This weekend, whilst visiting a friend in Essex, I set out on the Leigh Art Trail.
You’ve still got the weekend to check it out if you’re in the area. From Landscapes on display in Kitchen showrooms to prints in fashion stores and some more conventional gallery spaces showcasing everything from three-dimensional depictions of the Southend Pier to beautifully embroidered pieces inspired by traditional tattoos, (prepare for cliché) there really is something for everyone! But get a move on because it wraps on 19th September!
But I digress. It was here I had the pleasure of meeting the brilliant Andy Downes in his gorgeous little gallery meets studio space on Leigh-on-Sea High Street.
The Little Known Studio is currently presenting Dave Nevard, who grew up in a family of artists, and takes inspiration from artists like Picasso to developing a new and exciting interpretation of modern expressionism. Alongside this Andy Downes, a self-taught artist, shows a selection of his vibrant and experimental portraiture delivering insightful, moving depictions of his subjects every time. This perfect pairing provides visitors with a brilliant array of work combined to create a perfectly complementary display.
Andy’s work has also recently been recognised by the Leyden Gallery in London and is part of their 24th Platform for Emerging Artists exhibit, which is running right now! Visit the Leyden Gallery Website to learn more.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg with Andy. Not only is he a brilliant artist in his own right, but he has a dream… to make art completely accessible to everyone.
Pre pandemic, every month he would provide up and coming artists the opportunity to present their work within his gallery even hosting a monthly mingle to promote and discuss the artwork on display.
Then, as if pre-empting what was to come, on the 22nd March (a day before the lockdown was announced) Andy launched what must have been one of the first lockdown online exhibitions from The Forum in Southend-on-Sea. Check it out on YouTube!
Now the world is opening up Andy is embarking on his most ambitious project yet.
As well as his studio in Leigh, he will be expanding soon into a warehouse in Southend-on-Sea, a much bigger space with beautiful big windows, perfect for workshops and exhibitions.
And Andy has transformed this space himself! A plumber by trade, this once dark and dusty room has been given a lick of paint, received a mass delivery of easels and even had a toilet installed to properly enable the facilitation of classes and arty activities in the future.
He intends on encouraging anyone and everyone to use his space and explore the many wondrous possibilities of art creation. During our conversation he depicted an idyllic scene of a family: Parents and Kids, using his new studio to paint alongside each other, learning new skills together.
He is starting an artistic revolution in Essex by reimagining what a modern creative community should be and long may it continue! Everyone should be following him on Instagram because he is incredibly inspiring, and I can guarantee whatever his future may hold it is bound to be bloody brilliant!
What do you do in your business to create creative opportunities for your local community? Let us know in the comments!
Aug 6-30 | 10am-8pm | Scottish Storytelling Centre | More Info
As we’ve struggled through lockdown, most of us have been on the inside looking out. We’ve been dreaming about travel and desperately imagining how life is like now in, what once were frequently visited and admired places and now seem like almost a distant memory.
In her first major solo show in five years, Edinburgh-based artist Diana Savova takes this one step further in her collection of wonderfully whimsical acrylics that take classic landscapes of Edinburgh, integrating images of folklore and myth to creatively reimagine what may have happened in the city when no one has been watching.
This exhibition is pure joy, filled with a positive outlook and had some serious Chagall vibes. The artwork has a way of making you feel lighter just by viewing the vibrant colours and magnificent stories being told. A true reminder that whatever life throws at us we can find little pieces of magic everywhere, if only we remember to look.
The Arts Business Top Tips:
The perfect exhibition in the perfect place at the perfect time! These paintings tell tales of Edinburgh so what better place for them to hang than in the centre of town, on the Royal Mile at The Scottish Storytelling Centre in the Edinburgh Fringe, as we start to see light at the end of the tunnel from the old corona! It’s all about location and timing so I would be incredibly surprised if both Artist and Venue didn’t do remarkably well out of this joint venture!
Bright colours have a way of creating immediate happiness, so when the world has lived through a massive depression and shared trauma (generally speaking) audiences are desperately seeking escapist entertainment which is what this exhibition provides.
Aug 9-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-30 | 10am-7pm | Number One Clarence Street | More Info
If you’ve wandered around Edinburgh this Fringe you might just have wondered where all the people are. Well, I have the answer… they’ve migrated to Stockbridge.
And in the hubbub of this wee town on the outskirts of Edinburgh is a brilliant new gallery: Number One Clarence Street. It’s run by a delightful husband and wife team, showcasing the works of Julia Krone.
As you enter this art space your eyes are accosted by colour, and lots of it. And along with this effervescence comes an overwhelming sense of positivity!
