Ventnor Blog

The Electro Magnetic Workshop who recently played Ventnor Park and Ryde Theatre for the album launch of The Shanklin Freak Show, will be making their way up to Ryde this coming Friday.

They have been give a chance to host their own dark wave happening at Oakfield Football Club, Slade Road Oakfield, Ryde and hopefully with any success will become a regular monthly event involving, music, art and poetry.

The first night will feature The Electro Magnetic Workshop with the launch of our new E.P.

It’ll only cost you £2 to get in. Check their MySpace to hear music and see pics of the band.

It’s almost that time of year again, when the general public get a chance to tour around the studios of the Island’s talented artists.

Each year the Council’s Arts Unit and Quay Arts team up to produce the Isle of Wight Arts Directory, a comprehensive guide to artists, galleries and arts events on the Wight including Open Studios.

The dates for the Open Studios have moved this year and will take place over the last two weekends in July.

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IOW Embroiderers are running a trip to Art in Action at Waterperry House in Thame next month.

Art in Action, founded in 1977, is an annual event set up by Bernard Saunders, then guardian of Waterperry Gardens.

Each year it showcases a broad spectrum of artistic talent, from painting to sculpture, drawing to ceramics and textiles.

You’ll need to check with organisers on timings, but as well as being able to see the wealth of exhibits, there are also various classes you can take part in, many lasting only 1.5 hours.
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We’re very chuffed that our dear friend, Mr Ergo Phizmiz has chosen VentnorBlog as a collaborator for his ongoing Faust Cycle Project. This is something that you, our readers can get involved with, whatever your ability. Do read on and take part. Ed

“The Faust Cycle” is my new radiophonic work, telling the story of an attempt to deliver a mysterious parcel to the legendary alchemist Dr Faustus, and the various strange and often Surreal adventures that take place inside his vast and labyrinthine house.

Told through spoken-word, music, song, and sound-collage, “The Faust Cycle” is a trek through a peculiar and unpredictable world.

Currently about half way through it’s twelve hour running time, I’m inviting VentnorBlog readings on a fortnightly basis to respond to a series of questions, which can be answered in any way you like – be it text (as comments after the posts), or sending an mp3 (to info(at)ergophizmiz(dot)com), or images, or even video (you can use everyone’s best friend, Youtube).
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Talking of art exhibitions, we hear that artwork by the old Shopping Trolley collective has travelled up to Derby Dance this week.

They were asked by Stephen Munn (ex Quay Arts director) who is now director of Derby Dance, to put a show together.

It’s just 2d work, but will be showing between now and 29 August 2008, so if you happen to be up that way, make sure you stop in and take a look.

You’ll recognise a couple of artists from VentnorBlog Presents in there too. (more…)

We weren’t able to get along to the recent RockPool event at the Ventnor Winter Gardens, but were pleased to see that fellow Blogger, WightEye did.

It seems that our friend in Cowes is a big fan of these kinds of events, so do pop over to his blog to hear what he has to say about the skate park fundraiser night. (more…)

Last week the Faust Cycle course was run at Quay Arts by Ergo Phizmiz and Jack Phoenix. Over the three day event those attending had the chance to experiment with sound - creating a sound track for a film and two radio pieces.

VB went along on the last day to give them a background on podcasting and help them create their own. Rather than lead it, we thought it would be much more fun for them to do their own thing to get an idea of the process.

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Next Tuesday evening, Dr Robin McInnes OBE will presenting an illustrated lecture at the Ventnor Winter Gardens, entitled ‘Art, Architecture and the Island Landscape’.

In aid of the Ventnor Enhancement Fund, the lecture will describe the buildings of the Island, in the context of the landscape, from as far back as Norman times to the present day.

It kicks off at 6.30pm and the lecture is split into two parts (45 mins each) with a 30 minute break in the middle when you can stretch your legs, and enjoy the provided refreshments. (more…)

All you arty types, don’t forget that returning to Newport tonight is the iCandi team.

Art, music, fun and games are in store for you if you head down to Joe’s in Newport from 8pm tonight.

Gaze at art by the usual suspects, Paul Brown, Kim Purton, Rachael Berry, Adam Harvey Kitty Linnington, Patrick E Wood, Dane Whitehurst, Thom Burt, TDK and a few more…
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There’s a great choice of things to do tonight on the Wight, if you feel like getting out and taking in some culture.

If you’ve been to see the Charm Offensive exhibition by Greig Burgoyne at Quay Arts and were impressed, you might like to meet the artists himself.

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Bembridge photographer Luke Ellison, explores the Isle of Wight coastline.

In this recent body of photographic prints, Ellison has selected texture, contour and colour to create this visual palette of works.

His portraiture of rock, earth, sand and sea celebrates the natural beauty, elemental structures and character of the Isle of Wight’s diverse coastline.

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Don’t forget that tonight sees the grand raffle and drinks evening at the Dolly Mixtures exhibition at Quay Arts.

Between 6-8pm tonight, pop along to admire the eclectic mish-mash of art dolls created from an equally eclectic range of materials, by equally eclectic Island artists.

The exhibition is in support of the St George’s School Dragon Project (don’t forget to book your tickets for next weeks event at Medina Theatre).

As well as enjoying a glass of wine tonight, if you enter the raffle you could be taking home one of the unique art dolls.

If you’ve been running out of things to do with the kids this week, how about heading over to Sandown where the Sandown Carnival Association have lots of free activities still happening this half term.

