Ventnor Blog

Liz Jones brings her recent body of work to the Rope Store.

Through painting installation Liz explores personal and social worlds overlapping. Political and social themes interlace the work and tempt the viewer to question.

In this exhibition the artist fiddles, plays and catches on to things. Tools, seeds and threads, vicars eating chips, are all visual ideas crafted for communication.

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If you’re looking for recommendations for Open Studio events in the Newport area, do make sure that you check out David Knight and Mike Forrest (check out these beautiful swans produced in vitreous enamel) at the A J Wells showroom.

We went along to a private view there last night and were really impressed by the new pieces created for the exhibition. Stunning work, as always, from two very talented Island artists.

Other artists that can be found on the Newport Artists Trail are Melanie and Martin Swan

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Bembridge Beaux Arts will also be taking part in the Open Studios event this year with their exhibition extended through til Tuesday next week.

I, Holly, set up the Bembridge Beaux Arts five years ago, initially as a one day event, but after its success in year one, it became a three day exhibition with a private view on the Saturday night prior to opening.

Beaux Arts deals in contemporary work and is as much about creating an event, an ambience, an energy, as it is about the art work itself.

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Continuing with the Open Studios weekend, here’s another to make sure you visit …. An Open Studio Exhibition by artists Michael Forrest and David Knight.

Taking place in the Showroom of well known Island business, A J Wells and Sons in Newport, new works will be displayed focusing on vitreous enamel, plus a chance to see Michael and David at work on new enamel pieces.

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This weekend sees the second half of Open Studios take place. This time north and east wight.

If you’re planning to visit artist studios over the next four days, why not check out Hilary Thorpe’s?

She has a private view tonight between 7-9pm and the exhibition opens between 10am and 7pm between Friday and Monday

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If you missed Jimmy’s Big Fish at the FONStival last weekend, there’s another chance to catch the action during Skandia Cowes Week.

Jimmy’s Big Fish, Los Fantasmus, Derek Sandy (pictured) and Skybus are just some of the musicians who’ll be entertaining during the week long sailing event starting in a couple of weeks time.

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In her work, Hyde attempts to capture fragments of experiences within multiple layers of past and present.

In some paintings, layers are built up using childhood drawings, photographs, letters, words, and maps.

These images are painted over and then scratched into, often destroying the surface.

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Don’t forget that Open Studios starts today, check the Website for details of who is on when, but don’t forget the Sisters Grimaldi have an open evening tonight from 8pm.

If you happen to have found one of the Arts Directories that has a hand drawn illustration under Teresa Grimaldi’s entry, take it along tonight and you’ll receive a unique prize as a reward.

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Another release of a Faustian nature, this time conjuring spells.

They’re not your run of the mill conjuring spells mind you, so get ready to hear spells like you never heard before.

This time you’ll hear, Freya Williams, Lily Cross and Tom Bailey …

Photo: Clevergrrl

You may remember the Faust Cycle course run at Quay Arts by Ergo Phizmiz and Jack Phoenix

Young people from the Island got involved with creating sounds and music all with the guidance of the strange-minded people.

Following the overview podcast that we put out a while ago, here’s an audio piece with Tom Bailey, one of the courses attendees, explaining how they went about making a sound track for a film.

Have a listen …

As readers will know, Open Studios kicks off this weekend.

There are loads of artists to visit in the South and West Wight area over the weekend, and if you’re keen on ceramics you might want to head over to Andrew Dowden’s studio.

His studio will be open between 10am-1pm, 2-5pm, 6-8pm on Friday (18th) and Monday (21st).

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Many thanks to Cora Wade from The Park Centre for sending through news of events and services you can get involved with. Ed

New Park Centre Website
We have now launched our new website which covers everything the Park Centre offers, from minibus, to courses, to IT to carnival…it’s all there! All profits made on all of our activities got to our charity No. 1096459 and are ploughed straight back in to the community.

Carnival Workshops
Carnival workshops are now being held on Tuesday afternoons (12-2pm) everyone is welcome - we’re looking for performers and creators alike. (more…)

Following on from the successful launch of the innovative programme offered with the Digital Arts, Music and Film Summer School in 2007, Quay Arts will be catering again for both the visual arts and crafts this year with the Quay Arts Summer School and the revolution in digital communications and multimedia, with a selection of courses in the DAMF Summer School.

The Summer Schools will run from 28 July - 31 Aug and offer students a chance to have their creativity stimulated and developed in a unique and enviable environment.