Of all the exhibitions I’ve been to this month this one encaptures the true heart and soul of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival both in its use of vibrant colours and unique patterns, even incorporating Summerhall Programme covers from 2019 into her collage work.
Such a welcoming environment and just an altogether special experience which kickstarted my fringe and reignited my festival fire.
The Arts Business Top Tips:
This gallery isn’t just offering current paintings, prints and postcards. Julia Krone has transformed her latest canvases into printed fabrics, both available to buy by the metre and whipped up into the perfect statement throw cushions. Is there any way you could diversify your stock or merchandise? If you make more varied price points visitors are more likely to make a purchase. By placing such a high-quality product in between the price of greeting cards and prints, Number One Clarence Street has created feasible upselling opportunities.
Location can mean the difference between success and failure so by placing a gallery en route from Dundas Street (where all the private galleries in Edinburgh seem to be located) to Stockbridge, Number One Clarence Street have found the ideal place. If your business needs premises it is so important to do your research and pick the perfect location to suit it.
Aug 10-15, 17-22, 24-29 | 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-4pm | More Info
Having lived in Edinburgh for 5 years from 2007 and spent every summer here since I can’t believe I never knew this place existed!
The Nomads Tent is situated a little off the beaten track tucked away on St Leonards Lane, not too far from the Pleasance Courtyard.
It’s home to tribal art from all over Asia including but not limited to carpets, jewellery and artefacts.
And this Fringe it’s hosting photographic gallery Tales of Travel and Trade and ceramic exhibition Fiery Love from Frances Lichtveld Baird.
Tales of Travel and Trade explores the people and places behind the objects imported by the gallery. It commends the handiwork, commitment and craftmanship from the different cultures and collections you’re surrounded by.
When enfolded in what is essentially an Arabian Bazaar with these images integrated in, an element of immersion is established so you can begin to get an impression of exactly what it would be like to actually be there!
Frances Lichtveld Baird is the perfect pairing for this space as her old studio, Ixora Pottery, was kitted out with rugs and artefacts from founder (and friend) of The Nomads Tent from his travels. The Asian inspiration is clearly reflected in her work. In 2000 she was forced to close her gallery and her artwork has been in storage ever since… until now.
Fiery Love refers to both the high-temperature, high-risk firing process of pottery making and the passionate attitude of the artist. Her work is diverse and beautiful, a highlight being the shimmering fish which lend themselves to ceramics, their shimmering scales glistening in the glaze.
These exhibitions are well worth a visit and the proceeds from Fiery Love will be donated to the Mercy Corps.
The Arts Business Top Tips:
When you have a store like this you can really come completely create a life-like environment so integrating photos of where they come from is seriously clever. Everyone loves a behind the scenes look at how things are done which is what The Nomads Tent has done here.
Throughout the gallery, there are stories and leaflets to read and learn more about the origins of these exhibits. They have also created tented seating areas to encourage you to take comfort in the shop and ultimately spend more time in there, so if you are lucky enough to have a building think about how you could encourage audiences and customers to spend more time in there, making them more likely to make a purchase
Work with who you know. This goes hand in hand with one of my fundamental philosophies: Be nice to everyone you meet in the industry. You never know when those contacts may become opportunities. Additionally, if you know who you’re working with there is already an element of trust, you know their abilities and how they work, so you can be more assured the collaboration will work well.
The sixth event of its kind Paperwork has popped up again, this time in Whitespace 76 featuring artists Marion Barron, Trevor Davies and Ruth Thomas.
All the artists share a thematic link in the way they use materials and the overall impact and colours that or emitted from the pieces that emanate around the room as you take in the space.
My favourite collage has to be Memories Contained a sculpture built from driftwood and wire containing tiny scrolls of paper safely preserving the artist’s recollections.
There’s something calming and serene about slowly absorbing the beautiful collage work contained in the space, which is beautifully curated.
A great opportunity for some downtime during the Fringe if you are looking to ground yourself back in reality and take a little self-care time. You’re bound to leave feeling refreshed and energised.
The Arts Business Top Tips:
Firstly, showcasing local artists in local venues immediately creates a local buzz around any locals who are interested in the local arts scene. (I promise I won’t say local again… local.) If you target your audience by location (especially at the moment when travel is so restricted) you are more likely to get the crowds in.
Secondly, featuring artists who work with similar materials and in similar styles really tie your gallery together making your collection cohesive and your brand clear. You will also appeal to a more niche audience who are interested in this particular style of art creation, in this case: Paperwork.
And finally, having the artists on-site to discuss their work with visitors really helps anyone who enters to feel relaxed and get a clearer idea of the meaning of the works inside. They are of course the experts of their own work and their biggest cheerleaders.
