‘News’ Category

21 May
2013

Crickhowell Open Studios & Galleries

Arts Alive Wales presents

 

TESSA WAITE

 

MORAG COLQUHOUN

 

CATHERINE BAKER

 

New and experimental work in progress

Morag Colquhoun
Tessa Waite
Catherine Baker

Spring Bank Holiday Weekend

25th – 27th May

10am – 5pm

Arts Alive Wales is delighted to be part of this year’s Crickhowell Open Studios & Galleries weekend. Tessa, Morag and Catherine will take over the studio, responding to the space as an environment for exploring creative processes, to present current work in progress. The artists have been encouraged to exhibit sketchbooks, prototypes and materials to reveal the often hidden work that takes place in the artist’s studio. Through a loose and intuitive display of the artists’ work, familiar connections of landscape, nature and memory can be traced through individual ideas and approaches.

Refreshments Served

FREE to attend. Everyone welcome.

 

Arts Alive Wales

The Old School, Brecon Road, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1DG

T: 01873 811579 / E: info@artsalivewales.org.uk

 

For more information about the artists visit the exhibition web page

 

For more information about the Crickhowell Open Studio & Galleries visit: www.visitcrickhowell.co.uk

 

19 Apr
2013

Woollen Line – Exhibition Closing Event

Where art and conservation meet

In 2010, the first 300m long line of wool was drawn across the top of a 7 hectare peat scar on Pen Trumau. The line marked a starting point in an attempt to repair the scar caused by a fire in 1976 and from which the mountain has never recovered. Over the last 3 years the Woollen Line has drawn in participants and volunteers from a range of backgrounds and interests including farmers, walkers, bird watchers, artists. These events explore some of the reasons why people have wanted to be involved and what holds them to it.

EXHIBITION 

A contemporary art exhibition celebrating an extraordinary project in the Black Mountains, conceived by artist Pip Woolf.

Closing Event 

Friday 26th April, 4pm – 7pm 

FREE entry – refreshments available.

Meet and talk to Pip Woolf and other artists who have responded to the project and its provocations.

The Barn, The Courtyard, Standard Street, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1BZ. 

For details contact: Pip Woolf

01874 730995 / gilpip@gmail.com

For more information about the project visit Pip’s blog: www.woollenline.wordpress.com and the project page on the Arts Alive Wales website: www.artsalivewales.org.uk

WOOLLEN LINE ARTICLE ON THE GUARDIAN WEBSITE, 17/04/2013: www.guardian.co.uk

 

WALK

On Saturday 27th April, the final day of the Woollen Line exhibition Pip will be leading a walk on the mountain so people can experience the location of the Woollen Line first hand.

Please contact Pip if you would like to take part. The group will meet in Cwmdu Village Hall Car Park at 9.30am so they can share cars up to the start point and they aim to be back down by 1pm at the latest. It is always cold, so don’t be fooled by the longed for spring sunshine!

Pip will post more details about the walk on her blog: www.woollenline.wordpress.com

 

The Woollen Line is supported by Arts Alive Wales and funded by the Brecon Beacons National Park Sustainable Development Fund and the Brecon Beacons Trust

7 Feb
2013

Where Art & Conservation Meet…

The Woollen Line

As part of the Crickhowell Walking Festival 2013.

In 2010, the first 300m long line of wool was drawn across the top of a 7 hectare peat scar on Pen Trumau. The line marked a starting point in an attempt to repair the scar caused by a fire in 1976 and from which the mountain has never recovered. Over the last 3 years the Woollen Line has drawn in participants and volunteers from a range of backgrounds and interests including farmers, walkers, bird watchers, artists. This event explores some of the reasons why people have wanted to be involved and what holds them to it. The evening will be a conversation with four of the participants who have been involved from the beginning including the artist Pip Woolf who conceived the work.

Refreshments provided. Places are limited – please book in advance.

Thursday, 7th March 
Arts Alive Wales, Brecon Road, Crickhowell
4.30pm to 6.30pm

To book visit the Crickhowell Walking Festival website: http://www.crickhowellfestival.com

Pip Woolf will also be hosting a walk on Sunday 3rd March, to to see the Woollen Line on Pen Trumau. For more details and booking information visit: http://www.crickhowellfestival.com

For more information about The Woollen Line visit Pip Woolf’s blog: http://woollenline.wordpress.com/

7 Feb
2013

Arts Alive Wales ART AUCTION 2013

Arts Alive Wales will be hosting it’s biennial art auction on Friday 15 March at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny to raise money for it’s community arts programme.

