and see to all their various wants and needs. But good to chat to people who share the same problems. Read Stina's list of notices, unfortunately one of the accompanying problems in finding the time to get involved with these things. I ws intrigued as to what the Underwear Workshop was about??
Enjoyed a brief chat with Sarah about our respective sons, who are good friends. Joke with John about his photos for the Open Studios and the fact that I look about 100 in mine! But they are still lovely photos capturing moments in time.
Looking forward to next month's. I gather we will be arguing about something, don't know what, any ideas send them to Sarah Godsill, and disintigrating into a social....
It's done! Come long to The Limes, 45 Keyford, I'll upload a photo soon. Hopefully it's a great improvement on the stalag 14 style gates that were there before!
The Cafe was well attended and hosted brilliantly by Stina, below are several comments and suggestions. Please feel free to add your own thoughts as well.
Over a hundred leading artists including David Hockney, Anthony Caro, Damien Hirst, Howard Hodgkin, Anish Kapoor, Richard Hamilton, Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin have joined the campaign to fight against the proposed 25% cuts in government funding of the arts.
The campaign is being launched today Friday 10 September 2010 with the release of a new video animation by artist David Shrigley highlighting the effect of the funding cuts. Each week the work of a different artist, created in response to the campaign, will be released. Jeremy Deller and Mark Wallinger will follow David Shrigley.
Is anybody out there getting chased by a Yarah David of a Fine Art Gallery called New Contemporary. It all feels a bit fishy...........................
New PR agency, Arc Seven Communications, has been launched in Frome By Alistair Clay and Gemma Keogh. They chose to base the company in the Bristol/Bath catchment area because there are so many fantastic and exciting new companies down here, from renewable energy firms and charities to top-end fashion. Their work is focused on helping clients achieve their core business objectives and communicating their brands far and wide. For more details, see their listing and contact them on 01373 301904 or e-mail info@arcseven.co.uk
Mervyn Charlton is exhibiting at Chapel Row in Bath, but hurry it closes on Tuesday August 17th, I was on my way to a meeting and thought I recognised the painting style. On closer inspection realized I did, and wished I had more time to go in and view the work. His paintings can be studied for hours as all manner of vignettes are incorporated into the brightly coloured works. Well worth a visit. Click here to see his profile and www.chapelrowgallery.com
Read it online at www.247magazine.co.uk
The regions biggest and best free music and lifestyle publication, 247 Magazine is out now. We catch up with the rocking Voodoo Vegas, get the inside scoop from the Greenman Festival organiser and have a look at the best festivals taking place this month. To round things off, we have our comprehensive listings guide to all the best live music and club nights taking place in August
Subject:
Fw: Alexander Gallery
From:
"Jane Charles" <jane.charles@dsl.pipex.com>
Date:
Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:08:03 +0100
Dear All
The Alexander Gallery in Brighton who i have dealt with for many years has gone into liquidation owing me a great deal of money.I feel extremely annoyed and let down as she was someone i had trusted and was totally unaware that she was in such difficulty.
With this in mind I am keen to hear from anyone else who is in the same situation.
I look forward to your responses
best wishes
Jane
Jane Charles Studio Glass
Have your say and please help by adding your comments to this site. Your comments could be either constructive or just by adding links to other sites will help all of us to become better informed. Thanks
A well attended debate about the arts in Frome was held earlier this evening at Rook Lane Chapel organised and introduced by Duncan Skene and Alex Webb of Creative Frome. Thought provoking opening statements were made by the panel and although it was mentioned that the audience might have been 'festivaled' out, the debate was more than lively, with wide ranging ideas, suggestions and comments. It has been recorded in its entirety by Frome FM and will be available to listen to shortly. So, if you would like to add your own thoughts and continue the debate on this blog please add your comments. Lets thrive on creativity and keep the momentum going.
Now having celebrated its tenth year, the Frome Festival has become an extraordinary annual expression of the town’s talent, both amateur and professional artist(e)s contributing to make it a diverse and engaging experience. And the riotously popular cabaret event perhaps best epitomises this spirit of locally generated quality entertainment.
Primed via word of mouth to attend in my most glamorous attire, on Saturday 17th July I joined the audience arriving at the Granary amidst much mutual admiration of feather boas, sequins, purple suits etc, whilst we waited to board ‘the vessel’. This element of willing audience participation continued throughout the evening in all manner of ways – firstly as our tickets were exchanged for 1st class boarding passes and we were security-checked by hostesses wearing badges saying ‘MFI Insecurities’ and wielding light sabres. Contemporary social parody of this kind remained a minor theme throughout the show, although if I were to make one criticism, I feel this could have been...