There’s not success or failure…there’s just doing – Mike Goldmark
Deep in the idyllic countryside of the East Midlands in the small village of Uppingham lies an unassuming art merchant: Goldmark Gallery.
But this is not just your average gallery, it’s an art trading, ceramic selling, exhibition hosting, magazine publishing, television producing, gallery shop.
It’s a family run business, founded by Mike Goldmark, which had been going for over 40 years and now holds more than 50,000 items in stock ranging from the affordable to the pricey, but always of the highest quality.
Mike Goldmark started his working life as an employee for Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer learning the art of selling and the principles of business.
The key philosophy? Buy a product that people want and sell it for a profit, pretty simple right?
He moved onto working briefly in fast fashion but felt trends moved on too quickly. Although artistic merit can be found in fashion, he believes it is too fleeting to be widely appreciated as a true artform.
This led Mike to open his own shop. In the 70s, now knowledgeable in all things business, Mike began to trade in second-hand books. His store ran successfully until the rise of the internet when books could be sort out online for cheaper than he could afford to sell them.
In the meantime, however, his book sales’ success meant Mike was able to open a gallery in 1985 and, due to his extensive knowledge of books, in 1986 launched a publishing house. Knowing what type of books work and sell would have lent itself perfectly to this natural business expansion.
Since then, he has expanded his business to include prints and framing, a reference library, an artist programme, a music performance venue, film production and has introduced functional ceramics, all of which is curated with love, care and expertise.
He has spent years unteaching himself the traditional rules laid out to him by corporations, challenging himself into finding products that people don’t want and figuring out how to sell them anyway.
Take his unique method of ‘try before you buy’ ceramics, for example. Ceramics are made to be held so Mike tells his customers to pick ‘em up n’ chuck em’ round, rather than the traditional look but don’t touch method.
He takes artists under his wing like other galleries, however where others may have hundreds on their books, Goldmark Gallery has a small selection of potters, currently sitting at twelve. This ensures a higher quality of artists who have a higher level of attention paid to them by the gallery staff. The more time and effort put into each potter is beneficial for both parties as it creates a wider awareness and understanding of their work, leading to more sales.
Since the start of the pandemic, Goldmark Gallery has also been creating films about potters, artists and the gallery itself. It allows customers to see the gallery action from their homes and improve their understanding of the artwork but allows artists to remain focused on their creative flow and developmental work without distraction.
These films have a huge reach and are all free online. ‘Why no charge?’ I hear you ask. Simply, it’s great PR, and Mike has found the return on investment (ROI) makes it completely worth it.
Mike believes as a society we do our best to put education and selling into different categories. Of course, he isn’t arguing with every child’s right to free education, but he’s saying these shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. You should learn and be sold, kinda like a museum ending in a gift shop.
Additionally, Goldmark Gallery shares the work of artists, using art to maintain a sense of community, which is being lost through the rise of online media and, of course, the pandemic. He is proud of his town of Uppingham which maintains a mainly independent high street. This is thanks to Mike buying up property in the 80s and then renting it to independent shopkeepers.
Customer service remains at the heart of his work. He aims to make people feel welcome and settled in his space. From making customers a cup of coffee to enjoy as they looked for purchases to inviting them from lunch whilst they learn about the artwork around them and the team that’s made it all possible.
But despite all of these great business skills and money-making methods, for Mike it’s not about being rich and famous, it’s about working hard, and utilising any profit to provide gainful employment to as many people as possible which in turn supports all the other goals of the gallery: welcoming customers, building community and educating people.
Usually, at this point annually Art Schools, Conservatoires and Universities up and down the UK are creating performances, curating galleries and tuning up instruments to show key industry contacts (and the rest of the world) what to expect from this year’s graduating class.
Well, it’s been a crazy year and here at The Arts Business, where we believe in education to creatives, we wouldn’t want your showcase to go unseen just because of the pandemic.
So, we have compiled a list of all of the online showcases we can find and plan to visit as many of them as possible throughout the month! By doing this I hope to promote the importance of digital and social media marketing to you soon to be grads.
Have we mentioned your showcase? If not let us know and we’ll add it to the list!
Also, if you want a shoutout we are all about sharing the love on our social media so send us a message on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and we will get you sorted.
Your showcase should be the best part of your course! The pinnacle of everything you’ve learnt and the direction you want to take the creative industries! Let us help you share your work with the rest of the world!
