Jules Roy, from Aquaviolet, is currently looking to collaborate with professional creative writers, sound designers and directors.
He is offering his wide practical knowledge and expertise in cinematography to shoot pieces ideally for creative film shorts competitions such as 2 Days of Laughter(www.2dayslaughter.co.uk).
***Please note that the deadline for 2 Days of Laughter is 28th February.
This would include 3 – 4 10 hour working days for free to the right project. Jules Roy is a UK based Director of Photography working mainly in television commercials and comes from an advertising photography background.
If you are interested in collaborating please email: jules@aquaviolet.com
The Paper Apothecary is a life size apothecary created entirely out of recycled paper and card by Animate Arts. Between Saturday 9 and Sunday 24 February, a ‘cultural chemist’ will be dispensing special happiness prescriptions to visitors, which direct them to different displays and collections in the Beaney.
The prescriptions have been chosen by more than 200 ‘happiness investigators’ – school children, residents and staff who have been exploring the Beaney and deciding what it is in the building that makes them happy.
As well as encouraging local people to come to the Beaney and spread some happiness, the project also links back to Dr James Beaney, who bequeathed funds to the city to build the Beaney in the 1890s and was a trainee chemist in Canterbury before he moved to Australia.
The Paper Apothecary project is part of the national Happy Museum initiative, and the Beaney is one of six museums across the country selected for this programme. It has been funded through the Arts Council England’s Renaissance strategic support fund and the Beaney was awarded a grant of £11,625 to run it.
Cineworld are holding a special showing of Wreck it Ralph on Friday 8th Feb 2013 , and after the screening of the film they are holding a Street Fighter 4 tournament for the audience on their giant screen!
The film itself starts at 8.20pm with the gaming following on at around 10.30pm until late. It will consist of winner stays on, with whoever has stayed on the longest will win lots of Wreck it Ralph prizes and an invitation to come back for their own private late night gaming session, which is worth £125 for a two hour session.
Great video created using a talk by philosopher Allen Watts – who was originally from Chislehurst, London .
Alan Wilson Watts (6 January 1915 – 16 November 1973) was a British-born philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Born in Chislehurst, he moved to the United States in 1938 and began Zen training in New York. Pursuing a career, he attended Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, where he received a master’s degree in theology.
Myths and Legends of the Medway Towns from BAN THE MIND READER, to the Walderslade Sprite, plus more pragmatic tales from modern Medway.
Artwork will be exhibited by peninsular exiles Shaun Hutchings and Sharon Cooper. Sharon has produced images of the Medway Towns sown on to canvases, whilst Shaun Hutchings paints pictures from his imagination, often in abstract form. Many are set in a ‘magical’ or ‘mythical’ future Medway.
The Exhibition runs from the 16th to the 28th of February.
A show of over 100 new drawings from George RW Cutts, featuring abandoned towns, Antarctic explorers, ACME whistles, badges, birds, brogues, buttons, clay pipes, clocks, coins, cycling jerseys, Delph tiles, desert boots, dogs, door bells, forgotten Olympians, hot dog carts, Margate, medals, mermaids, monkey paisley, pétanque, trophies, tuk-tuks, and typewriters.
The exhibition includes, The Margate Postcards, a new series of 30 blue monochrome postcards inspired by Margate past and present.
Every visitor can enter a draw to win a piece of work featured in the show.
This is an all day charity event to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. There are live bands and acts on all throughout the day. All of the proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Society. There a so many great bands playing this event you’d be mad to miss it.
TICKETS ARE £6 ON THE DOOR AND WITH THAT YOU GET A WRISTBAND
18+ I.D required for the bar !
Venue – Tap N Tin – Chatham
All proceeds will be donated to alzheimers.org.uk
Here is a list of the confirmed acts. Starting from the last band on all the way down to the first act.
Pitches are available to take part in the first Sun Wharf Market, a new quarterly outdoor market in Chatham.
The market is new for 2013 and pitches are available for a variety of makers. The first Sun Wharf Market will be held on Sunday 24 March in the Sun Wharf car park, Medway Street in Chatham.
Market organiser and local resident Heather Burgess, 27, hopes to create a complimenting combination of stalls including art, craft, local produce, jewellery, fashion, antiques, vintage and collectibles. Limited pitches are available now for £15 each, trading hours will be 10am – 4pm. To avoid disappointment early applications are recommended, closing date for all applications is Monday 4 March 2013. All enquiries should contact Heather by emailing heather.sunpierhouse@gmail.com
Creative Minds Literary Potlatch. Interested in art and creativity? Feeling a little stuck? Come and mingle with like-minded individuals and share coffee and ideas. Open to everyone interested in creativity, if you’re a beginner or someone more advanced.
Activities planned include; speed debating, Parashare; bring a paragraph to share from a favourite book or your own writing, and other writers games.
This event is part of the Other worlds, other voices Rochester literature festival.
Saturday, 23 March 10am – 12 noon Strood library
Book your free place by calling 01634 335890 or just turn up on the day!
Wedding coming up? Fed up of sprawling soulless commercial wedding fairs? Get personal at Craft Central 21-24 March 2013! All you need to add a handmade touch to the big day. From the bride herself to guests looking for the ideal gift, there’s something for everyone… and, what’s more, IT’S FREE!
Join Craft Central for a drink at the Special Launch Night on Thurs 21 March, 4-8pm Late Night Shopping on Fri 22 March, 4-8pm
Avoid the high street on Sat 23 March, 11am-5pm & Sun 24 March, 12-4pm
Craft Central Gets Hitched returns for 2013… Give your wedding some character with unique, handmade products by almost 50 designer makers. Browse ready to buy products, commission your own piece or discover a bespoke service. Our designers are as excited as you are about your big day (well, almost!) so come and meet them!
We’ll help tackle those long wedding ‘to do’ lists! From ‘classic’ wedding essentials, to the slightly more unusual, handcrafted products include: Bridal fashion; Invitations; Millinery; Jewellery (rings in particular!); Gifts (such as Ceramics, Interior Products, Silversmithing); Father/Mother of Bride/Groom fashion and accessories; Bunting; Decorations; Floristry; Favours and table paraphernalia. Also, don’t miss hair and makeup demonstrations; scrumptious wedding cake solutions; music from DJs The Wedding Smashers; Rhapsody Road Photography’s pop up photo booth; gorgeous floristry by Flor Unikon and our wedding food market in St John’s Square.
