Sketch Dorset

Want to be creative? We want you to send us your artwork of Dorset for our new Sketch Dorset gallery.
Get your paint brushes out as the weather gets better and splash Dorset's beauty onto your canvas.
Dorset is full of inspiration for creative people. The countryside and the Jurassic coast are an artist's paradise.
Your weather photos have shown us how creative you are with your camera. Now we want you to help us build a gallery of artwork showing us picturesque Dorset.
Your artwork can be a detailed sketch or a simple doodle. Or you might want to make it vibrant and use acrylics, oils, pastels or watercolour. It's entirely your choice.Once you've created your masterpiece, we want you to take a digital photo of it and send it to us at :
dorset@bbc.co.uk
Please include your name, location and the name of your artwork.
Don't have a digital camera handy? You can bring your artwork to us at the BBC Dorset office in Dorchester where we can take a snap of it.
Mike Hadley

Swanage Seen by Painters

Swanage Seen - display board mockups
Please note that these are only mockups at present - final text and layout to be agreed!

Purbeck Art Week 2007

"We hope you will take part so we can repeat the very successful event in 2005.

Our intention is to provide a quality selling opportunity for artists and galleries in this locality and to promote their work to both locals and the very large number of visitors that come here on holiday over the last May Bank Holiday weekend. We feel it is important to fill the gap in the interim years of Dorset Art Weeks to maintain some continuity of expectation in the minds of our visitors. We also want to give those artists who are unable or unwilling to exhibit at their place of work an opportunity to show their work by providing group exhibitions. Our shows at Rollington Barn are becoming increasingly successful and this year we also plan a themed group show at Slepe Farm. More info in due course! "

Date Saturday 26th May - Sunday 3 June 2007

For more information contact:

Antonia Phillips, 81 Queens Road, Swanage, BH19 2EP
antonia@antoniaphillips.co.uk

Application form and fee to be received by Friday 23rd February.

Open Mike Happening Wednesday 21st February

Click on the image for full view

Stata Meeting 7th February 2007

Strata Arts Group Meetiung
7th February 2007 7.30 pm
Quarr Gallery

Those present::

Keith Roker, Phillipa Sherborne, Wendy Warham, Karen Delahay, Jonathan Sells, Shannon Ribbons, Peter John Cooper (minutes), Matt Wilkinson, Nick Goulding (Chair), Carlotta Barrow, Chris Burke. Paul Angel joined later

Apologies:
Jane Ramsey, Lesley Licudi, Antonia Phillips

2. Minutes of last meeting. No matters arising

3. Formation of company. The paperwork is now in place and just needs assembling and signing by putative directors. The following votes were taken:
i) That Strata should constitute itself as a group with a membership
Proposed: Nick Goulding
Seconded: Karen Delahay
Carried: Nem. Con.

ii) The membership fees until AGM should be £5 for individuals, £25 for corporate organisations. Concessions for members to include reduced rates for entrance to events and free web page on Strata web site.
Proposed: Wendy Warham
Seconded: Carlotta Barrow
Carried: Nem.Con.

It was agreed without a vote that the AGM should be September 2007.

iii) That a charitable company be set up with the following directors:
Matt Wilkinson, Paul, Angel, Nick Goulding, Lesley Licudi (Company Sectretary), Karen Delahay. Gary Suttle to act as Accountant
Proposed: Shannon Ribbons
Seconded: Keith Roker
Carried: Nem. Con.

4. Website. Shannon pointed out that no-one had yet contacted him with web-page requirements. Paul and Richard Jeffrey will meet with Shannon to talk about content management software. Peter and Matt will continue with content and diary.

5. Project Progress. Carlotta reported on continuing progress with the Paintings on the Prom. There had been a meeting with PDC who had come back with some objections to sites chosen. Planning is now the main hurdle to overcome. There are some alternatives to preferred sites. Carlotta was still planning for an unveiling of the first three sites by Purbeck Art Week..

It was suggested that these paintings could form the basis of a calendar and diary.

The Hoteliers had expressed interest in developing an Arts Festival in Swanage. The week before Art Week had been suggested. Keith urged Strata to get involved in planning for this. Karen agreed to communicate ith Hoteliers.

Matt announced a 2 day festival at Holton lee on 15th to 17th June.

The Youth and Community Centre is due to take delivery of a digital recording studio on Friday this week. Bookings can be made through Matt.

The Circus Skills School at the Youth and Community centre was in some danger of closing because of new booking arrangements by Dorset County Council. The School cannot afford new advance fees. It was suggested that this is an ideal subject for a grant application.

The first Open Mike Happening at Bar One proved to be a good evening with 25 people attending. The second happening will be downstairs at Alfie’s Restaurant on Wednesday 21st February at 7.30

Members were reminded that projects were required by the Creative Dorset partnership.

There is a Quiz Night at California Barn on 17th February. Everyone invited.

The Meeting running late, no further business was conducted.

Next meeting: Wednesday 7th March at 7.30 pm at Sandi Clarke's House.

Purbeck Art Week 2007

Purbeck Art Week is gearing up for 2007... Details will be forthcoming on costs and the like very soon, but it would help to have a better idea of who is likely to want to take part this year. Numbers affect size of brochure which affects costs. The last time we ran independently, costs were of the order of £70 to take part as an open studio and be listed individually in the brochure and website, and about £45 to be in the group show in Rollington. We hope to keep costs broadly similar, but I suspect a small increase is probable.

Our start for planning is everyone who took part (in the Purbecks) in DAW 2006, or the Rollington exhibition, or the Mowlem show in November (which we hope to repeat as a venue in PAW), or who came to the Corfe Castle meeting last week, or who figures on a very short list of names passed to Tony Viney over the last 9 months or so. Simple, eh?

If you think you are not in that list somewhere and want to express an interest in taking part - or you just want to be absolutely certain you are on our list, please reply to this email - this week if you can.

For the non-visual artists out there, you might want to think about how North Somerset Arts Week operate - they seem to successfully incorporate a small amount of music and poetry into the event, often sharing venues. No - we've no idea how that would work here but seems worth exploring.

hope that makes sense

cheers

Richard

Strata - Down to Basics

Keith has suggested this wording for the objects of the Charity:

To advance the education of the public in the arts

the promotion for the benefit of the public of urban and rural regeneration in Purbeck by
a) the provision of financial assistance, technical assistance or business advice or consultancy in order to provide training and employment opportunities in cases of financial or other charitable need through help: (i) in setting up their own business, or (ii) to existing businesses.
b) the creation of training and employment opportunities by the provision of workspace, buildings and/or land for use on favourable terms

Peter has suggested this:

To promote, maintain improve and advance education in Purbeck by the promotion, production, performance and encouragement of the arts including, by way of example only and not limitation, drama, dance, music, singing,literature, sculpture, painting, photography and cinematography.

To provide facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupations inthe interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditionsof life for the public at large and to heighten the understanding andappreciation of the arts among the inhabitants of Purbeck.

To promote the welfare of those working in the creative industries.

Can anyone come up with a compromise?

Open Mike

Twenty-five people turned up at Bar Onefor the first Open Mike spoken word evening. There were five readers plus Matt and Joe providing music (and PA so we had to let them have a go). Wonderful relaxed atmosphere. There were problems with sound levels so we continued from half time without Mike which worked just as well. However, Mike did give confidence to a couple of more timid readers. Everyone there was keen to make the evening a regular event but it depends on licensing application for Long (the bar owner). So next event may be Thursday Nights or Tuesdays at Crows Nest. Watch this space.

