..find out what's happening now and what's to come in 2018 at Arc Centre & Gallery and beyond!
The latest newsletter from Arc - February 4th 2018
At Arc we help people to manage their mental health and increase their wellbeing by exploring what it means to live well; to experience meaning and purpose; to flourish and to make a difference. We provide opportunities for people to explore their creativity, connect with each other and learn new skills. We organise regular public arts events and workshops.
Join us for a memorable creative experience at Arc Centre & Gallery, Stockport. Quick Look dates - please see the website for details:
Arc Artist Networking Event - Mon Feb 5th
Family Ceramics: Animal Antics! Feb 22nd (please book)
Open Arts Studios - Wed Feb 14th onwards (please book)
Arc Drawing Socials - Thu Feb 15th & March 15th (please book)
TIME exhibition open weekdays until 4pm Feb 16th
Arc Saturday Art Club & Cherish exhibition launch - 'Drawing with Colour' Feb 24th
Art Bazaar fundraising and a positive new year
We started 2018 incredibly grateful for the support of everyone who came to our Christmas Art Bazaar in November and continued to visit the centre for coffee or to shop handmade in the Gallery Shop throughout December. The Art Bazaar exhibition was our most successful yet in terms of visitors and takings, and it really was a positive boost for us as we planned exciting new programmes of arts and wellbeing for 2018 - so thank you very much!
Programme of creative workshops
Public arts workshops
Our creative workshops are selling fast! Don't miss out on a unique but affordable creative experience at our centre in Reddish. If you'd like to be one of the first to know when we add our new workshops, why not sign up to the workshops mailing list?
For the first time we are offering regular arts and textiles open studio sessions for artists to use our flexible art studio, materials, easels, resources and Mac computers. Bring your own project and work in a sociable and relaxing space. Be inspired by others and by the work in the Arc Centre Gallery. A volunteer will be on hand for support in the studio. Complimentary refreshments, follow the link below for more information.
Are you an artist, maker or creative facilitator? We would like to meet you! This event is suitable for emerging and experienced artists, for those wishing to sell or exhibit with us, for arts facilitators, for artists interested in running their own workshops in our spaces or for those looking to volunteer to gain experience with a long-standing, well respected and professional arts organisation. Book your free space below, email info@arc-centre.org or call 0161 480 7731.
Just for Mums is Arc’s arts for wellbeing programme for mums experiencing mental health issues, and we are very grateful to have received a donation from former mum's group Hart which will allow the group to continue a while longer. The group meets at Arc every Friday 09:30-11:30 and the sessions are a chance for mums to be creative, have some precious time to themselves and meet other mums in a supportive environment who have had similar experiences. No arts experience is necessary – if you're interested please contact the referrals team on referrals@arc-centre.org or 0161 474 1462.
The Creative Carers project provided an opportunity for people who care for someone with certain needs to socialise in a safe and creative space with other carers, allowing respite from their daily lives and emotions.
The participants created mixed media textile pieces which were stitched together to form one big piece. They enjoyed the project so much that they have now formed a self-led group. See their work exhibited alongside Arc’s next major exhibition ‘Cherish‘, launching Feb 24th.
An exhibition of textiles, print and photography by two Manchester based artists Simone Frater-Russell & Nerissa Cargill Thompson. Simone’s work documents the nature of memory, while Nerissa encourages the viewer to stop and look closer, to find beauty, value and purpose in the old and the discarded. Both artists explore change over time be that physical shape and appearance or the fleeting, ethereal and sometimes unreliable way individuals recall events or people. Reflect on the exhibition on weekdays 10-4.
We are celebrating International Womens Day 2018 with a colourful exhibition from our collaborative women’s project ‘Cherish’
In 2017 Arc launched a call out for an artist to work with three groups of women in Greater Manchester exploring the theme of Identity, eventually commissioning recent MMU graduate Jasmine Walne. In October 2017 ‘Cherish’ was launched, which was designed to enable women from different communities and locations to connect, collaborate and share their experiences and stories. The groups came together to share their collective work, which will inspire large-scale digitally printed banners created by Jasmine.
The exhibition will launch in the Arc Centre Gallery on 24th February in time for International Women’s Day on March 8th.
The Other in Mother is a visual arts project we are running this year to explore the mental health impacts of motherhood – the maternal transition. Arc has commissioned artist Sarah Greaves to research this area, to work with mums and to create a large scale installation which will tour in the Autumn to places including Leeds, Manchester and Crewe. Read how the project is progressing via the link below.
Arc is very excited to be embarking on a major community engagement project in partnership with Gallery Oldham.
Love Letter to Oldham will engage with residents across the borough to develop an original piece of community writing, to celebrate the launch of the new Heritage Centre in early 2020.
A series of workshops in our geodesic, yurt-style dome will tour to existing arts and cultural events starting with 'Illuminate' in Oldham on Feb 16th 6-9pm. Find out more at the dedicated blog.
We have stock from a few new fantastic local artists and makers in our handmade shop, including Wonderhaus jewellery, prints and products from Nell Smith and Hello Meiying, and Lemon Studio ceramics. Shop open weekdays 10-4 in the gallery.
Volunteer writes book to help children with Autism
We are proud to report that one of our volunteers, a wonderful artist called Susie Parry, has just published her first book ‘Carrie in the Land of Not-Oz’. Susie wrote it with the aim of helping children with Asperger’s (a form of Autism), a subject very dear to her heart. She has wanted to write and illustrate a book for a long time and the creative writing sessions at Arc finally helped her to grow the confidence to put pen to paper. Find out more via the link.
Hina joined our Marketing Team in 2017 and is currently documenting our wellbeing programme Outreach - helping us to tell the world about it!
"Since emigrating to the UK I wanted to gain experience while jobseeking, but I wanted to do something that not only benefited me, but others as well. I love all types of art, so working with Arc just made sense. I've been able to meet new people and work with amazing artists, staff and participants. It's always a joy to see people from different backgrounds socializing and having fun while creating interesting artwork. I hope to be able to gain more skills and have fun while doing it."
Would you like to find out more about volunteering with us?
MusicSpace - A Young People's Arc arts for wellbeing project
MusicSpace is a fantastic opportunity to expand on music skills, develop ideas, socialise with other young people and work with professional musicians. Sessions will run on Tuesday evenings at Arc 18:00-20:00 from February 13th. Health professionals and guardians can contact the referrals team on referrals@arc-centre.org or 0161 474 1462.
'This world is but a canvas to our imagination.' - Henry David Thoreau
Follow Arc's blog...
Check our blog to keep up-to-date with Arc projects, events and Arc at other venues throughout the year, and also read about what happened during some of them through the words of some of our volunteers and associate artists.
Arc Centre has a range of facilities available for artists, groups and professionals, from free workspaces in the art gallery to kiln firing and space perfect for larger meetings. The Arc Centre can provide a unique venue for you and your clients, with revenue from bookings helping to support our charitable aims.
BIG Ideas Generator: Selling on Etsy - Start your creative online business - 13:30-16:30 Thu Feb 8th 2018
Whether you're already set up as a business with a product ready to sell or just considering the prospect of running a creative business online, go along to gain some insight into the many areas involved with running an online handmade business. Clickhereto register free.
Reddish Vale Animal Farm is a great place to spend some quality time with your loved ones amidst tranquil countryside in Stockport. With a variety of fun animal activities, you are sure to love it! And why not pop to Arc afterwards on the last Saturday of each month for some creative activities - a fun-packed day right one your doorstep!