It’s not only future brides and grooms who’ll appreciate Craft Central Gets Hitched. The entire guest list (from family and bridesmaids/groomsmen to the evening guests) will be thoroughly spoilt for choice…
For the Bride… Once the dress is sorted you can relax (well, it’s almost that simple!), so come and meet our couture bridal wear designers who will be showcasing stunning gowns. Not planning a traditional veil? Or fancy a unique headpiece to compliment the dream dress? We have an array of milliners with sumptuous vintage-inspired bridal hats and fascinators. Bespoke handmade shoes are the perfect finishing touch!
Don’t forget the Men… Our designers are on hand for all your wedding jewellery needs! Personalise wedding attire with handmade cufflinks and don’t forget the rings – you’ll find a super selection of wedding bands and engagement rings here!
The look and feel of the day… With beautifully designed invitations, bespoke bunting, favours and table decorations – we’re here to help!
The perfect wedding gift… There’ll be plenty of handmade options, including ceramics, silver smithing and other tempting products for the home.
The wedding party… Seeking a special gift to thank your bridesmaids? Our jewellery and accessories designers can provide affordable options.
Last but not least, the Mother of the Bride… With exceptional milliners on board, the fear of someone sporting the same hat as you becomes a thing of the past.
Almost 50 designers will be cherry picked to assist with your big day.
Medway Open Studios and Arts Festival is a community arts festival celebrating the wealth of creativity in Medway. Now in its second year, applications are open to all Medway based artists to take part this summer.
The festival will take place from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 July 2013 across the Medway towns, and promises to include work from a variety of art forms. Jewellery, sculpture, print, paint, and photography are all popular examples of work created in Medway that will be exhibited during the Festival. 16 venues and over 70 local artists took part in the first year of the festival in July 2012, many will be opening their doors again and inviting visitors to see their work and learn more about their craft.
Apply early and benefit from a reduced application fee. Applications received before 1 February will get 20% off. If you miss this deadline but apply between 1 February and 8 March there is a 10% discount. The final closing date for all applications is 26 April.
Full details about the Festival and how to apply can be found on the Festival website – www.medwayopenstudios.co.uk.
Have you ever thought what would have happened to Medway if Edward VIII hadn’t abdicated in 1930s? How would have history evolved? How would have lives and fortunes of local people changed?
Join Medway Archives writing workshop with an award-winning writer Phillip Kane on Saturday, 9th February. Create an alternative history, using archive’s resources along the way.
Has your secret passion for pastry or craze for cake decorating taken over your day to day life? If the answer is yes, then Cake International – The Sugarcraft, Cake Decorating & Baking Show at ExCeL, London from 12-14 April is just the ticket. Celebrity bakersand TV personalitiesPaul Hollywood, Mary Berry and 2012’s winner John Waite will be opening and appearing at the show and meeting their thousands of fans in a question and answer session. As well as this, visitors to the show can discover their top tips and baking inspirations in the Bakery Theatre at the show.
Other features include over 80 exhibitors from across the globe offering cutting-edge cake decorating and baking supplies; Competition Classes for all ages and abilities; two Demonstration Theatres with the greatest talents from the UK and abroad; Paul Da Costa Greaves taking centre stage in The Bakery Theatre; Tracey Mann showcasing her latest project, a giant cake construction of Life Under The Sea; A Taste of Sugar Workshops for newcomers to sugarcraft and much more! Please visit www.cakeinternational.co.uk for more information.
FACT FILE
Cake International – The Sugarcraft, Cake Decorating & Baking Show
ExCeL, London
12-14 April 2013
Ticket Prices:
Adult £14.00 (£12.00 Advance Price)
Senior £13.00 (£11.00 Advance Price)
2 Day Ticket (Advance Only) Adult £18.00 Senior £16.00
3 Day Ticket (Advance Only) Adult £25.00 Senior £23.00
Children free if accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket, otherwise £5.00
All advanced tickets need to be ordered by 5pm Mon 8 April
Book tickets online at www.ichf.co.uk or phone the Ticket Hotline on 01425 277988.
Follow on Twitter @thecakeshows or find on Facebook – Cake International
Embrace the handmade and personal trend that is sweeping the nation by visiting Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts taking place for the first time at the ExCeL, London from the 4-6 April.
With over 100 exhibitors offering the latest craft inspiration and advice; a selection of stunning Jane Austen costumes; Catwalk Fashion Shows; advice and top tips in the Sewing Hub and Knitting Parlour; a free programme of quick and easy workshops, talks, demonstrations and much more! To find out more details, please visit www.ichf.co.uk.
FACT FILE
Creative Stitches & Hobbycrafts
ExCeL, London
4-6 April 2013
Ticket Prices:
Adult £10.00 (£8.00 Advance Price)
Senior £9.00 (£7.00 Advance Price)
Children free if accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket, otherwise £5.00
All advanced tickets need to be ordered by 5pm Mon 1 April
For more information please visit www.ichf.co.uk. Book tickets online at www.ichf.co.uk or phone the Ticket Hotline on 01425 277988.
Follow on Twitter @ICHFUK or like on Facebook – ICHF Events
A huge games expo is coming to Margate in February and will attract hundreds of gamers from across Kent and further afield.
GEEK 2013, standing for games expo East Kent, will be an event presenting a huge collection of computer game related events. Held in the Winter Gardens, Margate, from the 21st to the 24th February, the games expo is mapped out into sections of various gaming genres and follows the motto “meet, make and play”. There will be hundreds of retro and modern gaming machines to play on, as well as a collection of pinball machines.
In support of GEEK 2013, coFWDin Rochester are organising a series of independent satellite events, and are looking for more people to add to the current programme.
As it stands the following events are in place, would anyone be interested in organising something on the remaining days that are not shown that lead up to the 23rd February? We are able to help arrange a venue.