A Warning to Artists

Watch out for a worrying scam directed at artists (and principally female artists) selling work over the internet.

The operation seems to go like this:
The artist is approached for details of artworks for sale and after a number of e.mails an offer is made to purchase a number for a private collection. The payment will be by bankers draft which appears to be watertight when it arrives. Arrangements are made for pick up by a carrier company. The only wrinkle is that the bankers draft or cheque appears to be made out for too much. The artist is asked to return the overpayment by Western Union. Of course, the cheque bounces or is refused because it is stolen.

The wise artist does not do anything with their artwork or make repayments until any cheque has been safely cleared.

Carlotta Barrow of Waterside Studios in Swanage was too wise to fall for the scam but she was able to make one or two useful observations. The con artist went to a lot of time and trouble to set up the mark ( grooming). The closer to the deadline the more anxious and agressive he became. He had obviously gone to a lot of trouble to make the operation look believable (except for a wildly inappropriate name).

It looks as though something like fourteen artists have been approached this way in Dorset. It is probable that names are being selected from the Dorset Art Weeks website.

If you are approached in this way inform Dorset Trading Standards tradingstandards@dorsetcc.gov.uk and, if money has changed hands, the police.

Be on your guard but don't lose any sleep

Strata Meeting 3rd January 2007

Those present:
Nick Goulding
Carlotta Barrow
Chris Burke
Peter Cooper
Sandie Clarke
Philippa Keeling (and dog)
Karen Delahay (Joined later)

Apologies:
Keith Roker
Jane Ramsey
Lesley Licudi

1) Happy New Year to all artists in Purbeck

2) “Papers for company formation must be submitted before next meeting on 7th February”
Proposed Chris Burke
Seconded Nick Goulding
Carried unanimously
Nick Goulding undertook to talk to company formation group

3) Purbeck Arts Week meeting. 2 o’clock at the Square and Compass

4) Carlotta reported on progress with the Paintings on the Prom Project. Would like a snappy title for the project.
Also needs a subcommittee of Strata set up to drive things forward.
The aim is to have the unveiling during Purbeck Arts Week

5) Philippa reported the Purbeck Strings Festival would be March 17th and 18th
The Purbeck Strings website is currently being updated.

6) Karen suggested we look at some day out visits to arts venues and thought we might like to consider the Goodwood Sculpture Park in Sussex.
Peter reminded the meeting of the Activate Theatre visits which are available for subsidised prices

7) It was agreed that there be a new regular agenda item on fundraising.

8) Peter reminded everyone of the Open Mike Evening at Bar One on Tuesday 16th starting at 7.30. Bring your poetry to read and dress in 1960s beatnik style.

Next Meetings Wednesday 7th February
Sandie Clarke invited everyone to meet at her house for Strata meeting on 7th March

Don't Forget

Meeting this Wednesday January 3rd 7.30 at Quarr Gallery.

Let's make a New year's Resolution to make Strata happen. We need to go public in Purbeck very soon and get all those other organisations and artists on board. We need artists from Wareham and the outlying areas. You've all got a project that you want to happen - an exhibition, a performance, something to publish and you need help. A strong Strata can back up your application for funding. The money is out there and the funding bodies want to put more money into Purbeck. This is your chance to get your mitts on some of it.

Peter

Cultural use Building

Hello,
As you may already be aware there is a possibility of funding being available for a building with cultural uses beside and behind the library. As a preliminary we have been asked to ask Strata members for the following information, which is very similar to that requested in the recent Creative Dorset survey.

Name

Address

Type of work you do

Where you do it?

What do you need to expand and improve what you do?

Can you let me have the answers, either by printing this or in an email. It would be really helpful if you can pass copies on to anyone else in the arts and ask them to return their answers to Quarr Gallery or give me their contact details.We have a Strata meeting next Wednesday and printed copies will be available then.

Keith Roker

Minutes of December Strata Meeting

6 December 2006 at Quarr Gallery, 17 High Street, Swanage

Present

Paul Angel, Carlotta Barrow, Chris Burke, Peter Cooper, Richard Jeffery, Jane Ramsay, Keith Roker, Matt Wilkinson.

Apologies

Nick Goulding, Lesley Lucidi,

In the absence of Nick Goulding it was agreed that Peter Cooper would chair the meeting.

1. Minutes of previous meeting.

The minutes were accepted.

2. Company formation.

The meeting discussed the options for objects. Richard Jeffery agreed to look for similar organisations to look at their objects. It was agreed to aim for company formation by the end of January.

3. Website development

Shannon had added links to other relevant sites. The meeting discussed ways of developing the site so that members could add material themselves. Funding for the website was discussed. The Community Chest was a possible source. Matt said he was putting pictures on Myspace to which there could be a link.

4 Project Progress

4.1

Carlotta told the meeting that the town council unanimously supported the project to put up information points with paintings of the locality. A subgroup with Cllrs. Bartlett, Bright and Hadley was formed. Community Champions were likely to make a grant of £1600. She had discussed the project with the PDC planning department who were concerned at the possible visual intrusion and had suggested a single board combined with a recording accessible by phone and a leaflet. The meeting discussed this but it was felt it would be inadequate. Matt, Paul and Richard agreed to become involved. The meeting noted their thanks to Carlotta for progressing the project.



4.2

Matt told the meeting that he was intending to have a shop at King George's filed. It would be situated on the car park area. It would sell circus and fire equipment and skate and roller blading equipment. There was to be a graffiti project with a monthly competition.
Funding was needed for equipment for the circus skills school. Funding had been obtained for a digital recording studio at the youth and community centre.

4.3

Richard said that Antonia had a Community champions award for a portable mural project with local schools. The mural would be placed around the seafood kiosk at the bottom of the High Street during the winter.

4.4

Durlston Castle – Ideas were still needed for Purbeck Arts week and a stone trail.

4.4

It was agreed to have a trawl of project people wanted to pursue. Submissions please.

5

Jurassic Coast Arts Strategy

There is a meeting on 22 February at Lyme Regis. The strategy is now a central plank of the cultural Olympics.

6 Future meetings and events

16 Jan Bar One Open Mic event

Christmas Social

Friday 22 at Bar One. Matt to entertain.