Up here in Keyford at The Limes, Venue 13, we had a great preview on Friday evening with lots of lovely people and several sales as well. With 5 artists here we really enjoyed seeing our friends and making and welcoming some excellent new ones - yes even those who went at 1.30am!!! They did help clear up.
It was a super evening, helped by the sultry evening and we received lots of positive feedback so very many thanks to everyone who made it.
So far we have had a good weekend, a bit quiet on Saturday but picking up on Sunday so I do hope lots more will come and see us next weekend 17th and 18th July.
A few items were left behind on Friday night so if you are missing anything please do contact me - Caroline - I have them safely tucked away but don't know who they belong to.
Thank you again to everyone who turned up. I would love to know how everyone else has fared and get some feedback from the visitors.
Eco poet, Helen Moore read from a selection of her inspirational and stirring eco poetry at Rook Lane Chapel this evening. Her ability to conjure up powerful images of nature reflected both her passion and her delight for the natural world as well as her distress at the way in which it is declining. Her voice echoed strongly with the audience and deepened our awareness of the beauty and fragility of our planet. Kenneth Masters and Niall McDevitt improvised around her spoken words with flute, recorder and bodhran.
A video of Kate making one of the Bath lions. Kate is exhibiting her work at Enigma Gallery for the Frome Art Trail July 17th and 18th 11:00pm - 5:00pm
Steven - I had just finished a commissioned A-Z of St Ives and it seemed silly not to have a go at a similar print of Frome.
Some of the letters were not decided until the very last minute and out of the 28 cuts, ten of them were worked in the last 24 hours before putting it up in the Frome Wholefoods window and I had to print them by hand on one of the hottest days... x of course was the real devil and I cheated by using a sign for Badcox - at least it had an x in it...
It is available for sale from my studio at the Black Swan and also in the shop, tho' it can also be seen in 'Sitting Room' at Lewis Gray Estate Agents and in the window of Frome Wholefoods. If you can't guess all the letters see Steven for the crib sheet
Every print is worked entirely by hand, the colour mixed fresh for each print using a mix of colours from a petrol blue to slate grey. The intention was to suggest the industrial history and a...
Through the woods, darkly' is an exhibition of fairytale-inspired works at Rook Lane throughout the Frome Festival and beyond (3rd - 24th July). The viewer will be hard pushed to find anything as fluffy as a fairy - as the subtitle suggests, 'Celebrating the power of the fairytale for all ages'. The centrepiece of this season are Corinna Sargood's linocuts originally produced for Angela Carter's books of Fairy Tales. These have a strength and darkness that immediately demand closer inspection, the stark black and white images often telling much of a story in themselves.
Corinna and Angela Carter worked together over many years, the first volume published in 1990 and the second published after Angela Carter's death in 1992. This is the first exhibition of this work and also reprinted sections of a letterpress book, The Tiger's Bride are on display. This was designed by Sebastian Carter, printed at the Rampant Lions Press in 2000 and bound by Rosie Gray of Black Cat Binding. The edition...
David Lynch - yes he of Twin Peaks, is using crowd-sourcing to fund his next movie.
"The latest high profile director to sign up to this method is David Lynch, famed for such cult films as Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive. Lynch, who was a trained artist before he turned to making films, has produced a self-portrait which any fan who is willing to donate $50 (£33) to a documentary about his life and work, will be sent as a gift." The Independent
It is 70 years since a British government last had to take the arts seriously. In December 1939, in a world darkened by war, winter and blackout, a small group of civil servants and educators met to discuss the crisis in the arts. Great museums and galleries were empty, their contents packed off to safety from bombing. The theatres were shut, orchestras about to disband. The committee agreed that it was essential “to show publicly and unmistakably that the Government cares about the cultural life of the country. This country is supposed to be fighting for civilisation.”...
We hope you enjoy our ‘Sitting Room’. All items on display have been made locally and the artists are members of the Frome Creative Network. Details of their work can be found on the website which includes links to their own sites. All work is for sale so please contact the artist if you would like to buy anything or they would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you work suitable for your own home. 1. Guy Watts Drawing of grasses 2, 3, 4 Sarah Godshill Portrait and 2 landscapes 5 Mel Day Wire Sculpture on oak base 6 Sonja Klingler Blown glass glasses 7 Emma Wells Fused glass coasters 8, 9 Carolyn Griffiths Fused glass blue bowl and light 10 Adam Harvey 3 small porcelain objects 11 Sarah Truscott Handwoven rug 12, 13 Carolyn Griffiths Woad dyed cushions with ceramic buttons by Steven Jenkins 14 John Beeching Photographs of three Frome Artists 15 Helga Watkins Baker Glass Fusing book 16 Helen Moore CD Nature’s Words eco poetry 17, 18 Sonja...
