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Today's What Next? meeting 13 August with Cllr Alan Waters

13/8/2014

Today's What Next? Norfolk meeting will be from 1-2pm at the Writers’ Centre Norwich (14 Princes Street, Norwich, NR3 1AE) and Cllr Alan Waters will be speaking to the group.

Cllr Alan Waters, deputy leader of Norwich City Council, Labour councillor for Crome ward, cabinet member for resources. As a full-time occupation, Alan also works for the Local Government Information Unit based in London. He is an active campaigner for the Living Wage, which is particularly relevant to artists and the payment of people working in the arts.

He will be talking about Living Wage week which will be taking place across the country in the first week of November and there will be events in Norwich.

Please also see attached for your reference, the Creative Industries statistics 2011 – 2013 document. This report – “Creative Industries: Focus on Employment” has just been published by DCMS and provides estimates of the direct economic contribution of the Creative Industries in the UK. It focuses on employment and might provide us with some data for benchmarking our contribution, either collectively or individually.

Also, please be aware of an upcoming, subsidised, fundraising seminar suitable for smaller organisations working in the arts as well as individual artists and projects. Links below to more information and booking: -

An Introduction to Arts Fundraising
For Organisations, Projects and Individuals
Tue 16th September, 10am-1pm or 2-5pm, £40, WCN.
Expert industry advice on fundraising in this unique subsidised workshop.
Workshop Information │ Book Online

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Obituary David Holgate artist, musician and stone carver and lettercutter

17/7/2014

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Today, I went to the funeral of my good friend, and Norwich treasure, David Holgate. He was a good friend, not because I knew him all that well but because I knew him a long time and I was always pleased to see him – I will miss him. And he was good, in as much as he was kind, open, loved life, and people and had an insatiable curiosity about whatever was going on around him.

I first met David in Ipswich, when I was at the art school there and he was a visiting lecturer. I remember hanging over the balcony overlooking the octagon and chewing the fat, putting the world to rights. I was about 27 at the time, David was about 18 years older than me, and wiser, I loved listening to his ideas. Later, I came to Norwich and he also came and taught on my course there. After I graduated, we would bump into him, here there. And bit by bit I got to know him and love him.

The last time I saw him was in May, on his birthday but at a party at a friend's house. He was as usual, chipper, talkative, full of ideas, thoughts and opinions but not in an arrogant or selfish way. I have to confess, I did think that he looked older all of a sudden, but he was talking about how he had had fantastic treatment by the NHS five years previously when he had a heart condition. There was no real indication fo the illness that was about to knock him down.

His wife Galina was with him, and we all had a really good chat. I am glad I have that recent memory because the next thing I heard, a few weeks later, was that he had died after collapsing in France at a jazz festival. Not immediately - he was brought home and diagnosed with inoperable cancer apparently. I didn't see him in hospital, but I believe many of his friends did and that he was pragmatic about his forthcoming death.

David was such a distinctive character that one of the hardest things is that I can still picture him in so many situations, and I can picture him in a hospital bed, coming to terms with that kind of news, and making preparations for his last few days on earth. Apparently, one of his desires was for his funeral service to be held in Norwich Cathedral, where had, some years ago, carved two full-size stone figures for the West Door - of St Benedict and of Julian of Norwich.

And so it was, that today, his funeral service was held at the cathedral with full regalia, and even though he was not a religious man, it was very fitting just for the value of recognition. The nave was full of well-wishers - artists, musicians, friends, family - all people that respected him and will miss him. As the choir sang, I imagined him leaning over the balcony behind the organ saying 'that's bloody amazing' and loving the fact that so many people were listening along with him. He would have had a laugh at many of the things that were said about him, he would have enjoyed the sociable after-party. He should have been there and I wished that he was.

I will miss him on a personal level but I also feel sad that a skill and talent such as he has is gone forever. As a young man, he was apprenticed to David Kindersley where he learnt the craft of letter-cutting and sign-writing. After a few years, he developed his own distinctive style using brush strokes to map out letters. He studied middle eastern and ancient letterforms and translated them into flowing words. His work is to be seen all over Norwich but also in many places further afield. He could be seen carting great lumps of stone around his garden workshop right up until the last few weeks of his life.

When he was commissioned to carve the sculptures for the cathedral by the Dean of Norwich at the time, Stephen Platten, he told me that he was s**t scared at the idea and tried to refuse the work. He had never carved a full figure before. But the Dean insisted and so David thought that if he was going to do it, he must do a good job. He went and stayed in a Benedictine Monastery in France for three weeks to research St Benedict - well that is what he told me anyway - it might have just been a good holiday in France. But whatever, the results were amazing and I am so pleased that they are there as it leaves such a remarkable legacy for his life.

