1. Art Fair + Art Party Combined Ticket – Special Offer

    Posted on May 20, 2013 by Jem

    See the flyers below. Don’t miss the special combined ticket offer designed for Members and Friends of DVA.

    Click on the two flyers to enlarge

    The Art Fair posting below the flyers has a guide to what’s taking place. This is being updated regularly with images and notes about the event.

    See also our Facebook and Twitter pages:

    Facebook CLICK HERE
    Twitter: CLICK HERE

    Special Offer_1-1

    DAF e-flyer - Art Party_1-1

    __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


  2. DORSET ART FAIR + DORSET ART PARTY

    Posted on May 16, 2013 by Jem

    WELCOME TO DORSET ART FAIR + THE ART FAIR ART PARTY
    Bring family and friends.

    Urban Playground - Mike Chapman

    Urban Playground – Mike Chapman

    DORSET ART FAIR
    01 – 02 JUNE
    KINGSTON MAURWARD
    DORCHESTER DT2 8PY

    Adults £5 – Children, student card holders and car parking – Free
    Great Grounds for a picnic
    On-site cafe too

    Saturday 10am – 5pm
    Sunday 10am – 4pm

    The Art Fair Art Party
    Saturday Evening – 7.45 -10.30pm

    Tickets: £15 – in advance only.
    Email booking to: admin@dorsetvisualarts.org – payment details by return.
    Or call 01305 853100 – part time office – leave name and number

    NB DVA MEMBERS – see Members and Friends discount deal sent by Mailer

    Come and meet friends and support DVA
    See the exhibitions and meet other artists and other creative professionals
    Great Trio – blues and other genres
    Walk the grounds – evening picnic?
    Pay bar

    Music by the Andy Grant Trio
    Andy Grant Trio on Facebook
    Andy Grant Trio – UTube

    The Art Party includes a 20min dance performance by Elodie Escarmelle – dancer in residence at Paviliou Dance. Her piece is conceived in response to observation and dialogue with ceramicists and glass blowers. Performed in Pengelly Room – small space – first performance 8.15pm – repeated at 9.15pm

    IMPORTANT NOTICE
    OUR NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHES VERY SOON – link added here as soon as it goes live

    THE ART FAIR WALK ROUND GUIDE
    Entrance: Features two sculptures – ‘Downfall’ by Hollie Mackenzie’

    Downfall - Hollie Mackenzie

    Downfall – Hollie Mackenzie

    and ‘Ship of Fools’ by Guy Martin

    Ship of Fools - Guy Martin

    Ship of Fools – Guy Martin

    The Library: presentation formed by Dorset History Centre focused on two of Dorset’s most notable 20thC women artists: Dame Elisabeth Frink and Mary Spencer Watson – Talk Sunday afternoon.

    Conference Room + Common Room: turned into white walled gallery spaces. More than 70 paintings, prints, sculptures, design objects, and a short film. A real flavour of what the visual arts in Dorset is about. Most work priced between £100 – £5,000. One or two exceptional objects at exclusive prices. Collectively they show a wide range of styles and genres, with an underlying representation of what Dorset is and does well. The vast majority of the work is by Members of Dorset Visual Arts.

    Human Genome - Susannah Hubert

    Human Genome – Susannah Hubert

    West  Bay 227 - Alex Lowery

    West Bay 227 – Alex Lowery

    Pengelly Room: The room is taken over by students from the Arts University Bournemouth. A display of work from the nationally acclaimed BA Model Making Course and a hybrid presentation entitled The Sorting Room – somewhere between an exhibition and a performance – by a group of Fine Art students.

    The Terrace accommodates the Marquee – the location for displays by makers including ceramics, wood, books, felt, jewellery, and other craft based exhibits and collectable art books. Also, several gazeebos. These house demonstrations in wood turning, raku firing and stone carving.

    Brown Bag - Alison Hughes

    Brown Bag – Alison Hughes

    Caravans - Eric Ravillious

    Caravans – Eric Ravillious

    Back in the house, the Whatmore Room is given over to print demonstrations – one focused on handmade wallpaper – the other an interactive screen printing project.

