ingénu/e issue 32, Summer 2021

ingénu/e creative

talent revealed south downs and high weald : issue 32: summer 2021

Fabulous Festivals and the return of performing arts

Art Trails & Open Studios plus interviews; galleries; creative courses book reviews; poetry & flash fiction and launch of new arts hub 'Escape'

ingénu/e

creative talent revealed contents

Hello dear readers and welcome to summer!

editor Gill Kaye editor@ingenuemagazine.co.uk for press releases pressdesk@ingenuemagazine.co.uk sales & marketing Roger Kaye sales@ingenuemagazine.co.uk 07583 944546 online www.ingenuemagazine.co.uk and big thanks to 2 Way Communcations for their invaluable help on the website www.2waycomm.uk

Indulging in creativity of any kind – as a creator or a consumer – is one of the great panaceas of life. Thus it is an irony of the highest order that the field of arts and culture have been hit hardest in this last year, considered by those in positions of influence to be non-essential. NON-ESSENTIAL?!! I ask you, what could be more essential than having aesthetics in your life?! Nearly everything we consume, in this 21st century western society, started its life on a draftsman’s drawing board (unless you count fruit and veg from a market stall). If you look around you now, as you’re reading this, I challenge you to find something that hasn’t, at some point in its journey to your living room/kitchen/bedroom, been influenced by a creative person. I’m sitting at my desk in my study, what do I see – books (created by writers, jackets designed by illustrators and graphic designers); bookcase (designed and created by a carpenter); a beautiful wooden vase for flowers from my garden (created by my brother at his lathe); a lamp (I would love to say that it is a bespoke piece from the studio of Tom Freer, but alas no, someone at IKEA has designed it); a teapot, basic but comfortingly pleasing in its rotundity, started life on a potter’s wheel. The very computer I’m working at is not just a utilitarian device, it has style and sleekness. And the desktop wallpaper was born in the eye of a talented photographer. Even the packaging of the biscuits that keep me going through deadline had to be dreamt up by an artist and brought into being by a designer. So you see art is not just a luxury, to be gazed at in the hallowed halls of galleries or enjoyed in the hushed atmosphere of a theatre auditorium (although this too is food for the soul). It is all around us, it pervades the very woof and warp of our daily lives.

happening!" Victory for Tom! Jouster in action at Loxwood Joust, see page 6 of Fabulous Festivals feature.

"if it's not in ingénu/e ...it's not

on writing, musicians keep on playing, dancers keep on dancing, and so on, despite all the barriers and suppression is testament to the power of creativity. Don't tell me it's not essential! Ok, rant over, enjoy the magazine! –Gill Kaye, editor

During the periods of lockdown and isolation people have found comfort, or maybe just distraction, in the tv or radio – those ubiquitous companions of our days. If we had no writers, actors, dancers, musicians to populate the airwaves that colourful backdrop would be reduced to the grey broadcasts reminiscent of Orwell’s 1984, or constrained to the government controlled propaganda of Soviet Russia or North Korea (I’m not saying that we don’t get biased broadcasting, but at least we have a choice).

And beyond all that there is live art – open studios events where you can see art in the flesh and talk to like-minded folk; performance, that spine-tingling moment when the guitarist/violinist/singer hits a particular note; that sense of wrapt involvement in a theatrical production or holding your breath as the dancer does yet another grand jeté…

The fact that artists keep on art-ing, writers keep

spotlight on...fabulous festivals

Summer and Autumn Festivals to help us all regain our spirit

Kudos to all the festival organisers who are planning their events this year. Here are a host of festivals of various genres occurring mostly in our area, this summer and autumn.

Let’s hope there are no more extended lockdowns like that which blighted the Black Deer Festival in Tunbridge Wells, which was to occur in June. After selling 15,000 tickets they have had to cancel the event. The organisers say they “can’t quite put into words how we are feeling right now”.

So please do support the festivals that are happening, not only do they need our support, but we all need some fun and creative nourishment after such a dreadful drought of art and entertainment.

above: Mediæval Baebes (see interview on p.62), who will be performing at the Loxwood Joust (see p.6)

Shipley Arts Festival

Weare very grateful to Arts Council England for extending their support to our 21st Shipley Arts Festival and look forward to welcoming you to a diverse, artistic programme of concerts that will bring together and connect all our communities.

Our audiences can enjoy a unique connection with international level musicians, and talented young performers will delight in our blend of side by side String Academy Concerts, where pupils perform alongside some of the most experienced and distinguished UK musicians.

The Shipley Arts Festival will also be supporting the Alzheimer’s Society live online, and we look forward to further assisting this community through our music.

There is a rich programme including the world premiere of Paul Lewis’s violin concerto, performed by Andrew Bernardi on his fabulous Stradivarius

violin. Concerts including Mendelssohn’s String Octet and further highlights include the opening of a new Concert Hall in Drew’s Barn on the Warnham Estate and fireworks in Washington, our 21st Anniversary celebrations are not to be missed.

Live performances are being re-introduced, for

carefully managed audiences within Covid secure environments and we have the additional option of our innovative streamed broadcasts too. Please book early at www.bernardimusicgroup.com as audience sizes are restricted for these very popular concerts in order to keep everyone safe.

Loxwood Meadows festivities

The tranquil Loxwood Meadows hold three exceptional events this summer... Drive in movies

The Jazz, Gin and Blues Festival

The Loxwood Joust, the UK’s Most Spectacular Medieval & Jousting Festival

F

rom 19th July through to the 1st August; Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet in the form of the American-style Loxwood Drive-in Movies extravaganza. Showing family favourites, sci-fi classics, musical blasts, romantic tear jerkers and a plethora of fun feel good films, for young and old alike; a huge state of the art LED movie screen will be lighting up the Loxwood Meadows. With sound channelled through each individual in-car stereo system for both matinee and evening performances, a selection of food and beverages will make this a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Ordering by text from your vehicle, a selection including meat or vegetarian burgers, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, sweets, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages will be delivered straight to your car by a 'Chevrolette'.

Sunday 1st August from 12 noon through to 8pm, sees a rare opportunity to hear an eclectic mix of music legends play live. This year’s festival is curated by Simon Bates, the founder and organiser of the legendary Loxwood Jazz Club, and hosts artists such as John Etheridge, Derek Nash’s Sax Appeal, Harry Greene and Ashton Jones, Simply Swing, Tim Staffell

spotlight on... fabulous festivals

and Paul Stewart all performing live.

And not forgetting the gin part of the festival… a number of independent local gin producers such as Cabin Pressure Spirits, Madame Jennifer Distillery, Corner 53 and Generation 11 will be on hand to help quench summer thirsts, along with Langham Brewery and Loxwood Meadworks. An exciting mix

of local food stalls will also be offering a selection to suit all palates; with crème scones through to sizzling burgers, and tasty vegetarian and vegan options to complete a perfect afternoon.

The Loxwood Meadows are home to the Loxwood Joust, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary year on the 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th August. Introducing a new participatory element, the UK’s most spectacular mediæval festival has a packed agenda of fast-paced jousting, battle re-enactments and musical performances, with an international line up of musicians including the Mediæval Baebes from UK, Trobar De Morte from Spain and Avon Fairs from the USA.

Visitors will get to know the lords, ladies, knights and peasants; rub shoulders with the Royal Court and help decide the fate of the ne’er-do-wells, as they become immersed in the storyline and influence outcomes. Accept the right invitations, choose a quest and you can become an official ‘Citizen of Loxwood’ in this unique experience.

The magnificent jousting knights, arcane witches and delightful jesters will draw you back in time, along with chain mail workshops, archery displays, the marketplace and the wondrous array of myths and legends that are intertwined with melodies and beautiful voices. And not forgetting the young knights and princesses; entertainment abounds in the Children’s Kingdom with sword school, jester school and face and wound painting for the price of a groat or two.

Advance tickets and information for all three events can be obtained at www.loxwooddriveinmovies.co.uk, www.jazzginblues.co.uk, www.loxwoodjoust.co.uk, by email to info@legendpresents.co.uk or by calling 07866 468632.

spotlight on... fabulous festivals

Broadstairs Folk Week

6th to 13th August

Folk Music by the Sea

Grab your chair and picnic blanket and enjoy some of the best bands on the folk and world music scene at the brand-new outdoor Festival Arena in the middle of Broadstairs, with festival bar and food stalls.

Afternoon and evening concerts feature the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, afro-folk band Edward II, Noble Jacks, Track Dogs, Scottish folk legends Breabach, the Gigspanner Big Band, and three times winners of the BBC Folk Award, the Young ‘Uns.

Musicians from Kent are headed up by the Festival Patron, Tim Edey, who grew up in Broadstairs and plays with the very best international acts such as the Chieftains and Natalie McMaster, as well as having a hugely successful solo career. Kentish bands, Green Diesel, Arcelia and the Lunatraktors are also appearing on the main stage.

Free family events include the daily free Hobby Horse Club at the Bandstand with Clarence the Dragon and the Hooden

Horses who are the mascots of the festival.

There are plenty of opportunities to take part –show off your hula-hooping skills, courtesy of This Bean Spins; get into African drumming with Rich Rhythms or learn Appalachian clogging with experts, TapRoots. There’s talk of an Ukeathon too, (must have own ukulele!).

Every morning, the Poet’s Breakfast takes place in Neptune’s Hall garden: the Children’s Creative Tent opens up in the Festival Arena and the Albion Knitters offer workshops for all standards.

The free Craft and Music Fair next to the Bandstand offers a great range of gifts, and the Jack Hamilton Bar, a great place to meet friends and chill out, looking out across the bay. The official Broadstairs Folk Week merchandise stall is there too, for Folk Week t-shirts and more. There’s free music around the town pubs and gardens from lunchtime

till late and Morris dancing displays at the Bandstand.

All tickets are now on sale. Festival tickets with or without camping for a week, weekend or day: plus single event tickets for afternoon and evening concerts at the Festival Arena. For full details go to www. broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk.

opposite: Breabach, photo by Guillaume Morin; inset: Tim Edey; right: Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita, photo by Andy Morgan; below: Joglaresa

Brighton Early Music Festival

prepares for a year like no other

In‘normal’ times, Brighton Early Music Festival is an autumn Festival of around thirty events taking place in a variety of venues around the city during a three-week period in late October and early November. Last year’s Festival was entirely online – ten filmed concerts watched by audiences around the world.

For 2021 the Festival was determined to get back to live events, although all events will also be filmed for release online later in the year. Thanks to a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund they have been able to stage a Midsummer Season of live outdoor events, attended by almost 1000 people. The BREMF Midsummer Season rounds off Sunday 11th July with Opera @ The Spa on 11th July (7pm).

Looking ahead to the autumn, the Festival is planning a long weekend of live events running 20th to 24th October. As well as their now-familiar young artists showcase, the weekend will feature mythological programmes from medieval ensemble

The Telling, French baroque music from Canzona, and medieval cantigas from early music legends Joglaresa (pictured right). BREMF Artistic Director Deborah Roberts says: “We are delighted to be able to stage live music in Brighton in 2021, both in order to provide vital support for artists who have in many cases faced months without work, and to share music live with our audiences once again. We are looking forward to our live events enormously, but

are also determined to take the positive lessons we learned in 2020 about reaching a wider audience online, forward into 2021 and beyond.”

Tickets for the autumn events will go on sale in September. Join the mailing list at www.bremf.org.uk for full information.

spotlight on... fabulous festivals

Cornwall Folk Festival

Wadebridge, North Cornwall

Friday 27th to Monday 30th August

Expecting all Covid restrictions to be lifted by early July, Cornwall Folk Festival plans to go ahead as near normal as possible this August Bank Holiday in Wadebridge, North Cornwall. This year the festival celebrates and thanks Cornish songwriter Harry Glasson for his remarkable contribution to Cornish culture.

Codenamed ‘Glassonbury’, the four-day August bank holiday has been peppered with events to celebrate Glasson’s 70th year, with Glasson himself the festival’s guest of honour. Will Keating, who released a dozen Glasson songs in 2017, plays a set and joins Harry at the outdoor ‘FAR Stage’ for a live interview with former journalist and father of a musical dynasty, Geoff Lakeman.

Slots from North Cornwall acts Steve Winchester and Coastal Belles will contain several Glasson compositions. At the closing concert the audience will raise the town hall roof with a rousing rendition of his anthem ‘Cornwall, My Home’.

Covid uncertainty still hangs over the festival’s indoor concerts. But the team’s battle cry is “if we can, we will!”, and if such events are not allowed, there will

be a hasty re-location of these sets.

The team also marks the passing last September of Mike Walford, artistic director from 2009 until a few years ago, and whose huge energy and personality inspires and guides the current organisers.

