9 The ‘On View’ Initiative

7 Profiles of BANA Members

3 Widcombe Studios becomes Bath Artists’ Studios

6 CreateXchange at Keep Keynsham Launch

An Exhibition Review at Sacred SpacesPage 5

April/May 2009 www.bana-arts.co.uk

‘On View’ - encouraging art in empty shopsPage 9

Regional Spotlight:Arts in Keynsham Page 6

‘

April/May 20092

Editorial and News

Crimes of Passion

Inside this issue...Editorial 2News 3News on Widcombe Studios, Mouse Spot-ters Guide, ICIA’s latest show, Native Place

Review 5A look at a recent show at new gallery Sacred Symbols

Regional Spotlight 6This issue we look at the arts in Keynsham

Members Profile 9Profiles of BANA members Claire Loder and Annabel Menheneott

Article 8Margaret Lovell on a selectors view of the submission process, and Karen Hilliard writes about ‘On View’.

Listings & Opportunities 10All the latest exhibitions, arts related events and courses in the BANA area.

Classifieds 12

BANA membership includes:• A membership card that offers discount at selected art outlets around Bath.• A bi-monthly newsletter full of news views and opportunities.• Regular emails of opportunities• A page on the BANA website for one image and artists statement.• Access to networking events allowing you to meet other artists.• An annual CPD Handbook • The opportunity to have Public Liability cover at reasonable cost.• Access to Continuing Professional Development opportunities.• The option of joining and taking part in the BANA Skills Exchange. • The opportunity to submit work for BANA exhibitions. To join simply write to us at the address given on page 4 or go to www.bana-arts.co.uk and click on the join BANA button to use our printable forms.

Want to join BANA?

Welcome...

We have a fascinating issue of the BANA newsletter this bi-month. You can learn more about the upcoming name change of Wid-combe Studios to Bath Artists’ Studios. We have always had an intimate relationship with Widcombe Studios, and we are pleased that they are continuing to develop their organisa-tion with this name change. Also in this issue, have a go at making a paper mouse and then photograph it in unusual places - you never know what fun you might have! We also have a fascinating article on the use of empty shops as spaces for artists - improptu galleries which cunningly utilise the side-effects of credit crunch.

The newsletter is now regularly genetrating interesting submissions for articles and news stories, and I would like to thank all those that have written over the past few issues, and at the same time encourage you all to get involved if you have something you want to contribute or say. Also, If you would like to discuss any issues around the newsletter, then please come along to the BANA social this month and help to continue developing this important asset for BANA members. We are

also looking for specific help from volunteers - see below for details.

The recent redesign and development of the newsletter was enabled by a grant from the Arts Council. This funding will shortly finish, and we need to ensure that the newsletter becomes self-sufficient as quickly as possi-ble. This means that the publication needs to be generating income from advertisements and sponsorship, or we risk losing it. From this issue of the newsletter we are launching our sponsorship campaign. This will enable a BANA area organisation or business to spon-sor an issue of the newsletter, in return for advertising and editorial space, if they want it. So, if you are from or know of any businesses or organisations that would be interested, or fancy persuading one you know to help sup-port BANA and raise our and their profiles, then please email newsletter@bana-arts.co.uk.

This issue of the newsletter has been kindly sponsored by Roper Rhodes, and we would like to thank the Roper Family Charitable Trust for their generosity.

Helga Watkins-Baker, Editor

Crimes of Passion : Street Art in Bristol, a major exhibition of graffiti art, is currently showing at the RWA. Bristol has been a big player on the global graffiti scene since the early eighties, spawning many of its most notorious and talented protagonists. This spring the RWA has invited some of the most prominent artists in the city to adorn its galleries in their own inimitable way. This milestone event showcases the depth of creativity on the Bristol scene, pushing the boundaries and challenging expec-tations of this ubiquitous and often misunder-stood art form.

Info/Continuing until 2nd May 2009 at RWA, Queen’s Road Clifton, Bristol Open 10:00 - 5:30pm Monday - Saturday2:00 - 5:00pm Sundaywww.crimesofpassion.info

The newsletter is going from strength to strength but it now needs some support from you, the members, to continue the good work. So, we have two areas which we would like you to get involved in:newsletter Team VolunteersWe need volunteers to help with general tasks associated with the newsletter, like compil-ing listings etc. If you are interested in gaining desktop publishing and layout skills then this could be the thing for you! We are also inter-ested in anyone who has marketing experi-ence to help with advertising and sponsorship. Spread the WordAs a member you all receive one copy of the newsletter bi-monthly. If you have any friends or fellow artists in the BANA area who you think would like to recieve a copy of the newsletter and could be persuaded to become members, then please email us or phone the BANA office and we will email them a PDF of the newsletter, or pop a copy in the post to them.Distribution VolunteersWe want to increase the people and places where the newsletter is read. If you are able to distribute the newsletter to se-lected arts related venues we would like to hear from you. So if you live in an outlying city, town or village, let us know. Info/Please contact newsletter@bana-arts.co.uk

Newsletter News

April/May 2009 3

News

Once upon a time (well, 1996) there was an artist with a vision called David Cobley, who started Widcombe Studios: now a thriving art-ists’ co-operative and Registered Charity where artists and designers are making, interacting and collaborating with each other and the wider community. This diverse collective generates supports and engenders visual arts activity in an accessible and unpretentious way.

It all began in premises in the Widcombe area of Bath, hence the original name. In December 2003 the Studios moved to Comfortable Place on the other side of Bath. The studio member-ship has grown since those early beginnings and along with it our programme of classes, exhibi-tions and events. Those original values are still very much at the heart of what we do.

Just as in our work as individual artists we are constantly seeking out new creative challenges, it follows that as an organisation we can’t stand still. We want to continue developing further resources for artists and wider access to cultural activity in the city. Widcombe Studios is changing its name to Bath Artists’ Studios. The new name reflects our standing as Bath’s largest studio pro-vider. In addition to providing studios for nearly sixty artists, we offer courses in print, painting, drawing and sculpture, and a programme of talks, events and gallery exhibitions.