The biennial event is a cornerstone of the fundraising strategy for ourthriving charity and show-cases the talents of leading contemporary artists, as well as being a lively and entertaining evening for guests in the elegant surroundings of the Abergavenny’s Angel Hotel Ballroom.

There will also be selections of work from galleries g39 The Art Shop and Five Ways.

For a full list of contributing artists and gallery of images visit the auction Event Page: http://artsalivewales.org.uk/wp/event

Arts Alive Wales is passionate about using the arts to inspire and enhance the quality of life of local people. We work across mid and south east Wales with professional artists to provide opportunities for active participation in the arts, particularly for adults and children whose lives are challenging. All proceeds from the auction will go directly to support our community projects.

Arts Alive Wales receives no regular funding so the auction is a vital way of raising money for our community programme, which is targeted at vulnerable groups and individuals. In 2013/14 we will be working closely with young homeless people and mental health groups to enable them to have opportunities to participate in arts activities and to help improve their wellbeing and resilience. The auction makes this work possible, while also being a unique opportunity to purchase original artwork, including paintings, ceramics, prints, sculpture and jewellery, by contemporary artists.”

- Justine Wheatley, Director, Arts Alive Wales.

Arts Alive Wales art auction, led by Edward Chetwynd of Chetwynd Antiques, will take place on Friday 15 March at 7pm at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny. Tickets are priced at £30, which includes a drinks reception and a tapas supper – to apply for tickets please contact, email: info@artsalivewales.org.uk  or tel: 01873 811579.

Image credit: Penny Hallas

 


21 Dec
2012

Recruiting for new Chair of Trustees

 

Arts Alive Wales is seeking a new Chair to lead the Trustees and guide the strategic direction, governance and development of our well-respected charity. Our organisation has exciting ambitions and is building a real sense of momentum and belief in its ability to enrich lives through the arts.

The role requires someone with strategic vision, passion and dedication to developing inspired communities and who will provide a strong, visible commitment to the organisation. Board meetings are held in the evening four times a year in Crickhowell. Other time commitments will include attending various meetings and events throughout the year. Although this is a voluntary position, reasonable expenses will be covered for the appointed Chair.

 

Application Procedure

Please send a letter of application together with a CV,completed application and Equal Opportunities form to Sue Harries (Chair, recruitment sub-group) C/o Arts Alive Wales, Old School, Brecon Road, Crickhowell, NP8 1DG

The deadline for applications is 31 January 2013

Interviews will take place w/c 4 February 2013

If you would like an informal discussion about this role please contact trustee Sue Harries on 01873 855266 and for an application pack or further information please contact Justine Wheatley (Director, AAW) on 01873 811579 or email justine@artsalivewales.org.uk

 

Invitation

We are holding an information and networking meeting on

Thursday 17th January 2013

4 to 6pm.

This is an opportunity to meet staff and Board members and to find out more about our organisation. Everyone is welcome. Please come along to meet staff and Board members in an informal setting.

If you are interested in being involved at Board level, but would not wish to be considered for the Chair role, please get in touch

 

22 Nov
2012

Face to Face at the Artworkhouse

Transitions: Photography from inside the Skatepark

Photographer, Toril Brancher will we be exhibiting images from her Face to  Face project alongside the work of James A Hudson and Wig Worland at the ARTWORKHOUSE GALLERY in Abergavenny. The Face to Face project was a collaboration with Arts Alive Wales in 2009  and worked with young people in Abergavenny to create a powerful collection of self portraits.

The opening event is Saturday 24th November, 6-9pm

ARTWORKHOUSE GALLERY,

Hatherleigh Place, Union Rd. West, Abergavenny, NP7 7RL

The exhibition continues on weekends until 13th January.

For directions and more information visit:

http://artworkhouse.wordpress.com

http://torilbrancher.com/

 

 

20 Sep
2012

The Big Draw 2012

Take a line for a walk through the streets of Crickhowell.