Today and tomorrow, they invite you to join them for Puppet Costume workshops.

Tony, a top carnival designer will be making two large scale puppets for entry in this year’s carnival at Sandown Town Hall. (more…)

Yes folks, those crazy kids from iCandi are back in town and doing their thing this Friday evening from 8pm.

As usual there’ll be a visual art show from none other than Paul Brown, Kim Purton, Rachael Berry, Adam Harvey Kitty Linnington, Patrick E Wood, Dane Whitehurst, Thom Burt, TDK and more…

And for your audio pleasure expect the delightful sounds of electronica, retro pop, funk, old school, dub and ambient lounge from mystery guest DJ’s. Ooo err! (more…)

Listen up folks, because what follows is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in something quite special.

Next week sees the return of Ergo Phizmiz to Quay Arts with a FREE three (try saying that after a few pints of Golden) day workshop.

This is a unique opportunity to participate in the creation of a new 12-part radio play from one of the leading practitioners of sound-collage, Ergo Phizmiz (WFMU radio, Soleilmoon Recording, Gagarin Records).

“The Faust Cycle” tells the story, through narration, song, original composition, and sound-collage, of a visit to the house of the infamous alchemist Dr Faustus, and the many strange and musico-nonsensical adventures which take place there. (more…)

At the end of next week in the Michael West Gallery Artist, Greig Burgoyne, will be discussing and celebrating his wall to wall painting installation.

Greig is a prolific British painter. Since graduating from the Royal College of Art, he has exhibited world wide.

In preparation to his exhibition, Greig made various site visits to the island, spending most of his time filling sketchbooks and observing the island’s culture through drawing.
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Sitting unexpectedly between the Café and the Craft Shop, the queens beasts await…

Quay Arts is proud to present this recent body of work by Island sculptor, Seamus Bebbington.

Bebbington’s intricate wooden sculptures are inspired by the Queen’s Beasts, often found as images on postage stamps and pound notes.

Brought to life here at Quay Arts and hovering a mighty 6 feet high, the Queen’s Beasts are hard to miss and a must see for children and adults alike!

This coming Sunday evening, a new multimedia event takes place at the Ventnor Winter Gardens.

Titled Rockpool, it follows the Shopping Trolley theme, as well as painting and fine arts, there will be a music tepee playing original electronica by Andy Jones and students.

Film will be shown both on the stage and around the hall – a chance to see some of John Cattle’s skate films as well as other work.
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Don’t forget that this Thursday and Friday sees the return of the MacNaughton Howe Arts and Crafts exhibition.

Festival entries are open to anyone living within a five mile radius of the Winter Gardens and there are tons of classes, so expect to see a wide variety of work at this year’s festival.

It will be open to the public between 1pm-6pm on Thursday and 10am-5pm on Friday, with the award ceremony taking place at around 4pm on Friday.

If you fancy checking out the local talent, get yourselves down to the Winter Gardens.

Quay Arts presents Still Moments, by Island Artist Eric Geddes.

Spread over three galleries, this extraordinary exhibition brings together an unprecedented range of work by Eric Geddes, marking the 30 years of his career.

Revealing the breadth and direction of Geddes’ most recent work, the works are given meaningful context by photographic archive material, video, documentary and journals from the artist’s career.

By charting significant and developing themes, the exhibition provides an opportunity to reassess the range of Geddes’ achievements and the scale and complexity of his work.
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A new, multi-media arts event is to take place at The Winter Gardens on Sunday 25th May (bank holiday weekend) from 6pm – 11pm.

This promises to be a show with a difference that will showcase contemporary and up-and coming artists from Ventnor and across the island.

As well as painting and fine arts, there will be a music tepee playing original electronica by Andy Jones and students. (more…)

This is the time of the year that arty type people in the town and around, finish of their works of art and craft and get ready for the MacNaughton Howe Arts and Craft Festival in the Winter Gardens.

This year it is on 15th May 1-6pm and 16th May 10-5pm.

Schedules are available in many shops in the town such as Rainbows, Seasons etc

Entries are still being accepted - ring 853843. With so many classes to compete in, there is still time to rustle up a quick gem!

[We can’t wait to see what the Dolls House people have created this year! Ed]

A new exhibition kicks off this weekend in the Michael West Gallery at Quay Arts

‘Charm Offensive’ transforms the entire Michael West Galleries with a series of striking wall-to-wall drawings by UK based artist Greig Burgoyne which invite us to question, just what do we value?
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This weekend the weather forecast is great where better to spend your time than at the Robin Hill Garden Show.

If you think this is something just for horticulturalists think again. There are an amazing number of activities taking place over the weekend, including the Requestival party planned for Saturday night.

VentnorBlog chum Guido Oakley will be performing a ‘carve off’ with fellow wood carvers, Paul Sivell (whose Green Man sculpture at Robin Hill is pictured), Tom Harvey, Ant Beetlestone and Erik Van Dam. It’s always brilliant to watch these wood carvers at work and TV celebrity Geoff Hughes will be judging their masterpieces at 3pm on Saturday.
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More Dragon news today with details of a forthcoming exhibition at Quay Arts.

Dolly Mixtures is an eclectic mish-mash of art dolls created from an equally eclectic range of materials by more than 20 Island-based artists (including Ventnorian Teresa Grimaldi) in the Learning Curve Gallery at Quay Arts in support of the St George’s School DRAGON Project.
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