Courses will include the Kids’ Drama Week (ages 8-12 years), Basketry on Location, Painting on Location, Friendship Rings, Life Drawing, Raku and Working with Amber, Digital Photography, Introduction to Film, CS3, Songwriting, Music Technology and Ensemble Singing and more!

See website for details www.quayarts.org or contact the Box Office (01983) 822490.

RAKU Image by Babs Chatfield

As you will have heard on the podcast with Janet Harrison that we ran yesterday, the new Studio Cafe will be officially launching next Wednesday evening.

Everyone is welcome along to the launch which kicks off at 7.30pm.

It should be a great affair, with an opportunity to sample some of the culinary delights on offer from the cafe, whilst local folk musician Seb, will be providing musical entertainment.

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Lots going on tonight and this weekend on the Wight.

Friday Roundup
The Bonchurch Village Singers will be warming up their vocals chords this afternoon for their performance tonight at St John’s Church in Wroxall. Free entrance, with refreshments, but there will be a retiring collection at the end.

Over in Newport, Tommaso Starace will have the audience jazzing out with his spectacular sax appeal. Still some tickets left if you fancy it.

If you fancy something a little more alternative, then head up to Oakfield Football Club for The Electro Magnetic Workshop. Live performance by the band, DJ spinning the vinyl and Lady Phaedie hosting a game show with a difference.
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As we reported at the end of last week, photography group, Wight Balance Photography Plus currently have an exhibition on display upstairs at Ryde Library.

The collection has been pulled together by group member Tina Nicholls and features a diverse collection of 41 images from 15-20 of the club members.

It’s a fantastic collection and has been dedicated to the memory of John Lobb, who was a founding member of the group. (more…)

As part of the Open Studio event taking place next week, Ventnor Artist, Teresa Grimaldi and her sister Catherine invite you along to an open evening at their studios in Madeira Road, Ventnor.

You might have caught Teresa at the beginning of the year at the Learning Curve Gallery at Quay Arts, where she took residency for a month.

It was a great exhibition and we’re looking forward to future exhibitions of Teresa’s work at Quay Arts next year.

As an added incentive, keep your eyes open for the Isle of Wight Arts Directory, which you’ll find scattered around the Island.

There are a number of them which have hand drawn illustrations under Teresa’s entry in the directory.

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If you haven’t been along to Quay Arts recently, you won’t have seen the wonderful exhibition of works by Island based artist, Eric Geddes.

We were fortunate enough to meet Eric last month at the opening of his exhibitions (three in total) at Quay Arts and caught up with him after the showing of David George’s film short about his life and work.

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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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The Ryde Arts Festival kicks off tomorrow with an arts parade from 1.15pm.

The parade which leaves Dover Park School and proceeds to the Regatta site at the Eastern Gardens via Union Street will this year include Junkanoo Festival musicians and dancers from the Bahamas.

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Anyone who lives near the Ventnor Youth Centre or walks past it on a regular basis, will have seen the back wall now sports an excellent new mural.

Original plans were for the mural to cover the entire wall, but due to the predicted huge maintenance costs and some other factors it was decided to keep the mural on a smaller scale.

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Don’t miss an amazing chance to experience the sacred world of Tibet with its Buddhist chanting and mantras, ringing of bells, blowing of trumpets and beating of drums at Quay Arts, this July.

Eight monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery will be in residence, creating a sand mandala with a programme of dances and music involving colourful traditional costumes and ceremonial masks to illustrate the diversity of their astonishing culture.

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama says of the Monastery:

‘Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is one of the most important monasteries in Central Tibet besides being the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.

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Further to the post yesterday about Eric Geddes‘ exhibition having its opening preview at Quay Arts today.

Here’s a brief clip of a short film that will be shown about Eric Geddes - His life and work.

Come along. All welcome … and it’s free.

As part of the Eric Geddes’ residency at Quay Arts this summer, tomorrow sees a drinks reception open to all.

As far as we know, the man himself will be on hand to answer questions and discuss his works, as well as film-maker David George who will be presenting his short film (at 3.30pm) in the Anthony Minghella Theatre.

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Artists from around the Wight, don’t miss out on a chance to display your artwork to passing trade over the summer months.

Every Sunday morning over the summer between 10am and 2pm, you can set up outside the Ventnor Winter Gardens free of charge.

Last weekend saw two artists take advantage of the ‘Freespace’ initiative. (more…)