Purbeck Art Week starts 22 May

7

Date of next meeting

3 January

Minutes of November Strata Meeting

Minutes of Strata Arts Group Meeting

Held on 1st November 2006

Those present:
Nick Goulding, Keith and Jane Roker, Peter Cooper, Karen Delahay, Carlotta Barrow, Wendy Wharam, Sandy Clark, Paul Angel (part), Sarah Wooton and Lesley Licudi. Apologies from Chris Burke, Frances Thackway and Matt Wilkinson (who arrived near the close of the meeting).
Wine and welcome
Matters arising from meeting of 4th October
KD gave an update of the library arts centre project. She will need ideas from Strata members in order to formulate a proposal for County to consider. General discussion around uses of such a facility and current local political initiatives. PC referred to current re-organisation of the library service as well as adult education and, if it is perceived as a ‘backwater’ Swanage may benefit from resource input. SW talked about the Creative Response organisation that provides therapeutic art sessions, etc., to groups such as those with disabilities. PC urged that a centralised facility should be based within Swanage as opposed to Wareham in view of it’s larger population.
Formation of Company
KR: James Sinclair-Taylor, a solicitor with experience of working with charitable arts companies is keen to become involved in the setting up of the company. He needs an overview of the work Strata does and where we hope to be in the future. KR is working on a draft which he will share with members. Objects will need to be defined along with a full strategy with feedback mechanisms to monitor progress in a time-based structure. CB, JR and WW discussed bringing art and culture into the area and raising their profile as being central to our aims. KR will continue to liaise with JS-T and he should be invited to our meetings. PC stressed the importance of the timescale and we ought to be up and running by the end of November/beginning of December in order to seek urgent funding for several projects. NG suggests a meeting next week (Wed at 2.30) involving KR, KD, NG and MW, to decide upon Articles of Association, etc. KR informed us that formats for objects have changed and we will use the latest articles from other organisations as a guide.
4. Website Development
PA called in briefly to give apologies and to say that he and Richard Jeffries were liaising with Shannon over the website. NG acknowledged the excellent work that Shannon had done so far but that he would need others such as PA and RJ to maintain the site. PC’s blog is currently a good source of information and PC asked for contact lists, etc., to be sent to him.
5. Project Progress
CB updated the group on progress with the retrospective art project centred on the Wessex Water site. She has written to the Mayor; Swanage Town Council are excited by the idea. The Tate gallery have confirmed that they are happy to release images in specified format for £100. She is applying to the ‘Community Champions’ fund for a grant. Robert Field has given permission for an image to be used. Much more work, over planning, traffic issues, site, etc., is needed and CB appealed for help from other members. Several offers were forthcoming. KD and PC will help out over costings. Nothing has been heard from Wessex Water, as yet. SW referred to the number of school trips that could benefit from such a display. NG felt that because of the educational importance of such a project County may be persuaded to offer support either financially or in terms of their sign/display resources. Carlotta was thanked for her superb work so far.
WW informed Strata about progress in her India project. She has attended a meeting to draft proposals and spoken with Mike Hoskin. It may be a year away from any arts based activity. WW stressed that this is a major project that will require support from Strata members. The idea is being very well received, generally and will raise the profile of the area highly.
KD told us that Strata has been asked for ideas for Purbeck Arts Week at Durlston, next year. Ideas will be asked for at the next meeting on 4th December. CB suggested stone carving which has been very successful previously.
MW will represent Strata at meetings he attends such as one concerning the use of the skate park area. He is proposing to apply to Dorset County Council for significant funding for youth programme resources. Recording equipment for the youth club is hoped for.
6. Notices
PA announced an event, ‘Art@Mowlem’ on 11th November at 8.00 in the community room. Wine and music will accompany a display of local art. Invitations to be sent out.
7. Publicity
KD asked for items for the newsletter.
8. Future Meetings / Socials
WW has organised a Kathakali dance evening on Saturday, 18th November which will replace the usual Wednesday Strata social evening. There was discussion around the organisation of the event. Details will follow. Wendy was thanked for her efforts.
PC spoke of uses for the Cellar Bar or Bar One, such as poetry evenings. He referred to the ‘Speakeasy’ group in Wimborne and PC has invited Ray Sergeant to come to Swanage. WW, a story-teller herself, has many spoken-word contacts who may wish to come down to Swanage. PC will aim to set something up for the December social.
KR suggested David Pryce-Hughes, a local violinist may be a future option for a social.
MW has a portable p.a. system which he is willing to lend for our purposes. He suggested an open mic night for a future social.
9. Any Other Business
No other business.
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 4th December 2006 at 7.30 pm at the Quarr Gallery

Arts Index Design Commission

The Arts Index online artists database for Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset has been online for 2 years and features over 550 local artists, musicians, creative industries, and groups: www.artsindex.org .
It is regularly used by a partnership of arts officers and agencies to recruit and signpost artists for projects, exhibitions, events and performances; and by artists to showcase their work and find out the latest arts opportunities, events and announcements in the region and beyond. Although the site functions well, it is in need of being visually updated to reflect the wealth of contemporary creative talent featured on it.

COMMISSION BRIEF
The Arts Development Unit for the Borough of Poole on behalf of the Arts Index partnership, is inviting proposals from artists who are featured on the database, to update and redesign the website for 2007.
This is an exciting opportunity for members of the Arts Index to take some ownership of the site and work with web programmer and design professionals to help develop the site into a thriving contemporary artists showcase, resource and networking space for Dorset.
This development opportunity is in response to a period of consultation with artists and users of the site. The selected artist will be teamed up with a designer and web programmer to help realise their ideas, so no web design experience is necessary.

THE BIGGER PICTURE
The site will also be going through some other developments at this time, and the selected artist will be central to deciding the final 'look' for these changes supported by the web programmer and consultant designer.
These developments will be:
· Artist commissioned to redesign the site · A new introduction page for partner organisations, featuring each organisation's logo, 100 words about them and a link to their web site.
· The announcements + events sections to be made available to general public · Venues section: To be available to anyone accessing the site · Groups section : To be available to anyone accessing the site · Artists to be able to opt in/out for having their names and art-form, practice description and images of work accessible by all visitors to the site (personal details kept confidential) - only with artists consent
· Facility to send attachments to artists through the 'email all artists' function (site administrator to access this only, to prevent spread of virus' and spam)
· Email all partners facility (for artists and partners to access)

PROPOSALS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Proposals for new colour schemes / layout / new logo / fonts / accessibility 2. Artists CV
Some tips from the Web Programmer: · make sure the design isn't wider than approximately 980 pixels (to fit within a 1024 screen, including scroll bars) · try not to make the design too graphically rich as images take a long time to download (even on broadband) · include a navigation bar (typically this would be horizontally along the top or vertically on the left-hand-side) · try to use web-safe and accessible fonts (i.e. such as Times, Arial, Verdana etc.) for any blocks of text · Please note that the selected design idea may need to be 'tweaked' for it to work on the internet.

COMMISSION FEE
An inclusive fee of £300 will be paid to the selected artist for their ideas and time with the web specialists.

DEADLINE
The deadline for proposals is midday Monday 11th December 2006. Please send you proposals either by post or email to:
Marianne Scahill Arts in the Community Officer Borough of Poole 4 High Street Poole BH15 1BW
m.Scahill@poole.gov.uk
For more information call Marianne on 01202 633972
Marianne Scahill Arts in the Community Officer Borough of Poole, Waterfront Museum, 4 High Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1BW
t: 01202 633972 m: 07779 880378
WOW @ The Study Gallery, North Rd, Poole - an exciting programme of healthy and creative activites on Wednesdays - open to all! see: www.thestudygallery.org

Blues Festival

Swanage Seen by Painters

Swanage Town Council has unanimously agreed to support Strata's project for a number of "interpretation displays" showing paintings of Swanage and the locality. Each display will have a print of the view from that position and a note about the artist. Swanage has been inspiring artists for at least the last two centuries and many major figures in landscape art have worked here. We hope they will make a coherent "art trail" showing something of the development of landscape painting in that period. Painters likely to feature include Augustus John, Paul Nash and Graham Sutherland. Details of design remain to be worked out. In an area as visually sensitive as this each may have to be designed for its surroundings. A small panel of Strata members and councillors is to be formed to take the project forward. The project is the iniative of Strata member Carlotta Barrow.

Something to Say?