2021 festival headliners include Dougie Maclean, O’Hooley and Tidow, Merry Hell and Granny’s Attic. Tickets (early bird are available) are all backed with a full Covid refund guarantee and can be found at www.cornwallfolkfestival.com along with full details of the festival.

below: Coastal Belles; bottom: Harry Glasson and Will Keating

Harp on Wight International Festival

Ryde, Isle of Wight

22nd to 26th October

Due to the continuing uncertainty regarding international travel to the UK from Europe, at the end of May Harp on Wight organizers took the decision to have only UK and Irish based harpists performing and teaching at this year’s festival. As a result of this, unfortunately, Tristan Le Govic from France, Ana Crisman from Spain, together with Adriano Sangineto and Marriane Gubri from Italy, who were mentioned in the spring issue, will no longer be appearing.

However, the line-up still contains Lauren Scott from England, the festival Patron Anne Denholm from Wales, who will be performing at the opening concert with the Voices of the Isle of Wight Choir, and the dynamic Scottish harpist Catriona McKay. The festival are also awaiting confirmation from the leading Irish harpist Triona Marshall, formerly a member of The Chieftains. At the time of going to print the festival were also awaiting a response from another highly regarded harpist who is based in the UK.

One of the most popular regular features of the festival is the weekend concert performance opportunity given to the winner and runner-up of the Camac Competition – an annual competition for young international conservatoire standard harpists under the age of thirty. The competition is held as part of the North London Festival in May. Due to the situation with the pandemic, this year’s competition was again held online. The winner was Tara Viscardi and the runner up was Maria Mc Namee – both from Ireland. The festival looks forward to welcoming them.

Visit www.harponwight.co.uk to book concert tickets and workshops. For more information please email harponwight@gmail.com or phone 01983 730930.

Petworth Festival

– Back Live!

Having made the best of 2020 when presenting a part live, part streamed ‘special edition’ festival last October/November, the momentum behind the ever-ambitious Petworth Festival looks set to continue this coming summer.

Events will run between Wednesday 14th and Saturday 31st July, the wide ranging line-up of leading musicians and performers includes:

Classical star-of-the-moment, saxophonist Jess Gillam, who appears with her exciting new ensemble; multi-million selling author, comedian and former NHS doctor Adam Kay who brings his West End hit show This is Going to Hurt; living legends on the blues circuit, The Blues Band fronted as ever by the great Paul Jones; five star theatrecabaret show Radio Live! – a romp through 50 years of BBC Radio with the all-star cast of Alistair McGowan, The Rev’d Richard Coles, Garry (‘here’s Garry with the Sport’) Richardson, Charlotte Green and special guest Joe Stilgoe; and the Petworth Festival Summer Weekend, two days of free family theatre, hands-on participatory workshops, ‘street’ acts and live music staged in the Pleasure Garden of Petworth House by kind permission of the National Trust.

Other names to conjure with in the line-up include top drawer classical artists Emma Johnson and Adrian Brendel, pianists Imogen Cooper and Isata Kanneh-Mason, leading British singers Mark Padmore and Susan Bullock and an ensemble from the UK’s first majority-Black and ethnically diverse orchestra Chineke! And Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman will bring innovative and traditional folk music to the festival.

Jazz comes in the shape of Si Cranstoun and the Dynamo Quartet, both of whom star in the annual Jazz in the Stables extravaganza; powerhouse chanteuse Liane Carroll and her Trio will also feature as will The Dominic Alldis Trio who present their tribute to the great French jazz innovator, Jacques Loussier.

The third Petworth House Stables event sees a two-part celebration of The Music of Paul Simon, the songs of Simon & Garfunkel being performed by the duo Bookends, and the seminal Graceland album performed by Gary Stewart and his exciting seven piece ensemble.

The festival celebrates a sixth year in association with London’s Royal Academy of Music, with specially selected musicians appearing as part of an extensive lunchtime and morning Coffee Concert series.

Acknowledging and being sensitive to the realities of emerging from the pandemic, a series of measures will be introduced to ensure the maximum audience comfort and safety.

“There’s no doubt that the lack of live performance has been one of the huge downsides of the last 18 months,” says Stewart Collins, the Petworth Festival’s Artistic Director, “but I’m proud to say that we’ve held our nerve and come up with a programme that really should both inspire and entertain come July, given its quality, variety and novelty. Every effort will be made to ensure that our audiences feel comfortable back in our venues, but otherwise it is

not just ‘business as usual’ – more like ‘business unusual!’ Our aim is always to prove just how powerful and lifeaffirming live performance can be, and with our series of highly contrasting events I really think our audiences will realise immediately what we have all been missing”.

The Petworth Festival gratefully acknowledges the support of the many private and corporate sponsors of the festival who helped the organisation survive 2020 and who have come back strongly in 2021.

Visit www.petworthfestival.org.uk for more information.

Hailsham Festival

presents STRING! An ambitious musical set in Hailsham

Hailsham Festival has commissioned an ambitious new piece of community theatre called String! With a story set in Hailsham and district, the musical was to have been staged in 2020 but because of Covid-19 the production has been postponed until 2022.

Never daunted however, Hailsham Festival is producing a

String!

Showcase Concert of songs from the show with twelve singers and narrator to be performed on 18th September 2021. The concert promises to be a highlight of this year’s Festival.

The creative team includes Brightonbased writer and lyricist, Stephen Plaice and composer Tony Biggin. Stephen is one of Britain’s leading librettists and writers for Music Theatre. Tony is a popular and successful composer who lives in Hailsham and whose works are tuneful and brimming with energy.

Stephen describes the work as being about “attachments, about letting go of the old and accepting the new. Using the process of rope-making as its central metaphor, it demonstrates how, in a small town, the strands of past and present intertwine, and how its characters are intrinsically connected.”

Abbie Marsden, founder and director of Hailsham Voices says “This exciting new musical is bursting with beautifully written songs that will have everyone wanting to join in!” https://hailshamfestival.uk

spotlight on... fabulous festivals

Tenterden Folk Festival

30th September to 3rd October

It

was a very sad day back in June 2020 when we had to take the decision to postpone the 28th Tenterden Folk Festival. Now, one year on, plans are well advanced for Tenterden Folk Festival 2021.

We were not idle during the lockdowns and still managed to run some Zoom workshops for a group of the students with special needs at Wyvern School and also built a new website for the festival and the Trust’s other activities. We also managed to continue to publish Around Kent Folk with support from folk clubs across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

We are working hard to make Tenterden Folk Festival 2021 Covid safe while remaining as near to normal as possible. Most of the guests we originally had booked for 2020 have agreed to roll their bookings forward to this year and we are thrilled to be able to confirm a rare appearance of Chris and Steve Wilson as a duo. We have also added several guests to the bill including multi-instrumentalist Steve Turner and Dora Darling who will be making her first visit to Tenterden. The full guest list can now be found on our website.

So far we have around 25 Morris sides, Bulgarian dancers, Slovakian dancers and Appalachian dancers booked and aim to recruit more over the next few months. Plans for the free events on the Recreation Ground including the crafts and stalls marquee and free music stage are at an advanced stage and we already have an exciting selection of stalls booked ranging from handmade jewellery, woodturning, garden plants, leather work and other artisan crafts to musical instruments and artwork.

The festival campsite will be in a field near the Town Centre Railway Station. For the latest information visit www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk or check out our Twitter feed @TenterdenFolk

side at TFF,

Southdowns Folk Festival

16th to 19th September

The Southdowns Folk Festival is rolling over most all of the entire festival programme of 2020 into 2021 and is currently talking with headline artists, other performers, stall holders, local authorities and festival venues about appearing and hosting events between 16th and 19th September 2021. Happily there is a very positive response from these discussions and it is envisaged that the festival programme featuring Steve Harley and Steve Knightly amongst others, plus the popular Ukulele Festival and the inaugural Americana Festival on the Pier, will very much mirror what would have taken place in 2020 with the possibility of one or two exciting additions.

One such addition is a Shanty Showdown over 18th & 19th September – a free event supported by Bognor Regis Town Council, it will be under marquee and around Bognor Regis Town Centre featuring the very best of shanty singing from the South of England.

With the February 2020 release of the all-acoustic CD “Uncovered”, Steve Harley, the original Cockney Rebel, shows no sign of slowing down. Steve has been playing live shows around the world for over 45 years and the thrill of another night in another place to another audience has not dimmed at all. “We have real adventures on tour,” says Steve. “I’ve seen the Northern Lights, the Midnight Sun and dozens of wonderful galleries, museums and great cities, all on my downtime. I have a great life as a Wandering Minstrel!”

There are many other popular folk performers to enjoy including Merry Hell and Gilmore and Roberts. There is also a plethora of up and coming newer talent including UK country singer/songwriter Katy Hurt, The Outlaw Orchestra, The Jigantics and many more. Visit www.southdownsfolkfest.co.uk for more info.

Shoreham Wordfest

Fast Forward

24th September to 1st October

Set in vibrant Shoreham-by-Sea, Shoreham Wordfest has a stellar programme for autumn 2021, with the theme of Fast Forward. The festival starts on Friday 24th September by hosting Radio 4’s Any Questions? The main Wordfest programme will be launched by Alexander McCall Smith live from his home in Edinburgh.

Environmental concerns are a major theme of the festival and there is a whole day conference on Saturday 2nd October, featuring Isabella Tree of Knepp Estate, famous for its rewilding project.

David Olusoga will be talking about “The Job of a Historian”. There is an evening in conversation with Radio 6 Music’s Cerys Matthews and Murray Lachlan Young will be offering his humorous take on life as well as Cautionary Tales for Children.

Political commentators include Katy Balls (The Spectator) and Stephen Bush (New Statesman) and former Foreign Correspondent Robin Lustig offers an international perspective.

Authors include William Shaw and Elly Griffiths, Sally Bayley (Girl with Dove, Radio 4 Book of the Week), and Yvonne Bailey-Smith, mother of Zadie Smith, with her first novel.

Jane Austen at Home is performed by Emma O’Hanrahan, voice of Emma Grundy in The Archers, and there is mesmerising story telling by Mara Menzies and five family shows.

Full programme details and tickets are available from www.shorehamwordfest.com

This year’s Brighton Early Music Festival features a live outdoor Midsummer Season running to Sunday 11 July; a long weekend of live autumn events including performances by Canzona, The Telling and Joglaresa; and an online festival to enjoy at home in winter.

https://twitter. com/BREMF

Find out more, join mailing list, and book Midsummer tickets at bremf.org.uk or call 01273 833746 to request a brochure. brightonearlymusic BREMF brightonemf brightonemf 5

Petworth Festival Wednesday 14 –Saturday 31 July* 2021

Highlights include ADAM KAY

THE BLUES BAND CHINEKE! CHRISTIAN LINDBERG

EMMA JOHNSON

IMOGEN COOPER

ISATA KANNEH-MASON

JESS GILLAM

MARK PADMORE

SUSAN BULLOCK And many more…

https://www.bremf.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/brightonearlymusic/ https://www.instagram. com/brightonemf/ https://www.youtube. com/user/Brightonemf

Wadebridge, North Cornwall Fri 27th-Mon 30th Aug

Dougie MACLEAN O’Hooley & Tidow

MERRY HELL GRANNY’S ATTIC Winter Wilson Gatehouse Blacksmith Geoff Lakeman/Rob Murch Steve Dan Mills Brother Sea Mike Silver/Jo Partridge Winter Mountain Coastal Belles + more WWW.CORNWALLFOLKFESTIVAL.COM/TICKETS

Tenterden folk festival 2021

Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald

Thursday 30th September to Sunday 3rd October 2021

www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org www.cornwallfolkfestival.com/tickets F L F S V L

Free events include crafts marquee, street stalls, free music stage, dance stage, Morris dancers, dance displays, procession, street entertainers, song and music sessions, etc.

Ticketed events include concerts, barn dance, special shows, workshops, meet the guests, folk clubs, etc.

Guests Most held over from 2020, See website for details

Support our Crowdfunding campaign www.spacehive.com/tenterdenfolkfestival2021

www.southdownsfolkfest.co.uk

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Artgenu/e

Artists talking about their unique journey by

Lesley Samms, Founder Pure Arts Group

For this summer edition we meet photographer Juliette Scott.

Juliette will be exhibiting with Pure Arts Group at Beauport House Gallery, Bannatyne Spa Hotel, Hastings during July and August, alongside Caroline Fraser, Leila Godden, Rowena McWilliams and Annie Catford, as part of the “We are drowning in corruption” exhibition, curated by Eastbourne College Gold Arts Award Students Jessie Tarrant, Abbie Coleman, Phoebe Shakespeare, Halimat Ganiyuh and Zoe Bell.

Juliette grew up in West Sussex and inherited her love of colour and pattern from her mother and grandfather who both worked in textiles. However, her joy of photography is something that she also shares with her father.

“I was very lucky to have visited plenty of museums, galleries and stately homes whilst growing up. As a child I always enjoyed art and I used to spend as much

time organising my coloured pencils as using them! I also had a fascination with beautiful handwriting, and I taught myself italics when I was twelve.