    Small Boat - Hugh Dunford Wood

    Small Boat – Hugh Dunford Wood

    There is of course more incidental activity happening at different times and an ‘Anyone Can Do It’ wall to display postcard drawings done on the day by visitors.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________________________


  3. DORSET ART TRAIL No.1 A MOVABLE FEAST

    Posted on March 6, 2013 by Jem

    We are delighted to launch our first Art Trail – A Movable Feast
    A weekend trail linking art with food, landscapes and other experiences.

    Dorset Art Trails - A MOVABLE FEAST

    To download the Art Trail Booklet and Map
    Click here: A MOVABLE FEAST

    A weekend of cultural and sensory delights; a chance to explore art, design and making in a rural context and to interweave this with other experiences whilst navigating a ‘chunk’ of Dorset’s great landscapes. The link to the on-line booklet and map is given below. The trail is made up of a core trail which features events and a fringe trail of open studios and web links – see map – to cycle rides and walks.

    Here’s a diary of the core trail events – mostly these have limited places so find out more from the booklet and book as soon as you can. Several of these venues are open with displays and exhibitions at other times over the weekend; also before and after the weekend.

    Friday 05 April
    10am – 4pm: Food and Still Life Photography Masterclass with Robert Golden. Location: Lesley Waters Cookery School
    6:30 for 7.pm: Evening Art, Supper and Music Event. Location: Sladers Yard

    Saturday 06 April
    10.30am – last entry 3.30pm: Visit the inspirational home of designer John Makepeace. Location: Beaminster
    10.30 – 12.30: Marzia Colonna in conversation in her studio over coffee. Location: Portesham
    11am + 3pm: Cookery Course Taster Sessions led by renowned chef Lesley Waters
    7 – 11pm: An informal supper event set within the exhibition at PlushArt. Poet Elizabeth Bletsoe reads and prompts conversation between the artists and guests.
    From 11am – Tour of Minterne House and its collections led by Lord Digby + 2 course lunch and access to Minterne’s spectacular gardens
    10.30am – 4pm: Special Pin Hole Photography Day led by artist Louise Lobban – stimulus the planned landscape and gardens at Minterne

    Sunday 07 April
    10am – 4pm: Printmaking Workshop ‘Death to the Drab’ with Hugh Dunford Wood
    11am + 3pm: Cookery Course Taster Sessions led by renowned chef Lesley Waters
    11am – 3pm: Pop Up Film & Brunch Event at Farrs led by Robert Golden
    11am – 12noon: Jill Kennington in conversation over coffee about her photography and experiences

    Exhibitions and displays at:
    PlushArt: Frances Hatch + Mike Chapman + Jill Kennington Courtauld + Jonathan Garratt – Plush nr. Piddletrenthide
    Lesley Waters Cookery School: mixed display craftwork – Halstock
    Jacqueline Milton – Halstock
    Old School Gallery, Yetminster
    Minterne House: Access to Private Collection
    Barbara Fulford-Dobson – Cerne Abbas
    Carolyn Brettell – Nr Sherborne
    Oliver Strong – Waytown, Bridport
    Gerry Dudgeon – Melplash, nr Bridport
    David Risk Kennard – Powerstock
    Jill Kennington Courtauld – Powerstock
    Farrs – John and Jenny Makepeace + Robert Golden: Beaminster
    Stephen + Rita Yates – Beaminster
    St. Michael’s Studios – Bridport
    Bridport Arts Centre – Piers Rawson
    Marzia Colonna – Portesham
    Sladers Yard: Paul Jones + Petter Southall – West Bay
    Clare Trenchard – Whitchurch Cononicorum
    Howard Flanagan – Morcombelake
    Hugh Dunford Wood – Lyme Regis

    _____________________________________________________


  4. Art Trail 1 – CALL for artists, designers and makers – deadline for interest 04 February

    Posted on January 21, 2013 by Jem

    URGENT CALL
    The CALL FOR ARTISTS, DESIGNERS AND MAKERS to join in the first ART TRAIL has been uploaded to the NEWS page on DVA Website. The overview and route of the Core Trail has been repeated below.

    Time is of the essence. Please make sure your interest in staging an Open Studio or other event is registered fast so that we can discuss and collect your entry details and image as quickly as possible. Contact us via our admin email. The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 04 February.

    If you don’t live or work along the route but are still interested in taking part, you will see we are also putting a call out for Host Venues, so do contact us by email and include your telephone number so that we can discuss participation with you very soon. The route could still be amended by new applications.