We will become Bath Artists’ Studios at our Open Studios event on 29th May 2009 – come

and celebrate with us! Artists’ studios will be open, and there will be a chance to talk with them about their work. There will be an exhibi-tion including prints, paintings, sculpture and ceramics in the gallery and the return of our successful 10 X 10 fundraiser. 10” x 10” panels will be displayed anonymously but signed on the back by the artist. Each will be for sale at £50 so this is a great opportunity to pick up an original artwork at a great price!

Clockwise from top left: new Logo, David Cobley, Big Draw, Gallery

Info/See www.widcombestudios.co.uk for more details, call 01225 482480 for an invite, or drop in over the weekend. Opening night: Fri 29 May 6 - 9pm, Sat 30 May 11am - 6pm, Sun 31 May 11am - 5pmThe Old Malthouse, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath BA1 3AJ (Opposite Victoria Park, behind Phase One Gym)

Widcombe Studios is changing! Bath Artists’ Studios

Mouse Spotters GuideWebsites come in all shapes and sizes, one

oddity which is getting a lot of attention is www.mousespottersguide.com owned by BANA Artist, Louise Gains. Started on July 3rd 2008 the site has had over 1,200 visits from 56 countries. The aim of the site is to promote – LOOKING – via the unusual act of taking a sugar mouse and placing it in Strange and Interesting Places, then making an Art-Work based on the experience.

The latest project connected to www.mouses-pottersguide is Paper Mouse. Louise Gains has de-signed a template for a Cut–out–and–Make Paper Mouse which are available as free downloads from the site. Louise Gains is inviting BANA Artists to create a design to personalise a “Mouse Spotters Guide” Paper Mouse. The theme is Urban View. There will be a follow up publication and public involvement days based on this project.Info/Email Louise Gains at louisegains@hotmail.co.uk for a Paper Mouse Template. You can ask for ei-ther a Photoshop file or a paper print-out for your design. All copyright is kept by the Artist.Paper Mouse Spotters Guide made up

The next BANA Social will be held on Weds 22nd April. This will be an informal evening and we’ll be asking people who attend what they’d like to experience at future socials. Bring any inspirational work of your own or another artist’s work to encourage debate. Artists are very welcome to bring guests and other artists if they wish. We will also be discussing the newsletter, so anyone who is interested in writing or would like to help shape future topics/debates and content in it please come along. Those members without emails who wish to be informed by post of future dates, contact Natasha on 01225 471714.Info/Weds 22nd April at 7.00pmUpstairs at The Rummer6 New Market Row, off Grand Parade (overlooking the Weir), Bath BA2 4AN

BANA Social Meeting

by Claire Loder, Bath Artists’ Studios Administrator

April/May 20094

Pam Skelton - Stasi Archive n75.

News

EDITor/ Helga Watkins-Baker

ConTrIBuTorS/ Jules BlakeKaren HilliardMargaret LovellClaire LoderAnnabel MenheneottCharlotte Rodgers

DESIGnED By/ Nicola Prestonwww.nicolapreston.co.uk

PuBLISHED By/ banapublishing

PrInTED By/ PrintCarrierwww.printcarrier.com

PLEASE SEnD Any ConTrIBuTIonS To/BANA, The Old MalthouseComfprtable Place,Upper Bristol Road,Bath, BA1 3AJT/ 01225 471714E/ newsletter@bana-arts.co.uk

nEST ISSuE/June/July 2009

nExT ISSuE CoPy DEADLInE/11th May 2009

nExT CoMMITTEE MEETInG/Monday 6th April, 5pm at the BANA Office.

The views expressed in the newsletter are not necessarily those of the editor and of the publishers. All content is copyright to the authors, artists and photographers who provided it.

Large print version of the newsletter is avaliable from office T/ 01225 471714

A fascinating exhibition ‘Dwelling in the Space of Conspiracy’ opens this month at the ICIA. Artist Pam Skelton and researcher Achim Heinrich uncovered a dossier on the once secret ‘conspiracy dwellings’ in Erfurt, a city in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). These safe houses, both civic and domestic, were used for clandestine meetings between German Secret Police (the Stasi) and their informers. Using video, photography and mapping, Skelton plots out patterns of surveillance to retrace the spy network. She constructs an unsettling por-trait of a city with 483 spy cells for monitoring citizens in the last decade of the GDR. In this environment of fear, observation and control, informers reported back on friends, family and colleagues. Skelton interweaves a story of unresolved conflicts and living wounds. Today, the conspiracy dwellings remain unwanted relics within an ordinary urban landscape. That these buildings seem so everyday is what makes this work so chilling.

Pam Skelton is an artist who lives and works in London. Her work investigates geographies, histories and identities in post World War II Europe. These concerns are explored in relationship to the histories which inform specific spaces through the production of video works, paintings, curatorial activitie-sand essays. Her work explores absences and amnesia in relation to specific landscapes or sites within urban architecture where events that are buried or forgotten resurface into the present.

Skelton has exhibited in Germany, France,

Northern Ireland, Canada, Russia, Finland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary and Esto-nia. She is Senior Lecturer in Fine Art, Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design.

To mark the opening of her exhibition, Pam Skelton will talk to Cultural Geographer, Dr Jessica Dubow (University of Sheffield) on the preview night.

Info/Exhibition: Wed 29 April - Fri 5 June, ICIA Art Space 2Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm, Closed Bank HolidaysExhibition Preview & Talk: Wed 29 April, ICIA Art Space 2Preview: 6.30pm-8.30pmArtist’s Talk: 7pm-8pmAdmission free, All welcomeICIA Art Space 2, 3WN 2.1Tel: 01225 386777 for further information.