Friday 1st Feb – Retro’spect3 – Retro gaming night : If you love retro gaming or just want to relive those lost nostalgic year make sure you attend Retro’Spect3. This is the third retro gaming event, and this time it is solely about playing. If you fancy spinning through Sonic, bouncing and bashing your way through Mario or just saving the world from the Mad Bomber please come and take part in this retro event. http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5222285998
Saturday 2nd Feb – Speedgaming – A day of social gaming. We have selected a collection of board and video games to entertain and challenge you. Some will be familiar and other may be less so. At speedgaming you will challenge randomly selected players at randomly selected games. There will mainly be 2-4 player games that can be completed in under 30 minutes, including classic favourites and some lesser known gems. There will also be a selection of classic multiplayer video games from Street Fighter 2 to Goldeneye. www.speedgamingone.eventbrite.com
Sunday 3rd Feb 11am – 6pm : Carl Jeffrey is running #LegoFWD: a day for so-called adults to bring their lego to 161 and build http://legoFWD.eventbrite.com
The Medway Photo Festival happens once a year in January and takes place in Rochester and Chatham. The photography exhibitions will all be open during the third week of January. Exhibitions will feature exciting new work from students in their 2nd year studying Photography as Contemporary Practice at the UCA Rochester.
“My Favourite Things” is an opportunity to discuss your favourite “things” to other people in a relaxed atmosphere over tea. Talk about things that inspire you, inspire others and build confidence in speaking in front of others so that you can express yourself better as a freelancer. For those that are shy please just come and listen and meet some other local creatives. If you are happy to present your favourite “thing” then just pick one “thing” and discuss it with others in the room. Be prepared for others to ask questions (you can always Google!)
Subjects could include books, films, music, art, food, animals, people…anything you love talking about. It is a free event, but we would appreciate if you book a ticket so we know how many people are coming!
Please note, our venue (http://coFWD.org/) is a very old bank building that is being slowly shaped by a community of individuals for long-term Community Interest. Sadly the startup project is in its infancy and being run on limited funds so the building currently has some accessibility issues. If you have specific access or disability requirements and would like to participate in an event or activity please let us know at least 5 days before the event date so that we can do our utmost to resolve any potential problems to accommodate.
Following the overwhelming success of their pilot event in February 2012, GEEK (Game Expo East Kent) will be back for 2013.
GEEK2013 will take place 21st – 24th February during Half Term at the Winter Gardens, Margate. So if you don’t know what to do for that half term, you do now. GEEK2013 is built around MEET-MAKE-PLAY.
What’s on?
The Winter Gardens will be open from 10.00 – 5.00
with special evening events 6.00 – 11.00.
Events in other venues are listed in the GEEK About Town section.
The Winter Gardens Programme is shown below. More details soon…
THURSDAY 21st February
Community Preview Day
10.00 – 4.00
Main Hall Group Bookings Only
Talks and presentations for special interest groups.
Evening event – by invitation only
FRIDAY 22nd February
DAYTIME: 10.00 – 5.00
Two halls, hundreds of consoles, over 1000 games
Talks and a chance to meet developers.
Makers Faire and Food Court
Zombies, Puzzles, Space Adventures and Driving games +++
Pinball Arcade, hundreds of classic retro consoles and modern gaming too.
Grab the Sofa Zones to play with friends, take on the world in the
Challenge Tournaments.
EVENING: 6.00 – 11.00
16+ Evening of Play (see tickets for options)
SATURDAY 23rd February
DAYTIME: 10.00 – 5.00
Two halls, hundreds of consoles, over 1000 games
Talks and a chance to meet developers.
Makers Faire and Food Court
Zombies, Puzzles, Space Adventures and Driving games +++
Pinball Arcade, hundreds of classic retro consoles and modern gaming too.
Grab the Sofa Zones to play with friends, take on the world in the
Challenge Tournaments.
EVENING: 6.00 – 11.00
GameCityNights (see tickets for options)
SUNDAY 24th February
DAYTIME:10.00 – 5.00
Two halls, hundreds of consoles, over 1000 games
Pokemon Prize tournament
Makers Faire and Food Court
Zombies, Puzzles, Space Adventures and Driving games +++
Pinball Arcade, hundreds of classic retro consoles and modern gaming too.
Grab the Sofa Zones to play with friends, take on the world in the
Challenge Tournaments.
For more information please visit the awesome GEEK 2013 website at www.geek2013.co.uk
As a blogger for almost five years, I’ve run a number of blogs and I’m keen to pass on what I’ve learned to others stepping into the blogosphere. So here it is, a workshop for people who want to blog but are not sure how to get started or where to go with it.
The golden rule for writers is ‘Show, don’t tell’ – so I’m going to do exactly that! I’ll show you how to set up and customise your own blog, without any knowledge of programming, HTML, CSS or other techy talk! The only ‘tell’ you need is why you’re doing it: Which is, to get yourself out there and link with other like-minded souls, or, to find an audience and/or potential customers!
Using Blogger.com, the aim of this workshop is to give you an online presence which is simple for you to maintain, particularly if you’re busy or dislike using the internet. My wish is for each participant to leave the session with a fully operational, customised blog. If time permits, we can look at linking with social media, directories and other bloggers too, in order to build your audience.
You will need:
· a wifi enabled laptop (although our venue, coFWD, does have Ethernet cables if needed)
· an email address – you will automatically have a gmail account set up for you as part of your Google profile but it’s good to have an alternative for security.
· a unique password.
· A title for your blog – this is different from the web address and can be changed. The web address cannot be changed though, so I’d recommend using your name for that. E.g jayenolan.blogspot.co.uk is my blog address but the title is ‘A tingle in my fingers’.
Also, have a favourite picture of your own saved that you’re happy to share with the world, a favourite Youtube video you can find easily and a written piece about yourself you can use in your first posts. (You can always delete or amend afterwards).
The workshop will be held at coFWD, the coworking space at 161 Rochester High Street, on Tuesday, January 15th from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. The cost is just £12.50 and space is limited to just 6 places. Please visit the Eventbrite page here to secure your booking.
The following is from the interpretation card for the exhibition – written by Edward Lucie-Smith, an internationally known writer, poet, art critic, curator, broadcaster, anthologist and photographer.
How is one to place the work of Matt Bray, a young painter who represents a new generation of artists now emerging here in Britain, who have grown weary of the conceptual dogma of the previous generation.