Glasgow School of Art has created their own Graduate Showcase Platform during the Pandemic to exhibit the work of 2020/21 Graduates. It is being frequently updated so check back regularly! Check out the following courses:
The Thread Itself | Monday 15th March @ 5pm | Lydia Davies, Jess Holdengarde, Catrin Menai & Dominique Rivard
Kératine | Dominique Rivard | Instagram | Website | An intriguing soundscape accompanies this photographic storybook
Intangible Matter | Jess Holdengarde | Instagram | Website | A Hauntingly Beautiful Audio Piece which takes you to the Highlands of Scotland
New Sheets | Lydia Davies | Website | Juxtaposition of Audio and Video makes for strangely compelling viewing or reading in complementing publication and prints
A Holding Place | Jess Holdengarde & Lydia Davies | The perfect accompaniment to Intangible Matter
Still Nothing Happens | Catrin Menai | A video reflecting the endless monotony of lockdown.
[untitled] | Monday 15th March @ 8pm | Delaney Tesch & Andrew Crane
[title redacted] | Website | Instagram | An extract from their digital publication and an interesting comment on the fashion industry
Still Life | Tuesday 16th March @ 5pm | Brandon Hendrick, Xiaojia Ouyang & Ye Ji
The Uncanny Nest | Brandon Hendrick | Claustrophobic Still Life from Brendon Hendrick’s flat during isolation
Hello There | Xiaojia Ouyang | The ocean will unite us once again
Dream A Dream | Ye Ji | Colours and Imagery combined with a unique soundscape to invoke the power of dreams
Site/Sight | Tuesday 16th March @ 8pm | Qiushi Chen, Matthew Cosslett, Masaki Ishikawa & Edward Gwyn Jones
Genesis (What Can’t Light See?) | Edward Gywn Jones | Website | A surreal epic tale depicting a bizarre utopian existence brilliantly told combining video, music and text
They Could Not Be Seen | Matthew Cosslett | Website | Instagram | A comment on the invisibility of those who live in rural communities and are so frequently ignored
Yinanping(意难平) | Qiushi Chen | Website | A brave commentary on the inner workings of China
HYDRAHEARTS | Martha Panagiotopoulou | Website | Instagram | A performance piece depicting Eco-Goddesses in delicate masks at one with the natural world
The Glasgow School of Art’s Fashion and Textile students, like designers across the world, have responded to the challenges of the ongoing pandemic by presenting their work digitally this year. In a 20-minute showcase 16 third-year Fashion Design 26 third-year Textile Design students unveiled their latest designs using a range of approaches from stop motion animation, collage animation, abstract animation to time-lapse, motion capture, digital puppetry, projection and more.
Pieces of Us is a kaleidoscopic series of short, stand-alone solo performance works created by Guildhall School students. Written, directed, and performed by the students in lockdown isolation across the world, these original performances will provide a unique and deeply personal snapshot of the diverse range of stories, artistry and lived experiences that exist within Guildhall’s student community.
Please note that some of the Pieces of Us performances contain explicit language and adult themes.
26 Minutes | Charlie Beck | Spotlight | A clever depiction of a night out gone wrong in Nottingham told from the perspective of three local lads from three very different lives.
A Love Letter to My Former Self | Connor McLeod | Spotlight | A darkly comic monologue with vibes that resonate with the opening of Trainspotting, simply but powerfully designed and portrayed.
Becoming Lola Enitan | Tara Tijani | Spotlight | Tara Tijani shows real versatility and depth in the piece showing two sides and two possible futures, or parallel worlds, of a woman who has been victim to abuse.
BLOB| Dolly Webb | Spotlight | Effortlessly reflects the pressures put on single women both by themselves and from society, showing the ups and downs of loneliness in a beautiful production.
Blue | Millie Smith | Spotlight | What is normal? Alice Simpson (played with perfect nuances by Millie Smith) makes us question this as she sits in a waiting room weighing up whether or not to have an abortion.
Bring Me the Head of Alfio Marullo | Noah Marullo | Spotlight | A theatrical performance from Noah Marullo of an imagined conversation between Steinbeck and his friend. With a bit of lengthening and workshopping I could see this being a hit at the Fringe!
Bute Street | Hassan Najib | Spotlight | WOW! A moving portrayal of Mahmoud Mattan, the last innocent man executed in Wales, exquisitely performed by Hassan Najib.
Can we dance now? | Genevieve Lewis | Spotlight | An apt piece for the pandemic, where cases of domestic abuse have risen dramatically, Genevieve Lewis delicately explores the aftermath.
Fever | Nia Towle | Spotlight | Ever tried to win a dance competition when your period has come to life and your archnemesis’ mum is on the judging panel? No?! Well then, watch the hilarity ensue.
half-self. | Zachary Nachbar-Seckel | Spotlight | Opening with a beautifully written and performed folk song we see an affray between two brothers in a therapists office… or are they?