If you've got any snippets of information or news about the Arts in Swanage and Purbeck, please feel free to post a comment here. We'd also like to see reviews of shows and events and notices of anything interesting coming up. Oh, and please sign all submissions and comments (I won't publish them otherwise)

Kathakali

This is something really special. REGHU NADHAN will be giving a Kathakali dance demonstration. Reghu is over here to promote his workshops and is giving a small number of demonstrations. Here is how the whole performance is described :
"a ‘fascinating insight into the ancient dance-theatre of South India, performed only in Kerala. This is a unique opportunity to see a master practitioner perform the play POOTHANHA MOKSHAM ….which tells how the baby Krishna overpowers a fearsome demon….. echoes of Commedia del’Arte, pantomime, Punch @ Judy, Buster Keaton and grand opera..aKrishna, best-beloved of all the Hindu gods, overpowers many demons. Poothana is the first of them…. and he’s only three months old.‘You become totally involved, entranced by the whole magical process, from the demonstration of the mudras (hand language of Kathakali) to the story-telling and the transformation of the actor as he applies his make-up and ravishing costume. From the time the hypnotic drumming begins, you are drawn into that other world where gods and demons come to play."
Reghu's website is at http://www.reghunadhan.com/

The session will he held at the Catholic Church Hall, Rempston Road, Swanage starting at 7.30pm. there will be a charge of £3.50 for this event but will be a complimentary glass of wine.

Added Later:

This was a fantastic evening (see comments). Here is a picture that Richard Jefferey took despite the rather poor lighting conditions:

New Contact List

Here is the updated list of contacts. Please contact me via e.mail or via this site for more artists who live or work in Swanage and Purbeck. If you’re not in the network how will you know what’s going on?

Paul Angel
Digital Photography
www.paulangel.co.ukpaul@paulangel.co.uk
01202 421080

Carlotta Barrow
Stone Carving, Painting
Waterside Studio,
Peveril Point,
Swanage,
Dorset,
BH19 2AY.
01929 425967
www.artatpeveriledge.com
zooks@peveriledge.com

Freya Boyesen
Visual Artist
http://www.freyamboyesen.com/
freyahope@hotmail.com

Chris Burke
Artist
www.artatpeveriledge.com
art@peveriledge.com

Gillian Bathe
Art /design teacher not resident but paints here.
Exhibition ' The Sea forChristmas' at Salisbury Library in December (all Purbeck Coastal subjects)ionagbathe@btinternet.com

Carol Childs
Contemporary Artist
07709 492255
carol_iris36@hotmail.com
www.carolchilds.co.uk

Steve Darrington.
Musician and Swanage Blues Festival supremo
http://www.stevedarrington.com/
andwww.swanage-blues.org
01929 422338
s.darrington@btopenworld.com

Karen Delahay
Artiststudio/rehearsal/meetings space
artists friendly accommodation available.
www.californiacottage.co.uk
delahays@hotmail.com

F.L.A.M.E.
Fire, Light and Music Experience
Matt@flamefireshows.com
07880 626155 (For bookings and questions)
www.flamefireshows.com/index.html

Richard Jeffery
photographer and 3D artist, webdesign
www.theeleventhhour.co.uk
http://www.creativecrows.co.uk/
is work from some of the groups I have worked with
richard.jeffery@theeleventhhour.co.uk

Tony Kerins
Illustrator
www.tonykerins.com
84 Kings Road,
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 1HR,
01929 425131
illustration@tonykerins.com


Ian Lowson
Writer
12a Institute Road
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 1BX
ianlowson@hotmail.com

Sinead O'Neill
Artist
01929 426042

Jeremy Paul
Writer
01929 426688
www.jpaulwriting.com
jeremy@jpaulwriting.com

Purbeck String Festival
Susan Stanford - Artistic Director
01929 426931
www.purbeckstringfest.com/welcome.html
purbeckstringfest@hotmail.co.uk

Quarr Gallery
Keith and Jane
17 High Street,
Swanage,
Dorset
BH19 2LP
01929 423450
quarr@operamail.com

Tara Randall
The Artist's Way Creative Cluster
randalls-4@tiscali.co.uk
http://strataartistsway.blogspot.com

The Ranger School of Dance
Dance and performance arts
01929 423436 / 01929 421510
http://www.rangerschoolofdance.co.uk/
info@rangerschoolofdance.co.uk

Shannon Ribbons
Off On One designs and produces websites, creates animations and makes pictures
www.offonone.com/
info@offonone.
(01929) 424026
mobile: 07733361908
shannon@offonone.com

Ray Sargent
Actor, Musician,One Man Shows
www.ray-sargent.net/
01202 604598
ray@ray-sargent.net

Spyway Projects
Peter Cooper, Annette Sumption
38 Princess Road Flat 1
86 High Street
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2NY
01929 424428
www.spyway.co.uk
spyway@avnet.co.uk

Tidal Studios
Kate Cross
Design, print, promotion
01929 421535
www.tidalstudios.co.uk
kate@tidalstudios.co.uk

Tony Viney
leaves no stone unturned
athttp://www.tonyviney.co.uk/
and atwww.boilerhousegallery.co.uk
also atwww.purbeckfilm.com
tony@tonyviney.co.uk

Wendy Wharam
Artist, Writer, Story Teller
01929 426423
wendylallawharam@yahoo.com

Matt Wilkinson
Strata Director
FLAME Director
matt@flamefireshows.com
07880 626155

Samantha Woodford
01929 421658
samanthawoodford@yahoo.co.uk

Sarah Wootton
Textile Artist
Toms Field Campsite.
Toms Field Road .
Langton Matravers.
Swanage.
Dorset.
01929 427110
http://www.sewindorset.co.uk/
sarah@sewindorset.co.uk

Swanage Centre of the Art Universe

What a brilliant weekend for the arts in Swanage. Friday night we all repaired to Quarr gallery for the preview of the new exhibition and the official unveiling of the portrait of Keith and Jane by Freya Boyesen. The picture was fantastic as was the rest of the exhibition. Freya's contact is: http://www.freyamboyesen.com/ should you want a portrait of your own. There was a great turn out, we all had a glass or two of wine and went home very happy. By the way, Happy Birthday, Keith.

Saturday lunch time we repaired to the Mowlem Community Room where there was an exhibition bysome of the more established Purbeck artists. It really showed that Art can happen in the Mowlem but it takes a lot of hard work.

I gather there was live music and fun in the evening but I had to forgo that in order to attend the official opening of the Ranger School of Dance studio. We had cake and another glass or two of wine. The new studio is a tremendous piece of work and by dint of a lot of fundraising we now have a state of the art studio with proper facilities. Over the last forty years, June Ranger and now her daughter Caroline, have probably done as much as anybody to promote quality of the arts in Swanage. Generations of her pupils have gone on to professional careers or just to appreciate excellence in dance as audiences. June has also done her bit to support other arts activities and has always tried to drive up standards. Good for her and all the friends and supporters of the school. The next part of the project is to equip the upstairs as a small music studio or rehearsal space. It will cost in the region of £30,000 so let's do what we can to help. http://www.rangerschoolofdance.co.uk/

Art at the Mowlem

Click on image to get super de luxe wide-screen version.