Since just past the middle of the 20th century, new groups of artists have regularly emerged here in Britain, in non-metropolitan settings often receiving scant justice from London-based critics. Though Matt Bray eschews any link with these groups, his work is, I think, best considered by looking at it against the kind of background they provide.
What Matt – and artists of his generation – are proposing is that classic Modernism of the early 20th century offers things to which art should now return. He declares that his primary interest is “the meeting ground between abstraction and figuration.” This means that he can be regarded as being not only post-Kandinsky, but also as post the Abstract Expressionism that saw a complete dissolution of fixed forms. Bray says, “When I began painting I was not an image maker, but rather I just slopped paint around, interested in the material itself and the effects it created through chance, gravity etc., though that quickly became boring and the figure crept into my work and has remained ever since.”
The High Modernist artists he most readily reminds one of in his single-figure paintings are the first generation of German Expressionists. Recently, however, Bray has been experimenting with subject-material that seems, certainly at first sight, to have little connection with the past: “Images of androids and aliens; Star Trek has been my main depository of characters.” He adds. “I have been exploring the idea of the dichotomy of subject and object in relation to the humanoid figure, and aliens and androids seem to be a uniquely interesting subject for such enquiries as they are not human, but not so far removed as to be unconnected.”
It seems to me that what gives real strength to Matt Bray’s painting is that it maintains links to sources in the remoter past as well as re-engaging with the first impulses of the Modern Movement. Bray remakes Modernism because he has deliberately chosen to be a painter, when there are now so many other tempting choices open to the would-be contemporary artist – video, performance, installation, the purely conceptual. He also remakes it because he considers and makes use of the complex moral and intellectual choices offered by the Pre- Modern, things that the initiators of the Modern Movement sometimes recklessly ignored.
Craft case
Award-winning jeweller Sian Bostwick creates delicate wearable pieces inspired by literature, fairy tales and the Kent countryside. Glass artist Kathryn Roberts makes timeless, innovative handcrafted pieces that capture the natural fluidity of the medium.
Free family workshop
Saturday, 26 January 2013, 12.30-3pm
Join artists Wolf Howard and Matt Bray to create your own sci-fi inspired canvases inspired by the robots and monsters in the exhibition. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Free artist talk
Saturday, 9 February 2013, 1-2.30pm
Join artist Matt Bray for an informal illustrated talk about his exhibition, his approach to painting, his inspiration and his techniques.
Advanced booking for all gallery activities is essential. To book phone 01634 338319 or email arts@medway.gov.uk
How to find us
Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case is located at 95 High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1LX.
Posted by Natasha Steer on behalf of Matt Bray and Rochester art gallery.
Creatabot was pleased to award Richard Jeferies with the Creatabot of the year award this week, and in recognition of his work, an exhibition has been organised at Strood library in Kent.
Richard Jeferies is an artist based on the Isle of Sheppey, who believes art is a language we can all use to communicate with each other. He is inspired by many forms of art, from traditional to modern.
The pieces Lure, Ad Astra and Babbage Mk IV (6 No.) were especially made for the exhibition and inspired by Steampunk styles. The piece “Lure” has also won Richard Jeferies the “Creatabot Creative 2012” award.
Richard Jeferies with his Creatabot of the Year Award.
Richard learned to paint from his father who is an oils artist. His father, who lives in Wales, continues to paint whilst in his 70s. Richard teaches art to various ages and felt that by practicing different artistic techniques, it would help him present his students with a broad range of tools. In turn this helps the students to find the tool that connects with their particular creative spark. Also for him personally it creates the pleasure of discovering new and classic mediums for expression. He continues to pass on his experience and ideas to his own children, who all have their own distinctive styles, and hopes to one day hold a family exhibition.
The exhibition of his work will run from the 1st of December 2012 to the 4th January 2013 at:
The exhibition also features photography by Mdhamiri Á Nkemi, a film maker and photographer based in Medway. He is an explorer of creativity and likes to learn and master many different production techniques. Mdhamiri is also very involved with the local creative community and likes to help it expand wherever possible.
Medway Open Studios & Arts Festival is a community arts festival celebrating the wealth of creativity in Medway. The winter festival will take place across Chatham and Rochester on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December.
The Festival was a newcomer to Medway when a week long event launched in July 2012, following the success of the summer festival a winter weekend was planned. The winter Festival will include work from a variety of artists, including jewellery, sculpture, print, paint, photography and textiles. Over 50 local artists in total will open their doors to visitors displaying their work in various venues, including 16 artist studios and eight creative spaces.
Open studio festivals are successful across every county in Britain, with local artists opening their doors and inviting the public into their homes, studios and workshops. It’s a great opportunity to learn first-hand how different art forms are shaped, meet the artists and support the local crafts.
In the future, the organiser hopes the Festival will become an established annual event throughout Medway, with the summer 2013 Festival already in motion.
Festival Director Heather Burgess, 27 from Rainham, initiated the festival to uncover the amount of crafts being created in the Medway towns. “Medway is a perfect place for such a festival with so much going on in a comparatively small area. The nine venues taking part on the 8 and 9 December are all within a short walking distance of each other creating a great day out. The people are so interesting and the quality of work is inspiring.”
It’s not too late to take part, pitches are available in the Makers Market, an art and craft fair inside one of the host venues in Chatham. All types of craft are invited to sign up for a stall, for more information email medwayopenstudios@mail.com. Closing date is Friday 30 November.
To view images from all the winter Festival artists and to download a copy of the Festival guide visit www.medwayopenstudios.co.uk. Free festival guides can also be found at various venues in Medway and surrounding Kent. Alternatively, you can request a hard copy of the guide by emailing medwayopenstudios@mail.com.
Volunteers needed!
Are you a dab hand with a paint brush? Handy with a Henry?
If you would like to volunteer your time to help with the decorating at Sun Pier House they would love to hear from you!
Help is needed with the preparations at Sun Pier House in the lead up to their first event – The Makers Market on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December 2012. If you are willing to offer your time and have some hours free between Monday 19th November and Wednesday 5 December please get in touch. Email sunpierhouse@gmail.com
All good deeds will be rewarded with plenty of tea and biscuits!