High Road | Felix Newman | Spotlight | Watch the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of a Tour De France Champion Cyclist performed with easy naturalism by Felix Newman.
Hoxton Hall | Aoife Gaston | Spotlight | An important piece of theatre during the #BLM campaigns, set in the 1970s and shrewdly showing us how in some ways we’ve come do far, yet in others, we’ve still got so far to go.
little finger | Hope Kenna | Spotlight | The portrayal of an acrophobic mother struggling with post-natal depression, living in a shed and trying to overcome issues from her past. Very moving.
Mashiach | Dan Wolff | Spotlight | What does being Jewish mean in the 21st Century? Dan Wolff tells us the facts in this semi-autobiographical, darkly comic monologue.
妈妈 (Mum) | Brandon Grace | Spotlight | When an overbearing mother doesn’t understand the cultural differences in her and her son’s life, she gets frozen out, but does absence make the heart grow fonder?
Pepper Spray | Levi Brown | Spotlight | 1984 meets Peep Show crossed with The End of the F***ing World. A little experimental, a little bizarre but completely genius.
Scotland – Yard | Umi Myers | Spotlight | The story of a radio DJ trying to figure out who she is, living in Scotland but with Jamaican heritage she starts to explore her ancestral roots.
SIX BLANKS | Sam Thorpe-Spinks | Spotlight | Juxtaposing images and footage from the fateful day in 1981 when the Queen was shot at during the Trooping of the Colour, Sam Thorpe-Spinks combines great design with noteworthy acting to bring the shooter’s story to life.
Soft White Underbelly | Lily Hardy | Spotlight | You don’t need words to tell a story. A woman running from abuse in the midst of the Corona Epidemic tells her story through action and emotion.
SPLIT | Isla Lee | Spotlight | Trying to navigate the cruel world of dating with a mother struggling from mental health problems, this is a moving, relatable piece of theatre.
Three Clowns | Sonny Pilgrem | Spotlight | A poignant film illustrating the mental health struggles of so many creatives in the industry through the art of monologue and mime.
When You See Me | Alyth Ross | Spotlight | The delusional and occasionally psychotic rantings of a woman’s obsession with a man whom she has never actually met.
who, what, where? | Sheyi Cole | Spotlight | A funny mockumentary following a new artist on the rap scene and exposing his upper-middle-class roots. And I have never seen a Chicken Cottage that big!
Music
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra with Ivo Neame | Friday 26 March, 7.30pm | Ivo Neame: Composer/Piano | Scott Stroman: Director
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra presents a programme of pianist, composer and Guildhall professor Ivo Neame’s original Big Band compositions and arrangements, including his newly composed suite The Rise of the Lizard People.
Guildhall Studio Orchestra | The Great British Songbook – The Beatles Reimagined | Thursday 1 April, 7.30pm | Malcolm Edmonstone: Director
Guildhall Studio Orchestra draws upon the legacy of the Lennon and McCartney songbook in this performance broadcast from Milton Court Concert Hall. The orchestra will perform reworkings of hits including In My Life, Eleanor Rigby and Yesterday in concert.
Guildhall Big Band | A History of Big Band: 1930s & 40s – The Swing Era | Friday 9 April, 7.30pm Matt Skelton: Director | Colin Skinner: Director/Saxophone
For their third concert in their History of Big Band series the Guildhall Big Band welcomes band leader, arranger and saxophonist Colin Skinner as special guest director and soloist. The performance will span the 1930s, 40s and immediate post War transition from the Swing Era.
David Walters | In the mind’s eye | Website | Instagram | The image that you see inside your head may well be a truer interpretation of your environment than the objects within it
A student arts festival where students have not only devised and developed there own shows and companies but have explored web development, graphic design, social media management and video editing to promote their work.
Little Bird | Charlotte Elizabeth & Alexa Godfrey Evans
98228 | Holly-Eden Docherty | An audio adaptation of Leon Greeman’s An English Man in Auschwitz
Still Waiting for Godot | Mattia Centaro & Jake Venning | Whilst I was at uni, my course devised a sequel called Listening to Godot so I really love this idea!
Lost | Georgia Dudley | Exploring the concept of being and feeling lost in this bizarre world.
My Darling Pan | Twist Theatre | Abbie Roberts & Jacob Marriott
Pros Elysium | Keziah Chalkly, Breagha Mason, Annia Eldridge & Jazmin Price | How far would you be willing to go to find out who you are?
The Hidden Truth | Caitlin Cole-Irving & Casey Egerton
2020 Vision | Scarlet Gb Potter | A brave 12-hour improvised performance about the year that was 2020.
Encore Arts | Chloe Soby & Cecily Reid | Facebook | Instagram | A community theatre company grown in lockdown which puts students at the heart of their online drama and dance workshops.