    ART TRAIL SYNOPSIS
    ART TRAIL 1: ‘A Moveable Feast’

    Dorset Art Trails is planned as an on-going series of cultural weekend experiences; each focusing on a sub-region of Dorset. The first Art Trail runs Spring 2013. Our intention is to run two trails a year: spring and autumn. Each will adopt an overarching theme, usually chosen to explore relationships between particular art forms and to attract relevant businesses to join in. Art Trails will be branded as a sub-brand of Dorset Visual Arts.

    Over a series of four trails we will have put the spotlight on pretty much the whole of Dorset and covered a wide range of themes to ensure that at least one trail appeals to a Member’s interests.

    Each trail will be promoted via a brochure and map in tandem with a digital presence and advertising. Each will include a ‘Core’ and a ‘Fringe’ element. As well as the participating venues, accommodation and hospitality, it will highlight a great walk, a cycle ride, a great view, a special building and other features that might add to the enjoyment of a weekend in Dorset.

    The Core Trail – Other than access to a display, the core trail includes ticketed, special events, activities, performances and social occasions. Whilst access to Art Trail exhibitions and displays are almost all expected to be free, tickets to professionally-led, niche events will be limited.
    Some will be quite high-end. It is these events that are essential economic drivers to the viability of an Art Trail, creating the opportunity for DVA artists to participate at modest rates.

    The ‘Fringe’ Trail is expected to be be formed of DVA Members’ living or working within the natural catchment of core trail running an Open Studio weekend. Other ideas can of course be suggested. Also businesses relevant to the theme.

    Fringe Extra. Also mapped on the trail will be suppliers of good, local hospitality and accommodation, music and film events and notice of any rambling, biking or similar contemporary interests in Dorset.

    ART TRAIL 1: 05 – 07 April Title: A Moveable Feast
    Fringe activities can be extended to run from the 01 April

    CORE TRAIL
    At the time of writing, this first Core Trail suggests a circuit taking in: Halstock – Powerstock – Beaminster – Bridport – Eype – West Bay – Portesham – Plush – Minterne Magna near Cerne Abbas – and on to Sherborne. Fringe applications might amend this description.

    Core Trail Events
    Halstock: Lesley Waters Cookery School: Cookery School Taster Sessions + Food / Still life photography masterclass + Selected Makers
    Powerstock: Jill Kennington Courtauld – Open Studio + Coffee Morning Discussion
    Beaminster: Farr’s – John Makepeace: Furniture and Art Collection Open Day + Film and meal Event
    Eype or nearby: Hugh Dunford Wood – Print Workshop +, separately, Wild Cooking Event on beach – tbc
    Bridport: activity tbc
    West Bay: Sladers Yard: Exhibition + Supper with Talk, Music etc..
    Portesham: Marzia Colonna – open studio and afternoon tea conversation
    Plush Art – Plush: Selected Exhibition + special ‘in conversation’ supper event
    Minterne Magna: Minterne House – Tour of House and Collection + Buffet Lunch – separately: Pin-hole Photography Workshop focused on the Minterne’s architecture and planned gardens.

    Advance Notice – the following ideas are taking shape for future Art Trails.
    ART TRAIL 2 Autumn 2013 – Theme: Wood and Fibre – Autumn 2013 – focus North and North East Dorset
    ART TRAIL 3 Spring 2014 – Theme:’Drawing Inspiration’ This trail will be allied to a special AONB* project which will explore the landscapes made famous by renowned British Artists.
    *Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – focus South and East Dorset
    ART TRAIL 4 – Autumn 2014 – Theme: Paper and Minerals – a trail based on an exploration of stone, clay and other minerals


  5. News up-date: January 2013

    Posted on January 8, 2013 by Jem

    HAPPY NEW YEAR
    Welcome to DVA 2013 – No time to hang about,lots to do. In particular, work on the new website which we expect to start testing by the end of the month. Look out for details.

    DATES
    Design Your Career
    Saturday 02 + Sunday 03 February –
    Fantastic event. Discount for DVA Members.
    Click here for details: Design Your Career

    DVA EVENTS
    Dorset Art Trail No.1: Friday 05 – Sunday 07 April
    Dorset Art Fair: Friday 31 May – Sunday 02 June

    Calls for Interest
    Whilst accepting that there are a good many loose ends to secure – many to do with the level of sponsorship we are looking to attract – calls for ‘Expressions of Interest’ to participate have been posted on the News page of the current DVA website. These documents include an overview of the nature and character of the events and dates for interests to be logged.