Artists and groups taking part:
Ridley Road Group, Ridley Road, Rochester. A great mix of original editioned lino & etched prints. Hand crafted silver, beaded, acrylic & glass jewellery. Ceramics & fused glass pieces, small & large, wall mountable or free standing. Plump cushions & other decorative pieces made of beautiful fabrics.
Richard Reader, Ridley Road, Rochester. A collection of landscapes, seascapes, architectural, and abstract photography by Rochester based photographer.
Janice Emmott, Ridley Road, Rochester. Figure drawings and paintings; portraits, flowers, landscapes in an expressive style. Various mediums. Small drawings and paintings from £10
Nikki Price, Ridley Road, Rochester. Tales from the Darkroom’ – a re-imagining of classic Fairy Tales using film photography. The exhibition also includes a series of photographs challenging perceptions of body image.
Jacqueline Atkinson, Langdon Road, Rochester. I love making things and have turned my hand to individually crafted bags in unusual fabrics with interesting linings
Coal Shed Press, Boundary Wharf, Rochester. Fine and glorious prints and works on paper in variousmedia.
Printed Wonder, Boundary Wharf, Rochester. Gocco prints, screen prints, stationery and textiles with colourful designs and illustration. WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
Hazel Christine, Makers Market, Sun Pier House, Chatham. Vibrant, bold paintings showcasing mypassion for colour. Focussing on abstract, some landscape, portrait & still life.
CTRL-ALT-DEFEAT Clothing, Makers Market, Sun Pier House, Chatham. We will be selling our latest line of ‘Geek-Chic’ apparel, as well as promoting our custom garment printing services.
Ben Cameron, Makers Market, Sun Pier House, Chatham. My work ranges from doodles to highly detailed large illustrations. I’ll be selling doodles, cards, tote bags and tee’s.
Simon Richardson, Makers Market, Sun Pier House, Chatham. Contemporary photographer. I don’t have the ability to make things happen, I just hope to be there when they do.
Nucleus Artists, Nucleus Arts Centre, High Street, Chatham. 30 Artists showing original works of Arts & Crafts. Gallery showcasing Resident Artists work. Affordable arts Scheme. Café open.
Young Rebecca Walling of East Sussex has landed herself the role of ‘co-presenting a show every Tuesday from 7-9pm’ called ‘Showtime’. The show features ‘music from films and musicals’. Rebecca continues to say ‘we do film and theatre reviews and things as well.’ Tomorrow (Tuesday 27th November) the person Rebecca usual presents with is away and so for the first time she will be running the show solo. She said she is ‘rather nervous’ but is sure she will be fun and I’m sure we all wish her the best of luck.
Alice:
How did you get to be on Uckfield FM?
Rebecca:
I got involved because I was interested in broadcasting and so saw Uk fm as a good opportunity. We asked around and a family friend knows one or two of the presenters who put me in touch with the chairman, Mike Skinner. I explained my interest and sat in on a few of the shows, and when I came to see Phil on Showtime I really enjoyed it and we got on really well. Then I started to become more involved in bits and pieces until finally I was trained up on the equipment and co-presenting with him!
Alice:
What’s it like recording?
Rebecca:
Well we don’t really record shows because we do everything live which of course can initially feel quite daunting but it’s great fun once you get into the swing of it and start interacting with the listeners on the chat room or through requests.
Alice:
Have you done anything like this before?
Rebecca:
I’ve not done anything like it before, no. It’s my first step towards getting experience in broadcasting and radio which will hopefully fair me well for the future. And of course I love doing it because the show’s right up my street in terms of content and I get on really well with the other presenters as well.
Alice:
What do you enjoy talking about the most on the show?
Rebecca:
What I enjoy most on the show is, when we get the chance, doing film and theatre reviews because film and theatre is something that I’m really interested in and enjoy sharing my views with the listeners.
You can listen to the show live on Uckfield FM’s website so be sure to tune in tomorrow.
I am sure Rebecca would love to know what you think of the show so please comment below or email aostansfield@hotmail.co.uk and I will forward your feedback.
Craft Central opens the doors to its two fascinating Victorian buildings – start your visit in Clerkenwell Green and then find St John’s Square just 2 minutes away. Go ‘behind the scenes’ and explore the workshops of this renowned design community. Whether you’ve got an hour or a whole day, mingle with the makers in the studios where they work their magic. One ticket allows unlimited access over 4 days, including Thursday’s launch event and Friday’s late night shopping.
Avoid the high street this Christmas and opt for handmade! Pick up jewellery, fashion, interior products, ceramics, accessories and traditional crafts by 100+ selected UK designers. Choose a gift, commission a unique piece, find a bespoke design service or just browse… this shopping treat is topped off by meeting the maker.
Craft Central is famous for great jewellery design – this November, adorn yourself with big names like Sonia Cheadle, Sarah Herriot, Amy Keeper and Mark Nuell. Continuing the fashion theme, milliner to the stars (including Fern Cotton, Dita Von Teese, Alexa Chung and Lily Allen) Katherine Elizabeth is on hand with vintage-inspired hats for the party season and cover up with Kate Jones’ gorgeous knitwear.
Once you’ve decorated yourself, why not focus on your home? The Showcase gallery plays host to a Pop Up Design Shop brimming with gorgeous interior products, including Susan Bradley’s sleek London Landmark bookends. In the studios – find a world of intricacy in Ikuko Iwamoto’s ceramics, Michelle Mason’s London inspired interior products brighten any home, Helen Beard’s hand-illustrated characters come to life on hand-thrown porcelain and spot your favourite London street in Vic Lee’s unmistakable prints.
Go back to the roots of making and discover the fascinating processes… and get your Christmas shopping done too! Refuel with refreshments from Chop’s Cakes and the food market in St John’s Square.
Launch Night on Thurs 22 Nov, 5-8pm
Late Night Shopping on Fri 23 Nov, 12noon – 8pm
Avoid high street crowds on Sat 24 & Sun 25 Nov, 12-5pm
Craft Central has TWO buildings:
21 Clerkenwell Green EC1R 0DX & 33-35 St John’s Square EC1M 4DS
An accomplished and popular local speaker with a wide range of interests, Denis Pepper began public speaking as a 10-year-old in the CWS Music and Literary Festivals. On joining Folkestone Round Table he became a prominent member of their hugely successful Debate Team. Subsequently he has been in demand as a Rotarian speaker and, since publishing his book Botolphin 2010, which was inspired by the seventh century Benedictine monk, Saint Botolph, Denis has given talks throughout Kent and Sussex. In the summer he spends his time sailing (and writing) in the Mediterranean.