The Big Draw

Arts Alive Wales in collaboration with CRiC gallery

Artist Lynette Margerison will be responding to CRiC’s exhibition theme ‘Fire and Fibre’ by encouraging us to draw fire breathing dragons. We’ll also have a  meeting of Welsh and Chinese dragons, as we welcome visiting artists from China to the studio, marking a week of special events at Arts Alive Wales.

Location: Arts Alive Wales, Brecon Rd, Crickhowell. Click here for a map.

When: SATURDAY 6th October

Time: 11am – 4pm, drop-in anytime.

FREE to attend. Refreshments available. All ages and abilities are welcome!

All materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own art materials if you wish.

 

PLUS: Join artist Lucy Corbett at CRiC gallery from 1:30-4:30pm for a FREE  ‘Come & Draw’ session. Please contact the gallery to book as spaces are limited. Email: facilities@crickhowellinfo.org.uk

 

The Big Draw is the world’s biggest celebration of drawing. It has grown into a month-long festival throughout October all over the UK. Every year more people across the world join Big Draw events and engage in creative activities. The Campaign for Drawing has one aim: to get everyone drawing!

 

For more information about  Chinese workshops, events and an exhibition held at Theatr Brycheiniog,  please visit the brand new Arts Alive Wales Blog.

20 Sep
2012

A spotlight on Printmaking

A new exhibition space has been created at the Arts Alive Wales studio and we’re delighted to welcome Printmaker, Stephanie Turnbull, who is showcasing a selection of current work, including linocuts, lithographs and screenprints.

Many of Stephanie’s prints have been inspired by her international travel : “My fascination with other places and cultures, heightened by my physical and emotional experiences of travel around the world, has inspired my interest in discovery and interaction with these other places”.

The new exhibition space will also include participants’ work from community projects as well as work in progress from local artists.

Stephanie is running a Printmaking course at Arts Alive Wales on Monday mornings, 1st – 22nd October, which both beginners and those with experience can join. Click here for more details.

A range of artist prints and original drawings will be also be available to purchase from our Victorian teacher’s desk, a unique and historic feature of The Old School building.

Including local, professional artists:

Pip Woolf

Bronte Woodruff

Penny Hallas

Stephanie Turnbull

…and many more.

25% of print sales supports AAW’s charitable work

For more information email: info@artsalivewales.org.uk

 

19 Sep
2012

‘Leaping Hares and Gorgeous Game-birds’

I think this year’s Hares and Game Birds was one of the best AFF makes ever. It was wonderful to wander through the Abergavenny market hall over the Food Festival weekend and see so many people enjoying the spectacle you created.  Thank you so much to everyone involved – we are privileged to host this activity each year and it really is a highlight of the year for us.

I’m planning to put up a display of AFF maker photos in Nevill Hall over the next week and if you have images to share with us, please send them to me.  Just note, however, that our inbox doesn’t like big files, so please use dropbox or similar if you have a high res image.

 

Here’s a message from our volunteer/intern Mary Isaac about her experience at this year’s make.  We’re delighted to report that Mary has found a job, and very sad that this is her last week working with us.  Good luck Mary!

Justine

 

Dear Game Makers,

During the summer I had the opportunity to work at the Olympic Park alongside some other really amazing volunteers – the Olympic Games Makers – and experience some astonishing feats of human endeavour.  I started work at Arts Alive Wales straight after that experience and have been able to watch the decorations come to life at different stages of the process.  I was amazed and inspired by the dedication of Bettina and the other Game Makers I met – a real match for their Olympic counterparts.

I was delighted to be able to help with the creative process, even if I was just scrunching newspaper! I knew I was making a positive contribution and that was an extremely rewarding feeling.  Speaking to some of the volunteers, from all walks of life was a great pleasure and everyone brought something different to the table, whether they were comfortable painting, sculpting, quilting or dyeing. It’s fantastic to see that art as well as sport can unite people and the results, with spectacular explosions of colour –  are just as life-affirming.

So, on behalf of everyone at Arts Alive Wales, I have the privilege of thanking all the Game Makers: for their hours of hard work; for their creativity and for the outstanding contribution to good talk, good food and great company.

