Thursday, March 22, 2007

Kathakali

An Introduction to
KATHAKALI
and
SOUTH INDIAN DANCE
with
REGHU NADHAN
Kathakali actor
teacherof Kathakali and Kuchipuddi
From Kerala South India.

8 week course starting APRIL 26 th
Thursdays 7p.m-9pm

THE STUDIO, California Farm, Swanage.


Reghu’s web-site www.reghunadhan.com
Email:wendylallawharam@yahoo.com:
Tel: 01929 426423

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Science Art Environment Residency


Artist Abigail Reynolds will be working with a Micropaleontologist, Samantha Gibbs and a Mathematician, Björn Sandstede to highlight the amazing microscopic story of the rocks in and around Durlston Country Park, near Swanage that form part of the 185 million years of geological time along this World Heritage Site coastline.
She will work with a small group from the local community over May and June 2007 to explore the science behind the landscape and how art can be a tool in considering the significance of the geology along the Jurassic Coast. The final artwork will be exhibited in August and September at Durlston before touring other venues.
We are looking for people who know and love Durlston, and who would like to join a group of 12 people of mixed ages and backgrounds to work with the artist Abigail Reynolds and the selected scientists. This group will work on the research, shape the artworks and this will be an opportunity not only to work with an artist, but to explore the geology of Durlston in great detail. The time commitment for group members will be five meetings in May and June of two-hour duration.
To find out how you can be involved, please come to a presentation by the artist/scientist team on Monday 26th March at 7pm at the Lookout café, Durlston Castle. This will give you details of the project and how you can contribute. If you would like to join the group but unable to attend this meeting please contact Cleo Evans, Visual Arts Development Officer for details of how to register your interest. Cleo.evans@dorsetcc.gov.uk , 01305 224244.
This presentation is not only for potential group members, but for anybody who wants to know more about the residency that will be held over May and June when Abigail Reynolds will be working on site using the front room of Durlston Castle as her studio.

This artist/scientist collaborative project has received funding from Arts Council England, Dorset AONB Partnership through its sustainable Development Fund, the Fine Family Foundation and the Jurassic Coast Trust and has the support of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Team, Dorset Countryside and the Natural History Museum.

Minutes of Strata Meeting 7th March 2007

Those present:
Nick Goulding, Keith Roker, Peter Cooper, Karen Delahay, Carlotta Barrow, Chris Burke, Wendy Wharam, Paul Angel and Lesley Licudi. Apologies from Matt Wilkinson, Sandy Clarke (we wish her success in her new location), Philippa Sherborne and Jane Ramsey.
Wine and welcome
Matters arising from meeting of 7th February
Minutes were available on the website. No matters arising.
Formation of Company
All paperwork regarding Directors, Company Secretary and Treasurer is underway and signatories have been agreed, essential forms have been signed. Keith apologised for the delay, information cannot be easily accessed and the process was much more time consuming than previously thought. It was agreed that Keith would complete the company formation through Company Wizard.co.uk for a fee of £70 who will handle all the administration and legal cover. Membership fees that have already been agreed upon will pay the costs.
Peter emphasised the need for rapid action on this as Strata members who are applying for funding for projects would like to do so within the Strata company status. Karen said that those applying under Strata’s umbrella need to be very clear about charitable status.
Matt and Shannon will develop logos for headed paper, etc.
4. Website Development
Minutes will be available on Peter’s blog. Members should send any information to Peter to be included. Paul reported that development of the structure of the website was likely to be completed fairly soon after development of the Purbeck Art Week website. Paul, Shannon and Richard Jefferies are pooling their skills. He is also researching funding to allow Strata to pay people for their time and expertise rather than rely on volunteer work, Peter agreed and said that the Arts Council will expect to see admin costs, etc.
Paul and Karen thought that photos of the artists should be shown next to their work.
Wendy suggested and it was agreed that all arts should be represented on the site. Strata will promote all the arts and events such as Open Mic, dance, theatre, music and these should all be used to establish what Strata is all about.
Nick and Paul discussed ways of getting information out to people, Paul will work with Shannon and Richard on this. Karen will also provide support by emailing information to all.
Peter stressed the need for all to be kept informed of individual applications to avoid conflict and duplication.