He has just completed his second book in the Botolph Trilogy.
Denis Pepper will talk about the discipline of organising a writing routine, and technical issues such as the design and printing of book-covers, describing how to bind the trial copies cheaply and easily yourself. He justifies this extra work by pointing out that with self-publishing it is essential to get things right before sending the finished product to the printers, whose job does not include correcting errors; you must either do that yourself or employ the services of a professional.
He will also cover areas of importance that will include reviews, marketing, Amazon, e-readers and battling with booksellers.
The talk is free to attend but advance booking is essential.
This event is open to the public.
Venue: University Centre Folkestone, Time: 18:00 – 29th November 2012
Maidstone’s most ambitious Film Festival is coming up this November 14th-20th
Each day will focus on a different aspect of film culture. The studio space will be transformed to portray the themes of the day. Discussions exploring the various ideologies and relevance of today’s ever changing digital world will aim to help filmmakers come together, expand their understanding and share their love of cinema. We also offer the opportunity for young an upcoming film-makers to exhibit their work and have the chance to advance their film-making careers.
The most ambitious film-maker who displays innovation, resourcefulness and artistic integrity will have the honour of receive the First Film Development Award (FFDA). See below for information on how to submit your film!
Wednesday 14th – World cinema and opening day – with Sandblast Arts screenings and presentation from 4, and West Indian restaurant open from 6. Thursday 15th – The history and progression of cinema – an exhibition of film, screenings of pinnacle & important films in the history of development of the medium, lectures from Len Watson from 4. Friday 16th Young filmmakers day – all our open call submissions will be screened and the public are asked to vote for finalists. Evening after party from 7. Saturday 17th Future in film – career development day including 11am networking brunch, workshops, Q&A sessions with industry experts and the open call winner announced at 2. Sunday 18th ‘The Nest’ blockbuster day – Cinema classics and blockbusters screened throughout the day. Back to the Future fancy dress screening at 9.30 om Monday 19th European cinema – Shorts and feature length independent film from across Europe screened throughout the day. Tuesday 20th British cinema day – The best of groundbreaking British films screened throughout the day.
Cafe bar open everyday until close!
Who are you? Where are you from? Where do you belong? The letters home project, collated by the ME4 writing collective, invites people to write a letter to the place they think of as home, this has resulted in a collection of evocative and emotional writing, forming the basis for the exhibition. Local photographer Nikki Price, who regularly works with ME4, has taken images of home to as part of the exhibition, and a selection of local artist Heather Haythornthwaite’s atmospheric scenes of Rochester streets will also feature. Sam Hall, who is curating the exhibition says ‘I hope that visitors to the exhibition will be inspired to look again closely at where they live and find the beauty in the little things we like about our homes’
Sam is also running some writing workshops, where you can come along and contribute your own letter to the exhibition. There will be a chance for everyone to post their own letter at the exhibition, during the event and all through the exhibition run. The exhibition will be at Rochester community hub Saturday, 3 November to Saturday, 15 December 2012 with a second exhibition at Walderslade Village library Saturday, 10 November to Friday, 7 December 2012
Legacy
After the exhibition all the letters created will be put on a blog as a lasting record.
What ever happened to saving the world from world domination?
Here is my review of the new James Bond film, ‘Skyfall’ (2012), throughout my improvised honest opinion review I compared the film to the new Mission Impossible film ‘Ghost Protocol’.
I would love to know what others thought of the film and the James Bond series, is it coming to it’s end?
More review videos soon.
AND – CREATIVE OPPORTUNITY – any animators out there? Looking to promote someone’s work in return for a small 15 second or less animation to use at the start of a video, they will be full credited, promoted in an article, video and more. Please comment or email me if interested in any way, or can offer any other skills (stop motion, music, etc.) aostansfield@hotmail.co.uk or Tweet me @HisLittleEmoo.
October 26th, 27th and 28th saw the Castle town of Conwy, North Wales, transformed into a giant piece of digital art, numerous buildings in the town became projection backdrops for digital, video, sound and light art created by a host of local and national artists.
Famed for his mathematical intelligence Turing was fundamental to The Enigma Machine success in the 2nd World War, and considered one of the forefathers of modern computing.
To mark the centenary of his birth, Artist / Curators Craig Morrison and Joel Cockrill were commissioned by the Arts Council of Wales to make a significant light work dedicated to Alan Turing.
The piece, which is entitled ‘Thank you’, was installed in Conwy Castle. Two large lasers programmed with Rolling Spheres or ‘Hyperboloids’ positioned high above the town on the castle towers, beamed green lights that swept across the sea and the sky, the beams flickering at a frequency calculated using Morse Code projecting ‘Thank You’ towards the heavens.
To accompany the lasers a large scale white neon positioned on a plinth, identical in size to the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, so that Turing’s poetic epitaph can be read while the lasers pulse into the night sky behind.
Craig states that “The significance of the plinth is inherent to the piece. The Fourth Plinth celebrates all that is contemporary in the arts today. Alan Turing’s abstract mathematical achievements epitomize what the plinth represents and in some way is responsible for probably most of the artwork that is displayed. His fundamental work in computing has helped to shape what we see in contemporary life. His wartime work on codebreaking definitely contributed to the preservation of our freedom of expression.”
Children’s drawings of Conwy projected onto the Civic Centre
Other artists taking part responded to the town and its history, here’s a few videos from my favourites:
Neil Coombs:
Neil’s work explores surrealism and its relationship with every day life, the photomontage video creates a face using ordinary everyday objects we normally don’t notice or give any time too:
Wendy Leah Dawson:
Wendy’s piece explored the swarm and hive mentality in bees, transforming an old chapel into a giant beehive, Wendy also paid homage to the towns historical bee keeping and honey traditions:
Alan Whitfield:
Alan’s video was projected onto the Castle – which was incredibly moving and overwhelming – the scale, soundtrack and Alan’s presence made for a very powerful piece! Here’s the web version of the video and below that is a photograph by Roger Smith of the projection on the Castle
Elly Stringer + Alys Hughes:
I couldn’t find a version of Elly’s beautiful video entitled: ‘Hireath’ [loosely translates in English as ‘Longing’ – but there is no direct translation] that I could embed but she has put it up on her wonderful blog so head over there for a peek! The video was projected onto a bus outside of the British Legion, and watching it made me think of the time I spend daydreaming on the bus home from work, longing to get home, its a really evocative piece and beautifully made!