Dwelling in the Space of Conspiracy

Native PlaceAn exhibition of work from BANA member

Anna Gillespie has opened in London’s Water-house & Dodd Gallery. Anna is exhibiting along-side Sarah Gillespie, and well known sculptor Peter Randall-Page. Anna Gillespie’s sculptures express complex human emotions as well as her responses to environmental issues. Her work varies in scale from life-sized, life-like masking tape figures presented in groups to form an in-stallation, to more intimate and domestic pieces cast in bronze, as well as drawings which mirror the lightness and form of her sculptures. Sarah Gillespie lives in Devon and works full-time as a painter, typically making tiny oil sketches outside in the summer months, and then the very large studio canvases and charcoals in the winter.

Peter Randall-Page was born in the UK in 1954 and studied sculpture at Bath Academy of Art from 1973-77. During the past 25 years he has gained an international reputation through his sculpture drawings and prints. He has undertaken

numerous large scale commissions and he has exhibited widely. His practice has always been in-formed and inspired by the study of organic form and its subjective impact on our emotions.

Info/The exhibition continues until Friday, 24 April 2009 at Waterhouse & Dodd, 26 Cork StreetLondon W1S 3ND. Tel: 0207 734 7800.

Anna Gillespie - Homage

April/May 2009 5

Pam Skelton - Stasi Archive n75.

April/May 2009 5

Review

Visionary Artist - Steven V. Mitchell

I first met the artist Steven V Mitchell in his earlier artistic incarnation as a tattoo artist, some 15 years ago. I was going through a period of having ritualised tattoo work done on myself and I decided Steven Mitchell was the person to do this work. It wasn’t just his mastery of the art of tattooing that impressed me. It was also the research he had done, in experiential terms, in various tribal and indigenous settings into the ceremonial and religious aspects of body work.

Over the years I kept in touch with him. primarily to get more tattoo work done on myself, but also to keep up to date with his explorations of other creative mediums.I knew that he had been taught to carve crystal skulls in Arizona and I was so impressed with his work in this genre that I asked him to allow one of these skulls to be used as a centre piece to a week long art event which I was organ-ising, using as a basic premise art terrorist Hakim Bey’s TAZ (Temporary Autonomous Zone). The skull acted as an incredible atavistic centre to a very successful event.

Last year I was privileged enough to be invited to Steven.V.Mitchell’s first installation/exhibition ‘Pandemonium in the Rose Garden’ at Walcot Street Mortuary Chapel. This was a mind blowing event: beautifully laid out and presented and with a wonderfully decadent opening night. I wasn’t surprised to see that luminaries such as Leonard Cohen had written in the visitor’s book, talking about the exhibi-tion in glowing terms.

Steven Mitchell is a self taught artist, an outsider artist, and would definitely fall under the category of a Visionary Artist. His painting is intense; slightly twisted but with an inventive humour which together with a great technical skill saves his work from degeneration into gothic cliché.

It is his vision of reality, and it has always impressed me the wide appeal that his work holds. This appeal spans the elderly, children,

art teachers and fellow artists; people from disparate walks of life and who are all able to find something in his work which they are able to relate too. This is what good art is about.

I knew that the legendary HR Giger had become interested in Mitchell’s work some years ago when Steven was still carving crystal skulls, and that this interest had developed into a friendship. Giger’s work on films such as ‘Alien’ has made him a near house-

untrained artist with the drive and self belief to rise above the mainstream views of what art is and where it should be shown, who has built his own gallery.

Coupled with this you have an exhibition of the art work of one of the world’s most well known contemporary artist’s, H.R Giger, be-ing shown in the UK for the first time in over thirty years. One would think this would be cause for celebration and intense media cover-age in the Wiltshire area (at least), but for some reason this event was over-looked. This is a sad state of affairs when creative vision and personal drive is ignored: especially in such problematic times.

However I myself have been privileged to be able to have been a part of Steven Mitch-ell’s very wonderful vision and journey and I will definitely be at his next exhibition, ‘Satur-nalia: A Feast for Fools’, at London’s iconoclast Horse Hospital.

Info/Sacred Symbols is situated at 3 Club Buildings,Parklane, Chippenham, SN15 1LPSteven’s next show, ‘Saturnalia a Feast for Fools’, is at the The Horse Hospital, London, 29th, May-7th June 2009 For further details tel: 0781 2083941

by Charlotte rodgers

The Gallery at Sacred Symbols Photo credit: Kilgore661

hold name, although this work has tended to ostracise him from the inner echelons of the serious art world as he is considered a ‘sell out’ and someone who doesn’t play by the rules.

Last year when Steven contacted me to tell me that he had converted part of his tattoo parlour in Chippenham into a gallery and the opening would be of his own work, the work of H.R Giger and the relatively unknown Lithuanian artist H.Natalevicius.

As both an avid fan of contemporary art and a vociferous supporter of personal, creative expression outside the mainstream establish-ment art world, I was obviously hugely excited.Wanting to share this great news, I contacted local papers and television stations .

The exhibition itself was incredible. The gallery is small and spilt into several sections. The entrance way held a collection of the tiny, bizarre and wonderfully surreal images by Na-talevicius, which moved into a room filled with the definitive work of Giger that has influenced so many contemporary artists with its dispas-sionate and near inhuman skill, and then the very wonderful work of Steven.V. Mitchell.

Not one of the many organisations I informed (BANA excepted), covered this opening. I must admit I found this to be very strange when there is a local, highly talented

The H.r.Giger room Photo credit: Jolanta Kristapaviciene

April/May 20096

Regional Spotlight

‘Time Out Animation Project’, 14-17 yrs took part in production with community film maker Clare Cannon

Formed in 1991, the Town Council represents the 16,000 or so people living in the parish of Keyn-sham, and there is a strong community identity that exists in Keynsham. I have been in post as the Arts Development Worker since June 08 working part time in the Keynsham Town Council office. Arts Development is the development of the arts within a geographical area. All art forms are covered, including visual arts, crafts, dance, theatre, music, literature, poetry, film, media, installation work, modern circus, live art, animation and more!