FlameFireShow

Friday 3rd November
All Saints Church (Ulwell)
7.30 start
Fundraiser for Skate Park

Moonlight Performance Cancelled

Hello Chums!
Sorry to say that this Friday's performance at the Moonlight Bistro (Nov 3) has been cancelled due to circumstances etc.
We intend to re-start live music there in the New Year.
Best Wishes,
Steve Darrington
www.stevedarrington.com
01929 422338

Strata Meeting 4th October

Minutes of Strata Arts Group Meeting

Held on 4th October 2006

Those present:
Nick Goulding, Keith Roker, Peter Cooper, Karen Delahay, Frances Thackway, Wendy Wharam, Phillipa Sherborne, Shannon Ribbons, John Cull, Freya Boyesen, Robert and Marie Hayward and Lesley Licudi.

Wine and welcome

Matters arising from meeting of 6th September
All matters were on the agenda for discussion.
Website Development
Shannon addressed the meeting to update on progress on the website and the contacts list is now complete along with a mission statement and homepage. He stated that he was short of time and needed someone to take on the day to day maintenance of the site but would be available to give advice and make significant changes. All should look at the site (Strata.org.uk) and give feedback. Shannon suggested that imagery should include photos, art work etc. with a potential for each person contributing to have their own page. It was agreed as policy that members of Strata would include links from their own sites to Strata. Keith stated that the database should be refined and developed, reflecting artists and their work, this is a large but essential piece of work for which funding may need to be sought. Peter is happy to upkeep the blog and said he would feed information to Shannon in weekly chunks to help minimise the amount of work required. Shannon will set up a page for anyone who needs it, members should email all details to Peter or Shannon. All contact details for a main database should be sent to Peter who will liaise with Shannon and Keith. A précis of the minutes could be sent to Peter to post on the blog and the website. Karen will include the newsletter on the site. Members suggested several potential links to the site.
4. Formation of Company
Nick, Karen and Keith updated the group on the meeting held to agree company structure i.e. a company limited by guarantee with charitable aims. Trustees could be Karen Delahay, Matt Wilkinson, Nick Goulding, Paul Angel, with Lesley as Company Secretary. It was agreed on the need for a good solicitor with an understanding of the issues of the group. We are awaiting a response from James Sinclair-Taylor. Keith stressed the importance of defining the objects of the charity and the need for an overview of a professional with a view to reporting back to the Charity Commissioners. Frances said that Purbeck Strings were going through a similar process and that she would liaise with Strata.
5. Project Progress
Carlotta Barrow and Chris Burke sent their apologies and through the chair updated the group on progress with the Wessex Water site Arts Project. Estimates for the work required are being sought. Nick also read out a proposal from Carlotta entitled Durl Stone focussing on stone carving possibilities at Durlston. Sources of funding for various projects were discussed such as the Community Champions Fund and the Arts Council. Phillipa suggested contacting the Russell Cotes Museum and Art Gallery regarding images they hold concerning Purbeck. Nick informed new members of various projects that had been discussed e.g. the link with Southern India. Keith invited Kate Black of Durlston (who joined briefly) to outline progress on the Durlston Castle site. The exact completion date was unclear.
6. Notices
Karen asked for information to be included in the newsletter to be sent to her. She also stressed that Strata was likely to be a main initiative within Swanage and Purbeck over the next five years and was perceived at district level as ‘ ticking the most boxes’!
7. Cultural Olympiad
Peter summarised an important meeting on the Cultural Olympiad held at the Sailing Academy, Portland. The cultural element, including the Arts, will have a very high profile and as Dorset is the only Olympic venue outside of London the impact on the Arts in this area will be enormous. As the trialling of events will begin next year large numbers of visitors will soon be descending. The Arts Council are producing the overall strategy using the Jurassic Coast strategy, any ideas for the Arts are likely to be welcomed and referred to Mike Hoskin through Peter. Brazil and India have been identified as key focus countries for the Olympiad and Wendy Wharam’s India project is ideally positioned. Many more four star beds will be needed and Portland harbour is likely to be developed as a permanent cruise liner port with significant long term tourist implications.
8. Publicity
Karen asked for events to be emailed to her for the newsletter. A newsletter distribution list will be drawn up and copies will be kept in the Quarr Gallery. Karen will also prepare a handout outlining Strata and its work also to be held in the gallery.
9. Future Meetings / Socials
Karen invited members to a film as part of the Purbeck Film Festival at California Farm on the 15th October. The Cellar Bar was suggested by Keith as a suitable venue for future social events. Peter raised the possibility of a Spoken Word Club here in Swanage.
10. Any Other Business
No other business.

Date of next meeting: Wednesday 1st November 2006 at 7.30 pm at the Quarr Gallery

Beat the Tattoo

Strata member/associate/supporter Paul Angel's exhibition of photographs of tattoed bodies is being featured on BBC South Today tonight. The exhibition is at the Russell-Cotes gallery and is well worth a look.

Strata Social Evening

If you are reading this, and even if you are not, we are having a Strata social at Quarr Gallery on wednesday 18th October. The only business we need to transact is to decide on some entertainment/events for future socials. Thereare some ideas in formation and we can firm these up on Wednesday.See you then,Keith

Creative Dorset

Creative Dorset - a new programme to support creativity in Dorset. Dorset County Council and partners are pleased to announce that they will soon be launching a new specialist development service for creative and cultural businesses, organisations and practitioners in Dorset. This new service - Creative Dorset - will provide a programme of specialist advice,information and guidance, networking and showcasing opportunities. The aim of Creative Dorset is to help the creative and cultural sector to grow and to have a more positive impact on the economy and communities of the County. To 'hit the ground running', Creative Dorset needs to know more about who the practitioners and businesses are that live and work in the County, who they are working with and the types of work they are doing. They also need to know what these businesses and creative individuals require in order to help them prosper and grow.Tom Fleming Creative Consultancy has been asked to undertake a piece of work to build a database containing details of the Dorset cultural and creative sector. This database will provide Creative Dorset with some of the intelligence they need so they can start working as soon as they are launched. To register your details and let Creative Dorset know about your work and the support you need, please complete and return the form which you can download here:http://www.artsmatrix.org.uk/Downloads/Forms/tabid/171/Default.aspx.
Your input in vital as gathering this information will help to ensure that projects and services are dedicated to the needs of cultural and creative individuals, businesses and organisations in the County.If you have already received details about the Creative Dorset and have completed, and returned a form to us, thank you. We are still updating the database with the returns, which is why you may be receiving information for the second time.If this is the first time you are hearing about the initiative or you have not yet completed and returned a form, we look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Tracey Gregory
Associate Consultant
Tom Fleming Creative Consultancytelephone 1 07989 565190 email tracey@tfconsultancy.co.ukwebsite www.tfconsultancy.co.uk

Strata Meeting 6th september

Those present:
Nick Goulding, Keith Roker, Jane Roker, Peter Cooper, Carlotta Barrow, Chris Burke, Paul Angel, Ian Lowson, Jane Lowson, Matt Wilkinson, Karen Delahay, Kate Cross, Paul Burrows, Robert Diment-Davies and Lesley Licudi
Wine and welcome
Matters arising from meeting of 2nd August (no minutes available)
It was generally agreed that a £2 contribution per meeting should be raised to cover minor expenses.

Formalising company status
Keith Roker stressed the need to place the group on a formal footing as the group is expanding. It will be necessary to set up a company limited by guarantee, with charitable aims. Keith also stressed the importance of having professional advice on the set up process.
Various members of the group suggested suitable organisations who may be able to offer advice and models.
It was agreed that the following Wednesday a meeting would be held between Nick Goulding, Karen Delahay, Matt Wilkinson and Keith Roker to evaluate existing information, establish company status and identify possible company roles and responsibilities.