    Click here: Dorset Art Trail No.1: North West, West and South West Dorset
    Click here: Dorset Art Fair – Kingston Maurward

    p.s. If you have further questions, email your enquiry to the office and please include your phone number.

    LISTINGS AND NOTES
    Also posted are items Members have asked to be announced prior to the February edition of Members’ Listings. And, separately, the key points arising from the recent Area Meetings, though, as it turned out, mostly the time was given to explaining where we are heading with our programme and what opportunities it presents.
    Click here: Listings

    PHOTOS
    Flamenco Drawing Day
    We thought you might like to see a few photos from the Flamenco Drawing Day staged in collaboration with Pavilion Dance; we offered eight free places. Sincere apologies to the two guys I told wouldn’t have to do a dance step as part of the occasion – but did! It really was what I thought I had been told – I would have been mortified too!
    Anyway, great feedback from both. New opportunities for more mini residencies are being planned; contact us if you are interested.
    Click here: Flamenco Drawing Day Photos:
    http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.498961566810822.114036.100000909500205&type=1&l=0db74fdb88

    ExLAB
    Also photos from the visit some of us made to Frances Hatch to share what she has achieved during her ExLAB bursary project at Middle Beach, Studland. And, yes it was cold!
    Read more on Frances’ blog:
    http://franceshatch.tumblr.com/

    MEMBERSHIP
    Finally for now – here’s a copy of Suzy’s email sent also via the mailer.

    Dear All
    Please note that we are fast approaching the launch of our exciting new website. There is much admin preparation to be done in the lead in to this so I’m afraid anyone who hasn’t paid their 2012/13 membership will have their membership page quarantined and will no longer receive email communications from us. Obviously we do not want to lose any of you, especially just as our programme is expanding, but needs must if we are to move forward. Please have any outstanding membership fees sent to me ASAP.
    If any of you are unsure as to whether you are paid up or not do email:
    admin@dorsetvisualarts.org
    I have now processed all outstanding forms.
    If you are fully paid up, please wait to hear about how to make the most of your fantastic new page within the all new and improved DVA website.
    Best wishes
    Suzy

    RESEARCH
    DVA is currently involved in an exciting research project ‘Digital Destinations’ managed by Bournemouth University School of Tourism. This involves 60 organisations. A second project is being planned with B’mth Uni and involves DVA, Dorset County, Sherborne House Arts and our designers We Are Creative. We’ll report on the progress of both soon.


  6. Pavilion Dance + DVA: Flamenco Day and Drawing Workshop

    Posted on November 12, 2012 by Jem

    Pavilion Dance Flamenco Dance and Drawing Day
    15 December

    As part of an on-going collaboration with Pavilion Dance, DVA is offering 8 bursary places on Pavilion Dance’s exciting ‘Flamenco Dance and Figure Drawing Workshop. The bursary covers the workshop fees.
    To apply, click the link below which will take you to the document posted on the News Page of the DVA website.

    Click:

    The workshop takes place:
    Saturday 15th December
    10am – 4pm
    at Pavilion Dance, Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU
    Limited places
    Tickets: £15
    Book online, in person at reception, or by calling 01202 203630

    The workshop will consist of a 1.5hr practical Flamenco class followed by 4.5hrs of visual artists responding to and interpreting movement and musical rhythms whilst drawing a flamenco dancer and life model. Materials including rolls of paper, inks, charcoal etc. will be provided.

    ___________________________________________________________________________________


  7. DAW REPORT + DVA Calendar

    Posted on October 23, 2012 by Jem

    Update: Following the previous notice, we are now able to give the dates for the two remaining Area Meetings – Areas 3 & 4. They take place in the first week of December. The details have been inserted below.

    The DAW 2012 Report can be found on the News page of the DVA website via this link:
    Click here to open.

    We hope you find it interesting and please do take time to read it before coming to one of the forthcoming DVA – DAW Area Meetings.


    DVA – DAW AREA MEETINGS

    For a variety or reasons we are forming larger area groupings to discuss DAW and DVA’s future plans. Four Area Meetings will be held this autumn. Please feel free to attend out of your local area if you wish.