Alys, who performs in the video, each night completed a live dance performance in front of a projection inside the British Legion, which was stunning I have to say! Over the weekend they then repeated the performance this time in front of the projection on the castle – which unfortunately I missed 😦
It is a privilege to have such an amazing event right on my doorstep, and I count myself lucky to have seen it – especially considering the whole event was free! Well Done to all the team, organizers, helpers, Arts Council Wales, Cadw, Conwy County Council and of course the Artists involved!!
Rain Room
Random International
The Curve, Barbican Centre, London, UK
Admission Free
4 October 2012 – 3 March 2013
Known for their distinctive approach to digital-based contemporary art, Random International’’s experimental artworks come alive through audience interaction. Their largest and most ambitious installation yet, Rain Room is a 100 square metre field of falling water for visitors to walk through and experience how it might feel to control the rain. On entering The Curve the visitor hears the sound of water and feels moisture in the air before discovering the thousands of falling droplets that respond to their presence and movement. Rain Room opens in The Curve on 4 October 2012.
Kate Bush , Head of Art Galleries, Barbican Centre, said: ‘The Curve has previously played host to guitar-playing finches, a World War II bunker and a digital bowling alley. Random International have created a new work every bit as audacious and compelling – Rain Room surpasses all our expectations’.
At the cutting edge of digital technology, Rain Room is a carefully choreographed downpour – a monumental installation that encourages people to become performers on an unexpected stage, whilst creating an intimate atmosphere of contemplation. The work also invites us to explore what role science, technology and human ingenuity might play in stabilising our environment by rehearsing the possibilities of human adaptation.
The Curve, Barbican Art Gallery, London
Opening times: Daily 11am – 8pm and every Thursday LATE until 10pm
Being a coworker is great. Really awesomely great and we want more people to come and find out what it’s like. So, for the last two weeks of October we’re making it free. Yep, that’s right, free. That means you can come and work as often as you like over that two week period and just get a feel for what we’re all about.
But what are we all about? Well, we’re a space where ideas happen, mostly. It is a place of work, but it’s also a place of laughter with a distinctly social vibe. We’re not like a serviced office space, we clean up after ourselves, take the rubbish to the tip, clean the toilets, but that’s all part of what makes it everyone’s. We also have a pretty impressive range of tea. The great thing about working with other people doing such a wide variety of things, is when you have the dreaded “I have no idea how to solve this problem” moment, there’s usually people willing to help you figure it out, and having such varied brains usually makes the result even better.So why not come down and see for yourself? We’re open 10-6 Monday – Saturday and til 10 on Wednesdays. There’s often stuff going on at the weekends to, from workshops to social stuff. Come down anytime between 15th and 31st October, but please do let us know you’re coming in advance by getting in touch via cofwd161@gmail.com and we’ll stick the kettle on. By Louise at coFWDcoFWD is at 161 High Street, Rochester, Kent.
At Create Jewellery, we offer a large range of workshops in both Kent and Lincolnshire. As well as one-to-one classes, we run workshops which typically have a maximum class size of no more than 8-10 learners to ensure you get the support and dedication that you deserve. Not only are the workshops a great opportunity to learn a new skill and hobby, but many use it as a way to start a new business from home! What could be better than sitting at home making jewellery to sell!
As well as learning, you will have fun chatting to others who share your interests, as well as drinking tea and eating cupcakes which is all included in the price! You will also get to make items at the workshops that you can take home with you, with the reassurance that all materials are included in the set price!
We have recently released the following workshop dates for Lincolnshire, held in Grantham:
Sunday 14 October
Wire wrapped coctail rings / bangles taster workshop (10.30am – 1pm) – £36 including all materials, cupcakes and tea/coffee
Shamballa and friendship bracelet workshop (2pm – 4.30pm) – £37 including all materials, cupcakes and tea/coffee
Saturday 3 November
Vintage inspired jewellery, hair accessories & birdcage veils taster workshop (2pm – 4.30pm)
£36 including all materials, cupcakes and tea/coffee.
Saturday 24 November
Jewellery making taster workshop (10am – 12.30pm) £36 including all materials and cupcakes
Tiara making taster workshop (1.30pm – 4pm) – £36 including all materials and cupcakes.
Sunday 25th November
‘Decorate Your Shoe’ workshop (crystalizing stiletto heels or converse trainers) – (10am – 2pm), £79 which includes over 1000 crystals that you will use plus other materials to crystalize your own shoes / trainers, as well as tea/coffee and cupcakes.
Sat 8 December
Beaded Christmas Decorations & Rag Wreath (2pm – 4.30pm) – £40 including all materials
Sunday 9 December
Tiara making workshop (10.30am – 2.30pm) – £69 – all materials & cupcakes included
For further information, please email Rachel at createjewellery@hotmail.co.uk or book online at www.createjewellery.co.uk
As part of the annual Folkestone Book Festival, the community engagement
team from University Centre Folkestone have once more organised a series
of events with a range of speakers to inspire and stimulate discussion.
All events take place at UCF and are free to attend. However advance
booking is required. Events are listed below – click on the weblink
provided for all the details of each event, including information about
the speakers. Thank you.
Thurs 8 November
3pm – 4pm: A Writer’s Journey. Author Karen Lesley and Zoe Meyer,
Director of Zoes Books, discuss the creation of Karen’s book Coleman
(Female), with Zoe’s perspective on facilitating the book production and
working with the writer. http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/event-details.asp?eventId=3480
6pm-7pm : Panel discussion: “Should writers be their own publishers?”
Panellists include Zoe Meyer (Director of Zoe’s Books), Martin Latham
(Manager, Waterstones, Canterbury), Mark Swain, (writer and consultant),
Chris Meade (writer and Director of if:book UK), writer and blogger
Katherine May and writer and speaker Jane Wenham-Jones (Chairperson) http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/event-details.asp?eventId=3481
2 buildings. 34 artists, crafts people and designers.