It’s Freddie | Robbie Bond | A cross between Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project and Beckett’s Not I, It’s Freddie was a great take on the modern one-man play.
Please Don’t Tell | Once Upon A Time | Instagram | YouTube | Fairy tales reimagined by a Young Girl figuring out lockdown, told with simple but beautiful props, lighting and puppetry techniques from her bedroom.
Interactors | Audio Guide and Instructions found here | An opportunity to solve a mystery with accompanying audio guide and clues. Cleverly designed and following the trend of the creative industries to create more audio entertainment with Covid Measures.
Claes Horse Productions | Finding Yourself Without Hope | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | A unique perspective of the Scottish Referendum from the point of view of Glaswegian Teenagers of the time cleverly made within Covid Guidelines, complete with an excellent website and Social Media to boot. Watch the show on YouTube.
Till I Die | Indra Wilson | Instagram | 25th March @ 6.30pm | Exploring gender stereotypes in the slasher genre | BOOK TICKETS
Man, I miss the cinema! Indra manages to capture the novelty of cinema visits, which just can’t be achieved with Netflix! This darkly comic commentary of women in horror movies makes us reassess how women are depicted in the wider media through a clever balance of highly comedic and sinisterly serious moments.
Short/Long : Long/Short | Jack MacMillan | 25th March @ 8.30pm | Looking at the relationship with friends over the past months | BOOK TICKETS
An incredibly apt perception of life during the pandemic: never before has life passed so slowly yet so quickly at the same time. Originally intended to be a walk from Berwick-Upon-Tweed to Greenock in 10 days, best friends Jack MacMillan and Grant Swanson redesigned their project to meet corona guidelines showing us the sites of Edinburgh and beyond. It is inspirational to see the mental health benefits of a healthy lifestyle! Have fun storming the castle lads!
The Unholy Knight | Miro Santeri | Instagram | Facebook | 26th March @ 5pm | A hooded character is journeying through a dark snowy forest, trying to claim something that was once lost | BOOK TICKETS
The Unholy Knight gave me some serious Assassin’s Creed vibes as we follow a lone templar discover what is true and what is legend. An ingenious soundscape combined with voiceover and beautiful film work meant the viewer was fully immersed in the story. Concluding with an awesome original rock song paralleled with mystical characters, evil potions and powerful symbols the piece came to an epic end! Genuinely brilliant!
Content Here | Althea Young | Instagram | 26th March @ 8.30pm | Binaries of reality and surreality, absence and presence overlap as objects become the main performers in a show that interrogates the relationship between art, artist and the act of living | BOOK TICKETS
Taking you into the world of the surreal, where inanimate objects appear more real than humans and the in-between is fully explored. It is a truly imaginative way to get the audience to rethink what they see in the world and ask themselves questions like: Is gender a construct? Is it hard to be an Artist? Does love have no boundaries? Also, on a side note, as a theatre technician in a past life, that is one beautifully coiled cable!
Before this piece even began, I already felt connected to it. After all, who of us over the last year haven’t woken up and wanted to stay under their duvet until they are “empty and new and ready to continue.” Simple, yet beautifully staged with insightful AV, a gorgeous soundtrack and the odd duvet dance Forest makes us all feel a little bit less lonely and a little bit more connected.
As Real As Reality | Maria Monteiro | 27th March @ 6.30pm | Website | Instagram | The Real Cosmo | This is an audience within an audience within an audience, a screen within a screen within a screen, a reality within a reality within a reality | BOOK TICKETS
In light of the recent Megan and Harry Interview with Oprah there is no better time to take a satirical look at the talk show. Follow in the epic rise and catastrophic fall of chat show host The Real Cosmopolitan who interacts live on social media to enhance the show’s realism. An insightful production with excellent attention to detail even includes terms and conditions, advert breaks and influencer promotions as we get an insight into the dark world of showbiz.
6678… | Holly Worton | 27th March @ 8.30pm | Instagram | Do you remember when you were young? What music did you listen to? Who did you listen to it with? | BOOK TICKETS
When you’re stuck at home in lockdown, with limited contact to the outside world, surrounded by only your family for company, who better to pull into your production than your little brother! This sibling relationship is put under the microscope with dyed hair and festival lights Holly shows us that even when you’re all grown up, you’re never too old to enjoy a trampoline. Honest and Heartwarming theatre.