I did 'A' Level Art and then read History of Art at university. So I never went to art school but many years later I did an interior design diploma with KLC School. Over the last seven years I have done several photography courses, but I actually feel that all the creative skills that I have learnt over the years have played a role in where I am now with my photography. However, my first day of tuition on a workshop in London with Valda Bailey and Doug Chinnery –both amazing photographers, was a turning point in my development as a photographer.

I love the freedom you find in being creative, but sometimes I do find I have too many ideas buzzing around in my head and then I can’t fall asleep at night!

Artists that I studied at university like Turner and the Impressionists have significantly influenced my desire to create intentional camera movement in some of my photography. I am also very inspired by flowers and trees. My father worked in horticulture and although we were dragged to garden centres or gardens of some sort virtually every weekend, what seemed dull at the time clearly made a real impression on me. As an adult I appreciate visiting gardens and spending time in my own garden observing the

plants around me.

My photography begins when something catches my eye, or possibly an overall feeling of a given landscape or cityscape. The subject matter will determine how I approach the actual photography. I might choose to use in camera movement, in camera multiple exposures, or capture a close up using my macro lens. All my images are then imported into Lightroom. Here I make alterations and often enjoy carrying out further digital adjustments in Photoshop prior to printing my images. I regularly choose to embellish my prints with metal leaf which makes each image truly bespoke. I like this mixed media end result.

I absolutely love what I do, and I hope to be a photographic artist until the day I die.”

To view and buy Juliette’s artwork, please visit: www.pureartsgroup.co.uk www.eastbourne-college.co.uk

visual arts & contemporary crafts

arts & contemporary crafts

Enabling Aspirations

Inspiring Vision

Visit our exhibitions

Beauport Gallery, Bannatyne Hotel, Hastings & Curlew Restaurant, Bodiam

ART360 : Artist Interview Series

Watch Series 1 & 2 online

Apply to be part of Series 3 in October & November featuring artist interviews, magazine and exhibition

Submissions open June 2021

PURE POTENTIAL : Programmes

& Courses

Foundation - Practitioner - Master Practitioner

Visit the website for all information to register or join us

Empowering Success www.pureartsgroup.co.uk

Do you love art created with natural materials?

This is made with natural clay pieces I find on the beach.

A unique art work like this would be a wonderful way to celebrate a special occasion.

The large one shown here took me seven months, so I can only accept a few orders each year.

“The commission went really smoothly and the end result is stunning - we’re delighted.” L&C

Price from £690 for 45cm disc to £2,900 for 90cm as shown. View in situ photos here: www.artistsathome.co.uk

hamish@pringle.co.uk

West End Gallery

We were very excited to be able open our doors again in late April and welcome back all those lovely people who had supported us and other small galleries in Worthing throughout the pandemic.

Like us they recognised the importance of art to lift the spirits and to provide a welcome distraction in uncertain times.

We also have our eyes on staycationers who, we are sure, will be discovering the delights of the South Coast this summer, including Worthing’s West End with its eclectic mix of small cafes, galleries and shops.

Now into its fifth year, the West End Gallery is also Sarah Sepe’s and Barry Williams’ working studio. Their original artwork includes Sarah’s printed seascapes, collages and small 3D paper artworks; Barry’s photography, prints and quirky recycled mixed-media ‘Conversation Pieces’, plus an interesting selection of their unique framed work and cards. During the summer their gallery displays will be complemented by a selection of

work by local guest artists.

The Gallery’s ethos is to showcase locallymade art at realistic prices in an informal, friendly setting so that everyone can, hopefully, find something to suit their pocket.

West End Gallery, 87 Rowlands Road, Worthing Bn11 3Jx. For more details visit www. worthingartstudios. com

above: Barry Williams, Mid-Life Crisis, a conversation piece; left: Sarah Sepe, Pebbles, paper collage

artspring gallery

Exhibition opportunity for Kent artists

Members of the artist cooperative at ArtSpring Gallery in Tonbridge were very glad to re-open their gallery in April and are looking forward to a busy summer season.

They are planning a second open exhibition for the month of September and are inviting Kent-based 2D and 3D artists to submit work that ties in with the theme of 'Reflections'.

The 'Reflections' exhibition will showcase a large variety of work and 10% of all sales will be donated to the Frontline19 Charity which is a free independent, confidential and nationwide UK service delivering psychological support to people working on the frontline.

Open Call show October 2020

Successful entries will be displayed alongside work by ArtSpring members in the Gallery as well as on the ArtSpring website and online shop. This is a great opportunity for Kent-based artists over the age of 18 to submit images of their work for consideration. The closing date is midnight Friday 6th August and full details on how to apply can be found at www.artspringgallery.co.uk.

ArtSpring celebrated its 5th birthday recently. The gallery showcases a diverse range of paintings, watercolour, printmaking, mixed media, photography, ceramics, glass and jewellery. The work changes regularly and there is always something new to see – as regular visitors have discovered.

The gallery is open at 167 High Street, Tonbridge from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11am to 4pm and other times by appointment. Keep an eye out on the ArtSpring website for more information about exhibition dates and Private Views.

For more information about the gallery, the artists and their work, visit www.artspringgallery.co.uk or follow on social media @artspringallery. Email: gallery@artspringgallery.co.uk

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Open House & Garden at Blueview Art Studio, Ferring

Summer is finally here and there’s nothing better than combining the great outdoors with great art work.

Taking part in the Worthing Artists Open Houses Art Trail back in 2017 was how Blueview Art Studio was born. It’s a small gallery space in the garden that now boasts a colourful and nautical mural at its entrance. Sadly last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic and it won’t be returning this year

either; which is why we are hosting our own event, showcasing the art work of five local talented artists.

It will be primarily an outdoor event with a sculpture trail and members of the public will be able to enjoy tea and cake in the beach side garden. There is wheelchair access, although a few areas are limited and safety measures will be in place to ensure people enjoy themselves safely.

Meet the artists: Anna-Marie Curran, driftwood sculptor; Tina Gunstone, jewellery designer; Loraine Scott, stained glass artist and wood turner; Heather Stevens, recycled metal sculptor; Cathy Verney, photographer. The event is taking place over the weekend of 31st July and 1st August from 11.00am to 5.30pm each day; entry is free. Blueview Art Studio, 1 The Strand, Ferring, Worthing BN12 5QX. More info at www.blueviewartstudio.co.uk www.instagram.com/blueviewartstudio and www.facebook.com/blueviewartstudio

The Worthing Portrait Artist of the Year Competition is back for 2021

The hugely successful art competition and social event returns for its third year to The Venue at St. Paul’s Arts Centre, Worthing on Friday 22nd October.

This is a unique opportunity to enjoy an evening of live portraiture and experience nine artists painting three celebrity sitters in just four hours! The Venue is the south coast’s premier live music venue and entertainment space, housed in a stunning Grade 2 Star listed building.

The Worthing Portrait Artist of the Year Competition showcases the truly amazing local artistic talent and is once again being organised by The Venue Arts Curator Cathy Verney. This fabulous fun packed event will include a finger buffet and a raffle, and The Venue’s fully licensed bar will be open serving a wide selection of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

The nine finalists have now been selected and these will be introduced over the coming weeks on The Venue and WPAOTY various social media platforms where you can also meet the judges and the celebrity sitters.

A number of corporate sponsorship packages are available for this event. Please email Cathy for more information. If you would like to donate a prize for the raffle then please get in touch.

Tickets for this event go on sale in September. You can follow

Finalists

22nd October 2021

all the news and updates on Instagram, Facebook and The Venue website. www.the-venue.uk, wpaoty@gmail.com, www.instagram.com/stpaulswpaoty

visual arts & contemporary crafts

the little art gallery

A contemporary gallery nestling in the pretty coastal village of West Wittering, the little art gallery is all set to embrace the summer.

July starts for us with the end of our ‘Inspired by Light’ show by Susie Monnington, Maggie Cochrane and Francis Knight. Three different artists using their own styles to bring together an interesting exhibition for the Festival of Chichester.

Linda Foskett will then take over the gallery for a double event, the last weekend of the Festival of Chichester and the Chichester Art Trail. ‘A Little Bit of Everything’ will showcase the work of this multimedia artist; large and small seascapes and landscapes in oils, printmaking, enamel on copper and silver jewellery. As a resident artist in the gallery she has new work which will not be displayed until the event so there will be a lot to see for new and regular customers.

The summer holiday period we will return to a mixed show by all our regular artists. A wide variety of work, styles, prices, sizes and subjects.

Our opening times are usually Thursday to Sunday, however we are always happy to open at other times by appointment. This can work well in covid times as you can have the gallery to yourself to browse and discuss your needs at leisure.

For more details visit www.thelittleartgallery.online

A contemporary gallery space between city and sea showcasing local artists. Gift vouchers available. Covid measures in place. Opening times may vary – check wesite for details West Wittering, West Sussex 01243 512218 www.thelittleartgallery.online . the little art gallery

https://www.thelittleartgallery.online/

Beautiful gifts and fabulous artworks

GalleryBN5 is an artist run gallery in Henfield High Street, offering handmade affordable art. We have great selection of original work including paintings, photography, jewellery, ceramics, fused glass, wood & cards. Work changes each month, so there is always something new to see.

https://www.gallerybn5.co.uk/

High Street, Henfield Open Mon-Sat 10am-2pm www.gallerybn5.co.uk

and

https://www.gillbustamante.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GillBustamanteArtist

www.gillbustamante.com www.facebook.com/GillBustamanteArtist www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SussexPaintings

Over

www.southernceramicgroup.org.uk

https://www.southernceramicgroup.org.uk/

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Summertime at SHOREHAM GALLERY

Summertime is here to enjoy at Shoreham Art Gallery with some wonderful new work from our gallery members on show in the gallery and sculpture Garden, plus some exciting work from a diverse range of monthly guest artists.

Amazing talented artist Rosi Robinson will be exhibiting as July’s special Guest Artist. Rosi creates figurative batik paintings, her inspirations come from Matisse, Van Gogh, Impressionism. Her work celebrates the use of colour with light and shade.

In August we have Nicky Bainbridge with her stunning seascapes exhibition ‘Sea’s the Moment’. Her inspiration comes from The Boyle Family, David Hockney and Sorolla’s use of colour. A must see!

Each month over the summer we also have some great solo exhibitions in the upstairs gallery space. In July we have the ‘Wealden Dreaming’ exhibition showing beautiful digital prints developed from lino cuts inspired by the Sussex landscape by Chris Sedgwick and in August Chris Dawson‘s quirky and

thought provoking paintings that will make you smile.

We have also recently welcomed a great new addition to the gallery, popular mosaic artist Christine Walker. Christine creates contemporary mosaic panels and framed pieces for interiors and gardens with some stunning colour combinations.

All the artwork at the gallery is very reasonably priced and there is a wide range of original work for everyone to enjoy at home and in the garden. From fused and stained glass, textiles to turned wood, photographs, prints and paintings, as well as beautifully crafted jewellery. If there is something you can’t see, many of the artists take on commissions making bespoke pieces.

Find out more at www.shorehamgallery.co.uk/ news/ where you can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter. The Online Gallery and Online Shop are always open and offers free delivery to the BN43 area.

top:Rosi Robinson, 'SummerAfternoon'; below: Nicky Bainbridge, 'View to Worthing'; below left: Chris Sedgwick, 'Paul Nash'

SOUTHERN CERAMIC GROUP

Annual Exhibition in Chichester

The Southern Ceramic Group consists of over 170 enthusiastic ceramicists who live and work in the south of England and share a passion for creating in clay.

The members are as diverse as the objects they create. Some have spent a lifetime perfecting their craft while others have come to it only recently, after careers ranging from engineering to medicine to dance and teaching. What they all share is intense creativity. During a year in which they have all been struggling to show their work, they have been locked in their studios busy creating and experimenting.

Now there is an opportunity to see – and buy – the fruits of these labours as they bring their work to the group's annual exhibition in the beautiful Old Kitchen in the Bishop's Palace in Chichester: a real, live and in-person exhibition-cum-sale! The work to be exhibited includes both traditional and experimental functional ware as well as sculptural and decorative pieces. You will find brightly coloured tableware, subtle ash glazed vases, stoneware bottles, carved sculptures, painted tiles and framed ceramic art for hanging on walls. The most striking thing about this exhibition is the enormous range of artefacts created from the same materials.

The exhibition will feature over 600 works from 60 potters who live and work locally. Don’t miss your opportunity to purchase work from some exceptional local artists. Open 10.00 – 5.00, 31st July to 15th August. www.southernceramicgroup.org.uk

visual arts & contemporary crafts

If you would like further information please contact either Nina or Esther via the website www.gallerybn5.co.uk or the Facebook page. Current opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10.00am until 2.00pm.

pictured clockwise from top: Jean Holder, Planter; Nina Smith, 'Fish Curve 3'; Esther Brown, 'Peaceful Fishing'; Irma Westerdijk, 'Skaty, the Salty Seadog, gliding on icy waters'

gallery bn5

Gallery BN5 is a haven of wonderful artists whose work include paintings, fused glass, silver jewellery, ceramics, wood, sculptures and so much more – a wonderful place to visit, browse and chat to the artist on duty that day about their work.