Website Development
Members of Strata had viewed the website currently being developed by Shannon Ribbons and were very impressed by the progress so far. It was agreed that members should provide content as soon as possible either directly to Shannon or via Quarr Gallery.
Karen agreed to send her Strata newsletters to Shannon.
Contact details for members including links were encouraged. Various useful links to the Strata website were discussed such as Virtual Swanage, My Space and YOUTOBE.COM.
Peter Cooper referred to his current blog http://cultureswanage.blogspot.com/ and that he was representing the group at various meetings including the 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Projects
Carlotta Barrow updated the group on progress with the Wessex Water site Arts Project. She had made contact with Wessex Water and further research was needed in terms of costings and details of current and former artists’ work. There was a general discussion regarding links with other galleries such as the Tate (where artists linked to Purbeck are exhibited) and possibilities for sponsorship.
A folder of significant artwork linked to Purbeck has been compiled in Quarr Gallery and any new additions would be welcome.
It was agreed by all that any independent projects linked to Strata should be included under the Strata umbrella.
Karen Delahay offered her studio for hire for various arts projects/workshops.
Other possible projects were referred to e.g a link with India, the Turkish Arts Centre and Matt W spoke about African Drum Workshops, Circus Skills and flame fire shows.

Artists Way Support Group
Nick informed the group about a new creative cluster group facilitated by Tara Randall focussed on the book by Julia Cameron, The Artists Way. This group will be meeting at the Quarr Gallery every Thursday evening from 7pm until 9pm, all are invited.

Arts Centre Development
Karen D reported to the group on early progress regarding a possible Arts Centre at the rear of Swanage Library. The Swanage Parish Plan would need to be in place, Karen has spoken to the Council and was told there would be a delay of at least two months before any progress would be made. The need for Strata to be actively involved in any such development was highlighted strongly. Karen agreed to represent Strata and feedback any developments to the group.
Frustrations were expressed by several members regarding the Pierhead Development plans and missed opportunities for involving the arts. Members agreed that the owner of the Pierhead land should be invited to discuss the issue with the group.

Socials
Nick reminded the group that the Strata social evenings occur every month two weeks after the formal meeting and all are welcome. He thanked Jane and Keith for all their hard work in organising these very successful events. Keith suggested the Cellar Bar as a future venue, with entertainments.
Any Other Business
Matt suggested Strata involvement in the up and coming Folk Festival, it was agreed that we should aim for this next year as there was no time to organise anything.
Several people expressed the need for advertising and publicity for Strata and its members. It was agreed that suggestions should be e-mailed to Karen and Publicity would be on the agenda for the next meeting.
It was agreed that before making significant representations to other arts groups etc company status should be in place.
Peter invited all to provide him with contact details for his Arts In Swanage blog.
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 4th October 2006 at 7.30 pm at the Quarr Gallery

Purbeck Strings Autumn Event

The first Purbeck Strings Autumn Quartet Course takes place from October the 13th to October the 15th 2006 at the Old Malthouse School Langton Matravers.
Enthusiastic response……..48 local string players to take part.
The course has been set up to provide an opportunity for string players of all ages and ability to play together and benefit from coaching from the
young professional Stanford Quartet.

Stanford Quartet Concert
Sisters… Laura, Ellie and Amy Stanford with cellist Jessica Cox will give a concert on Saturday October the 14th at 7-30pm in St Georges Church Langton Matravers.
The quartet will be performing Mozart’s famous Dissonance Quartet, Janacek’s vibrant Kreutzer Sonata, and finally the stylish Debussy quartet.

Course Concert
On Sunday afternoon at 3-30pm in the Old Malthouse School course members will give a concert of music studied during the weekend course.
As usual Purbeck Strings will be raising funds for the charity –
In tune with childline.
Tickets £6 or £10 for 2 concerts (children free) from Purbeck Press
01929 423669 or 01929 426931
Enquiries to:
Susan Stanford - Artistic Director Tel: 01929 426931

2012 is only Six Years Away

I went to a really interesting presentation at the National Sailing Academy in Portland today. It was about the 2012 Cultural Olympiad. That’s right CULTURE (the stuff that Purbeck District Council seems to think doesn’t exist). There was a whole chunk of the Olympic bid that was about cultural spin offs and as we have the only complete games venue and programme outside of the M25 it means that a large part of the Cultural Olympiad will be happening in Dorset. The Arts Council of England have produced a strategy and the Jurassic Coast Arts Strategy (remember that?) will be at its heart. Funds will begin to be allocated from next year. Interstingly enough, there will be special attention to international cultural exchanges and, for no apparent reason, the two selected countries will be Brazil and India. I think we’re already on to that, aren’t we?
Projects will be considered in categories according to whether they use existing resources, or new resources or exciting possibilities. At the moment everything is up for grabs and the County Arts Development Supremo Mike Hoskin is gathering suggestions. Nothing is ruled in and nothing is ruled out. So have a punt at some creative thinking.
Will it effect us in Purbeck and by how much? Well, to start with, the Olympic organising committee has to deliver 3 or 400 4star bedspaces. Currently there are about 70 in the area. The answer is that they will be providing a luxury cruise liner anchored in Portland Harbour as the competitor’s village but it also means that virtually every bed in Dorset will be required for spectators and hangers on. Dorset is going to be awash with visitors and we have to look at the cultural events that will keep them here. We don’t have the cathedrals and galleries that other venues have had. What are they going to do?
Isn’t it just a fortnight in 2012? In order to win its Olympic status the sailing academy has to run full scale test events in the years running up to 2012 and starting next year there will be a major international event every September. In addition the National sailing Academy is seen as the premier International training venue and there will be a year round influx of teams and spectators. And that will continue long after 2012.
Cynical? Why not? On the other hand the Olympics and the Cultural Olympiad will happen. It will happen in Dorset. There are some interesting websites showing how other communities have benefited (forget the stuff about Olympic venues standing empty and being a burden on the taxpayer - The National Sailing Academy is already built, paid for and functioning. And it’s a rather nice building). Perhaps we could put aside our natural cynicism until 2013 and have a bit of what’s going on.
I hope to have a fuller report of the meeting availabler later.
http://www.wpnsa.org.uk/
http://www.london2012.org/en/ (look for “our vision”)

Art at Durlston

Ali at the country park has asked me to ask you all to put your thinking caps on and come up with some ideas for next year. They have funding for a schools week and want art events. Strata's efforts last year were a great success and had 3000 visitors . Can this be bettered?
Keith

I Know You're Out There

Since putting a counter on the site I know that people are clicking on. If you have any arts event you want to publish in Swanage or Purbeck, please put it here. Similarly if you want to be on our circulation list leave your contact details. I don't include anyone who doesn't ask.