He was also a well-known musician, professional for part of his life but recently playing just for the sheer pleasure. I feel that he should be honoured for the city in some way and I hope that one of the artist groups that he belonged to (Norwich 20 Group and Norfolk Contemporary Arts Society) will organise some kind of retrospective in his honour.

David, we will miss you, but in the word of Julian of Norwich 'All shall be well' RIP my friend.

Some links:
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/obituaries/craftsman_david_holgate_has_a_lasting_legacy_outside_norwich_cathedral_1_3678176

http://www.cathedral.org.uk/historyheritage/new-work-of-art---architecture-new-statues.aspx

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Culture Shift update 13 November 2013

13/11/2013

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As autumn comes briskly in, there is still yet more to do in Norwich. There's a host of art exhibitions at the moment and also a little rush of theatre performances

Tonight, there is a play written by local writer Tony Ramsay about John Clare for Eastern Angles and directed by Ivan Cutting, which has been touring and is showing at Norwich Arts centre. It promises to be excellent so why not have a mid-week outing and support both the Arts Centre and also a lot of local talent, whilst finding out about John Clare. More details and tickets from the Arts Centre website

I have come across a couple of useful links recently, and I really like this one for Huge City.
In spite of being based in the US, it gathers up info about events posted on Facebook that are happening locally and emails them in a handy list. It's a more efficient way of getting an insight into what is going on as it uses quite powerful web development skills, although it doesn't have the personal touch of Culture Shift ;-) but nevertheless, I think it is very useful , so sign up and give it a try - I think it still works if you don't have a Facebook account but not sure as I have one!
https://www.hugecity.us/

Masterpieces book wins East Anglian Book Awards
Congratulations are due to the team at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, masterpieces curator Ian Collins, and EAST Publishing for their work in the Masterpieces book. More than a catalogue for the show, the book accompanies the blockbuster exhibition which has drawn masses of people to see this extraordinary collection of work spanning centuries of creativity in East Anglia.

In a ceremony last week hosted by Jarrolds, the Writers' Centre Norwich and Archant who jointly run the awards competition, a number of locally connected publications vied to win their category (children's, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, history & tradition, biography & memoir) with an overall winner taking a £1000 cash prize. Now in its 4th year, it's a great recognition of much local writing and publishing talent. The prizes were presented by the grand dame of publishing, Liz Calder, founder of Bloomsbury Press. Congratulations to all those who won and were shortlisted.

There is a special concert coming up at UEA Friday 15 November
UEA Symphony Orchestra are performing a special memorial concert .
If you are free on Friday and fancy hearing some lovely music, please come along and support UEA Symphony Orchestra  on Friday 15 November at St Andrew’s Hall.

Under the direction of UEA Director of Music, Sharon Andrea Choa, will perform a special memorial concert, Sir Colin Davis Memorial concert ‘The English Connection’, at St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. Tickets for the concert cost £4-£12 and are available to buy now from UEA Box Office (01603 508050 or www.ueaticketbookings.co.uk/events), Prelude Records (01603 628319) and St George's Music Shop (01603 626414). Please see below for further information about the concert.

Happy Birthday Benjamin Britten 22 November
I hope it hasn't escaped your attention but this year is the centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten, world famous composer and musician who lived and worked in Aldeburgh and Lowestoft in Suffolk. There has been a long build of of Britten-themed events over the last year but they are now coming thick and fast, known under the collective heading of Familiar Fields, a line from one of his works.

There are a number of concerts and events in and around Norwich and here is a link to an article and round up of concerts in the next few weeks. There is also the official and comprehensive website with all details, information and music if you want to find out more about this local treasure of a man

For more music info please have a look at www.musicinnorwich.org.uk for a roundup of concerts up until April

write2screen Christmas meetup
The write2screen network connecting writers and film-makers is having an open, informal meetup in Appleyard in Exchange Street from around 6pm on Thursday 5th December. All welcome, come and meet other people interested in writing, and producing work for the screen - there will also be food available to buy – if you wish to eat, drop me an email and I will forward the menu. www.write2screen.org.uk

Talking about food, Paola Columbo has started a series of regional Italian dinner parties, cooking her way round Italy at the rate of 1 region a month. She is on number 2, which is Basilicata and it is on Saturday 23 November. The cost is a suggested 'donation' of £25 for a four course meal and some samples of wine. You take your own bottle too (for serious drinking) and join 12-15 friendly strangers (you can always take a friend or two of your own) to dine and find out about that particular region's food and traditions. It's a great idea and there may be a couple of places for this month but email Paola to find out, and for a look at the menu. If not for this month, maybe next?