    Area 1: Dorchester, Weymouth, Portland, Bridport, Lyme Regis, Beaminster
    Area 2: Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne, Wareham / Purbeck
    Area 3: Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, North Blandford, Cranborne, Sturminster Newton
    Area 4: Purbeck, Bere Regis, Blandford, Dorchester, Frome and Cerne, Weymouth, Portland

    One of the reasons for larger groupings is to provide the opportunity for you to meet a greater number of DVA Members and engage in a wider debate. Refreshments will be available and we will ensure there is time to meet informally.

    The first two Area Meetings are imminent. The dates and other details for these are given below. The other two meetings will be held early in December. The first of these is also given below. The final one will be confirmed by the 06 November.

    Area 1 Meeting: Monday 05 November 6 – 8.30pm
    Sladers Yard
    West Bay Road, Nr Bridport. DT6 4EL
    The bar can be opened after the meeting if you wish.
    Directions: right hand side just before the road bends onto the sea front

    Area 2 Meeting: Tuesday 06 November 6 – 8.30pm
    Ruth Oaks Studio – above Poole Printmakers
    5 Bowling Green Alley, Poole, BH15 1AG
    Adjourn to the pub afterwards if you wish.
    Directions: behind Poole High Street, via New Orchard and close to Hill Street Multi-storey. Very close to the Salvation Army Chapel. Plenty of local car parking including pay and display area outside the studio – free at the time of the meeting.

    Area 3 Meeting: Tuesday 04 December 6 – 8.30pm
    Rose Hatcher’s new studio – The Workhouse Chapel
    Bath Road, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1EB
    Directions: From the traffic lights in Sturminster follow the B3902 to Marnhull and Gillingham. The chapel is on the right hand side about half a mile from the centre just before Sturminster High School.

    Area 4 Meeting: Thursday 06 December 6 – 8.30pm
    The Courtyard Gallery and Workshop
    Roger’s Hill Farm, Briantspuddle, Bere Regis, Dorchester, DT2 7HJ
    Directions: Follow signs for Briantspuddle off the A35 2miles west of Bere Regis. Keep following signs for Briantspuddle until you see the sign for Rogers Hill Farm (left turn) which takes a descent and goes under the main road. The workshop is on the right after the avenue of trees. Simon will put out DAW signs to assist.

    OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

    FRANCES HATCH – DVA/ExLAB BURSARY Research Project FEEDBACK EVENT
    For DVA Members – highly reccommended
    Location: The Old Coastguard beach hut, Middle Beach, Studland.
    Half way down steps to beach from Middle beach car park.
    Date: Wednesday 05 December 11am
    Cost: Free
    Parking: Free parking for NT members – otherwise Pay and Display

    Optional: Warm up afterwards over lunch at the Bankes Arms – not free! – followed by a walk to the cliff face.

    Please indicate that you attending by email to: admin@dorsetvisualarts.org – please also indicate if you will join us for lunch

    To preview Frances’ project, see her research blog at:
    http://www.franceshatch.tumblr.com

    DVA MEMBERS DRAWING DAY
    Location: Russell-Cotes Museum and Art Gallery
    Date: Tuesday 12 February
    Time: 10am – 5pm
    Cost: £15 + supplement for drinks

    DVA Trip
    Following feedback, the proposed visit to London before Christmas is being re-thought in order to find an option that can include a special studio or behind the scenes visit,event or talk.

    DVA Facebook Group
    This group is growing and the current cohort are planning a get together soon. Give it a try. It now runs under the title: Dorset Visual Arts Network – access via Facebook

    DVA STUDENT PRIZE
    Hollie Mackenzie is the 2012 winner of the Dorset Visual Arts Student Prize. Her work ‘Downfall’ is currently leading the people’s prize vote for emergent artists at this year’s Freize art fair. A longer piece about Hollie and her work will be posted soon – and a better image than I took at the graduation show at AUCB! Do visit Hollie’s website:
    http://www.mackenzieartist.co.uk/#!home/mainPage

    _________________________________________________________


  8. ExLAB Programme + Call for Volunteers

    Posted on July 22, 2012 by Jem

    ExLAB – Don’t Miss it: starts fully 26th July – see below for Volunteer Opportunities.

    ExLAB is Dorset’s major visual arts and science project that forms part of the Cultural Olympiad.
    The project has been developed by the collective of arts organisations, Big Picture. DVA is a member.

