thinking out of the box - funding the arts

after the recent questionnaire about local funding conditions there is going to be a series of workshops across Berkshire - fuller info in comments..
28th Jan and 5th Feb 2009

Deep Filled at G10 opens 24th Jan continues to 8th February

Pam Brabants, Emma Jane Hood, Karen Laycock and Martin Robinson

Contemporary Photography Drawing and Sculpture. An exhibition exploring autobiographical and fictionalised narratives.

Opening 24th Jan 6 - 9 pm


Pam Brabants, an Australian artist living in London, mixes autobiography and fiction in her drawings and embroideries, creating a broken narrative. Described as cartoon observations, they are both hard-boiled and heart-rending.

Emma Jane Hood in this new work of sculpture and photography casts the viewer as audience. Domestic objects are refigured centre stage and are caught in the stark and intimate scenes of a tragic play.

Martin Robinson explores the physical absorption of the photographic process. Through the manufacture of purpose built light gathering equipment, he has been able to produce insightful autobiographical images.

Karen Laycock’s new work has come from current research and media influence of pit bull type dogs and their owners. Her research is based on the personality of the owner. "The dog does reinforce the wall of protection, but it also reveals the person behind the persona" Karen’s new work is presented in the form of photography and video.

Past, Present Imperfect

Recent work by Carolyn Deeks, Linda McDowell and Val Thorne
at Gallery 10, 10 Gun Street, Reading RG1 2JR

4th -18th January, 11am - 6pm 2009
Sundays 11am - 4pm. Closed on Monday.

Private View on Friday 9th January 6.30 - 8.30pm

Question of Funding - local conditions

Berkshire Arts: Local Authority Partners need your help in their research into future funding options that could support Berkshire artists and organisations. Berkshire Arts are working together on strategic projects that help to support the arts across Berkshire, whilst recognising each authority's local arts programmes and priorities. Access to future funding has been identified as a priority for all of the Partners.
David Powell Associates (DPA) www.dpa-ltd.co.uk has been commissioned by Berkshire Arts to help with the research. The first step is to establish the current position of arts funding across Berkshire. We need your help and expertise to do this. Please click here to complete our survey. This will provide us with vital intelligence to inform the development of proposals that are relevant and effective in the Berkshire context. It will take about 10-15 minutes but will be extremely helpful to us in ensuring we understand local conditions.

All completed questionnaires (return by 14th January) will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 of Amazon vouchers.

If you have any questions about the survey please contact Faith Dodkins on 020 7713 8100 or faith.dodkins@dpa-ltd.co.uk.

RGA at the Castle Hill Gallery

Jenny Halstead, Karen Mallik, Robert Stoddart and Janet Walton will be showing work at Castle Hill Gallery from Thur 8 Jan - Mon 16 Feb 2009.
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 4pm, closed Sun.
122a Castle Hill, Reading RG1 7RJ
0118 957 3561
www.rga-artists.org.uk
www.castlehillgallery.com
Opening event: Wednesday 7 Jan, 6-8pm

Compilation

arjeea21's latest exhibition opens on Friday 12 December, 6.30 - 8.30pm at Gallery 10, 10 Gun Street, Reading RG1 2JR. It continues until Sunday 28 Dec, Tues - Sun 11am - 6pm (closed on Christmas Day).

Artists showing this time are Penny Adamson, Jean Aust, Lesley Brown, Nikk Brown, Gill Goodwin, Ingrid Jensen, Ellen Jewell, Jerry+Helen Lunn, Bithja Moor, Joy Needham, Julia Rogers, Hazel Strange, Marie Sudwell, Roxana Tohaneanu Shields, and Neile Wright.

arjeea21 meets monthly at the Jelly (in Reading Town Hall) to talk about work that artists bring in, and to plan exhibitions and gallery visits. For dates please see the website. The ethos is to encourage development of each artist's practice though supportive and constructive discussion. New members are welcome to come along and join in. The focus is on contemporary art.

arjeea21 is supported by Suzanne Stallard of the Jelly who provides meeting space, by Greg Muden and Danny Fraifeld of the Purple Turtle who provide exhibition space, and by Zoe Funge-Smith of Rogues Gallery who administers Gallery 10 with Suzanne.

www.arjeea21.com

Review by Roxana Tohaneanu-Shields: On Our Watch

ON OUR WATCH
by Roxana Tohaneanu-Shields

One of the small cultural tragedies of Reading happened a few years ago: a very important contemporary art space for local artists, Jelly Leg’d Chicken Gallery closed. Recently though an extraordinary place has been available for local artists to set up art exhibitions. It is called Gallery 10 and is right in the middle of town, on Gun Street near the Purple Turtle overlooking the Minster Graveyard. I went last week to the private view of an unusual exhibition entitled On Our Watch. There are two local artists exhibiting Jo Thomas and Alex Buhagiar. I know both of them and their work from previous artistic encounters.
I think there are two kinds of artists: some very active who exhibit regularly, pumping blood into the artistic arteries of the town and others who are seen rarely while their creativity is hidden and protected. Jo Thomas and Alex Buhagiar are the first type of artists. Their work is not only about themselves but about everyone else. In their work there is a communal dedication and a love for physical places that is impressive. How many people do you know that are interested in creating art as a gift to you? The ‘On Our Watch’ exhibition is about us and our environment. Full Review in Comments ..