The Incomer and The Land

Music Theatre Workshop Series -Peta Lily and Andrew Dickson
"Noises and Bodies"
Bridport Arts Centre
Sunday October 15th 2006 11.00 - 4.00 £5 including refreshments
Noises and Bodies brings together composer and musician Andrew Dickson with writer/director/performer Peta Lily to work with the group to discover what we can create with movement and voice combined in different ways.We will take as our inspiration people’s thoughts, feelings and stories about the land and the community. And discover how we might express some of the atmospheres and emotions involved in our relationship with each other and the land. We will be drawing on the wonderfully rich and varied material which has been collected so far through the ongoing interview process, which is one of the first steps of the Incomer and the Land Project. A lot of the stories already gathered speak of thedeep emotional connection between human beings and the land. You will be invited to contribute your stories to the body of research material in advance of the workshop day. This workshop is open to everyone –if it’s a success, there is a possibility of exploring the work further at a full weekend workshop in the spring. The workshop led by Peta will be physically undemanding and gentle in its explorations with Andrew encouraging singing that anyone can manage.
To book please contact Nichola Motley on email nichola.motley@tiscali.co.uk
or call 01308 422 305
http://www.operacircus.co.uk/

Moonlight and Music

Hello,
This is an unashamed self-plug for one of my rare performances nowadays - at the Moonlight Bistro on the evening of Friday October 13th. They have a varied menu that's really not expensive and you can book a table on 01929 475615. Why not get together with a few other members of Strata and give it a go?
Best Wishes to You All,
Steve Darrington
www.stevedarrington.com and click on 'Music' for my musical background

Artists in and around Swanage

Here is the current list of contacts. Please contact me via e.mail or via this site for updates and additions. If you’re not in the network how will you know what’s going on?

Paul Angel
Digital Photography
www.paulangel.co.uk
paul@paulangel.co.uk
01202 421080


Carlotta Barrow
Stone Carving, Painting
Waterside Studio,
Peveril Point,
Swanage,
Dorset, BH19 2AY.
Telephone: 01929 425967
Email: zooks@peveriledge.com

Freya Boyesen
Visual Artist
http://www.freyamboyesen.com/
freyahope@hotmail.com

Chris Burke
Artist
art@peveriledge.com

Gillian Bathe
Art /design teacher not resident but paints here.
Exhibition ' The Sea forChristmas' at Salisbury Library in December (all Purbeck Coastal subjects)
ionagbathe@btinternet.com

Carol Childs
Contemporary Artist
07709 492255
carol_iris36@hotmail.com
www.carolchilds.co.uk

Steve Darrington.
Musician and Swanage Blues Festival supremo
http://www.stevedarrington.com/ and
www.swanage-blues.org
01929 422338
s.darrington@btopenworld.com

Karen Delahay
Artist
studio/rehearsal/meetings space
artists friendly accommodation available.
www.californiacottage.co.uk
delahays@hotmail.com

F.L.A.M.E.
Fire, Light and Music Experience
smailto:Simon@flamefireshows.com -
07863 168447 (For bookings and questions)
www.flamefireshows.com/index.html

Richard Jeffery
photographer and 3D artist, webdesign
www.theeleventhhour.co.uk
http://www.creativecrows.co.uk/ is work from some of the groups I have worked with -mailto:-richard.jeffery@theeleventhhour.co.uk

Tony Kerins
Illustrator
www.tonykerins.com
84 Kings Road,
Swanage
Dorset BH19 1HR,
01929 425131
illustration@tonykerins.com

Denis Lowson
Artist
12c Institute Road,
Swanage
Dorset BH19 1BX

Ian Lowson
Writer
12a Institute Road
Swanage
Dorset BH19 1BX
ianlowson@hotmail.com

Sinead O'Neill
Artist
01929 426042

Jeremy Paul
Writer
01929 426688
www.jeremypaul.org.uk
jeremy@jpaulwriting.com

Purbeck String Festival
Susan Stanford - Artistic Director
Tel: 01929 426931
www.purbeckstringfest.com/welcome.html
purbeckstringfest@hotmail.co.uk

Quarr Gallery
Keith and Jane
17 High Street,
Swanage,
Dorset BH19 2LP
01929 423450
email quarr@operamail.com

Tara Randall
The Artist's Way Creative Cluster
randalls-4@tiscali.co.uk
http://strataartistsway.blogspot.com

The Ranger School of Dance
Dance and performance arts
01929 423436 / 01929 421510
http://www.rangerschoolofdance.co.uk/
info@rangerschoolofdance.co.uk

Shannon Ribbons
Off On One designs and produces websites, creates animations and makes pictures
www.offonone.com/
e-mail: mailto:info@offonone.com
phone: (01929) 424026
mobile: 07733361908
shannon@offonone.com

Ray Sargent
Actor, Musician
One Man Shows
www.ray-sargent.net/
01202 604598
ray@ray-sargent.net

Spyway Projects
Peter Cooper, Annette Sumption
38 Princess Road
Swanage
Dorset BH19 1JQ
01929 424428
www.spyway.co.uk
spyway@avnet.co.uk

Tidal Studios
Kate Cross
Design, print, promotion
01929 421535
www.tidalstudios.co.uk
kate@tidalstudios.co.uk


Tony Viney
leaves no stone unturned at
http://www.tonyviney.co.uk/ and at
www.boilerhousegallery.co.uk also at
www.purbeckfilm.com
tony@tonyviney.co.uk

Wendy Wharam
Artist, Writer, Story Teller
01929 426423
wendylallawharam@yahoo.com

Samantha Woodford
01929 421658
samanthawoodford@yahoo.co.uk

Sarah Wootton
Textile Artist
Toms Field Campsite.
Toms Field Road .
Langton Matravers.
Swanage. Dorset.
Tel 01929 427110
http://www.sewindorset.co.uk/
sarah@sewindorset.co.uk

Contacts for Artists

After last week’s Strata meeting I thought it might be a good idea to circulate contacts for everybody. Why don’t you send me your website and contact details and I’ll e.mail them round. I will also start a list on my this site until we get the Strata website up and running. For obvious reasons, I won’t include anyone who doesn’t actually contact me to OK it. I am on several arts groups and mailing lists and I do hear about interesting opportunities so if you to hear about them as well then contact me.

Other Organisations are seeking us out

It's good to see that other organisations are linking to Strata. Keep your eyes open for opportunities that might be suitable for other group members and pass them on.

Here is one to be going on with:

Arts & Health South West - Artist Commission
EXTENSION TO DEADLINE
Arts & Health South West are looking to commission an artist for a print or series of prints that will be given to our Patron Members (key regional organisations including Arts Organisations, NHS Trusts, Council’s etc.).
What is required:A print or series of prints (max 3), these could be new or existing(edition of 10). The work must however be appropriate for healthcare organisations/settings.
Fee:£1k plus 1 years membership to A&HSW.
Deadline:10th November.Shortlisting:21st November.
Please provide:What form the commission will take (could be photography)
The size(s)
An indication of the theme
Why you think you are relevant for the commission inc cv
Samples of other work preferably Jpeg format
Please send to:Emma Williams,
Co-ordinatorArts & Health South West
12 Sandbed Road
St Werburghs
Bristol BS2 9TX
T: 0117 907 3861 or e: info@ahsw.org.uk

To Build or Not to Build

Recently we have spent a lot of time worrying about a new Arts centre for Swanage. We desperately need a small performance space where people like me can harangue small captive audiences with our poetry, or where a string quartet could rehearse. We need some decent exhibition space, we need workrooms for electronic and other artists. When it opens, I shall be first in line for the champagne reception. But who builds it, has their name on the front, or where the funding comes from, I don’t care very much. Or even if it doesn’t get built at all, come to that. In fact the likelihood of it not being built is as predictable as winter following autumn. So why worry?

