Then, at Last
'COMMUNITY CRIT' REPORT

Last week our Operations and Comms manager Katie took a group of Coxside residents on the very first 'Community Crit'  Supported by artist educator Rachel Dobbs and artist Mark Leahy, the group went to see  Then, at last' the MA Contemporary Art Practice Graduates 2020 - 2021 exhibition at the Arts Institute, Plymouth.  Here she shares back the experience.

Then, at last is the MA Contemporary Art Practice Graduates 2020 - 2021 exhibition at the Arts Institute, Plymouth

Graduates Andy Cluer, Susan Hamston, Deborah Last, Gary Marshall-Stevens, Donna Mitchell, Brad North and Antonina Szram were completing their final pieces during a period of several pandemic lockdowns. The brochure for the exhibition stated: “The works presented here are the outcome of this process of questioning, and of the encounters with each other as a cohort. After a year of disruption, dispersal, disappointment, an exhibition emerges.”

Community members visiting the gallery were: Paolo, Bridget, Kimberley, Linda, Annie and Wayne plus Mark Leahy, Rachel Dobbs and Katie Oborn facilitating the event. Artwork was viewed and then the group gathered to talk about and discuss thoughts on what they had seen.

Artist Donna Mitchell’s work, Studio Conversations showed what could be perceived as two enormous pillows, one that looked soft and like ‘really tasty ice cream’ and the other tougher, ‘like stilton or a pig's skin’. It was mentioned that Donna had ‘found stuff on the side of the road and gathered bits from her environment’ to make her work.
                      
Donna Mitchell had another sculpture on display which also created a lot of conversation, a shape that looked similar to a rock, hanging from the ceiling attached by rope. 

“It’s like something from outer space, an asteroid.”

“How is it made? What is it made of? Is it light? is it heavy?”

“What is the point of it?”

It was ominous, it seemed to express layers of time. The structure was somehow a reminder of the coast. It contained feathery shapes and textures. The hanging artwork was moving, very slightly. 
                     
O Omniscient Om by Susan Hamston displayed rugs made out of household materials that would usually be discarded, a handwritten rota of family household tasks and a Caramel wafer wrapper was weaved in. The metallic wrapping caught the light and gave a glittery effect. Some of the group's comments on graduate Susan’s rug-like structures were: 

“They’re like a lattice of knowledge.” 

“Domestic life captured, grains of time woven together.”

“How is it so flat? Has it been ironed?”

“There is a semi-permanence to it.”

Dotted around the rugs were small fabric structures. Linda described them as ‘water lily decorations.’
                     
The next artist Deborah Last described her work at the exhibition: “These ongoing works have been held in place by the rhythm of the daily landscape paintings. These are the landscapes and locations that kept me focused. I have headed out through storms and rain, in cold and sunshine to paint. At times we have had to stay close to home, so I painted there and then when able to, I headed out further afield to paint Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Devon and Cornish coastland. These paintings are quickly done, looking for light and structure. Finding the moment, inhabiting it and then expressing it.”
                  
A series of paintings, each done on a different day in the lockdowns by graduate Deborah Last

Each image tells a story of the day's light and weather, they are colourful, timeless and relaxing. The details draw you into the landscape featured.

“You can see the wind, '' someone says as they view one of the paintings that must have been completed on a winter's day. The different seasons tell the tale of a year passing. Observing the images Wayne said:

“You can just be there can’t you?”

We'll bring you more thoughts and reflections from the Community Crit as the project develops.

Support for the sector
OPPORTUNITIES, SUPPORT AND NEWS THIS WEEK

Senior Producer, Artist Development: The Lowry
Over the last decade, The Lowry has developed an ambitious and nationally visible artist development programme that sits at the heart of their creative and artistic ambition. The Senior Producer will be responsible for identifying, initiating and managing a wide range of relationships with local and national artists and independent companies whose work speaks to The Lowry’s artistic vision, and creating the best contexts for these artists to learn about navigating the industry successfully. You will also be passionate about contributing to wider sector development and lead projects and partnerships that support shared understanding around best practice in artist development.  The successful candidate will have excellent relationship management skills and the ability to plan strategically and deliver against agreed targets. You will have extensive knowledge of the performing arts sector, experience of commissioning and producing performing arts projects with a wide range of artists and a wide range of contacts and relationships with artists, companies and venues.  To read more or to apply, click here.

