Creative Development Workshops in Gloucestershire

Since yesterday's post, I have had a few enquiries asking whether Artsmatrix Gloucestershire will be running any other Creative Development Workshops throughout the county.
Below is a list of forthcoming dates

Thursday 13th November - Brewery Arts, Cirencester, 9.30 -12.30
Monday 1st December - Artspace Cinderford, Forest of Dean, 9.30 - 12.30
Friday 5th December - Subscription Rooms, Stroud, 9.30 - 12.30

The workshop is an opportunity to meet up with other creative people at different stages of their career, to work through a series of development exercises, that will look at your existing skills, time management, and you will leave with an Action Plan to move your plans forward.
"It has brought clarity and fired my enthusiasm" Visual Artist , Stroud
"Breaking down my overall creative aims into specific actions really helped" Performer, South Gloucestershire

The fee for the workshop is £15.00
A booking form can be dowloaded from the Artsmatrix website http://www.artsmatrix.org.uk/Downloads/Forms/tabid/171/Default.aspx
or drop me an email glos@artsmatrix.org.uk

Music Leader South West

Artsmatrix regularly collaborates with a range of professional development agencies throughout the South West, and recently we have been working with Music Leader South West
Musicleader is a support service dedicated to professional development of UK music leaders. Free membership is open to anyone working with children / young people and music, including school teachers, community musicians, instrument teachers, mentors and anyone involved in music projects.
What does it offer?
It offers FREE 1-2-1 professional development support through its DNA service, training opportunities and online resources.
If you are interested in finding out more and becoming a member, visit their website www.musicleader.net

How can I get recognition for my art?

In this job I am constantly asked 'How can I get my paintings noticed?', or 'How can I get recognition for my art?'. It is often the case that the artist has exhibited their work, maybe in their end of year college show, or even at a local art gallery, but then wonders why the Tate is not knocking at their door to have a piece in their collection.
You need more people see your work, and you need key people to see your work.
I encourage lots of my clients to enter key Open Exhibitions, where work is selected by an experienced panel for display and sale in a major exhibition. The private view will attract key people in the art world, and it will attract a broader audience to view your work. If selected, it will give your work the 'rubber stamp' of approval.
One of the most significant Open Exhibitions in the South West (yes, that includes Gloucestershire) is the Royal West of England Academy Autumn Exhibition in Bristol. It is a mixed discipline exhibition including painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography and architecture. It aims to represent a broad range of contemporary fine art, and the success of submission is not dependent on the style or content but quality.

The 156th Autumn Exhibition opens its doors to the public this Sunday (26th October) and runs until 14th December 2008.
There is normally a charge for entry, but admission is FREE on 15th November only. http://www.rwa.org.uk/

Fashion is back in Fashion

As we all know, the credit crunch has had a serious impact on the property market, and subsequently the television programmers have had to adopt a new approach to their scheduling. It appears that property programmes have now been replaced with fashion programmes. Below is a list of some that I have noticed popping up on our screens in the last few weeks, which may be of interest to those working, or hoping to work, in fashion and textiles.

1. Project Runway (USA) (Sky Three & Sky - catch it when you can!) has been on our screens for a couple of years, and is a fashion competition, introduced by the model Heidi Klum, which offers the winner a catwalk show at New York Fashion week, after a series of weekly designer challenges. Watch them cut out the patterns, shop for trims and style their catwalk model. It's great to see a reality show where an individuals creativity is rewarded. http://www.bravotv.com/Project_Runway/season/5/index.php

2. Frock Me (Channel 4 - Sunday) is introduced by top designer Henry Holland & Alexa Chung. It looks at fashion trends, high street fashion, designer fashion, as well as letting fashionistas have go in the customising and styling challenges. http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/t4/microsites/F/frockme/showguides/index.html

3. Twiggy's Frock Exchange (BBC 2, Tuesday) Tackling the credit crunch head on, this programme introduces the growing trend of the clothes swapping party. There is plenty of advice on current trends and how to update your clothes through customisation. The show is linked to the BBC's Thread website which is dedicated to Ethical fashion. http://www.bbc.co.uk/thread/twiggysfrockexchange/

4. The Fashion Show (ITV2) Another fashion magazine programme, looking at high street trends and styling techniques, with celebrity guests. http://www.itv.com/Lifestyle/Fashion/TheFashionShow/default.html


5. British Style Genius (BBC2, Tuesday) A BBC series, documenting the major influences on British fashion, featuring the major players and icons. The next episode features John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen & Siouxsie Sioux.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/britishstylegenius/

It looks like the 'must have' item for the Winter 08/09 season is a sewing machine!