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

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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/

The post Where Art & Conservation Meet… appeared first on Arts Alive Wales.

Arts Alive Wales

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

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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

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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/

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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.

The post The Big Draw 2012 appeared first on Arts Alive Wales.

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

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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

The post ‘Leaping Hares and Gorgeous Game-birds’ appeared first on Arts Alive Wales.

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

The post A Day with the Woollen Line volunteers at Pen Trumau… appeared first on Arts Alive Wales.

Chinese Dragon Paper Cutting

During October 2012, Theatr Brycheiniog has a stunning exhibition of paintings and sculpture by contemporary artists, who will be travelling to Brecon from their home in Shaanxi Province in China. As well as exhibiting their art, the Chinese artists will visit schools, run workshops and give public talks on their work.

We are absolutely delighted to have the Chinese artists visiting the Arts Alive Wales studio in Crickhowell. See the diary details below for your chance to meet the artists at various events and workshops, including the Big Draw event on Saturday, 6th October and the Drawing and Painting masterclass on Saturday, 13th October. There will also be a ‘Meet and Greet’ event on Friday, 12th October for Practitioners and Friends of Arts Alive Wales.

The artists who will be visiting include:

Mrs Li Fen Lan – this artist has a deep affection for Chinese traditional paper cutting (click here to find out more information about her).

This painting, ‘Hoeing in Spring’ by Li Fen Lan has been used in an issue of National stamps for China.

Ms Li Qiong – this artist received her Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from Xian Academy of Fine Arts in 1986. Her work is vibrant and dependent on a brilliant contrast of colour and intricate surface patterns and textures, exploring a close observation of the flowers and landscapes of Shaanxi. Her portrait paintings in oil are widely sought after by collectors and have been exhibited in Beijing, Shanghai and Xian International Art Fair and reproduced in numerous art magazines and China National TV News Channel and papers.

Mr Zhu Bin – this artist is a sculpture and ceramicist, born in 1968 in Xian. He works in the famous and ancient pottery village of Chen Lu, where he has his ceramic work fired. He has had work selected for numerous cultural exchange exhibitions as well as Shaanxi International Art Fair. His selection of natural glazes reflects the stunning landscapes of Northern Shaanxi. Currently, he is experimenting with welded steel and ceramic structures and pursuing a study of ancient Chinese calligraphy.

Dates for your diary:

Friday 5th October – Schools Guided Tour – 2.00pm-3.30pm (free event)

Opening guided tour of art at the China Harmony Exhibition in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog – all schools welcome.

Saturday 6th October – A taste of China morning – 10.00am-12.00pm (free event)

Tea Ceremony, Paper Cutting, Calligraphy, say hello in Mandarin, Chinese books, costumes and much more at Brecon Library – this is an event for the whole family to enjoy so just turn up and enjoy!

Saturday 6th October – Big Draw event – 11.00am-4.00pm (free event)

Artists from China are inviting us to be creative. This event will be held at Arts Alive Wales, Crickhowell. Just turn up with your sketch pad and draw away. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done it before. Try something new!

Tuesday 9th October - Public Talk - 6.00pm-7.00pm (free event)

This will involve the Chinese artists delivering a series of talks about the Art and creative culture in China – These will take place at Brecon Library – Just turn up and enjoy!

Friday 12th October – Guided Tour – 2.00pm-3.00pm and then again from 4.30pm-5.30pm (free event)

Guided tour of art at the China Harmony Exhibition in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog

Friday 12th October – Meet and Greet – 6:30pm – 8:30pm (free event for Practitioners and friends)

Bring food for sharing. Held at Arts Alive Wales, Crickhowell

Saturday 13th October – Drawing and Painting masterclass – 10.00am-3.00pm (free event)

This is an adult workshop for 16+ years and will be held at Arts Alive Wales in Crickhowell. There are only 12 places available so please contact Arts Alive Wales to book a place.

More Guided Tours…

Friday 19th October – Guided Tour – 2.00pm-3.00pm and then again from 4.30pm-5.30pm (free event)

Guided tour of art at the China Harmony Exhibition in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog

Friday 26th October – Guided Tour – 2.00pm-3.00pm and then again from 4.30pm-5.30pm (free event)
Guided tour of art at the China Harmony Exhibition in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog

Tuesday 30th October:

10.30am-12.00pm -Chinese Calligraphy

1.30pm-3.00pm – Paper Cutting

These activities are completely free and something for all the family to enjoy. They will be held in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog

School activities

Zhu Bin modern painting

These school workshops will involve the Chinese artists working with a selection of local schools on various projects including storytelling, paper cutting, Beijing opera masks, painting folk images, drawing and clay sculpture.

Please enquire at Arts Alive Wales, the various venues listed below or your local school for further details.

Monday 8th October – 9.00am-1.00pm – held at your local school

Monday 8th October – 1.30pm-3.30pm - held at Arts Alive Wales, Crickhowell

Tuesday 9th October – 9.ooam-1.00pm – held at your local school

Tuesday 9th October – 10.ooam-11.00am and then again from 2.00pm-3.00pm – held at Brecon Library

Wednesday 10th October – 9.00am-1.00pm - held at your local school

Wednesday 10th October – 1.30pm-3.30pm – held at Arts Alive Wales, Crickhowell

Thursday 11th October – held at your local school

Thursday 11th October – 10.00am-11.00am and then again from 2.00pm-3.00pm – held at Brecon Library

Friday 12th October – 9.00am-1.00pm – held at your local school

Friday 12th October - Schools Guided Tour – 2.00pm-3.00pm and then again from 4.30pm-5.30pm (free event)

Guided tour of art at the China Harmony Exhibition in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog – all schools welcome.

Tuesday 16th October -10.ooam-11.00am and then again from 2.00pm-3.00pm – held at Brecon Library

Friday 19th October - 10.ooam-11.00am and then again from 2.00pm-3.00pm – held at Brecon Library

Tuesday 23rd October – 10.ooam-11.00am and then again from 2.00pm-3.00pm – held at Brecon Library

Thursday 25th October – 10.ooam-11.00am and then again from 2.00pm-3.00pm – held at Brecon Library

Friday 26th October – Schools Guided Tour – 2.00pm-3.00pm and then again from 4.30pm-5.30pm (free event)
Guided tour of art at the China Harmony Exhibition in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog – all schools welcome.

Tuesday 30th October:

10.30am-12.00pm -Chinese Calligraphy

1.30pm-3.00pm – Paper Cutting

These activities are completely free and something for all the family to enjoy. They will be held in the Andrew Lamont Gallery at Theatr Brycheiniog

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