The arts happen in all sorts of places, such as; pubs, clubs, schools, libraries, leisure centres, village halls, cafes, streets. I work with people involved in the arts as spectators, participants, organiser’s or work within the creative industries. My main focus is developing and managing;

Creative Arts Projects with/for the Com-•munityA Database for Artists/ Groups •A Monthly Arts Newsletter •An Arts Advice Surgery•Networking, Sharing and Training Events•A Volunteer Programme•

I have been developing the Arts Plan 2009-2011, through consultation with community residents, voluntary and professional arts providers, and Edu-

Keynshamby Jules Blake, Keynsham Town Council Arts Development Worker

This issue we look at the market town of Keynsham, situated between Bath and Bristol.

KTC Arts Development Project, that offers arts ac-tivities with and for people over 60. Keynsham Film Works, a film club, which provides residents with the opportunity to see a varied and interesting selec-tion of films throughout the year.CreateXchange, is a Community Art Business, offering the skills of Lucy Rosewarne, a professional artist and facilita-tor; with over six years experience CreateXchange has worked with organisations such as Bristol City Council, Bristol City Museum, The Kuumba Project and many schools. Nesa have run many projects including, My Time My space project, a visual arts course for women experiencing postnatal depres-sion.They also are currently working in partnership with Suited and Booted and the Time Out Youth Centre on a young peoples film project.

We are very lucky to have a Mosaic Trail - there are 11 Millennium Mosaics situated at the Town Centre from where the trail starts and finishes. The trail will take you through the Memorial Park along the River Chew and will encompass many of Keynsham places of interest such as Downe Mill waterwheel, Keynsham Abbey, Cadbury Trebor Bassett factory, St John’s Church and many more. Totally Maracas was originally a sound effects group, working with a wide range of community perform-

ances. The group have expanded over the years and cover all types of performing and visual arts including; Key Voices-A community Choir, Fun With Drums-Percussion Workshops, Theatre Trips group and a Reading Group. Local shops and cafes such as the Pomegranate café and ‘Scrumptious Sweets’ are fantastic support for local emerging and experienced visual artists offering space to exhibit artists work

Keynsham Music Festival is a significant focus for arts activities in Keynsham, which traditionally takes place in July in Keynsham Memorial Park and venues throughout the town. An opportunity for all of Keynsham to come together and celebrate the town’s creativity. The event attracts approximately 15,000 people and continues to grow both in crea-tive excellence and size. A vibrant, quality music festival, showcasing some of the best bands in the area with a healthy dash of local artists displaying and sharing their skills.

Three of my favourite things from Keynsham are the Ammonite, a particular type of fossil which is common in the rocks of the Keynsham, comedian Bill Bailey who came from around these ‘ere parts and ‘Keynsham’, the title of the fourth album by the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band!

cation and community providers. The Arts Plan will be will be launched at our first network and sharing event in June 2009 for people who live and work in Keynsham who are interested in supporting and developing the arts in Keynsham.

Keynsham plays host to a multitude of voluntary and professional artists and groups. Visage Arts, is a

CreateXchange at the launch of Keep it Local Keep it Keynsham 08

‘there is a strong com-munity identity that exists in Keynsham’

Jules Blake - Arts Development Worker - arts@ keynsham-tc.gov.uk

keynsham.musicfestival@yahoo.co.ukwww.nesacreativechange.org.uk www.totallymaracas.btik.comwww.createxchange.co.ukwww.keynsham.co.uk

Keynsham Contacts/

April/May 2009 7

cal qualities. “The subject matter of my paintings is influenced by the ever changing and evolving landscape which provides me with a library of colour, movement and atmosphere.”

“My paintings communicate an atmosphere; some convey a feeling of emptiness and vastness whilst others suggest a feeling of calm. I am inspired by nature’s landscapes and the feeling and atmosphere they create and emit.”

Annabel will be exhibiting her work at stand A46 as part of the 2009 Untitled Art Fair, Chelsea Town Hall, on the Kings Road in London. www.untitledar-tistsfair.co.uk. The fair runs as follows: Private View

the gaze is averted inviting the viewer to contemplate the interior world of the subject. As the work has devel-oped the interior world continues to be significant, now other themes and fascinations are being woven around this framework. Recently more irreverent pieces have emerged - telling stories,

employing wordplay in the titles, and exhibiting particular characteristics and idiosyncrasies. Also, out of the crowd of anonymous subjects, known personalities are emerging.

At the moment I’m recession obsessed. Par-ticular stories and broadcasters are catching my eye. Also I’m intrigued by the idea of slow news – any response to the media with clay means an inevitable lag, which is an antidote to our 24-hour news culture.

‘Next Move’ has given me the time and space to develop my work and some great stuff has hap-pened. I have exhibited at Ceramic Art London at the RCA two years running. I’ve shown in gal-

leries and interiors outlets and have been selected for exhibitions including ‘Get Fresh’ at the Devon Guild in Bovey Tracey (where I was awarded As-sociate Membership). I’ve just delivered work to Atelier Abigail Ahern, Islington, throughout April I’ll be part of the ‘In the Window’ series at the Bluecoat Display Centre, Liverpool and right now I’m planning new work for the Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey in June.

CONTACT/ For info on all this and more visit www.claireloder.co.uk or www.claireloder.blogspot.com

‘Rise and Fall’, ceramic hanging face

– 29 May 5:30pm-9pm (by invitation only). 30 May 10am-7pm Free Public access. 31 May 11am - 5pm Free Public access. As well as the art fair, this summer Annabel has a solo exhibition at The West Barn in Bradford-on-Avon, opposite the famous Tithe Barn, running from the 16-19 July. Please note parking is limited at venue, ample parking at Bradford-on-Avon railway station.

CONTACT/ For further information please contact:amenheneott@gmail.com Tel: 07739 573255, or visit www.annabelmenheneott.com

Members Profile

Annabel Menheneott

Having lived in culturally rich areas, such as Rome and Naples, Annabel has always been surrounded by beautiful environments. Now based in Bath, Annabel graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a BA in Fine Art. Wanting to understand the Art World as an industry, following her degree, Annabel achieved an internship and then a full-time post at Christie’s. Four years at the worlds leading auction house provided Annabel with an opportunity to see some of the world’s most treasured works of art and work with leading specialists of the art world – a unique, privileged, broadening and inspiring experi-ence. Following her career at Christie’s and various commissions, Annabel has recently made the move to practice painting full-time.