Located in a prominent position in Henfield High Street, the gallery enjoys a good amount of passing trade, as well as having lots of customers who visit on a regular basis. With different artists exhibiting in the windows each month, customers know that when the displays have been changed they are guaranteed something new to purchase.

New artists are always welcome to join the team and take advantage of discount offers on exhibiting fees.

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Gill Bustamante on being a successful artist

Sussex-based Gill Bustamante paints large contemporary landscapes and seascapes in oil on canvas in a style that she describes as ‘memory impressionism’. Her inspiration is drawn from the countryside around her, each painting evolving from a simple memory with a story attached.

Gill sells her work directly and on a few selected online galleries to clients both locally and all over the world. Last year she featured on BBC’s ‘Home Is Where The Art Is’ and says “I love what I do and consider myself very fortunate to have found a way to ‘work’ for a living that is actually really playing”.

But she wasn’t always that accomplished and successful. Having painted ever since she was a small child she went on to graduate with a fine art degree in Brighton. But as an art student she lacked confidence in herself and her art and says she had no certainty in her ability. The ensuing years have seen her honing her skill and finding her artistic ‘voice’, and this last year she has been busier than ever.

“I was asked recently by a fellow artist what advice I had for other artists on staying positive, especially during the last year or so. Here is my twofold answer:

First, the definition of ‘creativity’ per the Oxford dictionary is: ‘The use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness’. This means to me that creativeness is not limited to ‘the arts’ it can be anything at all. If you find something you like doing, do it to the best of your ability and it can become an art form. Gardening, fixing things, baking, teaching, climbing trees and pretty much any endeavour, can potentially become an art form. Peace of mind depends on your ability to create things.

Second, my own certainty in myself was greatly enhanced in the 1980’s when, as an art student, I read a book called ‘Dianetics, the Modern Science of Mental Health’, which explained how the mind works and how abilities can be increased. My own confidence as a painter improved greatly after that. One of the biggest things that can hold anyone back, especially in the arts, is feeling uncertain. It can lead to indecision, lack of motivation and other inhibiting factors. I have found that by improving one’s certainty in oneself ultimately increases one’s creative ability.

So, did I answer the question of how to stay positive? Very simple really –do some kind of creative endeavour and find out more about yourself. There is a third but it involves eating a lot of cake so I won’t promote that too heavily.”

Read more of Gill's story and see her work at www. gillbustamante. com.

left: Gill Bustamante, 'Act of Creation' –"dedicated to all the musicians, writers, dreamers and artists who are creating beautiful things for the rest of us. Life would be meaningless without you"

visual arts & contemporary crafts

Pier Road Coffee & Art

With August approaching, Pier Road Coffee & Art in Littlehampton will be exhibiting their annual Summer Show, combining the work of their resident artists with a range of invited artists who have exhibited throughout the year.

With a range of original paintings, photographs, textiles, glass design, driftwood work, jewellery and more, there is sure to be something to interest everyone.

Mike and Lucy curate this show and choose artists who have been well received by their customers. Diversity of work is often the key which maintains the ethos of the monthly exhibitions.

As well as working with 90% of artists from Sussex, they also have artists from Antwerp. Barcelona, Norwich, London, Cardiff and Derby.

They work with a range of businesses including local bakers, Tideways Sweet Treats and Bespoke Baking Brighton who provide handmade cakes for their coffee and cake offering.

The gallery is absolutely thrilled to

announce winning the V2 Radio Award for Digging Deep. This was awarded to a business who changed and adapted what they offered during the lockdown periods. This included their live private view on the first of each month via their facebook page, where Mike takes you on a tour of the new exhibition. Visit the website www.pierroadcoffeeart.co.uk

The Escape Art Centre launches in Tonbridge

Encompassing the arts in the widest sense, The Escape is an exciting new centre for the arts, housed in the Old Fire Station in the heart of historical Tonbridge.

The name 'Escape' was inspired by the original hand cart and ladder that served the community for hundreds of years. The beautiful and important historical building is now enjoying a brand new lease of life as a unique art, theatre and music hub for Tonbridge and beyond. Owner Richard Collins has teamed up with internationally renowned Tonbridge sculptor Guy Portelli to create Escape Art Centre, a cultural art hub to showcase quality, inspirational and sometimes edgy artworks. We’ve heard on good authority it may even host a Picasso or two.

A diverse range of exhibitions is scheduled, each one carefully planned to re-invent what Escape has to offer in entertainment and education. In addition there will be a rotation of artists in residence, plus a café and wine bar, all coming together to bring an inclusive, inspirational and creative meeting place to which people can escape. Members can look forward to exclusive early access to new exhibitions as well as member-only events.

And if ever an Escape was needed, now is the time! The art is now flowing out of the building and into the street. With a new piece of street art that turns the building into a living entity, Otto Schade, a Chilean artist, put his stamp on the building in front of an enthralled crowd, while Bianca Nicholas, who represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015, performed a live set inside the building. This project has come together over the lock down period and has been a voyage of discovery for all parties involved. “We can’t believe we are in Tonbridge” was the comment made by most visitors to the centre, this could have easily been a New York show and vibe.

Matt Small’s portraits take centre stage and fit the space so well with textures and colours set in front of graphite colour walls. Matt is getting some great coverage at the moment with his portraits of the English football team sponsored by the football association and on show in the official team hotel.

Featured in the main gallery room upstairs is Matt Hardman’s paintings, eerily beautiful portraits that can also be sinister, beautiful, disturbing and humorous at the same time. A moment captured between happiness

visual arts & contemporary crafts

and sadness, with a play on family relationships.

Guy Portelli, the curator at the Escape, has invited six artists to feature in the inaugural exhibition, IGNITE, which will feature the paintings and sculptures of these thought-provoking and inspirational artists. The Ignite show is a collaboration with London based Gallery Different which has enabled a show of international significance and a great launch pad for the future. IGNITE will run until 31st July 2021.

The Escape Art Centre is on Castle Street in Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BH. The coffee shop is open seven days a week with the wine bar in the evening once the restrictions allow. Entrance is free.

For more details visit https://escapeartcentre.co.uk or www.facebook.com/escapeartcentre or follow on Instagram www.instagram.com/escapeartcentre.

opposite page from top: Tonbridge Fire Station in days gone by; Escape Art Centre interior, gallery space and bar; The big red doors of Tonbridge Fire Station;

this page, top: Matt Smalls, 'Jeremy'; above left: Matt Hardman, 'Sing for Me'; left: Otto Schade creating street art for the Escape Art Centre

WAY OUT THERE & BACK

Tucked in a charming historic courtyard in Littlehampton (it was where the town's working horses used to be stabled) along England's beautiful South Coast you will find one of the South Coast's top independent retailers, Way Out There & Back.

Trading from this location for 29 years, we are specialists in art & plants, a high end new age outlet and art gallery, serving both the retail and mail order community, believing in the power of truth and compassion for Mother Nature and human uniqueness!

We specialise in urban art, urban art supplies such as Kobra and Montana spray-paints, caps and all variations of Posca Paint Pens, plus local handmade artisan crafts. We are one of the only locations to house an ultraviolet viewing gallery, alongside the other artwork on display. We are also proud supporters of the Wish and JUST A CARD campaign.

Beneath the gallery walls are a wide variety of needful things: locally sourced and created artisan gifts, bespoke silver jewellery, world and festival accessories, essential oils, aromatic incenses from around the world, healing and beautiful-to-look-at-crystals, gift cards, divination tools, clothing, ceramics, decorative skulls and dragons, fairies plus angels, authentic

Native American artefacts; we are also licensed stockists of Stormtrooper collectibles.

Way Out There & Back is also the HQ for Littlehampton’s Organisation of Community Arts, LOCA, who host the Love Festival, Littlehampton Arts Trail & Arts Festival. Find us on social media.

the welcome return of Summer Art Trails & Open Studios

Arundel Gallery Trail 2021

OPEN during four ‘Long Weekends’ throughout August

This is a walkable Art Trail and a great way to discover works of artists, sculptors and makers. Over fifty artists and twenty-three Trail venues – in galleries, public buildings, shops and private homes, inviting you into studios and art spaces for an insight into their creative process.

Pick up a Trail Guide and Map from The Victoria Institute on Tarrant Street, where you’ll also find artists and sculptors in residence and a chance to view the ‘Secret Artist’ exhibition and place your silent bid! It’s a great opportunity to acquire an original. This silent auction is also online and runs until the end of August.

Sculpture will be a particular focus for the Trail this year. Chainsaw artist Simon Groves is creating a ‘zoo walk’, placing several life-size animals in unusual locations. His carvings are fashioned from single pieces of sustainably sourced wood. Additionally, exciting textures have emerged from the workshops of Sussex Sculptors – displayed in the airy, spiritual space that is St Nicholas Church, Arundel.

Arundel Gallery Trail runs from 5th to 8th, 12th to 15th, 19th to 22nd, and 26th to 30th August. Opening times are from noon to 5pm. Some venues will open on additional dates so please check the Trail Guide and website: www.arundelgallerytrail.co.uk or for more details contact: info@arundelgallerytrail.co.uk.

summer art trails & open studios

Crowborough Artists Open Studios

4th to 5th September

Crowborough Arts is a community arts organisation that covers all aspects of the arts – music, literature, drama/performance, poetry and the visual arts. Over 150 members support and participate in the various activities that are put on throughout the year.

2020 was Crowborough Arts’ tenth birthday, but sadly all their events were cancelled because of the pandemic. However, this year a bumper programme is planned to make up for lost time, and as well as the exciting concerts and literary events that are already booked, their annual Open Studios is planned for September. It looks like a special year for the exhibition and will feature artists from Brighton, Fairwarp, Mayfield and Tunbridge Wells as well as work by more local artists. Crowborough Arts try to provide venues for people to share if they do not have their own space, which makes it more interesting for visitors as they can view the work of several artists in one venue.

Following on from the Open Studios, on 9th October

at Crowborough Community Centre, the ZRI Band perform ‘Adventures with Charlie Chaplin’.

Part concert, part film screening, the audience is transported to the melting pot of early 20th Century New York, where jazz, klezmer and classical music intertwine in film soundtracks. ZRI match the wit, virtuosity and sheer brilliance of Chaplin in his creative prime as they perform live alongside his early classic ‘The Adventurer’. The show brought the house down at the Royal Albert Hall, so it will be a night to remember in Crowborough.

For full details visit www.crowborough-arts. org.uk

above: Up A Muddy Twitten by artist and printmaker Sandy Infield, participating in Crowborough Artists Open Studios; left: ZRI Band

summer art trails & open studios

Frances Knight

Open Studio & Summer Exhibition

Landscape artist Frances Knight will open her studio as part of the Arundel Gallery Trail during the last two weekends in August. Visitors can enjoy her summer exhibition of paintings from 19th to 22nd and 26th to 30th August.

Work on display will include a springtime woodland series created during the first lockdown when Frances was able to visit a local wood outside her apartment to paint en plein air. The paintings show the slow changing of the season during this month of working in the same location, with leaves beginning to open more and the undergrowth growing

more thickly as the series progresses. Reflecting on the series, Frances says “I loved the effects of sunlight and shadows as they filtered through the trees”.

The studio will be open 12–5 pm daily on Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd and Thursday 26th to Bank Holiday Monday 30th August: Top Floor Studio, The Victoria Institute, Tarrant Street, Arundel BN18 9DG. Appointments are welcome outside of these times, please call Frances on 07950 862246 to arrange a visit.

Frances likes to paint directly from nature exploring the effects of light, colour and structure and then work on larger paintings from these studies once back in the studio. Her paintings can also be seen at Nadia Waterfield in Andover, Hampshire, and The Little Art Gallery in West Wittering, West Sussex. Visit www.francesknight.com for further information.

summer art trails & open studios

Isle of Wight Arts Open Studios

16th to 26rd July inclusive.

After the covid cancellation in 2020, we are back with hope and art.

This major Island art event attracts many residents and visitors from beyond the Island to visit over a hundred artists and craft designers/makers of many genres, showing work in studios and venues across the Wight.

Much of this amazing range of creativity is inspired by this Island of Art. Established, widely exhibited artists displaying their work alongside talented new and emerging artists makes for an event to excite the imagination.

Open studios are as varied as you can imagine: in an artist's home, work room or garden, in purpose made studios, some in public venues. The beauty of visiting several studios is that each is unique, with its own charm. Meet and talk with artists about

their work, see demonstrations, feel inspired, sign up for an art course! You will have a warm welcome. Buy that ‘must have’ artwork direct from artists, at all prices, as a gift or even for yourself!

Entry is free, as is the yearbook, with artist profiles, maps and opening times. Visitors can use the maps within the yearbook to create their own art trails, to navigate their way around visiting the artists. You will be able to see which artists are exhibiting in different towns, villages, and in the countryside. Find the yearbook in tourist points, libraries, galleries, from artists, also downloadable from www.isleofwightarts.com. We also post copies, just send us your address/request.

