"White Wall Space, 'the stunning new commercial gallery in Leigh on Sea, are offering the opportunity for artists to exhibit in the ‘Winter Open’. A few artistsmeet members opted for this commercial space - it seems that there are very few opportunities to show without the constriction (or liberation!?) of curation, or the challenge of site-specific... and taking the current market into consideration in presenting work in terms of viability - what it's made of, and the ubiquitous concern of subject matter: here along the North Thames Estuary, the seascape. There is deviation and contrast in the Winter Open artists' concerns - those who paddle their own canoe, those who have an agenda and are looking for an outlet, those who love to sell and are good at it (gallerists dream) and those who just love to show.

For those who want an entirely uncurated event, there's Art On The Railings on Southend Pier, or if selling isn't a concern, Guerilla Art, this year hosted by Southend Fringe Festival, is a much faster way to get into the public eye - but contact the press yourself, nobody else will do it for you (more on how to write a press release later*). Hannah Marsh, Features Editor at the Echo, is a an empathic arts writer, and is very supportive of putting forward current developments in the Arts here in South Essex, which as we all know, is starting to show a strong pulse (some would claim more). Hadleigh Old Fire Station is now up and running - "A former fire station converted to provide studios, community offices and a large exhibition and events space. It will also be the base for the mountain biking event of the 2012 Olympic Games." Billed by BBC News Essex, as an Arts venue, and housing some new and some established artists, collaborators and small communities, the range of what Hofs will develop has yet to fully emerge.

Through metalculture.com, and TAP, engagement in contemporary arts is accessible through participation. What level of participation is the key question - and for artists across the board, it's opportunity. Whether you're an emerging, established (or dead) artist, opportunity is welcome - but if it's the right one. The state-the-obvious stuff like Saatchi online for your profile, the wonderful Weebly to get your website up and running in a shot on an artists purse-string, and a subscription to www.a-n.co.uk 'Stimulating and supporting contemporary visual arts practice' - that's us all up and running before we've brushed our teeth in the morning, and you've still spent less than £100, and if you've managed to swing it all for free, even better. A quick whizz through Vistaprint for your business card or if you're swanky, moo.com and it's rock and roll. Troll through your CV and look at the direction you've headed in, reset your compass, and join artistmeet.org in the New Year to plug yourself in - it's about exploring and discussing new opportunities, levels of participation, and being a stronger, faster, more informed and responsive artist.

* writing a statement or press release, using new media like twitter, blogging and self-promotion (yes, we hate it, so how to get the press to do it for you), free media like facebook, where and how to sell, how to price your work, finding someone who has the skills you need, what value an artwork has and how that can be different to market value, critical and constructive engagement in current events - what's going on and how does that work - how collaborations can work, project development, photographing your work, or a discussion point you'd like to bring to the table. As long as it's not Brussels Sprouts, they're just for Christmas.

Have a good one!