At university she explored different aspects of painting including art as therapy and the structural qualities of painting. One of Annabel’s more recent commissions for a doctor’s surgery in London demonstrates the relaxing nature of her paintings. “All the doctors love your paintings and think they create a calm atmosphere in the surgery and help the place look less clinical but more professional. It’s great having your paintings to see every day at work –thank you so much for selling them to us” - Dr.David Sherwell

Having studied Theatre Studies she also has a strong tie to and appreciation of theatre, and some of her paintings could be seen to encompass theatri-

September ‘09 will mark the end of an exciting period of development for me. In September ‘07 I was one of eight artists to receive the Crafts Council ‘Next Move’ award. For the last 18 months I’ve had a studio space at Bath Spa University in the ceramics department, with ac-cess to all the facilities, the department’s support, mentoring and training from the Crafts Council, funding for equipment and the opportunity to input into the BA and MA programmes. This isn’t my first time at BSU though, in 1993 I gradu-ated with a BA in Graphic Design specializing in Illustration.

My approach to making 3D objects is painterly;

Do you want to feature as an artists profile? Email the BANA team at/ newsletter@bana-arts.co.uk

Claire Loder

I approach each form as a canvas. I’ve always been fascinated by faces and this is the focus of my work. I am drawn to faces that show signs of a life lived. Weathered, careworn and expres-sive faces hold more interest for me than the sparsely populated faces of perfection.

The focus of many of my larger pieces is the eyes; typically

‘A Good Home Should be Made Not Bought’, ceramic and bristles

‘Second Thoughts’, ceramic standing head

April/May 20098

Article

Margaret Lovell

I was interested to read Frank Taylors account (Feb/March issue) ‘Selected Not Hung’. I suppose it would be reasonable to say I come from the other end of the spec-trum and due to this, I found his article very enlightening.

May I introduce myself as a sculptor who has been an Academician for many years and served on the selection and hanging com-mittee for the annual autumn exhibition. I can understand Franks feeling of prolonged anticipation building up before the exhibition opening, because all artists need to make decisions so far in advance. It seems military style planning is the only way to tackle the procedure.

Having the idea of possibly exhibiting in the RWA annual exhibition is the first step. Submission forms are available in the summer and it is a good idea to obtain these at the ini-tial stage in order to become familiar with the criteria required. Sculpture must not exceed a certain weight or a maximum dimension. It needs to fit into the old lift, given that the main galleries are up a huge flight of stone stairs which turn on themselves three times.

Consideration has to be given as to which piece or pieces are to be submitted for selec-tion. Will they be finished by then? Will you have suitable transport to deliver the work to the galleries? Alternatively can you afford to pay a nominated carrier to undertake that task on your behalf in the specified time frame?

The selection itself is a daunting and hectic experience, more so for paintings and draw-ings competing to occupy the wall space.

A Selector’s View

by Margaret Lovell DipFA(Lond).FRBS.RWA

An RWA Academician and former member of the selection panel offers a response to an article in our last issue, and insights into the ‘other side’ of the selection process.

Sculpture has the advantage of being dis-persed throughout the extensive floor space of the vast galleries.

The selection panel of about seven Acad-emicians meet on the Sunday following the three sending in days. They sit in front of what seems an endless ‘crocodile’ of RWA staff members and helpers, who walk by carrying someone’s painting. There are just a few sec-onds to stretch an arm ‘for’, or remain static, ‘against’. A majority vote is recorded and the cards fixed to the back are stamped one way or the other.

The sculpture selection is a little more civilized. There is always at least one sculptor amongst the panel of selectors. Due to the weight or size of the pieces they are either on tables or the floor. There needs to be more consideration of the dreaded Health and Safety rules when sculpture is to be exhibited in a public area, especially one that attracts large crowds at times and groups of ex-cited children. It’s no good having a beautiful sculpture if it has a fragile bit sticking out, or if not securely fixed to its base, or if it does not balance well. There must not be any risk to the public.

Every year the intake is different and un-predictable as to the amount or style or size of submissions. Whilst the selection panel will be looking for quality, some very fine pieces may be selected but when it comes to setting up the actual exhibition, not everything will necessarily be on show. This is because it may not look right in the gallery or amongst the rest of the body of work. Of course the best terminology is stated as ‘selected but not hung’. I can imagine how Frank was thinking about one of his sculptures he found in that category. He must have felt very relieved knowing that his sculpture ‘Perfection 2’ was not to be hung after all. A rope noose would have totally spoilt it!

Then comes the wait of about 6 weeks, which is the time needed to set up the se-lected work and create a cohesive exhibition. It all has to be numbered for the catalogue which is then printed.

The annual RWA exhibition attracts huge crowds which is understandable since it is the only open submission opportunity on such a scale in the West Country. It is also encourag-ing that despite the credit crunch, there are plenty of people wanting to purchase real art or looking for a bargain. There is always something for every taste.

I would suggest that all the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ leading up to the exhibition are well worth it

because the rewards of being accepted can be many.

1) The work is seen amongst a very large group of both amateur and professional art-ists.

2) The work is seen by a vast number of gallery-goers.

3) The work may be sold.4) The catalogue lists all participants, either

by address or website (Prince Charles be-ing the only exception), so the artist can be contacted privately even after the exhibition, should anyone wish to make further enquiries about the work.

5) There is free entry to the galleries throughout the exhibition dates plus an invita-tion to the private view.

6) There is the opportunity (at small cost) to attend a pre-opening buffet lunch and meet all the exhibitors.

So I say to Frank….. It will seem a lot sim-pler next time, and to others thinking of sub-mitting for the first time, go for it, it could be well worth the effort and I wish you success.

INFO/The 2009 Autumn Exhibition will run from 1st November to 13th December 2009. Submis-sion form is available in August. Hand in days will be 24th, 25th, 26th September. For more information, contact info@rwa.org.uk or see www.rwa.org.uk.