Visit the Island via Red Funnel/Wightlink Ferries; come for a day, weekend or more, to enjoy the Art on an Island full of delights.

above: Becky Samuelson SWA, exhibits widely, sells online. Seasoned open studios participater. left: Chris Hicks MA, who does lino cuts of nature in all its forms. Widely exhibited in London and beyond

summer art trails & open studios

my home. Instead I am proud to be welcoming everyone to my new abode at The Mill Studio, Ford Lane, Arundel, alongside Piers Ottey whose work needs no introduction to visitors of this trail. He and I are having our Open Studios throughout the trail and will be open for nearly all of August.

Piers has always shown at his Mill Studios and since stopping teaching in September 2019 to concentrate on painting, his love for the Sussex landscape, his dog Audrey, his vintage motorbikes and anything else that intrigues him make for an impressive and varied collection as always. His colours sing and dance around and he is playful with both subject and scale.

We look forward to seeing you in August! Contact us at office@themillstudio.com For more details or for updates follow us on Instagram: @karin_moorhouse_art and @piersottey.

left: Karin Moorhouse, Primulas in old terracotta pot; below: Piers Ottey, Bexley Hill, Lickfold; bottom: Piers Ottey, Alpine Run

Karin Moorhouse

Taking part in Arundel Gallery Trail

Summer 2021 already and what a great deal has changed since the now seemingly halcyon days of 2019…. but then again how much has improved since this time last year. This year there will be gallery trails and art shows once again albeit with faces covered and visitors and venues much restricted, and still for me the Arundel Gallery Trail is number one. Even before I moved to the town and long before I myself exhibited I was a regular attendee of this particular trail. For me the USP is the location… we’ve got our own castle for goodness sake and a plethora of places to wet your whistle ranging from fine dining to that quick cuppa mid trail.

This year, though much reduced in size, the 2021 Arundel Gallery Trail will not disappoint in quality and venue throughout and I am looking forward very much to showing my new collection of paintings created over the last 18 months, so many of which lean towards my lockdown environment and experience. I was lucky; I spent a great deal of time in my garden and my work reflects my love of the place I was immersed in. Fascinated as I am by light and the shadows it plays with, my Lockdown garden was full of material. However for the first time I will not be showing at

summer art trails & open studios

Susie Olford

The Joy of Art taking part in Arundel Gallery Trail and Chichester Art Trail this summer

Summer, that Magic Word. It will be magic if the weather holds and we are ‘unlocked’. The Joy of Art will be part of the magic so please visit, celebrate with artists everywhere.

My piece of Joyful Magic may be seen during Arundel Gallery Trail. I will hang paintings in Arundel Cathedral, London Road, BN18 9AY for ten days between Saturday 21st and Monday 30th August 2021. When the Cathedral is open, I will be there. Approximate times from Monday to Saturday are 11.00am to 5.00pm, Sunday opening 1.00pm. Other venues have different dates and times, check the gallery trail website www.arundelgallerytrail.co.uk for all the details.

Magic starts as this ingénu/e is published, with my paintings mounted in the wonderful barn at Hoe

Lane, Flansham, PO22 8NJ, found just west of Littlehampton on the A259. There is easy free parking at this venue in the Regis Section of the Chichester Art Trail. Colour Brochures are available on the website – www.chichesterarttrail.org. Doors are open on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th, and Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July 2021, from 10.30am to 5.00pm – wide open I hope!

Venues will have QR codes, T&T form, plus any Covid Safe Regulations prevailing. My work is joyful and colourful, in oil or acrylic, interpreting the seascapes and landscapes around me. Humorous wine cards are also on display, unique to my art.

To contact me email smoart@btinternet.com.

Susie Olford, Perfect Day, oil

summer art trails & open studios

ARTWAVE 2021

A Community with Creativity Since 1993

11th to 26th September

Artwaveis the annual festival of artists and makers from Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven and the surrounding villages. The event gives art lovers the chance to discover new work, meet artists and makers, and buy directly from them.

Follow the trails and enjoy the diverse range of work on show including jewellery, painting, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and photography. Support your local artists and makers, whilst exploring this creative part of Sussex.

The event is subsidised by Lewes District Council to keep the entry fee for artists affordable and encourage as many people as possible to take part. It is an inclusive un-curated festival with no jury selection and we encourage artists and makers of all ages, and at all stages of their career, to take part. We are proud to have supported work by school and college students, marginalised artists and outreach groups, alongside established artists. Artwave invites all mediums of work, from jewellery and ceramics, to fine art photography and performance art.

If you are an artist, maker or venue who would like to host an exhibition in the future, join our artist mailing list. It is possible to keep up to date with all the latest Artwave news by following on Instagram @artwavefestival or joining our visitor mailing list.

The full listings will be live on the website in August

and people can pick up a map from the tourist info centre in Seaford and Lewes. For all details visit www.artwavefestival.org

summer art trails & open studios

Littlehampton's LOCA Arts Trail

2nd to 21st August

We are a network-cooperative of professional visual and performance artists, who along with the local and wider community work together passionately in the development and promotion of Creative, Cultural and Community interactive arts along the South Coast.

A good friend of ours, fellow artist Duncan Thrussell, approached us in 2011 to help him with his Arts in Action arts trail as the workload was a bit much for one person to contend with. This led to the formation in 2012 of LOCA to give provision for the Arts within Littlehampton, and working together with Littlehampton Town Council we have been delivering a variety of popular arts events since then.

LOCA hosts Littlehampton Arts & Music Festival and Arts and Music Trails, which is unique and inclusive as no charge is made to the exhibiting artist or hosting venue, thus not potentially excluding artists or businesses from participating based on financial circumstances. Our Arts Trail plays host to developing, outsider and locally known and internationally acclaimed artists.

Due to the disruption caused by the covid-19 outbreak we have taken the decision to build an interactive web page that will allow us to give ‘How To's’ and artist interviews, plus be able to host a virtual online arts trail regardless of restrictions. This will help to circumvent any future outbreaks and allow us to keep our community quenched by its own arts and music available in the beautiful area we live amongst along the stunning south coast of England.

This year, however, we will be delivering the Littlehampton Arts Trail from August 2nd to 21st throughout the town, Littlehampton’s Sketch Crawl hosted by the doyen of the South Coast Sketch Crawl, artist Steve Carroll, and we will be hosting our photographic competition and walk around #LOCAArts ‘Walk and Shoot’ and many arts activities that will be included in this year’s brochure available beginning of July 2021.

Please keep an eye out for all information on our FaceBook social media page: www.facebook.com/LOCALittlehamptonArts

top: Artist Steve Carroll leading the Littlehampton Sketch Crawl; opp top: Photograph by Pete Marshall, Walk & Shoot 2019; right: Photograph by Stuart Flitton, Walk & Shoot 2019

Knight

part of the Arundel Gallery Trail

19th - 22nd August & 26th - 30th August Open 12 - 5 pm daily, and at other times by appointment

Top Floor Studio, The Victoria Institute, Tarrant Street, Arundel BN18 9DG 07950 862246 www.francesknight.com

Thursdays - Sundays in August www.arundelgallerytrail.co.uk

5th-8th / 12th-15th / 19th-22nd / 26th-29th + Monday 30th 12 - 5 daily

the return of live theatre

RECLAIM, RETURN, RESUME

Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre is

Open AGAIN!

Eastbourne’s Congress Theatre proudly opens its doors again this summer, with a selection of shows which offer audiences the chance to return, resume and reclaim their nights out in a safe and controlled environment.

Audiences are encouraged to have confidence to get back to the Congress Theatre, the largest theatre on the South Coast. To create new memories, to treat themselves to a night out and support the venues, with the knowledge that a no-quibble refund is offered should there be any Covid related issue with either the show or the ticket-holder.

A large season of entertainment including West End smash-hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong, live music plus comedy nights from Rob Brydon to name but a selection of highlights.

The theatre proudly boasts the Industry accredited See it Safely Mark which proves the venue is being run with full Covid security measures in place.

To experience the thrill of settling into a red velvet theatre seat, as the house lights go down and the stage

lights go-up after such a long wait is sure to be a goosebump inducing moment for every audience member lucky enough to be there!

Visit www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk for all the information about what’s on.

above: 2021 Cast The Play That Goes Wrong, photo by Robert Day

Worthing theatres

Two of Many Performances Coming Up

Not: Lady Chatterley's Lover

A parody of Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence. Happy Idiot Productions in Association with Worthing Theatres and Museum bring us a hilarious parody of DH Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover on 17th September at the Connaught Theatre.

‘Think Naked Gun’ and ‘Airplane!’ mixed with a steamy costume drama. A laughter-filled parody of the D.H. Lawrence novel.

Lady Chatterley welcomes home her husband, Clifford, from a war that has left the world in tatters. With Clifford’s legs also in tatters, he arrives at Wragby Manor confined to a wheelchair and

clutching his secret.

Despite her husband’s impotence, a subject that all struggle to avoid, Constance entertains the idea that one day they could have a child. However, as the couple grow apart Constance falls into a passionate, sexual and curiously experimental affair with Mellors, the estate gamekeeper.

Expect long contemplative looks into the middle distance, moments of touching drama, plenty of farce and a gentle stroke of innuendo in this Mel Brooks style parody.

Joe Brown: The Farewell Tour 18th September at the Assembly Hall in Worthing

The headline ‘Don’t miss Joe Brown’s final fling!’ made me feel sad, reminding me of my own mortality. Can it really be that Joe Brown, the cheerful cockney rock and roll legend is not only 80 years old, but is embarking on his farewell tour, which covers a few venues here in the south? But alas, it is so. The phrase all good things must come to an end comes to mind!

Joe, who in fact is Joe Brown MBE, takes to the road on his to celebrate over 60 years at the top in the music business and to thank his fans for a lifetime of memories. Combining timeless classics, rockabilly, gospel, country, bluegrass, and rock ‘n’ roll with Joe’s effervescent delivery and humorous reminiscences, this sensational show is pure entertainment with a capital E and a musical journey not to be missed.

Joe’s band includes Fiddle virtuoso Tom Leary; Guitar/Mandolin veteran Steve Simpson; Ace Bass player Andy Crowdy and stalwart band member, drummer, percussionist and singer Phil Capaldi,

completing his 30th year as a member of Joe’s band. Not to be missed, because I think Joe will stick to his word and he won’t be touring again.

Visit https://wtam.uk for all the information about what’s coming up at the theatres.

Chichester Festival Theatre

The Complete 2021 Season

“If you don’ have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?”

Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, originally scheduled for 2020, has been rescheduled to Festival 2021, running from 5th July to 4th September.

Set in 1943, on an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, US troops are kicking their heels amid the cacao groves while restlessly waiting for the war to reach them. Nellie Forbush, a navy nurse from Arkansas, finds herself falling for the French plantation owner, Emile de Becque – a man with a mysterious past. The scheming sailor Luther Billis runs a makeshift laundry to earn a quick buck, but he’s no match for the quickwitted Polynesian Bloody Mary who’s intent on exploiting these foreigners. When young Princeton graduate Lieutenant Joe Cable is flown in on a dangerous reconnaissance mission, love and fear become entwined as the island’s battle for hearts and minds begins.

Gina Beck and Alex Young will share the role of Nellie Forbush.

During August and the beginning of September South Pacific is also being streamed live giving a chance for audiences who would prefer to watch from home or simply aren't able to travel to Chichester this year.

The 6th to 28th August sees The Flock, a new play by Zoe Cooper, arrive at the Minerva theatre. Compassionate and funny, The Flock depicts the bumpy road to inclusion, asking how we can live and worship alongside one another when our differences are so marked. How

performing arts

do we remain together when we’re so far apart?

The Beauty Queen of Leenane follows at the Minerva theatre from 3rd September to 2nd October. Rachel O’Riordan directs a major revival of this darkly comic, award-winning play by Martin McDonagh, whose work includes the films Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and In Bruges and the plays The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Hangmen.

The Long Song is a new adaptation by Suhayla El-Bushra based on the novel by Andrea Levy and comes to the Festival Theatre from 1st to 23rd October. Miss July is born into slavery in Jamaica and is brutally parted from both her mother and her name. But what she retains is resilience, charisma and a subversive, spirited wit. This ebullient and lifeaffirming play finds humanity, resistance and hope in the darkest of times.

Home by David Storey comes to the Minerva theatre from 8th October to 6th November. In a neglected garden, small talk oscillates between the weather, the neighbours, reminiscences of friends and family, and anecdotes of past exploits in love and war. But this quintet of characters, with their foibles and failings, are not what they seem to be, and nor is their home. And overhead, the clouds are gathering.

And for the Christmas season, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre brings a brand new version of Pinocchio to the Festival Theatre from 18th December to 1st January 2022. The marvellous adventures of the puppet who truly wants to go to school like real boys and girls – but the temptation to discover the wonders of the world and make his fortune keep getting in the way.