I would like to steer a debate to see what people think/feel about what is going on around the issues of our own particular life form. As artists/makers etc, we share a common inner drive, but one which is compromised, stressed and disempowered through accreted values of our global cultural system. Did creative arts thoughout history, evolve dynamically as a culture manifest? Or only because someone paid them. Personally we can't do much about the human dilemma, but resigned ignorance is no defense to its woundings. Awareness does not mitigate, and spread as salve of connection. Artists are innately more sensitive than 'the norm', and can lead/create silent movements of intent. Good intentions pave the road to heaven as well as hell. For me it is about the global genocide of culture, community and species. The greedy agenda of a few preying upon the magnificent but poorly developed abilities of the human collective. What an amazing resource to tap into this present boiling social mirror, to comment, to create and facilitate appreciation. We need that as a species, or we...
Frome-based photographer John Beeching has just published a book entitled Three Frome Artists. Over the last year John has spent extended periods in the studios of three local artists photographically documenting them as they go about their creative work. This process has enabled John to develop a close working relationship with his subjects, yet at the same time become part of the background. Rather than formal compositions, the resulting pictures are un-posed portraits that reveal as much about the artists themselves as their relationships with their art and work surroundings. The artists who are the subject of the book are well known both locally and nationally:
Gill Chambers, potter; Barry Cooper, painter and sculptor; and Stina Harris, etcher, painter and other media....
In the digital age, news travels fast, but Frome may not have been aware that last weekend (18th-20th June) a new movement was being launched in our midst. Tucked away in a corner of Keyford, an international crowd of independent creatives – journalists, ecologists, philosophers, writers, musicians and artists – were brought together by singer and musician Gaynor O’Flynn at the Beinghuman warehouse to share their art-forms, to network and inspire each other.
Independence from mainstream creative industries was a common theme, as was a spirit of collaboration – not just DIY, but DIT (Do It Together). The varied digital tools that nowadays allow us all to publish music, videos, writings, thoughts etc were also discussed, and live webcasts of interviews and debates were streamed online to signal the launch of a ‘Slow Media Movement’.
What exactly this might entail became an ongoing conversation. In our sound-byte culture, a lengthy webcast is a radical concept. And how does the...
Perched precariously above the sludge and sounds of the London Olympic site something new stirs Last week saw the opening of a new and exclusive rooftop dining experience in London, Studio East Dining. However, if you want to partake of the many pleasures available at Studio East Dining, then you will have to be quick. The purpose built pavilion will close down on 4 July.
The restaurant is, however, just part of a cultural initiative by Westfield Stratford City which hopes to identify and then support emerging artistic talent in East London. Artists and creative innovators will have the opportunity to have their work embedded in the fabric of London’s Olympic Park and this is part of a showcase for this new talent.
Informative, thought provoking and entertaining (David Lodge, Sunday Times) This is such a debated topic, I thought I should add another writer's view. In one sentence John Carey basically says 'if anyone says it it art - it is art'. I'm inclined to agree. Where I don't agree is with his statement that the literary arts are more self aware and literature can totally reject literature. Anyway, some of you will also be right to say that these sentences have been taken out of context so you will have to read the book, but in the meantime please add your comments.
By the way, I think there is a debate on this topic during the festival at the Rook Lane Chapel.
Don't know about anyone else but life seems to get busier and busier, I seem to have endless To Do lists which I keep losing, which is not helped by the need to make Roman Sheilds and Star Trek Com badges for the children, oh yes and do drawing with the Brownies (they all drew better owls than me and then they asked me to do horses which I just cannot do, not even as a cartoon) - got to love them!
I'm thouroughly disallusioned by my latest peice so I have takan it off te easel and started something else and that needs tlc too. Why does anyone choose art as a career it is so frustrating, a bit like a drug though you can't get away from it.
Enough jabbering and on with work. Anyway being busy is better than being bored!!!
Sustainable Frome has argued that a vibrant creative place in which to live is a crucial part of underpinning sustainability. Hence our early support for the Frome Street Bandits who are supporting Orkestra del Sol this Thursday May 27th – “flamboyant, brassy and irresistibly euphoric’.
Please can you pass this on and support the event at Rook Lane Chapel, £5.00 tickets on the door 8:00pm, thanks
Just finished watching Chelsea Flower Show. I am always amazed by the artistry of the gardens, the design, the colours and textures. I wonder if Frome were to represent itself as a garden what it would be? How would it show its artistic culture, its diversity, its sustainability........
Several years ago we went to Colourscape in Newbury. Imagine being completely immersed in saturated colour, it was brilliant to watch everyone's reaction. www.eyemusic.org.uk Share your favourite art experience
Could Frome get involved? To help improve people’s perception of each other by providing opportunities for interaction through culture and between cultures…www.dialoguecafe.com
As ever, this was incredibly difficult to research. Industry figures are hard to get hold of. Some are even secret. Last.Fm’s royalty and payment system is beyond comprehension.