What happened to the original idea of Strata as an arts Centre without a building? The most important function of an organisation like ours is to help artists to produce art. To encourage and develop festivals and events. To help people discover their own creativity. To tap into those funding streams for the arts that the town has been missing out on. Yes, most towns do those things from a building or an institution. But we have no such building based organisation or institution with a brief to develop the arts. Our district and town councils see no value in the arts. And, any way, there are plenty of examples of arts buildings which have cost so much that there is nothing left to fund a programme inside. There are even buildings where the management committees have to put all their efforts into keeping the fabric together leaving no time to put a programme at all. It requires us, the artists of Purbeck and Swanage, to be more imaginative. We have to make use of the churches and halls and pub back rooms that are here. We must be bold and creative. We must develop our bona fides with the funding bodies by producing paintings, music, performances of such quality and innovation that we have the honest citizens town out on the streets with placards demanding that somebody builds a building to put it in.

Until then... let’s just think about what we do best... making art.

strata

strata

Keith Roker has been keeping this blog about Strata as well.

Ideas

Ideas
Peter John Cooper's collection

Impasto Gusto

I was bowled over by a twin site exhibition at the Quarr Gallery and at the Rectory Classroom in Swanage. The painter was Stephen Bishop and the exhibition was called "Images of a Purbeck Summer". Normally, I think I would have given an event with such a title a bit of a miss; I think I've seen just about all the views of Old Harry and Studland beach that I care to see. But this was something different. These paintings were, indeed, of the iconic views but they were painted with such energy and commitment that you couldn't but be rocked backwards by the effect. The paint was thick and layered from bright greens and blues and purples. The horizons slanted and swayed. It looked as though the artist was attacking the Purbeck landscape. A whole room full of these works and you really got something from the place that is usually missed by the chocolate box painters. You got a sense of the underlying force of nature, the oppressive summer heat of the heath, the cutting wind, the angry waves. The picture for me was of a single heathland tree, angled by the wind standing in a sea of gorse and heather with a brilliant blue streak of hills in the distant background. If anyone wanted an image of Hardy's Egdon Heath. This was it.

Astonishingly, Stephen Bishop is a warm, friendly person; happy to talk about his work. Not precious at all. And, incredibly, the paintings are made en plein air. He sets up his easel and he gets the paint and sand and anything else adjacent onto the canvas until he's finished and then he stops.

Congratulations Stephen Bishop and also Keith and Jane at Quarr gallery for letting us see this fantastic display.

Strata

I published this on Swange View Blog but thought it might be informative to copy it here as an update on our work. As you see, we have now become Strata and already have a number of interesting projects in the pipeline. Watch this space.

"I feel it might be useful to give a little more detail about Strata. As an Arts professional I have attended meetings about funding the Arts in Dorset for the last fifteen years and I have seen public funding rise in all areas of the County except for Purbeck. The reason is quite simple. In all other districts there are organisations that lead the bidding process for funds. The Bridport Arts Centre and other organisations funnel quite significant streams of money into West Dorset. There are similar organisations in North, East and the towns and conurbations. These are responsible for making use of Lottery, Arts Council and foundation funding to promote theatre, exhibitions, events, arts education in their buildings and into the surrounding areas. There is no such organisation in Purbeck and, consequently, over the years significant sums of money have passed us by. This money is not anything we do not deserve. We have already paid for it by buying our lottery tickets or donating to cultural charities. There is even a fraction of a penny in the general taxation we pay. The last straw as far as I was concerned was the Purbeck District Cultural Strategy which made barely a mention of the arts and the Jurassic Coast Arts Initiative where large sums of money will end up in Charmouth and Lyme Regis (good luck to them) and probably none in Swanage.So in February we started the long process of setting up an organisation to channel our money back to Purbeck. We decided early on that it would be an organisation led by artists and all those interested in developments in the arts. The membership is wide and growing, painters, sculptors, writers, theatre people, dancers, photographers and more. We hope to include anyone in the creative industries, chefs, gallery owners, theatre managers, designers, architects. In June we rolled up a functioning group of visual artists and we have taken their name - Strata - and thus it was that we had our first event - an exhibition at Durlston castle for Dorset Art Weeks. Plans are already afoot for some fascinating events next year. Meanwhile we are on the point of completing the necessary instrument to become a charitable company. And the real work can begin. As soon as we have the company in place we will have a public launch to which we can invite the great and the good and the general public. We hope that our website with a database of functioning Purbeck artists will be on line in the very near future.If you are an artist of any sort or are interested in the future of the arts come along to our meetings (First Wednesday every month at Quarr Gallery, High Street, Swanage at 7.30pm and other social occasions) or contact us via Quarr Gallery."

Creative Purbeck

I was astonished with the turnout at our third meeting last night. People brought wine and beer along and there was a much more social feel to the proceedings. Everybody was very forthcoming and ideas were kicked around in a useful way. I'm sure we will get a more formal record elsewhere but I thought I'd make a note of the fact that I came away more hopeful than after the March meeting. There was a real keenness to get the organisation up and running so that we could start Doing things. Keith Roker has registered the website name creativepurbeck.com . I'm happy with that although it wouldn't have been my choice initially. I hope we can begin getting stuff onto the site so that we can prove we have an existence. Once we have a formal structure we can invite some of the great and the good to participate in what we're doing but it's important that we build our confidence so that we're not swamped by other interests. Nick Goulding has been guiding the meetings in his quiet but determined way and he might be persuaded to take the role of Chair once we get up and running.

I keep going to arts funding events where there is a general level of pity for the low funding levels for the arts in Dorset and in Purbeck in particular. I believe we could make some inroads into that if we have a close network of artists who want to make a difference. We just need to start sending out the applications until the funders' filing cabinets are stuffed full of files from Creative Purbeck. So we need ideas for projects and leaders to push them forward.

What happened when we got together

The meeting attracted about 20 people from a variety of art fields. It was a very open and informal meeting and not one which was conducive to producing detailed minutes.Although it was generally felt that the town needs some form of organisation for the arts there are a number of views on the form this should take without duplicating what is already here, for example the Arts Club. Some people felt that regular informal gatherings for networking and the exchange of information and ideas would be worth having. A web site and a regular newsletter were suggested and supported. The possibility of establishing and marketing a Purbeck arts brand was raised and the context of arts in the area in general were discussed, although it was clear that progress on this would involve setting up some form of organisation.It was agreed to have another meeting on Tuesday 2 March at 7.30 at the same venue to carry matters on.This will look at would would be entailed in establishing a more formal organisation for which the following detailed objectives have been suggested:"We will deliver workshops, masterclasses and other learning events for practising and aspiring artists. We will seek to fund commissions for new work and actively promote commissions from other organisations and agencies. We will review and, where possible, provide resources and facilities for learning about the arts and for acquiring art skills for children, young people and adults who otherwise would not have access to such facilities. We will offer a marketing resource for practising artists in swanage and Purbeck, creating a Purbeck Arts Brand or similar umbrella resource. To further this end we will work with established agencies such as South West Arts Marketing. We will encourage the awareness of the arts in Swanage through prizes, competitions, exhibitions and other events. We will work with such agencies as are available to deliver these or we will instigate and run our own events where no partner agency or organisation is available. To achieve this we will employ any such staff as might be neccessary. We will act as a support agency and clearing house for artists applications to grant giving bodies. We will help development of personal, business and marketing skills for artists and would support an artists’ mentoring scheme such as that run by The Arts Matrix."