Visit www.cft.org.uk for full details of all these productions and everything else the theatre has to offer.

above: The Long Song

below: Beauty Queen of Leenane

The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle

Our largest festival ever offers a summer of optimism and joy – July to August at Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent

We’ve made it – hooray! Our events will take place in four spectacular locations in the award-winning gardens of Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn, one of Kent’s top tourist attractions: the Two Sisters Theatre, the original heart of the festival where the seating is tiered and under cover; The Main Lawn Stage with a superb view of the castle; The Loggia’s tranquil Italian Gardens with the magnificent lake view; and Anne Boleyn’s Woodland Walk, a secluded open-air ancient woodland glade.

We are committed to social distancing throughout the 2021 season and are thrilled to welcome an eclectic mix of home grown Kent artists including Night Owls' Amy Winehouse Tribute Back to Black; Beyond the Barricade; New Creations Collective re-telling of The Secret Garden through classical music and ballet; First Knight Theatre’s second instalment of Alan Ayckbourn’s Norman Conquest Trilogy Living Together and Hever Castle’s own historian, Dr Owen Emmerson who, with Claire Ridgway, will spend an evening charting the colourful history of Hever’s most famous residents from their astonishing rise to power to their dramatic and bloody end The Boleyns of Hever Castle.

Once again, we have some fabulous tribute band performances from various acts and Emperors of Soul will be celebrating the songs of Motown.

Last Night of the Hever Proms return with an additional Bitesize performance early evening, so audiences can enjoy a leisurely picnic post

performance. Ronnie Scott’s All Stars are back with two popular shows: Rhapsody in Blue, a Jazz portrait of George Gershwin with James Pearson and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club at 60.

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben Hart will also be amazing us all with his magic as he embarks on his debut solo tour.

From the world of classical music we have the great privilege to see the first live performance of the recently recorded transcription by the multi-talented violinist David Juritz of Bach’s masterpiece the Goldberg Variations. Transcribed for Craig Ogden, widely acknowledged as one of the leading guitarists of his generation, Craig and David will be joined by the internationally renowned cellist, Tim Hugh. And as an added highlight David Juritz will be discussing ‘Arranging the Goldbergs’ in a 20 minute pre-performance talk.

We are also delighted to welcome back Charles Court Opera, one of the leading and most versatile chamber opera companies in the UK with three Gilbert & Sullivan productions: Iolanthe; The Complete Works of Gilbert and Sullivan in 75 minutes! and The Mikado. Also, Hever favourites Opera Brava also return bringing two greatly loved classics; Puccini’s Tosca and Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

The programme of family shows has been extended once again with a performance to enthral the children each week of the holidays, commencing with Long Nose Puppet’s Arthur’s Dreamboat; Immersion Theatre’s wild adaptation of The Jungle Book; Dustbin Doris presented in association with the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival; Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians; and Morgan and West’s action-packed family show The Three Musketeers. Visit www.heverfestival.co.uk for further information or to book online or call the Box Office 01732 866114. below: New Creation Collective, The Secret Garden

performing arts

The Capitol Jazzing Up Friday Nights

In Horsham!

The Capitol theatre is celebrating the 85th Anniversary of the venue with the launch of Horsham Arts Club.

HAC is a new initiative and line-up of contemporary and jazz music concerts that reflect the best from the UK’s thriving music industry in Horsham. The first of these nights showcases ‘W3’, the resident funk house band of Ronnie Scott's world famous jazz club on Friday 8th October.

ingénu/e spoke with musician Chris Wintermeyer, organiser of HAC, about the club, jazz and his life as a professional musician.

Chris was born and raised in a house that had music on all the time. He tells us:

“My mum was a classically trained singer and played piano. All my siblings were learning to play instruments, and whilst my Dad was not a musician, he loved rock music. Artists such as Genesis, Status Quo, Queen and Supertramp would be blaring out of his hi-fi. Music was a constant.

My Nan was one of my biggest musical influencers she was a previously a professional dancer who

worked with Morecambe & Wise and Frank Sinatra. She introduced me to swing big band music, such as Glen Miller.

Alongside that, the trumpet grabbed my attention from an early age, apparently I'd be docile at concerts until the trumpets came in. So it’s probably not so much that jazz was a passion, more music, performing, people and trumpet in general.”

And what about your career overall? Has it always been jazz?

“I guess with my career I’ve never single-tracked myself down the jazz path per se. In fact I would go as far as to say it’s near impossible to do that if you want to make a career out of music. Being a musician, even in the jazz world, means opening yourself to so many different types of music, genres, people and cultures.

It’s definitely been true in my own career. Coming out of university I landed my first pop gig with Rizzle Kicks. Working closely with the guys introduced me to their love of hip hop, and I learnt and fell in love with the music the more I was surrounded by both it and their passion for it.”

And why start the club in Horsham?

“I moved to Horsham in 2016, HAC was an idea that came to me pre-covid, essentially to bring the best of the London music scene down to regular nights in Horsham. Bringing in the circles of musicians and artists I have the privilege of working with. Unfortunately covid hit and it was put on hold until now.

With the prospect of the UK returning to some sort of normality it’s an exciting time. There’s a lot of pent up creativity, music and arts that has been bubbling away, kept under a lockdown lid. HAC will hopefully be a tool with which to bring new music, virtuoso artists and incredible performances to the people of Horsham.”

Why the name 'Horsham Arts Club’ as opposed to ‘Horsham Jazz club’?

“I chose the name to represent all genres of music, not just jazz. In the future we hope to put on shows from a variety of bands and artists. Safe to say, it’s an incredibly exciting time as the world opens up and we can’t wait to get our programme together for next year. We’re looking at doing shows quarterly next year, with a potential date before the end of this year. The ultimate aim is to have monthly shows at the Capitol theatre, and establish Horsham as a cultural music hub of the UK.”

Visit www.thecapitolhorsham.com/ whats-on for more information.

https://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk//

Robert Plant, Suzi Dian and band Saving Grace tour at Worthing and Bexhill in July

Coastal Events have announced that the Saving Grace tour will visit Worthing Pavilion on 19th July and De La Warr Pavilion on 20th July.

The co-operative Saving Grace project features Robert Plant and Suzi Dian (vocals), Oli Jefferson (percussion), Tony Kelsey (mandolin, baritone and acoustic guitars) and Matt Worley (banjo, cuatro, acoustic and baritone guitars). These five musicians work in glorious harmony from start to finish, reworking a selection of diverse cover versions that have been collected from various places creating a musical journey in its truest form.

The show also stars special guest singer songwriter Scott Matthews. Hugely admired by Robert Plant, Scott has been performing since 2006 and shot to success when he earned himself the Ivor Novello award with his first ever single Elusive.

English singer/songwriter Robert Plant CBE is best known for his time as lyricist and lead singer of rock giants Led Zeppelin. The band are one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with record sales well over two hundred million. They achieved eight consecutive UK number one albums and six number one albums in the USA.

Having developed himself as a charismatic rockand-roll frontman, and with Zeppelin calling it a day in 1980, he has since gone on to work with many elite artists and has enjoyed a legendary solo career spanning over fifty years, comprising eleven studio albums, two compilation albums, three video albums, four collaborative albums and fortytwo singles.

Some highlights of his solo work include forming a short-lived all-star group with Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck called the Honeydrippers in 1984 and in 2002 releasing a widely acclaimed collection of blues and folk remakes, with his then newly formed band Strange Sensation entitled Dreamland. In 2007 he collaborated with bluegrass and country music artist Alison Krauss, releasing the critically acclaimed Raising Sand album, winning many awards.

Rolling Stone editors ranked him number fifteen on their list of the hundred best singers of all time, with readers ranking Plant the greatest of all lead singers.

Visit www.coastalevents.co.uk or www.dlwp.com or https://wtam.uk for tickets.

Eddi Reader

Singer /songwriter Eddi Reader shares her thoughts with ingénu/e

Eddi Reader is not only a recipient of an MBE but also has bagged three BRIT Awards during her long career.

Formerly the frontwoman of Fairground Attraction, she has since cut out a remarkable solo career. Her eleventh studio album ‘Cavalier’ is a gem, contemporary songs side by side with more traditional offerings. Eddi is performing on 5th October at the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill as part of her rescheduled ‘40 Years Live Tour’.

You have obviously had a very varied and interesting career to say the least. What do you feel are the highlights, the moments that particularly stand out for you?

All of it has been a great story and I feel privileged to have been dealt the cards I was dealt. In moments that might have felt devastating, and others that felt glorious I see it all, today, as transforming and unfolding as it should. From sitting penniless at the side of a river in the south east of France and making a decision to apply my skills for exploring the world of ‘the rock and roll industry’, then achieving what would be considered the best that world had to offer. I now look back and bless that day on the riverside 41 years ago.

How have you dealt with the lockdowns?

Easily. It’s been a brilliant space in time to dream, relax, drop all pressure and see what’s really important as opposed to the ego dreams we all have been jailed by.

The 40 years live tour is now happening after being postponed from 2020. What can we expect on this tour? Will it be a mix of styles and older and new material?

I never plan anything to do with the set. I will be as engaged in the moment as I can be and between me, the band and the audience hopefully we will spontaneously bring forth lovely songs and lovely stories. I sing everything I have ever been touched by. Sometimes I surprise myself with what wants to be sung.

Am I correct in saying you are writing a book about your great uncle Seamus? When do you feel this will be published and has the occasional media misrepresentation weakened or strengthened your resolve on this?

I found, or inherited, a load of items and papers from my dad’s 87-year-old cousin, who passed away in Dublin and I was asked if I wanted his father’s things. I took them in case there where photographs of my grandad's half-brother's generation of Readers. What I found was that my grandfather’s older half-brother ‘uncle Seamus’ was a boy and young man who, while in his hometown of Glasgow, was deeply imbedded with the Irish and Scottish struggles against empire. I took the papers to Glasgow University history department who informed me of the historical importance of the story. I seem to be the only person on the planet with this highly detailed and personal living account of revolutionary events 1900-1935.

Being a supporter of Scottish independence, how do you feel about being awarded the MBE for outstanding contribution to the arts?

Great. It’s very nice for anyone to give me a gift. Not as great as some gifts but better than the dusty Boots cheap hankies my grannie used to give me every Christmas. It doesn’t affect my belief in selfdetermination for small nations, nor does it change my non-belief in the ‘divine right of kings’. I also don’t believe in ‘betters’ or ‘worse than’ caste systems. But if someone pats me on the back for my work I am grateful whether it’s a person who’s a king or a person who was as homeless as I was in the south of France. In my mind we are all equal in value.

Into the future, will music stay your main passion, or do you see yourself moving more into acting, writing or other creative pursuits?

I never have a clue how the afternoon might pan out from the morning, never mind the imaginings of a future. At the moment I’m looking forward to the amazing May/June Scottish skies.

Visit www.coastalevents.co.uk or www.dlwp.com for further information.

pictured: Eddi Reader, photo © Genevieve Stevenson

mediæval baebes

ingénu/e catches up with

Katharine Blake, founder of the Mediæval Baebes

Classical chart topping choir Mediæval Baebes have been described, quite correctly in my opinion, as unique.

Formed in 1996 by musical director, composer and producer Katharine Blake, they have released 10 studio albums, won an Ivor Novella Award for their performance on the BBC serialisation ‘The Virgin Queen’ and received two Emmy nominations and a Royal Television Society award as the featured artist alongside composer Martin Phipps for the theme tune of ITV’s hit TV show ‘Victoria’.

As they are due to perform at the Loxwood Joust in August (see p6), ingénue asked Katherine about the Baebes' origins and music.

2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the group. What was the genesis of the idea to form the group all those years ago?

The band was originally formed by a group of friends, initially just for fun. I think they all initially thought I had gone a bit crazy, when, determined to

share my love of early music, I coerced them into singing some simple mediæval tunes, which I believed would work well with untrained voices.

It wasn’t long before I started writing my own compositions, inspired by the mediæval period, using Middle English texts.

Not long after that our first album Salva Nos was released which reached number 2 in the classical charts and received a silver disc. It all happened so quickly and felt like a dream.

What was your early life musical background that led you to be so knowledgeable regarding ancient music?

I have always loved early music, and have fond memories of going to concerts at The Wigmore Hall as a child, the home of early music excellence. I was educated at The Purcell School of Music, a full time music school. My first instrument was recorder, which has a broad repertoire of renaissance and baroque music. It was singing in the choir though that really inspired me, and influenced my future musical world. I was also lucky enough to perform the works of Hildegard Von Bingen, the 13th century visionary nun, in the early music group Synfonie, which was a big inspiration for starting Mediæval Baebes.

It seems that not only do members have to be excellent singers, but also have to sing in various languages and occasionally play relevant, early instruments. How easy or difficult is it to find someone who is ‘the right fit’ to join the ensemble?

Mostly new members have been recruited through word of mouth. It does indeed require quite a skill set! You have to sing and harmonise in a variety of ancient languages, off by heart, whilst performing choreography, and making it all look easy! Some of the singers also play recorders, string instruments and the hurdy-gurdy.