Best Wishes,

Mary Clare Ellana Isaac

Arts Alive Wales Intern

 

11 Sep
2012

A Day with the Woollen Line volunteers at Pen Trumau…

Being a relatively new Arts Alive Wales volunteer, having graduated this summer, I was open-minded about the Woollen Line project as I didn’t really know what to expect. I initially learned about the project while producing an article promoting the Woollen Line volunteer events through the Arts Alive Wales website. Justine, Rebecca and I met in Crickhowell bright and early, before making our way up to the meeting point. I recognised a few people, including my old English teacher who taught me when I attended Crickhowell High School.

My immediate impression was elation; there was an energy in the air, with a diverse mixture of ages and backgrounds gathering together to make a difference to the environment. I was amazed to see how many locals felt strongly enough to take the time to volunteer and engage in Pip’s Woollen Line project. I was also pleased to see tea and cake on standby for when we all arrived back.

After everyone was parked up, Pip gathered everyone around and gave a brief introduction about what the project involved, some information about the process of making the wool “sausages” and felt strips, with some special thanks to those who helped make them, as well as what we could expect from the day. For more information about the Woollen Line and Pip Woolf, please click here. Pip then proceeded to organise a group of volunteers who wished to lead horses up to the top. I was one of those volunteers. Riding the horses down the mountain was an exciting experience for me and I wanted to take the opportunity to do something different.

While waiting for the horses to be loaded up with bags full of felt and wool, I took the opportunity to get to know some of the other volunteers. After tackling the task of choosing a suitable helmet, we proceeded to discuss safari parks, snakes and baboons. I loved hearing about the various experiences with animals that others had been involved with. I also listened to how the volunteers heard about the Woollen Line and what inspired them to become involved.

After a brief tutorial about handling the horses, we set off. My horse, Scooby, had a muzzle. I was slightly anxious about this, however, I realised it was just because he was especially greedy! On the way up to the top, we met some Duke of Edinburgh walkers, who were intrigued about the project. After pausing a few times for the horses to drink, eat grass and succumb to mother nature, we reached the top. The volunteers who walked up were already there, soaking in the sunshine and fabulous views.

After a scenic ride down and a break for a spot of lunch, we proceeded to lead the horses back up to the top. After we reached the drop-off point, Pip held my horse while I ran up to the Woollen Line scar, which was caused by a fire in 1976, exposing the peat and leaving the land starved of life. As I approached the area, I noticed the grass beginning to change. It became darker, more coarse as I drew nearer to the scar and then disappeared. When I finally reached the scar, I whispered “wow”. I felt overwhelmed with awe and simultaneously, sadness. It was upsetting to see that such a large area had been affected. Immediately after this, I felt proud that I was involved in a project that aimed to improve the landscape and help restore it to its natural glory.

During the walk down the mountain, I had the chance to speak to Pip, who initiated the project. I asked her lots of questions including how the project came about and how she has brought her vision as an artist to it.  Here’s just a taste of what she explained “The idea began as image of transforming a black scar of eroded peat and making it white, all 70,000 square metres! Instead, with a huge amount of help I drew a line in felted wool 300metres long. The line has become a whole number of things,  from a line of felted wool that might assist repair of a damaged peat bog, to a line of thought, connections, ideas, actions and indeed new life. ”

I truly enjoyed the day and it was great to be out in the fresh air while knowing I was taking part in a project that is, to put it simply, amazing.

 

By

Mary Clare Ellana Isaac

Arts Alive Wales volunteer

 

See the pictures from the 6th September trip:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151126060756597.458092.360468391596&type=3

Watch the video with Woollen Line volunteers here:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151123491606597&saved

 

For opportunities to get involved, please keep checking the Arts Alive website and like the Facebook page for more events and information:

http://www.facebook.com/artsalivewales

To contact Pip Woolf directly with any questions you may have about the project or anything else, her email address is:

gilpip@googlemail.com

 

31 May
2012

Special Interest Walk: A Woollen Line

Join  and artists Pip Woolf and Kirsty Klaxon on Wednesday 6th of June for an energetic, nine mile walk, led by Brecon Beacons Park Society’s Clive Eiles, to the site of the Woollen Line on Pen Trumau.