Tony Hill exhibition at NUA Gallery, St George's Street
On Monday, I went to the preview of an interesting new show See Things Differently  at the NUA Gallery by video artists Tony Hill. Now, video art can often be quite difficult to present but in particular his piece 'Doors' is fascinating. I won't give away too much but try and get down to see the show. You don't need to set aside much more than half an hour but it is well worth it. It is on until 23 November in St George's Street, Norwich. www.nua.ac.uk

The Norfolk Contemporary Craft Society
Exhibition and sale by best quality contemporary craft by local makers.
Friday 22nd – Sunday 1st December 2013
The Hostry, Norwich Cathedral NR1 4DH
Monday – Saturday 9.30 – 4.30pm Sunday 12– 3pm
Admission Free
For further information 01603 259991
www.norfolkcraft.co.uk [email protected]

Norwich Film Festival is coming...
Would you like the chance for your script to be read by an industry professional??? if so, submit your script to the Norwich Film Festival. For more information follow the link:http://www.norwichfilmfestival.co.uk/submit-your-film

There is also a call for designers and writers so go over and have a cruise round their website to see what is going on www.norwichfilmfestival.co.uk

WORDS AND WOMEN PIONEER A NEW PRIZE FOR WRITING WOMEN IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND.
£600 first prize. Winner and runners-up to feature in Words And Women's flagship anthology.

The judges are looking for distinctive work, finely crafted, strong, creative and adventurous. This is your competition, open to all women over the age of 16 - short fiction, memoir, life writing, and creative non-fiction, up to 3,000 words. Send in your best and boldest before the 30th November!

See the Words And Women blog for more details: www.wordsandwomennorwich.blogspot.co.uk

The winners will be announced in January 2014 and the launch of the first anthology of women's writing in the East will be held on March 8th, 2014, International Women's Day.

For a buzzing night out on Friday try
BRAZIL 3 - Friday 15
November in the Club at Open
Entrance 28 Castle Meadow

It's the launch of a new and exciting Latin fusion party night!

Kicking
off with BRAZIL 3 - featuring talented Norwich based group Rabo de Foguete (RdF) & Lambazouk dance star Patricia Rezende.

Rabo de Foguete (RdF) are a Norwich based band who play Brazilian music inspired by the wonderful group from Rio, Monobloco. RdF combine a bateria (or extended drum section) with voices, guitar, keyboards, bass guitar and brass, playing a range of material drawn from the Brazilian music scene and other tunes that fit the carnival vibe. They will be starting the night with a laid back, 'pagode-style' set before the full band takes to the stage to get you dancing. From Jorge Ben and Lenine to Cat Empire, its a night not to be missed - and there might even be a Caipirinha or two to be had!

Patricia Rezende will be teaching Lambazouk with her dance partner Arthur Gontijo and later performing in a show. Patricia has been teaching in the UK and Brazil for over twenty years and is widely considered as one of the world's leading proponents of Lamabazouk. She wrote the "Lambazouk Technique Book" approved by UKA and IDO (International Dance Organisation) and is a qualified dance teacher. She founded the Beija-Flor Dance Group in 1997 in London, with the intention of promoting Brazilian culture through dance, music and costumes. The Group has successfully performed in many countries abroad.

DJ Chilli will be fuelling the night with a Brazilian/Latin mix to keep the dance floor full.

Doors open 7pm.
Join us for a Labazouk dance class from 7.30pm.
And the music kicks off at 8.30pm.

Brazil 3 is a collaboration between NORCA and Chilli Con Salsa, bringing NORCA's series of Brazilian themed parties back after a 2 year absence.

Tickets available at The Open (20 Bank Plain) and UEA.
£7 (Students £5)

And for those that love a high quality craft masterclass/workshop, here are some beauties, including digital ceramics!

A chance to learn new skills and unleash your creativity at the
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts Celebrity Makers Masterclasses

The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, at the University of East Anglia Norwich has
announced a series of Masterclasses giving budding and experienced artists the chance to
learn and develop new skills with internationally renowned artists.

Jonathan Keep, Freddie Robins, and Tracey Rowledge will share their expertise and skills in a
series of three Masterclasses covering a range of media including cutting edge 3D printing and
ceramics, textiles and bookbinding.