How did you celebrate winning the Ivor Novello Award in 2007 for best television soundtrack for the BBC production of The Virgin Queen?

Our collaborations with Martin Phipps, The Virgin Queen composer, have been a very happy marriage. More recently he composed music for the hit TV show Victoria which features Mediæval Baebes singing the popular theme tune, which was double Emmy nominated and went on to win best title at the Royal TV awards.

What is the future for the group and the concept? Is there a plan to ‘pass on the torch’ to a new generation of Mediæval Baebes?

I can’t imagine not being the musical director of Mediæval Baebes. Over the years there have been a myriad incarnations. I’ve actually lost count of all the members. I think it is one of the strengths of the group that so many women have been involved in this unique collective. It has kept the energy of the band exciting and fresh, with each new member bringing their own energy, skills and sensibility.

The torch has already been passed on to some of our offspring. 21-year-old Polly Harley, the daughter of founding member Ruth Galloway, and the first Mediæval Baebey sings on our most recent and 10th studio album, ‘Prayers of the Rosary’ which also features my 12-year-old daughter Rosa Marsh. I recently formed a family band, Mediæval Baebes Trio with Rosa and my multi-instrumentalist partner Mike York, so we could keep the fans entertained with streamed gigs during lockdown. I was totally upstaged by my daughter!

left: Mediæval Baebes; opp: Mediæval Baebes in concert; below: Rosa and Katharine Blake

BY TONY BIGGIN

www.tonybiggin.com/requiem Email: tony@tonybiggin.com +44 (0)7899 996192

Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra

Now looking ahead to a dynamic and innovative sixth season, Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra continues to aim high as it takes up residence in its new home at the White Rock Theatre and makes plans for 2021-22.

The current pandemic has created uncertainty and anxiety on a global scale, and many in our local area have suffered a devastating impact on their lives and livelihoods. Amidst this turmoil, many have turned to music and the arts for solace and inspiration. We are fortunate that Hastings has its own professional orchestra; they have not only been working hard to maintain an active music schedule within government guidelines, but they have also been building a network of relationships to enrich the musical life of the local community.

Marcio da Silva, Artistic Director of Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra, is a man with a vision to put Hastings back on the map as a centre of excellence for classical music and it is evident that he is fully prepared to work with determination to fulfil this dream. Last season he secured vital financial support from his audience-base to guarantee the boost of match-funding from The Fairlight Arts Trust. But he did not rest on his laurels once this was secured. Recognising the importance of long-term development, da Silva has welcomed and fostered an amicable new relationship with industrial sponsor Penn Elcom, and their ongoing support has the

potential to be transformational.

But complacency is not a da Silva characteristic, and concurrently he has put in the hard graft required to apply for a variety of grants to enable his team to develop new initiatives. All this, of course, whilst successfully delivering last season’s programme of sold-out Covid-secure choral, orchestral, and chamber concerts; song recitals; and online broadcasts; with an opera academy still to come!

Maybe we should not be surprised that da Silva’s drive and leadership, backed by the energy of HPO Orchestra Administrator Helen May, and a strong team of HPO Trustees, has led to exciting projects emerging from the ‘ashes’ of successive lockdowns. Branching out from HPO we now see: HPO Songbirds – a free of charge children’s choir for 5-11-year-olds, which meets weekly; and HPO Connections – the framework for music workshops and concerts to be taken into local Care Homes. We are also delighted to see HPO intermeshing with local community networks, joining the ‘Hub’ of the East Sussex Music Service to run workshops, and increasing their links with local festivals such as that at Etchingham.

But looking at the HPO programme perhaps the most exciting thing on the horizon has been made possible thanks to Arts Council funding. Between 13th July and 14th August HPO are launching HPO Open Doors – seven free of charge events throughout Hastings, Bexhill, and St Leonards. These include indoor evening concerts in the De La War Pavilion, and at Christ Church, St Leonards, and outdoor afternoon concerts at Priory Meadow and Alexander Park. For details go to www.hastingsphilorchestra.co.uk/ hpo-open-doors.

And what of the new season? Even if the virus lingers, da Silva knows how to handle Covid-secure events, and the HPO momentum is impressive. Judging by past events, the concerts will be high quality, varied, and dynamic. Check online and go along and enjoy the music. –Dr. Carolyn May

poetry prose & illustration

SECRETS

“

book reviews

The Lights of Leicester Square

by Felicity Fair Thompson

From usherette to theatre manager, former ballet dancer Felicity Fair Thompson shines her torch on her former career, taking us behind the scenes at the Odeon Leicester Square during its heyday in swinging London.

Before the days of 24-hour TV and the ubiquitous smart phone or tablet, a trip to the movies was an outing, a treat to be relished. It was the late 1960s and the Odeon Leicester Square was the flagship of the Rank West End cinemas. This was the era of popular classic movies like Oliver!, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Diamonds are Forever, and Live and Let Die, which regularly drew crowds of thousands, filling the square and spilling out into neighbouring streets as they queued round the block for tickets.

In her role as manager Felicity Fair Thompson found herself dealing not only with excitable and impatient crowds, but also with VIP guests and famous movie stars as they attended world premieres

Sussex by the Glass

Wines, Vines and Two Pioneering Families

by Liz Sagues

"Have you ever smelt a vine flower? It's delicate, lightly honeyed, hinting at the liquid pleasures to come"

To say I'm unfamiliar with English wine is a crashing understatement – unless you count my dear late mum's home made pear wine, more like a liqueur, or her robust elderberry, which would take the skin off your teeth.

Imagine my astonishment, then, when I read in 'Sussex by the Glass' that not only does English wine have a history dating back to the Romans, but that it is alive and flourishing in many vineyards and wineries across the UK.

Liz Sagues turns her attention to two vineyards in Sussex, Bolney and Ridgeview, established and run by two pioneering families whose passion for bringing award-winning English wine to the public extend to the 3rd and 2nd generations respectively.

From their early days of trial and error in both vine cultivation and wine making, these two families have blazed a trail, instrumental in putting Sussex wine

and members of the royal family visiting for the royal film performances – protocols had to be strictly observed during these occasions and nerves ran high. Through hard work successful events and box office records were regularly achieved and rewarded with after-hours parties for the staff.

It was not all champagne and parties however. The early 1970s were troubled times, with strikes, tension and conflict in Northern Ireland and subsequent bomb threats across the capital. But the cinema carried on regardless, through disruption and power cuts, providing Londoners with an escape from the trials of life.

Lavishly illustrated with photographs of movie stars and Royals and with a glowing foreword by Michael Grade CBE, The Lights of Leicester Square is a fascinating 'fly-on-the-wall' look at the day-to-day running of this iconic cinema, and whether or not you are familiar with that part of London, it conveys a real sense of what it was like in those heady days.

Available from www.wightdiamondpress.com.

firmly on the national and international map. Generously peppered with photographs, Sussex by the Glass tells their fascinating story, expanding from humble beginnings to the hightech production establishments that we find today – that yet retain the close-knit feel of a family business.

There is a journey through the wine year – an eyeopening account of what happens in a vineyard - notes on wine flavours, sustainability and green credentials and the legacy of the 'champagne widows'.

As with all businesses during this last year, Bolney and Ridgeview had to do some blue-sky-thinking to make up for the loss of the vineyard's broader activities – such as vineyard tours, wine tastings, festivals, picnics among the vines – all sadly halted due to lockdown restrictions. That they succeeded is testament to their enterprising spirit and says much about their longevity.

Available from www.bolneywineestate.com, www.ridgeview.co.uk or direct from the publisher, Tanwood Press tanwoodpress@icloud.com

– flash fiction –

The Flights of Birds

–by Bronwen Griffiths

‘The sky is so big here. Do you see how the flights of birds draw arabesques in the air, how the tide flows along the channels, how the water sends the sky back up to itself?’

‘Why is it so windy,’ you ask, dabbling one small toe in the water.

‘There are no trees or hills to deflect it.’

‘It’s so loud. The wind is not loud at home.’

That booming you hear is the waves pounding the shoreline. Feel the rumble under our feet like a series of small earthquakes. See how the wind upends the clouds and sends them rolling into the sea’s edge.’

‘The clouds can’t fall off. The earth is round.’

‘That’s true.’

What is also true is that the boundaries in this place are not set. I can never be certain here if the edge is the shoreline where the waves break, the stripe of the horizon or somewhere beyond the vision of my old, tired eyes. I say nothing of this to you.

You dip down into the mud like the geese, then wander across the shingle towards the wind-rippled sea. You collect a gull’s feather, a scrap of dried seaweed and the delicate bone of a salt-washed seabird – how sad, child, but all things must pass.

‘See the cloud dropping its cargo of rain?’ I say, when you return. ‘There, to the north.’

‘It looks like smoke.’ You wrinkle your nose. ‘Why do you use such funny words, Grandma?’

‘I like to collect words.’ Rain is tumbling in the distance. Land and sky have become one. ‘Look! A flock of plovers is moving our way.’ But the plovers dip and lift and are gone.

‘Why did they fly off, Grandma?’ You clap your hands.

‘They will soon return.’

The plovers are restless creatures, like you child, while I, your grandmother, is the slow, solid goose browsing in the salt-marsh.

‘Come, child, your hands are cold. There is cake at home and a warm fire.’

‘Will we be back tomorrow, Grandma?’

Tomorrow your mother will take you away and only the sea and the pools will remain – and the birds, always dancing.

Iris

–by Claire Baldry

(This short piece is inspired by Iris, the Greek goddess of rainbows)

Iris sat outside her cave and stared into the watery dome.

Zephyrus looked over her shoulder “More rainbows?”

She smiled at her husband. “Rainbows are a symbol of hope. A sign that humankind might be redeemed. I like looking at them. Am I just being vain?”

“No, you’re not vain. Rainbows are a part of your being.”

Zephyrus noticed a tear escape onto Iris’s cheek. He took her hand. “This isn’t your fault, Iris. You and I are only lesser gods. We don’t own every action taken by those in authority.”

“But did it have to be a plague? It seems so extreme.”

“I heard it said that the ultimate powers had no choice. Humankind was heading towards selfdestruction. Floods and fires were not a sufficient warning. And the plague has already made a difference. Look down into your dome. I haven’t seen the sky that clear for at least four hundred years. It could be worse. Remember the ‘first-born’?”

She sighed “If turning back the clock was the aim, then I’m surprised that humankind was allowed to keep technology.”

Zephyrus deliberately stood between Iris and her dome. “Humankind are no different from you, Iris. They enjoy exploring the world through a screen. You wouldn’t like it if I restricted your dome time. In any case, technology has helped humankind to think collectively. It’s part of their journey of evolution.” He moved away so his wife could return to staring into the dome.

“It will be alright won’t it?” She asked her husband. “The pain will go away?”

“I’m not saying it won’t happen again. Humankind is not good at learning from its own history. But hope is a great human strength. Look at the rainbows, Iris, your rainbows. Every drawing from every human child is a symbol that they care.”

And Iris stared into her dome sensing the collective potential of the young to have a positive impact on the world.

Lobster

–by Josie Gilbert

“Strawberry.” “Cherry.” “Scarlet.” “Lobster.” They took turns naming shades of red.

“Flamenco,” said Martin.

“Stop cheating! Everyone knows that’s a Spanish dance, not a colour,” Sarah replied.

“It is according to the log-book of that red car I used to own. You remember – that soft-top with the leather seats.”

She grunted, remembering the way she always slid across the upholstery, whenever Martin sped round a corner.

As lockdown eased again over the summer, their evening pastime became sitting on their balcony, sipping chilled wine and describing the skin colour of the tourists returning home from the beach.

“That looks sore,” Sarah said, pointing to another lobster. “Someone else who didn’t use sun-cream. They’ll pay for it in the morning!”

“I wonder if we’ll be doing this next summer?” Martin asked.

“I dread to think,” Sarah commented, “but I really hope not. I don’t want to go through another year like this!”

The Hedgehog Poetry Press

The Hedgehog Poetry Press published its first book in April 2018 and another 60-70 titles have arrived since then, in what has proven to be quite the headlong hurtle rather than a tiptoe through the poetry tulips. With ‘A Madness in Our Method’ as a motto, Hedgehog is quite unlike what you would expect from the usual image of a sedate and considered poetry press.

In fact, there are many ways Hedgehog is different. It is entirely self-supporting – there has never been any interest in or attempt to gain Arts funding – and it has the simple aim of publishing as many fine poets as possible and ensuring that they make as much money from their work as possible, whilst retaining all of the rights to their own work.

All of this is supported by a members’ club for readers and writers of poetry – ‘The Cult of the Spiny Hog’ – where people pay a subscription each quarter and after that, literally everything is free. Member receive a beautifully wrapped box full of poetry books and pamphlets once a quarter, a weekly ‘Hog Roast’ where a poetry collection is emailed in eBook form every Friday, and free entry to competitions and writing challenges every month.