Margaret’s sculpture can be seen in a solo ret-rospective exhibition at Porthminster Gallery, St Ives during April and May, and at the New Gallery, RWA in Bristol, during July. www.margaretlovell.co.uk

Frank Taylor - Perfection 2

April/May 2009 9

Article

frontages, show the potential of their shops, and the interest in prospective lettings is increased. The town council sees a return in tax and business rates more quickly. The existing traders in the street have a better presented arena bringing more business in.

We have found on the whole that landlords need very little convincing, as the project is run professionally. For them it is a win win situation.The spaces have already been empty for some time, and they have the reassurance that the project is temporary and we can leave as soon as the premises is tenanted. They get improvements and a more desirable looking premises, with a better chance of a sooner letting. It is important to find solutions where others see problem.

We are keen for our idea to be rolled out across the UK as a way of fighting decline and apathy, creating opportunity from these current difficulties. We are now in the position that to grow this initiative we are considering forming a charity as it will serve our needs better and allow us more scope for development. We are currently rolling our initiative into Stroud where we launch in April, with the use of the Woolworths store

We are keeping the iconic signage and will show larger 3d sculpture. Other shops will join one at a time following this. We are showing a wide range of arts media and intend to spark de-bate and interest in our viewers in an alternative

by Karen Hilliard, ‘On View’ Project Manager

Karen Hilliard discusses a project in Dursley, Gloucestershire which recently hit the headlines, aiming to bring empty shops into use for artists.

For many years the decline of our nearest town Dursley has given plenty to feel unhappy about. It never quite recovered from the last recession and has limped badly into this current one. It has suf-fered from bad planning, losing much of its good architecture to be replaced with ugly banality. An increasing number of businesses have folded and the chamber of trade, which was run by the towns traders ceased to exist in October 08 due to lack of interest.

In the summer of 2007,following yet another conversation about the future of Dursley with friend and artist, Jon Martin, who had recently joined the Town Council in an effort to create positive action for the town, we considered the thought of showing art in empty shop windows.

The area in mind was an approach road to the centre of the town which had several empty and

run-down shops. On closer inspection, there was little value in using the shops as they were. The windows were rotten in places and in desperate need of renovation so we needed to find a way of making this happen. I set up a meeting with Dursley’s Town Centre Manager Vicky Hancock to explore her role and how she could help. The idea was of interest to her and following several meetings and persistence, funding from the regen-eration budget at Stroud District Council was made available to renovate the exteriors costing on average £700 - £1000 each. The District Council’s building maintenance manager arranged the work for us.

Jon and I put together a palette of colours to be offered to landlords and to encourage business in the town to use. This was designed to give a sense of quality and community to the town. We sourced funding to create the spaces within the windows from the Town Council.

We prepared four shops,developing gallery spaces in the windows by painting the existing surfaces white and creating a screen with eight foot MDF boards to hang work on. We thought that there could be an opportunity for all in this process where artists have a High Steet to show and sell their work. Landlords improve their

arena. It is a constant learning process for us as each new relationship and venue brings opportu-nities for creative thinking!

The recent national and international media interest has thrust ‘On View’ in to the national conciousness and brought artists and councillors from Britain, Ireland and Spain enquiring as to how to move forward with their own initiatives.

We would love to see this rolled out across the UK. The national statistics tell us that in our towns and cities, one in six shops will empty by the end of year one of the recession. This is alarming.

It feels to many of us that it will not end there. As an artist myself it has been a very interesting process. Before ‘On View’, people in this area needed to travel to see Art. Now it is part of daily life. Many have never been exposed to art in this way, have never stepped foot in a gallery. Of sig-nificance is that the Art is in the public domain. It is promoting investigation, opportunities and interest across the community. Artists need an arena to show and sell work that is rapidly dwindling with the closure of galleries and opportunities across the UK. It seems to me that we need to be proac-tive and make opportunities for ourselves.

INFO/Karen Hilliard, email: on_view@btinternet.com www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/feb/18/slack-space-vacant-shops

The ‘On View’ Initiative

Silver Street, Dursley. Top - before project, below - after project Photos credit: Mike Henton

‘We have found on the whole that landlords need very little con-vincing................

April/May 200910

Opportunities

Artists’ Talks

Unveiled: New Art from the Middle East What/ A response to the recent exhibition at The Saatchi Gallery. Brian Elwell will respond to the recent exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, which is a major survey of contemporary Middle Eastern painting, sculpture and installation. Using images and the exhibition essay he will intersect with his own thoughts about the show to provide an introduction to the ex-hibition. Brian Elwell is a painter at Widcombe Studios. He was formerly employed as a senior lecturer in fine art at Southamp-ton Institute until 1987, and has devoted himself to his painting full time for the past twenty years. Where/ The Schoolroom at Widcombe Studios, Comfort-able Place, Upper Bristol Road, (Opposite Victoria Park) Bath BA1 3AJWhen/ Thurs 9th April 2009. Talk starts at 7.30 pm, drinks available beforehandPrice/ £3 for non-members and £1 for Friends of Widcombe Stu-dios. Tickets available on door.

Life’s Ripped Tapestry – Textile Language in Fine Art PracticeWhat/ Nicola Donovan will talk through her recent works as well as other practitioners working with textiles or referencing the medium. In particular she will focus on using textiles as ‘mark making’ and its relationship to drawing. Nicola has a BA & MA in Fine Art from Falmouth Col-lege of Arts. Her background in Fashion is now used along with visual and cultural language of textiles and dress within her Fine Art Practice. Recent residencies include ‘Addressing Baby’ Leam-ington Spa Museum and Art Gal-lery and ‘Constraint’ Christchurch Mansion Museum, Ipswich. She is also a P/T lecturer in interdiscipli-nary Textile Design BA level at the University of the West of England. Where/ The Schoolroom at Widcombe Studios, Comfort-able Place, Upper Bristol Road, (Opposite Victoria Park) Bath When/ Thurs14th May 2009. Talk starts at 7.30 pm, drinks available beforehandPrice/ £3 for non-members and £1 for Friends of Widcombe Stu-dios. Tickets available on door.