Opening in a cabaret setting, we are part of Minnie Crook’s family reunion. We sit and relive memories through Minnie’s eyes, old fuzzy VCR footage manipulated with moving folk music and the slow-mo function turned on so that we might remember moments as she does. This humble offering evokes incredibly powerful emotions, and there is something about Irish dancing in a village hall that immediately puts a smile on your face. Brilliant.
If you had an opportunity to confront your past selves what would you say? And how would you feel? Would you be a little bit less lonely? Rachel Mclean talks to photographic portraits of herself, discussing her lifetime spent alongside the ups and downs of mental illness. In this fearless monologue Rachel reminds us that it’s ok not to feel ok, and that however trapped you may think you are, there is always hope: “If I am brave enough to see the light, I am brave enough to be it.”
Mother’s Milk | Sally Charlton | 28th March @ 8.30pm | Instagram | Twitter | In a space cluttered with discarded costumes and glasses of milk, a single female body dresses, undresses, drinks and dances again and again in a choreographic attempt to embody the lineage of women that brought her into being | BOOK TICKETS
With an exploration into key moments in her personal history and a balletic milk sequence which I can only liken to Las Vegas Fountains of Bellagio, Sally Charlton analyses the importance of understanding where we come from with a shrewd look at the all-important mother-daughter and the often-overlooked grandma-granddaughter relationships.
BA Performance in BSL & English
I had no idea this course existed. What an excellent way to ensure equality in the performers and performances of the future!
Enough | by Stef Smith | Irina Vartopeanu & Amy Murray | A high energy, energetic interpretation of this hilarious extract from Stef Smith’s Enough. A real ‘Girls on Tour’ vibe, but are they friends or enemies?
Laurie & Kate | by Emery Hunter | Emery Hunter | Beautiful and versatile monologue to be performed by stage or screen which has an element of truth to any viewer.
Boys | by Ella Hickson | Amy Helena & Benedetta Zanetti | Performed with delicate subtlety: after grief, can things ever be like they once were? Also, one of the best seagull impressions I have ever seen!
Speaking Tongues | by Andrew Bovel | Emery Hunter & Claire Wetherall | We’ve all heard that to get over someone you need to get under someone else! This discussion descends from sympathy to pure sass in the girl’s bathroom of a club!
My Angry Vagina | by Eve Ensler | Amy Murray | This well-known extract from The Vagina Monologues has been perfectly reimagined for any audience by Amy Murray with excellent facial expression and actions. I LOVED IT!
Miss Julie | by August Strindberg (trans. By Michael Meyer) | Claire Wetherall & Neil Shand | A naïve, innocent girl desperate for attention (playfully performed by Claire Wetherall) seduces a man (cool, calm and sexily portrayed by Neil Shand) who knows the game only too well.
Greenland | by Moira Buffini| Emery Hunter & Benedetta Zanetti | A mockumentary stylised piece with excellent comic timing, showing a relationship that begs the question: Should opposites attract?
Hoors | by Gregory Burke | Amy Murray & Amy Helena | Questioning the five stages of grief and climaxing in hysterical rehearsed crying this scene was hilarious from start to finish.
Beg | by Kate O’Reilly | Neil Shand | Cunningly staged and filmed with Neil Shand slowly advancing onto the viewer this monologue felt incredibly intense and claustrophobic as if there would be no escape.
a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) | by Debbie Tucker-Green | Benedetta Zanetti & Irina Vartopeanu | This felt like a scene pulled from the Academy Award-winning Birdman in its unique composition and stand out performances covering many different levels of a relationship.
When Our Daddies Come | Author Unknown | Claire Wetherall | The eerie soundtrack, disturbing voiceover and striking physical theatre combine to create an overwhelmingly effective piece about child abuse.
Glory on Earth | by Linda McLean | Whole Company | Showcasing everyone at their best the Class of 2021 show us we are never more alive than when we are afraid.
Holly Anne Wilkinson | BA (Hons) Illustration | The Pollinator’s seed Trail
The University of the Arts, London, has created their own Graduate Showcase Platform during the Pandemic to exhibit the work of Graduates across all of their colleges. It is frequently updated and gives you an amazing taste of the sort of creative endeavours taking place at the institution from the Class of 2020 and 2021.
The BA (Hons) Graphic Design class of 2021 have taken matters in their own hands to produce an online showcase of their work. 26 students have 75 projects all of which are worth checking out! So what are you waiting for?
The students and teachers at the University of York have come together to provide you with a music-filled evening of entertainment. From Beyonce to Bach there’s something for everyone.