A Woollen Line is a collaborative effort to restore an area of eroded peat on Pen Trumau through the work of local artist, Pip Woolf, the Black Mountains Graziers Association and numerous volunteers from both far and wide. It seeks to involve people to assist with the practical restoration of the peat scar whilst promoting thought and discussion regarding our relationship with the landscape around us.

The walk starts at 10am, in Gospel Pass, at the head of the Vale of Ewyas, and heads to the site of the Woollen Line on Pen Trumau where the walk will be met by Pip Woolf and Kirsty Klaxon. The walk will continue down into the hamlet of Waun Fach, were a minibus will pick up the walkers and take them to the Mynydd Ddu tearooms in Cwmdu for further discussion over tea and cake. The minibus will then return the walkers to Gospel Pass for approximately 5pm.

For more information about A Woollen Line, click here.

Wednesday 6th of June

10am – 5pm

£4 per head for tea and cake, and there may be a small charge for the minibus.

Booking is essential. Please contact Pip Woolf to secure your place on the walk.

Tel. 01874 730995

Email: gilpip@googlemail.com

19 Apr
2012

Nevill Hall Dreamscape Clean and Tidy Saturday 21 April

Volunteers needed – Dreamscape Cleaning at Nevill Hall

Sat 21st April 10am to 3pm

Have you ever looked up in Outpatients at Nevill Hall and wondered whether it was a star, or a planet? A moth or a bat? Do you fancy a closer look? Arts Alive Wales and GARTH are having a Spring Clean of the Dreamscape Banners hanging in Main Outpatients at Nevill Hall this Saturday 21st April 10am to 3pm. Come and lend a hand and see the banners up close.

The banners will be brought down from the ceiling and given a good tidy-up, before being re-hung.  Many children and adults from Abergavenny and the surrounding area contributed to the work which was completed in 2008.and we’d love to see some familiar faces again.  No need to book but please bring simple sewing/cleaning items (hand held vacuums would be a great help).

Contact Arts Alive Wales on info@artsalivewales.org.uk or 01873 811579 or ring Sarah Goodey 07976 375781 for details.

5 Apr
2012

Arts Alive Wales for Hire

Arts Alive Wales offers a fully accessible, light and airy studio space; ideal for workshops, parties and meetings. We’re just a ten minute walk from the historic town centre of Crickhowell and its excellent shops bars and cafes.

The studio is available to hire for £12.00 per hour and has access to a kitchen with tea/coffee making facilities, free Wi-Fi, toilets and parking for up to 8 cars.

We also have a wet room with a sink for messy art activities like painting and pottery.

Additionally we can arrange for an artist to host a creative workshop especially for your event.

For more information and to check availability please contact Rebecca Spooner, Arts Development Manager, by calling 01873 811579 or email info@artsalivewales.org.uk

 

1 Feb
2012

Half Term Arts Activities at Talgarth

Talgarth lanternsLanterns, Wildlife and Wackiness

Following the popular sessions last year we will be having fun making lanterns and exploring local wildlife again this February half term, a licence for imaginative thinking and colourful creation. Followed by a celebration lantern evening at Talgarth Mill on Friday 23rd March.

Thursday 16th, Friday 17th and Saturday 18th February

10.30am – 3.30pm (Please bring a packed lunch)

Talgarth Youth Club and Talgarth Mill (meet at the Youth Club at 10.30am)

To book email info@artsalivewales.org.uk or call 01873 811 579 / 07951 315 821

All ages welcome – spaces are limited. Children aged 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Welsh Government LogoThe National Lottery LogoArts Council of Wales Logo

19 Oct
2011

Ecology of Place

Ecology of Place

 

Ecology of Place LeafletDrawing threads of connection 

A weekend workshop with Pip Woolf and Lin Charlston. Pip and Lin will explore interconnections in the natural world and uncover the relationships of things to one another and to ourselves. Join them for a challenging and thoughtful interlude observing, walking, drawing, stitching and creating art at Cae’r Hendre Studio in the beautiful Brecon Beacons.

 

29th and 39th October 2011, 10am – 4.30pm

£115, lunch and materials included

Details and booking:

Email: gilpip@googlemail.com / lincharlston@btinternet.com

Telephone: 01874 730995 / 01584 878337

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