Artist Residency Sharing Event: CAMP
Join CAMP and their current artists in residence, Kyra Norman and Anna Boland, for an informal chat about what they’ve been up to in June, and plans for July.  The artists are keen for this to be a productive opportunity to meet and share ideas with fellow CAMP members and others, and invite your input into their parallel processes.  Kyra Norman is an artist and researcher working with dance, choreography, movement improvisation and moving image (film/ video), since 1998. Kyra’s CAMP artist residency will move around Cornwall, based on foot; at The Auction House; and other spaces as demand leads.  Anna Boland is an interdisciplinary artist, her practice is process driven and material focused and ideas have been realised and explored through various mediums and media. She is based at KARST for her CAMP artist residency.  You can find out more and book here.

Artist/Artist collective call out: Chapel Arts Studios
Chapel Arts Studios are looking to create a summer art drop in project for young people, based at the Andover skate park. Using their ‘Bus of Many Things’ (and gazebos) as a workshop base, they are looking for an artist/artist-team to run creative opportunities that young people using the park, can get involved in and be a part of. Bringing the project right to the place where young people are, the central aims are; to build confidence through encouraging creative output, to facilitate relationship building, and to support young people to celebrate the culture and identity that is special to them.  The project needs to be fun, accessible, and reflect the energetic vibe of the skate park.  You can read more about the opportunity and how to apply by following this link.

Mudlarking Community Newspaper Call Out: WeCreate Cheltenham
WeCreate Cheltenham are looking for contributions to the Summer edition of their community newspaper, Mudlarking.
If you live, work or study in the St Paul’s or Big Local area, they would welcome submissions including stories, drawings, photographs, poems, recipes, games, etc.  You can get in touch with your ideas via Hello@we-create.org.uk and the deadline in June 30th.

Get Creative Coordinator: Hall For Cornwall
Hall For Cornwall are looking for someone that loves working with schools, community groups and bringing order and positivity to a team.  They are looking for someone to join the Get Creative department providing key support to Hall for Cornwall’s outreach team, working to provide opportunities for young people, schools and community groups to get involved with our creative programme.  The successful candidate will meet visitors and assist with registration and set-up of events.  Support the team to collect and interpret data to assist in the evaluation and communication of the work and be the primary contact for participants, schools, teachers, and audiences.  For full details of all that is involved and how you can apply follow this link.

Live at the Quarry, Brothers across the Decades: Tom Marshman
Artist Tom Marshman comes back to Weston-super-Mare after almost 30 years and remembers with part nostalgia, part longing, for a different time.  He reflects on his youth and the characters that surrounded him then, the devastating effect of AIDS and the importance of intergenerational dialogue between LGBTQ+ people.  The performance is followed by a session of 90s dance classics courtesy of Groovetastic DJ, ‘Discobobulator’  You can book a place by clicking here.

Artist Commission Opportunity: Culture Weston
Culture Weston are looking to commission an emerging / early career artist aged under 30, who is interested in working with a group of young people from Weston-super-Mare to explore environmental issues, develop a youth-centred vision for a carbon neutral North Somerset and co-create a public artwork as social action.  Full details of the project and what is involved, including information on how to apply, can be found by following this link.

Super 8 Workshop: Imperfect Cinema and Directions
Join Imperfect Cinema in this workshop introducing their filmmaking philosophy and some of their research into histories of migration and internationalism in the area of Union Street Plymouth, followed by practical tuition in planning and making a Super 8 film, edited in-camera. In dialogue with this history, participants will collaborate on the creation of Super 8 films that will be projected the following weekend at a Union Corner Imperfect Cinema x Directions event.  Participants can also book into the accompanying improvisation soundtrack workshop led by Oddstep Deployment Unit on Sunday 4th of June at 4pm.  The results of both workshops will be presented at an Imperfect Cinema x Directions screening at Union Corner on the 10th of June.  Click here for more info and booking.
 

Executive Directors of the Future: Strike A Light
Strike A Light are partnering with Artistic Directors of the Future to host the second instalment of the Up Next arts leadership programme – a scheme designed to hand over power and resources to visionary people of colour within established theatre organisations.  Under the scheme, one successful applicant will get a 1 year, 4 day/week placement with Strike A Light in the role of Executive Director. This will include mentoring, training and support from Strike A Light and the ADF network.  For more detail on the placement and what is involved visit the Strike A Light site here.