"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!

L.H. Trevail was at Didcot Railway Museum at the weekend, exhibiting the tiny models that were part of Artside in a 1947 GWR first class dining car during an art walk. A great setting, to be installing those rescued unwanted railway toys in a place that collects the same but full size!
There's something about working at that scale - seeing the work - and then seeing the images of the work, and the narratives that come from the images - the stills that emerge as a record of the process... www.thesocietyofwonders.co.uk

Well done to Sally - subversive stitch strikes back with fabulous craftsmanship and a sting in the tail... All of Sally's submissions are currently on exhibition at One Church Street... love the strawberry and pink of the silk hand grenades made from recyled lingerie - we love it!!! Talking to Sally, she called these "Weapons of soft destruction". What isn't on show are the patterns she drew to create these.. but watch this space! sallychinea.co.uk

"We live in boxes, we're put in one when we die, we use them as drawers, cupboards, filing cabinets, and gift wrapping. We rationalise our lives with them, tidying, storing, confining, hiding, categorising, displaying and protecting objects that surround us. Boxes speak of opening and closing, revealing and concealing, of surprises and disappointments, treasures and collections, and of intimate spaces.

The box touches every aspect of our lives and in Art in a Box the artists take the concept of the box in myriad directions - deconstructing and re-assembling the object and its many connotations in two, three, and four dimensions.

From the edgeland where art and craft meet, the unexpected often emerges; so visitors will discover magical light boxes, fascinating collections that may not be what they seem, and boxes bearing strange messages and commands; they can smile at 3D cartoons, peer into miniature rooms containing moving images that evoke strange emotions, and wonder at extraordinary photographs." We live in boxes, we're put in one when we die, we use them as drawers, cupboards, filing cabinets, and gift wrapping. We rationalise our lives with them, tidying, storing, confining, hiding, categorising, displaying and protecting objects that surround us. Boxes speak of opening and closing, revealing and concealing, of surprises and disappointments, treasures and collections, and of intimate spaces."
www.onechurchstreet.com

Madelaine Murphy was asked to speak at Future Park www.metalculture.com/southend-on-sea/future-park-and-station.html about education but she thought 'learning' is a much more exciting word: contextualised or situated learning: perception over concept: gender approaches to learning: engaging adults: guerilla stuff and how it works, in a nutshell: a socailly engaged practice. Here's the powerpoint as requested:-)

'An object of my own making"- beautifully produced, with the clarity and elegance in which Karen Apps produces all of her work... A transitional object? more here - http://karenapps.weebly.com/index.html

Selected by the V&A, this will run as part of a series of videos in which makers show how they produce htheir wor6 September 2011 – 2 January 2012. "Power of Making celebrates the role of making in our lives by presenting an eclectic selection of over 100 exquisitely crafted objects. Curated by Daniel Charny, the exhibition is a cabinet of curiosities showing works by both amateurs and leading makers from around the world, presenting a range of skills with imaginative and spectacular results."www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/power-of-making/

happy global village :-)