The first Masterclass on 30 November – 1 December will be given by Suffolk based potter Jonathan Keep. A feature of Keep’s work has been to consider new ways of working in ceramics using digital techniques. Jonathan’s work has been exhibited widely and has been seen recently at Collect in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Network Europe at the Museum of International Ceramic Art, Denmark, Unexpected Too at Sotheby's in New York, the Carlin gallery, Paris, Puls gallery, Brussels and Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London.

This workshop is set to be fascinating, involving hands on experience with readily available 3D computer software and 3D printing in clay.

The second Masterclass is on 18-19 January and will be led by internationally renowned artist, and Senior Tutor on the Textiles programme at the Royal College of Art, London, Freddie Robins. Her work is in many public and private collections including Victoria and Albert Museum, Crafts Council, Nottingham Castle Museum and Aberdeen Art Gallery.

Freddie’s approach to textiles pushes traditional boundaries of craft, art and design, creating exquisite, playful knitted sculptures. The experimental weekend will unpick ideas surrounding ‘masterpiece’ whilst investigating combinations of materials and tensions between media, thinking outside traditional practices and pushing conventional ideas of textiles, sculpture and craft.

The third Celebrity Makers: Masterclass on 8-9 February with Tracey Rowledge looks at bookbinding as a creative medium making two non-adhesive paper-covered book structures. Whilst learning these book structures participants will explore how best to learn their craft, harness their creativity and push the quality of their work.

Tracey’s work has been shown internationally and is held in various private and public collections including The British Library, London, The National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh, and The National Art Library (Victoria and Albert Museum), London.

Dates and booking details:
Jonathan Keep: Digital Ceramics - Saturday 30 November - Sunday 1 December
Freddie Robins: Textiles - Saturday 18 - Sunday 19 December
Tracey Rowledge: Bookbinding - Saturday 8 - Sunday 9 February

All workshops take place over a weekend from 10.30am-4.30pm in the Education Studio at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Each workshop costs £120, £100 concessions; includes materials.

Booking is essential can be done by
ringing the Gallery Reception on 01603 593 199
For further information or photographs please contact
Penelope Lucas, Marketing & Communications Officer, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts
T 01603 593649 E [email protected]
www.scva.ac.uk

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Culture Shift update 20 June 2013

20/6/2013

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Sculpture for Norwich will be at The Forum on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th June with a showing of the Computer Generated Images of Mariele Neudecker's proposal for a public work of art celebrating the Norwich School of Artists to be sited on St Martin-at-Palace Plain.

The Trustees of Sculpture for Norwich will be there to discuss the proposal and answer questions, from 10am until 6pm on both days. This is your opportunity to comment on a new public art piece for Norwich

20 Group Naked in Norwich
Now, there's a vision!
You are invited to the 4th Naked in Norwich show, the annual exhibition of the Norwich 20 Group Life Drawing Workshop.
The private view is on Monday 24th June 6:30 till 9:00 at St Margarets Church, St Benedicts Street, Norwich, all are welcome.
This year visitors are invited to sketch Beth and Chris as they move about the exhibition space forming Tango dance shapes for your visual delight. The weather will dictate the amount of clothing they will wear, so let's hope it’s warm!
The show is dedicated to the Memory of Cristina Ivey, a Workshop regular who died last year.

Anteros Arts
Here's a message from Anteros
Twenty eight artists have been selected to show their work in the Anteros Arts first Summer Open Exhibition. There were some fantastic entries, if only there had been room to display everything.

We are pleased to note that there are several former students of our classes among the artists. Congratulations to you and it's fantastic to see how our courses have helped students along in their creative careers.

So come along and see the standard of the work for yourself. In the Gallery at Anteros, 7-15 Fye Bridge. It's on until the 20th July.

If you fancy polishing up on your creative skills. why not check out the courses we have on offer? There's a huge variety to choose from. Perhaps you could enter next year?....

A Special Talk at Norwich Castle by renowned watercolour artist Gerard Stamp
Saturday 22 June, 2 – 3pm
"Painting is but another word for feeling"

Gerard Stamp’s work features the British landscape and focuses on its architecture of churches and castles.

His current exhibition Gerard Stamp: Conquest, currently on show at Norwich Castle is a series of stunning views of some of Norfolk’s architectural gems, and these new works are available for sale.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Gerard Stamp talk about what influences him, what inspires him, and how he works.

Museum admission only: Adult £7, Concs £6, Young Adult (17-25) £5.40, Child (4-16) £4.90, MUSEUMS PASS HOLDERS FREE.

Click here for more information about the exhibition»

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Today's What Next? meeting 13 August with Cllr Alan Waters

Obituary David Holgate artist, musician and stone carver and lettercutter

Culture Shift update 13 November 2013

Culture Shift update 20 June 2013

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