    The main focus of the project is the presentation of the work produced by artists: Simon Ryder, Mat Chivers, Simon Callery, Zachary Eastwood-Bloom and the collective Probiscis. Each was commissioned to work in collaboration with earth scientists to produce a site specific response at one of the following locations: Portland, Burton Bradstock, Sheborne and Purbeck. An element of the Purbeck project is being screened in Bournemouth.

    The ExLAB ‘Field Programme’ can be downloaded from the home page of the ExLAB website:
    www.exlab.org.uk

    It has also been linked from the ExLAB News item on the DVA website.
    www.dorsetvisualarts.org/index.php/dva/news/0/index.html

    CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
    ExLAB is still in need of volunteers to help steward and invigilate the events. Please read and respond if you can to the following message:

    Dear DVA Members,
    ExLab URGENTLY needs your help! We are really short of volunteers to act as invigilators Wed-Sun, between 28th July and 9th September at Coastwatch (Portland) and Spyway Barn (Purbeck). Even if you can only do half a day, it would be very much appreciated.

    If you can help, please get in touch with Fran Norton:
    Tel: 07710 616139
    Email: frannortonhome@aol.com

    WE CAN PAY £10 PER HALF DAY SESSION, £20 PER DAY!

    Best wishes
    Fran

    DVA BJURSARIES
    Alongside the main programme, as has been mentioned in other DVA news bulletins, three DVA Members, Sarah Gilpin, Frances Hatch and Karen Hansen were each awarded a bursary to undertake a personal research project related to one or more of ExLAB’s main themes. They will be sharing the outcomes of their work with DVA Members in the autumn. In the meantime you can visit the blogs that Sarah and Frances are running.

    Sarah Gilpin:
    www.sarahgilpin.wordpress.com/

    Frances Hatch:
    www.franceshatch.tumblr.com

    Karen Hansen’s website:
    www.karenhansen.co.uk/cv.html

    ______________________________________________________________________________________________


  9. July E-News – Post DAW issue – images following later

    Posted on July 4, 2012 by Jem

    July E-News
    POST DAW 2012 ISSUE

    NB – see office summer closure notice below.

    DAW 2012
    THANK YOU ARTISTS
    Thank you to all the near 1000 artists taking part in DAW 2012. In particular, the 365 of you opening your homes or organising the alternative studio and exhibition spaces that made this year’s event special in many different ways. More visitors than ever have contacted us to say how enjoyable the event has been.

    P.S.
    And, thank you too for the appreciative messages we have received from many of you.

    HOWEVER: HOUSEKEEPING NOTICE

    SIGNS
    Please, please take down the last of the DAW road signs – several are still up. Most Local Authorities are happy for us to push by-laws to the limit but leaving them up unnecessarily does test the goodwill.

    THANK YOU VISITORS
    Some reading this brief post DAW E-News will be Art Weeks visitors that have signed up to follow Dorset Visual Arts. Thank you for all your positive and constructive feedback which will be used to inform future activity.

    We welcome you to the start of a much more ambitious programme for the organisation. This will ‘roll-out’ over the next eighteen months. You are very welcome to join our new Friends scheme in order to take a more active part in events. If you wish to join please contact the office in August.

    Email: admin@dorsetvisualarts.org

    DAW PRIZE DRAW
    This year’s DAW Post Card Prize Draw has been a resounding success. Just over 1000 cards were posted to the office. Encouragingly it means that 1000 people would like to buy an artwork and know more about what we are planning to do in the future.

    The Winner!
    The one hiccup is that we have been waiting to announce the winner since the 18th June, Unfortunately the winner has not responded to the several emails sent notifying him of his success and we have no other means of contacting him. We have now notified him that the offer must be accepted by the 15th July or it will be forfeited. In this eventuality, a new winner will be drawn on the 21st July. We will keep you posted!

    DAW FIRST REFLECTIONS
    It is clear Dorset Art Weeks 2012 has been different for many reasons; not least the weather, the economy and the Jubilee! From our own observations, the virtual group diary that Facebook and Twitter became, the many conversations we have had with artists, recent meetings with Area Coordinators and our first reading of the data returns, the event can best be summarized by two things. Firstly the greater sense of community it has generated. Secondly, its contradictions.