The Nucleus Arts Centre, Chatham, will be opening their doors and studios to the public for one weekend, the 8th – 9th December. as part of the Winter Medway Open Studio and Arts Festival. With such an array of local artists, designers and crafts people on show at affordable prices, you’ll be happy to leave the high street behind and come to Nucleus.
Nucleus Arts Centre and studios will be open to the public on 8th to 9th December from 10am – 6pm, 272 High street Chatham ME4 4BP
Resident artists open studios:
Holly Aird
Angie Berkley
Sian Bostwick Jewellery
Donna Chapman
Nick Evans
Jon Gubbay
Darrell Hawkins
Sophie Jongman
Sarah Langstone
Marissa Mardon
Maggie Osborn
Peter Reeds
Christopher Sacre
Deborah Saunders
Anne Taylor
Chris Van Beck
Alexandria Welch
Obi Photography
MAKE is an opportunity to get creative in any medium, in a social setting, and have lots of fun.
Moogie Wonderlandare creating lots of Jellyfish for the Fish Disco at the end of October – and need lots of help! All materials will be supplied. Mainly for adults, but children welcome if supervised by a parent.
We recommend an apron or wearing old clothes!
WIFI will be available for those of you working on projects on your computer.
Time : 7.30 pm on Saturday the 13th of October
Location: 161 Rochester High Street
If you going to attend please post a comment below 🙂
Here I am, A YouTuber who makes a lot of videos, but never my own music video. In the past I made one in a group of a song I wrote, then again in a group with my lyrics and now on my own I have produced my third music video of my lyrics (music by Joe Humber) uniquely to my YouTube channel.
So what is the story of my new song ‘Our Story’ beside the music?
Before Summer 2012 I wrote a song, originally unnamed but referred to as ‘The Next Chapter’, and proposed it to my friend Joe to record and make into an actual listenable song rather than words on screen. He agreed. One day travelling back from London I checked my Facebook messages and found he had sent me a demo of the song. I listened, and fell in love with hearing my lyrics as music. Immediately I told him this is what I wanted for the video and he set to work improving. Recording also took place with my friend Molly, however due to Joe moving to University his computer got damaged and we no longer have the file of both of them singing. Upset and annoyed by this misfortune I still decided to release the song with the video since we all worked hard.
A few viewers have asked me what the song is about, I say the answer is in the lyrics.
Moving on the the process of making it. When making any production it must go through three stages: pre production; production and post production.
PRE-PRODUCTION: This automatically began subconsciously when I wrote the song. Ideas for what to film were everyone in my mind, bubbling up ideas. Originally my storyboard was to use post it notes (as seen in the video with the love heart Molly draws) as messages that the couple used to send to each other. However, the lyrics didn’t seem to fit as dialogue for post it notes so I didn’t want to use them but didn’t want to add to many words to the screen. Instead I decided to portray the lyrics naturally with Joe and Molly acting as a real couple going through their ‘story’ – meeting, love, laughter, happiness, arguments, tears, missing each other, anger and so on.
PRODUCTION – Unlike most projects, beside vlogs, filming only took a few hours of one day. Stopping in-between shots due to weather conditions (however the rain was good pathetic fallacy) filming was otherwise successful. Most ideas came on set. Often in preproduction I’ll storyboard everything and have a shot list, but with this I decided as the cast was a minimum we could create some unique and improvised. First we filmed the fights in the house; moved on to the scenes in the field after a lunch break; walked along the roads; and finished at another house for more shots. The majority of filming took place in the field with the paper, ripping up the story. This idea came on the day when I was on the bus over to our location and I’d brought Romeo and Juliet book with me, I thought it worked well.
POST PRODUCTION – Editing went well, as I had a new laptop it was more of a practice using iMovie, although personally I prefer and wish for Final Cut Pro, but due to the expense I’ll wait for Christmas. However, the wonders of video editing could still be explored on iMovie through tutorials, but it’s so easy to use you don’t need guidance to be honest. I made different versions of the videos (which I advise when unclear on final outcome) and decided on what I preferred and didn’t.
Your original idea will always be different to the outcome, sometimes this is good sometimes this is bad, you need to find the balance.
With this I feel I found a balance, I came with what I feel it a good outcome for an experimental video.
Attached to this article are other music videos I have made of which I would love feedback to see how I can improve.
We hear all the time from charities that cancer effects 1 in 4 or us. For some of us this fact is closer to home than an appeal on TV. Would it surprise you to know that only one charity in the UK is actually fighting blood cancers? Leukaemia Research also boasts a 9 in 10 chance of survival in children because of their hard work and support from people like Andy Spring.
In 2006 after a 2 year battle with Leukaemia Andy along with the support of his family began to raise money for the charity by cycling 35 miles from Ashford to Medway hospital. Raising £8000 along with nearly 50 other cyclist Andy managed to raise the bar again in 2008 and 2010 bringing a total of £26,000 towards the charity that is helping save lives like his. In Andy’s own words, “I wanted to give back something for the life I am so grateful to have, the whole experience has given myself and my family the chance to enjoy every moment we are together”.
Set for a fourth event, Andy unfortunately was set back when he urgently required a marrow transplant early 2011. Andy says: “I knew I could not cycle for a while but I was more determined than ever to do something, I just didn’t know what”. Next to two wheels music has always been Andy’s other passion. Picking up his bass he started to jam at practice sessions with Hesperian Wave. This gathering over the following months would bring a new outlook and birth a new band a new style and a very new agenda.
Freshly formed and ready for their first gig The Furry Lovelickers shall be taking to the stage this Saturday September 29th alongside some of Medway’s longstanding and upcoming talents. Taking place at the charity cycle’s finishing line Medway hospital social club will be hosting from 7pm an awesome line up for a small donation of £3 entrance fee. See flyer for details. Also on the night Crybaby special and the monsters will be donating the proceeds of their EP on the night. you can check them here http://www.facebook.com/crybabyspecialandthemonsters
Jules Roy, from Aquaviolet, is currently looking to collaborate with professional creative writers, sound designers and directors.
Creatabot 