You've been invited to participate in an exhibition or fair which aims to have artists with stands. What are the questions you need to ask yourself before making a financial and contractual commitment to take a stand?
Here's my suggested checklist. My comments are based on
lengthy experience of what's involved with organising major events and how long it takes / how much it involves and what it takes to make events a success
real life examples of shows which friends of mine and I have experienced. Some might call them 'horror stories'!
Apart from a wonderful exhibition of Australian Aboriginal paintings by top international artists (some selling for £12,000) and Pippin Drysdale's superb ceramic pots, I drooled over the ones selling for £5,000 which sadly I cannot afford, we also had an interesting chat defining the nuances between Fine Art, Fine Applied Art and Fine Craft with Quest gallery owner. www.questgallery.co.uk, I invited David to come and give an informal talk from the perspective of a gallery owner, so please let me know if this type of event would interest you so I can organise a venue in the near future.
I really think this is an important cause, and I'd like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It's free and takes just a few seconds of your time.
As Google is being asked by countries around the world to "do more to protect privacy," Facebook is opening a can of worms by spreading its Facebook Connect service across the web and encouraging users to become more open with their information.
On Monday, April 19, Facebook introduced Community Pages, "a new type of Facebook Page dedicated to a topic or experience that is owned collectively by the community connected to it," and Connected Profiles.
Facebook users were quick to comment on the new changes, questioning how it would change their profile visibility and possibly make information visible to Facebook "strangers."
"Keep in mind that Facebook Pages you connect to are public," reminded Facebook in an April 19 blog post. "You can control which friends are able to see connections listed on your profile, but you may still show up on Pages you're connected to. If you don't want to show up on those Pages, simply disconnect from them by clicking the "Unlike" link in the bottom left...
Steven recently made 29 plates for the volunteers at the Tourist Information Office, each with a detailed illustration of the building they had worked in, The Round Tower.
Whether there is still a phantom in the bowels of the Paris Opera or not, even more diverting is the fact that there is a beekeeper haunting its roof. This wonderful discovery makes a delightful scene in Frederick Wiseman’s La Danse, one of...
I must admit I find it hard sometimes to find exhibitions I want to attend and then I'll invariably see a listing after the event has finished which can be so annoying. So I decided to post this early in case anyone is interested. A touring exhibition of Japanese Sashiko Textiles organised by York Museums Trust has just finished in Glasgow but will be displayed at Plymouth Museum between July 31st to September 25th.
Please add your comments about the site. Is it easy to find what you need? Do you think you will contribute to the content? Do you think it will be useful? How do you think it will help your creative practice?
I spotted Charlie Stross muttering on the publishing industry and thought literary types might find his musings interesting. This is a guy who makes a living from his novels and even though you may not be a SF fan - he seems to know publishing. These six reasonably long and articulate blog entries explain how publishing works
By the sound of things, it was also a very nuturing evironment in which to discover and experiment. She then went on to teach and eventually found the confidence to go back for a fine art degree and a masters at UWE. She mentioned she was mainly influenced by landscapes and is currently working on mdf board which she prepares with muslin and gesso and then gouges and adds layer upon layer of paint, scratching back areas until she is satisfied with the results. .jpg)
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We hope you enjoy our ‘Sitting Room’. All items on display have been made locally and the artists are members of the Frome Creative Network. Details of their work can be found on the website which includes links to their own sites. All work is for sale so please contact the artist if you would like to buy anything or they would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you work suitable for your own home. 1. Guy Watts Drawing of grasses 2, 3, 4 Sarah Godshill Portrait and 2 landscapes 5 Mel Day Wire Sculpture on oak base 6 Sonja Klingler Blown glass glasses 7 Emma Wells Fused glass coasters 8, 9 Carolyn Griffiths Fused glass blue bowl and light 10 Adam Harvey 3 small porcelain objects 11 Sarah Truscott Handwoven rug 12, 13 Carolyn Griffiths Woad dyed cushions with ceramic buttons by Steven Jenkins 14 John Beeching Photographs of three Frome Artists 15 Helga Watkins Baker Glass Fusing book 16 Helen Moore CD Nature’s Words eco poetry 17, 18 Sonja...
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local artists photographically documenting them as they go about their creative work. This process has enabled John to develop a close working relationship with his subjects, yet at the same time become part of the background. Rather than formal compositions, the resulting pictures are un-posed portraits that reveal as much about the artists themselves as their relationships with their art and work surroundings. The artists who are the subject of the book are well known both locally and nationally: 
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