5. Project Progress
Carlotta’s Artists Trail project is developing well and has featured in the Advertiser and The Echo. She showed the group a brochure of photos and writing that will be displayed, sites, Chris’s plans and Paul’s computer generated impression of how the displays will look. Chris and Carlotta have written to the Mowlem management submitting the brochure and are awaiting a response. They have funding for three projects, the first of which could be ready for Purbeck Arts Week. Chris said that the Heritage Centre will allow us to display a board but that they are still waiting to hear from Wessex Water. The Artists Trail team were thanked for all their hard work.
Wendy announced that Reghu is coming in April and has many bookings but sadly none in Purbeck. As Reghu will be coming every year and is keen to work in Purbeck Wendy would like him to be a member of Strata. This was agreed enthusiastically. Nick asked about the possibility of Reghu working in local schools including Purbeck View - Wendy will research. Wendy will write an article for local papers mentioning Strata. She will also discuss the possibility of a Spoken Word/Poetry Fair with Peter.
Peter said that the Open Mic sessions have been very successful and he is making many links including the Dorset Literature Network with a view to developing a Spoken Word Festival. Many significant writers and performers live within the area e.g. Elvis McGonagall. There was a general discussion about venues and timing aiming for next autumn or post Xmas, any ideas should be forwarded to Wendy and Peter.
Keith noted the success of the Landcrab Festival at the Mowlem and was struck by the potential for bringing people and significant events to the area using Strata’s resources. He has spoken to the organisers who are keen to develop this.
Peter thought it important to make an impact and suggested a sound launch to establish Strata professionally. Other organisations should be specifically invited with a view to establishing Strata as the lead organisation and gaining official recognition as such.
Paul suggested that the group work together to come up with a strong description of who we are and what we do, no more than 15 words, and all agreed to work on this.
6. Notices
Nick announced that Tara Dominick is running a creative development workshop at California Barn on 27th and 28th April.
Karen also announced a play reading with Tara and Jeremy Paul at California Barn on 31st March at 7.30.
7. Publicity
Wendy reported on a funding workshop that she attended and has sample forms etc available for anybody interested in applying for grants. This was handed to Karen as Treasurer, many thanks to Wendy.
Peter again stressed the importance of the Cultural Olympics as an opportunity for attracting “big art and big money”. Destination projects are needed urgently to attract people to Dorset and Swanage in particular.
Paul attended an Arts Council Funding Seminar and he would like a meeting at the Quarr Gallery to hand over information. Purbeck was described as an ideal area for attracting funds, giving us and ideal opportunity.
8. Future Meetings / Socials
The next Open Mic will be on Tuesday 20th March at 7.30.
Jem Maine at the Study Gallery is very keen to support Strata and would like to come and talk to us re: regional arts development, Nick will arrange this.
Wendy announced the Poetry Day at the Study Gallery on the 9th May and Reghu will be there.
9. Any Other Business
No other business.
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 4th April 2007 at 7.30 pm at the Quarr Gallery

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Living Creatively

From Tara Dominick

Revealing your Creative personality

A weekend of discovery exploring how to live your life more creatively

Friday April 27th - Sunday April 29th
At California Barn, Swanage

For full details www.livingcreatively.co.uk

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Prequel to Cannes

Prequel to Cannes is a Film Festival Networking Party aimed at all filmmakers, performers, screenwriters, crew, bands, dancers and anyone wanting to network on film projects or wanting to discover how you can attend international film festivals and markets.

It is happening at The Study Gallery of Modern Art, Poole in Dorset. Supported by South West Screen, Borough of Poole Arts Development Unit, Southbank Publishing, The Writers' Guild of Great Britain and a host of other partners. SWS and The WGGB will be on hand to answer questions on either funding, membership or how to gain accreditation and will be holding pre-booked consultations bookable with your £10 ticket through Lighthouse, Poole on 08700 668701. This is a non-profit making event.

It takes place Thursday, 26th April, 2007 between 6 and 9.30 pm.

A Wall of Words will be available for scriptwriters' to pin up their treatments, pitches, log lines, synopses, maybe even first few pages of their script. In the Talent Circle performers, crew, composers or musicians looking to work in film or maybe talk about how they can get a music video made, or any other film associates, will also available to pin up their pictures CV's, past and present projects along with their preferences for future involvements.

Independent Producers, Directors and Production Companies will be present on the night looking to discuss or commit to new projects.

If you live in the Wessex area and work independently in the film industry this party is definitely for you.

Book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited.

Rosie Jones,
07763 988662
rosiecreativethoughts@btinternet.com