    Whilst some artists had fewer visitors others had more, whilst some reported lower sales others report better sales than 2010. Indeed, there is an emerging paradox that fewer visitors can equate to better sales. A fact reported by one artist from their own analysis may yet prove a pretty accurate one-line overview of the whole event: that if it proves as in hjs case that visitor numbers are down slightly – it appears it may be by about 14% – the average ‘spend’ per visitor is the same.

    As many artist’s stress, this is not the only way of thinking of DAW. For many artists and makers sales and commissions continue to be accrued as a consequence of taking part and the longevity of the brochure. Also, that many take part not because of sales alone but from what they gain from concentrated interaction with the public.

    At this point, the information you have provided on the returns is already mostly entered on the database. It will take another week or so to complete the task. We can then start to properly analyse the information, collate the observations and stories and form a proper DAW report. This will be up-loaded to the website by mid-September and used as a key ingredient in the autumn feedback events being planned.

    The two simple statistics that need almost no further interpretation are that 80% of venues were satisfied with visitor numbers and 61% are firmly committed to taking part in DAW 2014.

    Autumn Meetings
    We are minded to run four rather than thirteen as we have in the past so that we can make these much more of an occasion. They will include discussion of our forward programme and other plans for the organisation and provide a test the concept of the art forums we have wanted to introduce for some while now.

    The outline 2012 -2014 programme will be announced in and linked from the August E-News and up-dated further at the beginning of September.

    OFFICE HOLIDAY

    Suzy and I are taking a break and the office will be closed for the rest of July. You won’t be surprised that we have a huge amount of time in-lieu to claim back! Nevertheless, its not quite as black and white as that. Even though the office is closed, discussion, research and forward planning is on-going behind the scenes. Included is the lead-in work to a much needed, new, DVA website – Hooray!

    When we return to normal hours in August you should find as usual that the office is staffed on a Monday and Wednesday. At all times, Email is the most effective means of requesting contact, otherwise, but if we aren’t at the office on these days due to other DVA commitments, please leave an answer-phone message and we will call-back as soon as possible.

    WE SEND OUR BEST WISHES FOR YOU TO ENJOY THE SUMMER TOO.
    jem
    +
    suzy

    03 July 2012

    DVA CONTACT DETAILS
    EMail: admin@dorsetvisualarts.org
    Tel: 01305 853100
    Blog: www.dorsetvisualarts.org/blog

    PS
    We will send a special notice regarding the ExLAB Visual Arts project that features during the Cultural Olympics in a week or so. In the meantime, please see the page notice in the DAW brochure so you can begin to get in touch with the project.

    ______________________________________________________________________________________________


  10. Posted on June 14, 2012 by Jem

    EVENT
    Some DVA Members may find this day course of particular interest. It is not irrelevant to the experiences of many of our artists taking part in Dorset Art Weeks and the questions being asked within the DVA Facebook Group.

    ART AND MONEY
    GAINING MOMENTUM IN A CHANGING ECONOMY

    10.00 – 4pm, 19 June 2012, Bridport Arts Centre, Dorset
    Cost £12.95 (includes lunch, refreshments and booking fee)
    http://artandmoneybridport.eventbrite.co.uk/

    Presented by Turning Point South West with support from Bridport Arts Centre, Big Picture, Dorset Loves Arts, Reveal, Somerset and Contemporary Art Society.

    This professional development day is aimed at Contemporary Art practitioners who have been working for over 5 years. The day will give insights into the contemporary art market, an artists’ perspective on sustaining practice working outside and inside the gallery, and insights into new ways that digital technology can be employed to create a higher profile, and further income generating opportunities. With keynote presentations from Paul Hobson, Director of Contemporary Art Society; artist Tania Kovats; and presentations of digital platforms for use within a contemporary art practice from Peter Dickinson and Paul Stickland.

    A limited number of places are available for small group ‘surgeries’ with the speakers in the afternoon. If you wish to take part in these sessions you will be asked to answer 2 questions as part of the booking process. As places are limited, if we are over-subscribed we will allocate places to those who we feel will most benefit from the sessions.

    To book onto this event and for further details, please visit http://artandmoneybridport.eventbrite.co.uk/

    Grace Davies
    Regional Development Coordinator
    Visual Arts South West (Turning Point South West)

    Tel: +44 (0) 7812 575 480
    Email: coordinatortpsw@gmail.com
    Web: http://www.tpsw.squarespace.com
    Twitter: @VisualArtsSW
    Facebook: Visual Arts South West

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