Improvisation around the note ‘E’ using Baroque and Easter themes | Nina Kümin | See at 14.01 | YouTube | Facebook
Andante and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14 by Felix Mendelssohn | John Smith | See at 31.29 | YouTube
Innocence | Owen Russell | See at 48.38| Website | Twitter
Excerpt from Me, Myself and Mesha | Ben Eyes | See at 52.44 | Website | Facebook
Compiling Knowledge from over 2000 institutions worldwide to allow you to visit and inspect museums and art galleries right from your Smart Phone during a global pandemic.
· Art Transfer – stylise your photos to look like works by your favourite artists.
· Art Selfie – Ever wanted to look like Van Gogh or dress up as the Girl with a Pearl Earring. Now you can with ease.
· Art Projector – Check out exactly what artworks look like in their real size.
· Pocket Gallery – Visit hundreds of art galleries worldwide during the lockdown.
· Art Camera – Inspect your favourite artworks close up.
· 360° videos and Virtual reality tours – With VR technology you’ll truly feel like you’re at the museum
· Street View – Tour famous sites and landmarks like the graffiti of Banksy across the world
· Exhibits – Take guided tours curated by the worlds leading experts
· Favourites – Save your favourite artworks into galleries to share you’re your family, friends or students
· Nearby – Find museums and exhibitions near you to explore when Covid is over!
· Notifications – New content and features are added weekly to keep you hooked
· And much more!
Prices and Plans
Completely Free!
Biggest Pro
The ability to get your arts and culture fix in lockdown! Absolutely brilliant!
Biggest Con
It’s a little bit glitchy here and there but I think that’s down to the enormity of content and activities available.
If you’re missing galleries and museums this is for sure the next best thing! But be warned… you can easily spend hours on this app exploring art, playing games and re-immersing yourself in the wonderful world of culture.
Whether we find ourselves requiring more so set up a studio, the need for a professional business address, a little extra storage to free up some space in the house or just the need for a bit of company, we often seek out studio, office or rehearsal space to work in.
And I don’t know about you but despite the fact I ‘work from home’ most of the time I actually find it immensely difficult to work at home. Whether I move to a coffee shop, a coworking space, a mate’s house or even a train (which I am currently on) I tend to get a lot more done! I think this is down to the naturally collaborative nature of creative work.
There are loads of these spaces all over the country for every different field of work and every price bracket. Usually located alongside the artistic suburbs of towns and cities not only do they make excellent workspaces but they can also make for great communities!
One of my favourites of these is Coburg House Art Studio situated in Leith, Edinburgh and home to over 80 designers, artists and makers.
It has been running for over 20 years and across that time has built up quite the reputation as an exciting, unique creative hub. To get a studio space at this former granary there is a wait list and (I’m told) it costs a pretty penny, but for good reasons! Very good reasons indeed.
First and foremost, much of the ground floor of the Coburg House Art Studio forms a shop and gallery where studio users can display and sell their work. It is open every Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm. A really nice touch with this shop is the counter which consists mainly of a display of artistic business cards, presumably from every designer, so that if you should find something you like you can find that artists card and contact them directly or take them as a keepsake from your visit.
Another great idea is that twice a year they run weekend open days. One during the spring/summer and one just in time for Christmas. Not only can you learn more about how their artists work, you can talk to them about, well, anything you have ever wanted to know! It’s like a living museum where you can learn about any craft you could imagine.
Coburg offer their artists in residence the opportunity to display their work in exhibitions both independently and collaboratively. They have quite a unique range of arts and crafts including: painting, print work, ceramics, glass, jewellery and illustration so I can only imagine the diverse and imaginative installs hosted.
A few of the artists in residence offer courses which you can take in the studios to and in case that wasn’t enough they also have a combined social media following of around 6500. It is a hugely positive and inspiring environment which is clearly adored by its artists in residence!
So how can your Arts Business take inspiration from the Coburg House Art Studios? How can you get the public involved and improve awareness and income for the artists and you company?
Think about having open days for the public where they have the opportunity to get a special behind the scenes look at how you run your arts business. Do you run a theatre company? Think about running an open rehearsal or script read throughs. Do you have a dance school? Try having an open workshop. What about a museum? Have an access the curators or scientists day or run specialist educational tours. Think outside the box to develop unique community events.
Run specialist workshops encourage the local community to learn new skills or try something new. You could offer these for free to raise awareness or charge a ticket fee as a way of bringing in additional income
Think about introducing a shop or gallery. This works great in galleries and studios as it gives artists an immediate connection to sell their work and the commission you earn can be used to put money back into your venue and make it even better for clients. Think outside the box here, the RSC runs
If you have the space available, you may consider launching a coffee shop or bar. Make your work place a cool place to hang out!
Coburg House Art Studios have created a community beyond their community and become creative hub for the people of Edinburgh as well as the artists.
How could you do the same? Let us know in the comments below!