Workshops

Mosaic Workshops with Kate Rattray What/ Kate Rattray will be run-ning a series of mosaic workshops during her exhibition at Widombe Studios, which will aim to teach the basic techniques of mosaic making, using glass and ceramic mosaic tiles and stained glass. If you have already had some experience, come and learn some more advance techniques. Kate directly to book on 01749 330193 or 07814488602. When/ 6 April, 11-4, £60 7 April, 11-4, £60 8 April, 11-4, £60 9 April, 11-4, £60 2 day booking, £110 3 day booking, £1654 day booking, £220 Where/ To apply/ Contact Kate Rattray 01749 33019307814488602kate@rattraymosaics.co.uk www.rattraymosaics.co.uk

Forkbeard Fantasy Sum-mer Schools 2009What/ Forkbeard Fantasy - the celebrated theatre, film and Ani-mation Company – are offering two six-day residential courses in the summer of 2009. Both courses are held at Forkbeard¹s friendly and inspiring creative base in rural Devon. Set in delightful surroundings, the facilities are fully equipped for film, animation, digital post-production, prop, puppet and automata construc-tion, sound, lighting and hybrids of all these techniques, as used in Forkbeard’s multi-media stage, film and exhibition work. The course helps participants to dis-cover new ways of working in dif-ferent art forms and media. The first half of the course is spent in

demonstrations and illustrated guides interspersed with practical sessions and time for participants to experiment for themselves. As the week progresses partici-pants begin devising and creating their own pieces of work, either individually or collectively as preferred.When/ Friday 26th June to Friday 3rd July & Friday 10th July to Friday 17th JulyFurther info/ Deborah Har-rison, Administrator, Forkbeard Fantasy, PO Box 1241,Bristol, BS99 2TG 0117 930 9933 ff@forkbeardfantasy.co.uk

The Art of DrawingWhat/ A course designed to give you an introduction to a range of techniques and media to explore the practical application of per-spective, composition, movement, space, volume and light and shade. Tutor Brian Elwell When/ 14th -18th April 2009 Where/ Widcombe Studios, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, (Opposite Victoria Park) Bath BA1 3AJ To apply/ 01225 482480admin@widcombestudios.co.uk

Kate Rattray - Spirit of the Leaves

Do you want to advertise your listing or opportunity?Email the Bana Team at/newsletter@bana-arts.co.uk

Listings & Opportunities

Fools’ Experiments: Artist Events What/ Free events open to artists considering developing work for the forthcoming exhibition ‘Fools’ Ex-periments’ – a celebration of life and work of Charles Darwin, at Bourne-mouth Library and Bournemouth Natural Science Society Artist .Open Days at BNSS - Tours for artists.BNSS curators will be giving tours at 11am and 2pm for artists to view and explore the natural history collection. Artists will also be able to spend time among the collection, taking notes, photographing and sketching exhibits to help develop/produce their final pieces of work. Donations acceptedWhere/ Bournemouth Natural Sci-ence Society When/ May 6th; June 3rd 10 – 4 pm Further info/ Contact: pauline.stanley@tiscali.co.uk www.thinkingpath.org.uk/artistwww.bournemouth.gov.uk/resi-dents/arts

Free Training Arts Practi-tionersWhat/ Passionate about using your creative energies and skills to raise

awareness about climate change and Peak Oil? The free day-long workshop will take place on at Hamilton House on Stokes Croft. Transition Bristol has joined forces with the inspiring and innovative performance artists Moving Sounds to offer free training to creatives passionate about bringing environmental education to young people. In exchange for this free training participants will run a day’s workshop in a school or community project. Where/ Hamilton House, Stokes Croft, Bristol. When/ Friday 17th April Further info/ Contact Inez Aponte on team@transitionbris-tol.net for more information and to sign up. www.movingsounds.org

Getting Your Message Across What/ Media Management for Smaller Organisations. Local voluntary sector organisations often do not use the media to their full advantage. However, skilful and controlled media manipulation will certainly raise your profile and may increase your prospects of attracting funding. We will take a detailed look at media rela-tionships and practical methods to get your message across and gain positive recognition. Includes: Establishing and maintaining media contacts, How to write a local press release, Commu-nity affairs and funding, Approaching radio and local TV channels, Maga-zines and specialist journals, Attracting national attention, Media targets and strategies, Research resources, Photo opportunities - one picture is worth a thousand words. Course tutor Mary Edwards is an experienced trainer and a qualified teacher with over 10 years experience in the voluntary and community sectorWhere/ Mind in Taunton & West Somerset. When/ Tuesday 28th April Further info/ Contact: Lindy Booth at enquiries@cascadetrain-ingplus.co.uk or by telephoning 01278 455830/07866 943578.

April/May 2009 11

Flying in to the Light - Mosaic Artworks By Kate Rattray What/ Kate Rattray is a master storyteller. Using light, colour, and shape to express her words, Kate’s artworks’ radiate a promise of finding heaven on earth” When/ Private View: Sat 4th April 12.00 - 2.30pmOpen: Sun 5th - Fri 11th April 11am - 5pmWhere/ Widcombe Studios Gal-lery, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath.Further Info/ Kate Rattray 01749 330193 07814488602kate@rattraymosaics.co.uk /www.rattraymosaics.co.ukSee also Workshops listings.

Wonderings in Wilder-ness - Lydia Hewett What/ Lydia’s work is charged and energetic capturing a mood, a moment, a certain light. Inspired by wonderings across West Coun-try moors and costal paths, her ethereal paintings evoke space & wilderness. Open: 17 – 22 May 11-5pm When/ Private View: Sat 16th May 6-9pm. Open: Sun 17th – Fri 22nd May , 11am - 5pm Where/ Widcombe Studios Gal-lery, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath.Further Info/ Lydia Hewett on 07786 417954lydiahewett@hotmail.com www.lydiahewett.com

5.932 GB Shades of Grey - Heike JerominWhat/ This exhibition by Heike Jeromin will transcribe urban spaces and cityscapes into informal abstract paintings. Sleek shapes punctuate contemporary design as well as thick, translucent

Art Vacancies

Listings & Opportunities

Exhibitions

Lydia Hewett - Autumn, 2008

gloss alludes to more sensual effects. When/ Private View: Fri 5th June 6-9pm. Open: Sat 6th – Weds 10th June 11am-7pm.Where/ Widcombe Studios Gal-lery, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath.Further Info/ Heike Jeromin heike@jeromin.co.uk 0775 629 5086 www.jeromin.co.uk

4 by 4 What/ Exhibition at bo.lee Gal-lery brings together Mercedes Helnwein who is based in LA, Californian based artist Jeffrey Beauchamp, Gill Roccas whose recent work explores ideas of lim-inal spaces, thresholds between the mundane and the extraor-dinary, and Nate Frizzell, who first exhibited with bo.lee at ‘The Launch’ exhibition in January When/ Sat 4th April until 2nd MayWhere/ bo.lee Gallery, 1 Queen Street Bath BA1 1HEFurther Info/ Jemma@bo-lee.co.uk or call the gallery on 07970 492 858

145.72 What/ An exhibition represent-ing a collective of Second year BA Hons Fine Art students from Uni-versity College Falmouth. Their work is reflective of a diverse array of mediums and subjects. The exhibition aims to export the work from a relatively remote location, thereby placing it within a broader critical context. The only ‘unifying’ theme of the show is the disparity between the visual languages on display, and the dis-tance they have traveled.When/ Private View -17th April 6-9.30pm Open: 18th - 24th April 9.30am - 5pm Where/ Widcombe Studios Gal-lery, Comfortable Place, Upper Bristol Road, Bath.Further Info/ Matthew Bening-ton matthewpeterbenington@hotmail.co.uk

Heike Jeromin - Shades of Gray, 2008

Antony Gormley’s One & Other What/ Celebrated artist Antony Gormley invites you to help create an astonishing living monument this sum-mer. Every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days without a break, a different person will occupy the Plinth in Trafal-gar Square, a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals. Participants will be picked at random, chosen from the thousands who will apply. An uninterrupted succession of 2400 volunteers who will create a unique portrait of the UK in the 21st century. One & Other is open to anyone and everyone from any corner of the UK. If you’re selected, you can use your time on the plinth as you like, but whatever you do you’ll be part of an unforgettable artistic experiment. One person. One hour. One & Other. “It’s a simple proposi-tion. We need one hour of your time. You decide what to do with it. What will unfold is completely unpredict-able. We are literally going public. We are putting the Plinth in your hands, or literally under your feet”.Further info/ Register your interest today. www.oneandother.co.uk

Freelance Artist/WriterWhat/ Alias (Artist Led Initiatives Advisory Service) are currently looking for a freelance artist or writer to undertake its 2009 editorial for its website: www.aliasarts.org. If you are actively engaged with artist-led activity in the South West region and are interested in shaping the debate around artist-led culture, this is an exciting opportunity to use aliasarts.org as a platform to lead discussions and interact with artist-led initiatives and groups and expand Alias‘ networks. We are looking for exciting and innovative approaches to using the Alias website and can offer a fee of £175 a day for up to 4 days work to the successful candidate, as well as a one off fee of £200 to commission a new text for the site. We envisage that the guest editor will start work on the site in July this year. To apply/ Please e-mail a one sided a-4 proposal, outlining the themes of your editorial and how you would approach using the site, along with a current CV to Ed Adam, Alias’ Project Co-ordi-nator, at: admin@aliasarts.org .

Spring Exhibition What/ Twelve female artists have been selected to show together in a show at the RUH that offers a comprehensive and diverse selection of artworks for patients, staff and visitors. A group of six artists - Sally Muir, Valerie Rutley-Paine, Natalie Williams, Madeleine Town, Angela Lai Yen and Poppy Pitt - are all work-ing on the theme of Land and its many interpretations. Showing alongside ‘Land’ are paintings by Elizabeth Knott who incorporates elements of the human figure and of the landscape. Pauline Palmer makes spontaneous and rapid marks to create tension in the image rather like a perform-ance, a visual extension of body movements and emotions. Glenna Gillingham’s paintings are inspired by the glorious English garden. An exhibition by Felicity Bowers of 4 panels titled Leaf Evolution has been extended until May. The central courtyards will show work by two sculptors, Dawn Lippiat and Julieann Worrall HoodWhen/ Continuing until May 10th 09Where/ Central Corridors. RUH NHS Trust. Combe Park. Bath. BA1 3NG Further Info/ Hetty Dupays. Arts Programme Manager. Tel 01225 824987 E: hetty.dupays@ruh.nhs.uk

Two Dragons of BathWhat/ Photography from Peter Goldfield, who sadly died in Feb-ruary, Richard Sadler and Martin Wade.When/ April - MayWhere/ 2 Sussex PlaceBath BA2 4LAThe gallery is open 10am to 5:30pm Tues. to Saturdays inclu-sive.Further Info/ Tel:01225 444383, E: twodragons@btconnect.com

Angela Lai Yen - Sense of Place II

April/May 200912

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BANA’s SkillsExchange

Most practising artists have skills which other artists would find helpful, or can offer services which others may find time-consuming to learn themselves or expensive to buy in: framing, welding, photographing art work, casting, designing posters, or even transporting large pieces of work, to give just a few examples. BANA operates a Skills Exchange where members can trade their skills and services on a barter or token system (similar to the international LETS scheme). We’re looking to involve as many BANA members as possible; this is a good way to use your network actively and help you ad-vance your own and fellow members’ professional development. You have to be a mem-ber of BANA to join – to download the registration form, please follow this link: http://www.bana-arts.co.uk/SkillsExchangeReg.pdf. For enquiries please contact the office.