Editor, Mark Davidson, explains what provoked him to start Hedgehog.

“Obviously Hedgehog is a not for profit, I take no salary and it is very much a passion rather than a business. It is probably an odd thing to say, but I spend most of my time trying not to sell books. Instead I try to encourage people to buy copies direct from the poet as firstly, it is the best way to get pennies into the hands of the writer and secondly, for the longer term it is more likely to build a relationship between writer

and reader that will hopefully be good for everybody.

As to why that is, before I started the press, I’d been publishing a music magazine and working with a variety of Indie Bands and artists, helping them to promote their work through platforms like Bandcamp and there seemed to me that there were a lot of parallels with the poetry world.

Certainly, the way you can make it work for an indie band, in terms of marketing, building relationships with supporters, selling direct and offering value that people can’t get elsewhere is definitely akin. The approach, I felt, was transferrable to poetry and so when the planets aligned and I had the time, it was a case of now or never. I’ve always been a reader rather than a writer of poetry and publishing is quite easy if you have a wee plan and then stick to it.

For the arts generally, the interweb and then social media has moved the goal posts and I’m not sure that there has ever been a better time to try and sell poetry, as long, as a publisher, you lack ego and admit that the poet is the one who is best equipped to do the selling.

If you think about music, you go and buy the new Melancholy Shopping Trolley or Ed Sheeran album. In poetry, too often we try and sell books when it is the people that matter – much better to sell poets than poetry and so that is what I try to do – promote the people and the rest takes care of itself.”

The Cult of the Spiny Hog is open to new members in July, if you are a poetry lover, there is nothing quite like it. Come and join us!

You can find out more about the Hedgehog Poetry Press at www.hedgehogpress.co.uk and on Twitter @hedgehogpoetry

Lady Of The Woods

She stretches towards the stars, heart-shaped foliage dances, airy, pendulous branches sway.

Gently I peel away paper-thin white crusts patterned with black crevices.

I burn the bark under moonlight to keep Isolde warm.

Sapphire flames mesmerise, crackles soothe.

We inhale timbered scent, drink clear, sweet sap and wintergreen tea.

I spread a red sheet onto the clay ground, ease Isolde down, caress her shoulders.

We take our final offering, the promise of fertility, gifted by the Lady of the Woods.

–by Patricia M Osborne

Lady of the Woods is from Patricia M Osborne's collection of poetry 'Taxus Baccata' published by the Hedgehog Poetry Press. For more about Patricia's work go to https://whitewingsbooks.com

Preparing To Zoom

Today I've been called to a meeting on Zoom, I've sorted the bookcase and tidied the room

The app is downloaded, the microphone mute, The phone carefully placed for a flattering shoot I'm sitting up straight, trying hard to look thin, Using angles which don't show my large double chin

The dog's in the garden, the kids not at home, My mother's been bribed not to call on the phone

I've practised my zoom face, not a scowl or a frown, But I needn't have worried as the internet's down.

–by Claire Baldry

The Bexhill Mile

Search for shells, fly a kite Journey from the Sovereign Light, Past speaking tubes and shiny bowl, Coastguard signs and tall flag pole

Sink in sand at lowest tide, Or crunch on pebbles, you decide, Take your time, forget to worry, Find a bench, no need to hurry

Beyond the clock, heading east, There’s a kiosk for a feast Buy ice cream, grab a tea, Rent a beach hut by the sea

Search the shelves for shoes and spade, Then onwards to the Colonnade, See the groynes along the shore, Backdrop to the De La Warr

Water jets emerge unseen, Turnstones circle on the green White domes shade the promenade, As tourists buy one last postcard

Explore the gifts that locals make, Or pause to eat some homemade cake, Then beckoned to the sailing club By jingling masts parked in a hub

A heritage of expectation Is found beyond the Bathing Station, Glimpse a frame of metal bars, Reminder of the first race cars

Now find a shelter red and cream, Or wind break walls along the green, Take time to rest, take time to smile, Reflect upon your Bexhill mile

–by Claire Baldry

Claire Baldry is a retired headteacher and English advisor who runs an online website for older readers called Autumn Chickens. She has self-published several poetry booklets and two novels, ‘Different Genes’ and ‘My Daughter’s Wedding’. Claire is currently Deputy Mayor in her home town of Bexhill on Sea. You can find out more about Claire at www.clairebaldry.com

N.B. All poems shown here are subject to copyright

Music Centre Doors Now Open Across Brighton and East Sussex

Brighton & Hove Music and Arts (BHMA) and East Sussex Music (ESM) have announced that their Music Centre sites across Brighton, Hove and East Sussex will be reopening for live in-person lessons.

Following a consultation with young musicians, parents, carers and teachers, it has been decided that they will be offering a series of ‘Let’s Play’ five-week courses to welcome young musicians back to group music-making.

On offer will be a wide range of musicmaking and ensemble activities for the youngest to most advanced musicians, all in line with government guidance and safety guidelines. This includes slightly reducing the duration of rehearsals and maintaining social distancing during the session. Traditionally larger groups, such as orchestras, will start in smaller sectionals/groups.

Upon completion the short courses will culminate in a series of informal concert and sharing events to celebrate everyone's fantastic work.

BHMA and ESM’s successful Virtual Music Centres will continue to offer a range of online courses, this term and beyond, to ensure everyone has access to music education, whether in person or online.

For anyone interested in learning music from the comfort of home, BHMA and ESM have just launched their new Online Get Started courses for all ages, which include one-to-one lessons on over sixteen instruments, group masterclasses and self-paced video downloads.

Brighton Dome launches new online music courses

Having already inspired hundreds of children and young people to participate in music activities during lockdown through their Virtual Music Centre, Brighton Dome’s music education service have launched a new series of online music courses, accessible for all ages and abilities.

Brighton & Hove Music & Arts and East Sussex Music will be delivering three course styles to suit different skill levels. First is personal one-to-one tutoring sessions, with teaching available on sixteen different instruments from keyboard, guitar, trumpet or saxophone to violin, offering expert guidance every step of the way.

The second style of course on offer is a ten-week masterclass which specialises in song writing and production. Learning and participating as part of a group, this is a great opportunity to interact with other students and is a lower cost entry route to help learners get started. All that’s needed to take part in either one of these courses is an internet connection and a camera; upon completion, participants will earn themselves a digital badge, which could make an excellent addition to a musician’s CV.

The third type of course on offer are self-paced video courses available via instant video download; ideal for people with busy lifestyles, this course is designed to help people learn ukulele, drums or guitar at their own pace. The package is delivered in ten easy-to-digest sessions, alongside a support pack, to provide users with the perfect foundations to help them start on their journey towards instrument mastery.

All of these courses are available to residents in the UK, whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced performer. As the largest music service in East Sussex, BHMA has over twenty years' experience teaching thousands of students, their music teachers are some of the best in their field, and have finessed a fantastic approach to learning an instrument online.

To find out more information on Music Centres in Brighton and Hove, visit www.bhma.org.uk or call 01273 261565. For more information about Music Centres in East Sussex visit www.eastsussexmusic.org.

https://www.bhma.org.uk/

https://www.eastsussexmusic.org/ bhma.org.uk eastsussexmusic.org

‘NEVER NORMAL’ RETURNS TO BILLINGSHURST PLATFORM 2¾

No sculptor or artist’s studio can ever be called normal. Art Junction, previously known as Sussex Sculpture Studios, adjacent to Platform 2 of Billingshurst Station, is a perfect example.

Walk in any day prior to lockdown and you might have found a life-drawing class, sculptors hot-benching, a portrait in clay masterclass, Marji ‘the maestro’ breathing life into yet another casting of a dog … it was a busy, buzzy sort of place.

During lockdown, like most of life, it was rather forlorn. Still faces of random sculpted heads (plus one of Greta Thunberg!), dragons on surfboards and other mythical beasts staring down from the shelves. A skeleton bearing a sign saying ‘back in 5 minutes’, sculptor’s bust pegs lying in a corner, a procession of artists' easels like lonely soldiers eternally on parade.

So, whether busy or quiet, (and who knows what happens after dark), the studio has never been normal. But (fanfare and roll of drums), provided the roadmap doesn’t go off piste, it will be fully open for the Summer School Courses, for those working on their own projects, hot benching, and kiln firing until July 31st, then back in September for the autumn term.

Any remaining Covid-19 secure niceties will be observed. Check out www.artjunction.uk for what’s going on and our Summer School programme. If you want to know about our online art courses visit www.patreon.com/artjunction.

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

Embrace your surroundings with summer short courses at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation

From painting a vast landscape view or embroidering the memory of a special journey, to crafting a stained-glass decoration for your home, embrace your surroundings at West Dean College this summer. Learn new skills and get back to making with expert tutors, like-minded students and beautiful garden surroundings.

Choose from hundreds of courses for all abilities, from oneday to week-long.

Be inspired by nature

Painting landscapes with natural and traditional materials with Melanie Rose, 23-26 July

Botanical painting –sensational summer colours with Mariella Baldwin, 25-29 July

Goldwork beetle brooches with Hannah Mansfield, 10-12 September

Explore and record your journeys

Walking the line – through drawing and thread with Matthew Harris, 29 August - 2 September

Machine embroidery –places and journeys with Wendy Dolan, 6-10 September

Field recording – the art of located sound with Jez Riley French, 10-12 September

Create pieces for your home

Stained glass – working with colour and light with Sasha Ward, 18-23 July

Passementerie – tassels with tufts and pom poms with Anna Crutchley, 27-29 August

Pebble mosaics – a creative garden feature with Sue Rew, 30 August - 2 September

Find out more at www.westdean.ac.uk

top: Goldwork Beetle Brooches above: Sue Rew, Teasel Wall Pebble Mosaic left: Stained Glass course

Moorhouse @ The Mill

In September 2019 Karin Moorhouse took over the teaching at The Mill Studios, Arundel. What's happened since then?

“It was in truth a giant leap of faith for us both, as owner and long-time teacher here Piers Ottey was a hard act to follow. Now coming up to the end of my first academic year at The Mill it is a good time to look both forwards and backwards.

Looking back of course none of us knew then how incredibly difficult 2020 would prove to be and so after a successful first term with everything geared up for the new year and new term we entered our 2nd Lockdown. I made the decision to hold weekly contact zoom calls not as a substitute for studio teaching as I don’t believe there is, but as a way of helping everyone remember they were still part of a group. We then hit the deck running the minute education got the green light and we were and still are incredibly careful and aware of the necessity to be vigilant against Covid infiltration.

Looking forward now is a much brighter picture. My Wednesday oil painting class is extremely well attended and subjects covered have no limit. Students are free to bring in whatever they have found of interest and to work independently whilst benefiting from the group dynamic.

Thursday morning’s Elements of Drawing is a different dynamic. This group works under direction of given materials and methods and choose their own subject while Friday mornings are something completely different again! Coming from my back-

ground of printed textiles I have introduced Print-making to The Mill – monotype/ collograph/lino cut and dry point engraving all of which are safe and highly creative. With each course we have frequent group crits as well as constant independent student focused talks and attention so in all classes everyone benefits from both personal tuition and group input. I began teaching some 35 years ago and I feel that all the threads are coming together, while each day and each student helps me to learn how to weave a new and better way. I have always seen education as a circular thing each giving and each receiving; after all growing old is inevitable – growing is optional.” Visit www.moorhouse-art.com

The New Normal –Studio Courses and Online Courses

Rather than returning to a standard programme of face-to-face courses in September, Studio 11 is offering a mixed programme of online live, video based and regular studio-based textile courses.

Christine Chester, whose work was recently featured in a curated Surface Design Association exhibition, has embraced the opportunity to widen her studio community to include those who do not live close by the studio. The infrastructure around the South East is not conducive to fast and easy travel and therefore getting to the studio for a day’s tuition can seem quite a challenge; one which lots of interested people just can’t manage.

The steep learning curve of providing online provision that the pandemic required has actually created new opportunities for the studio, of which Christine intends to make full use. These options of working with Christine alongside other interested artists and students, is a great way of getting quality tuition and peer support, but without the frustrations of travelling. It also opens up the possibilities of working alongside students who are working in other countries!

Christine says: “Obviously, courses which require a lot of specialist facilities for dyeing and printing will still take place in the studio, which is set up for this sort of thing.

There are lots of courses though, that can easily take place in a domestic setting, such as my new 'Notice What You Notice' course, which is all about looking at what inspires us and how we can take even the smallest piece of inspiration from unlikely sources and make exciting and experimental work in a textile area that suits you.”

www.studio11eb.co.uk

studio11eastbourne@yahoo.com www.christinechester.com

top: Students at work in the sunny studio; right: setting up for Zoom workshop; inset: students attend a Zoom session

BOURNE TO ZOOM

When the first lockdown was announced Roddy Phillips bought a bigger computer. His hope was that he could transfer his creative writing workshops onto Zoom and he wanted to give his writers the best possible online experience.

“I had a feeling people would take to it,” said Roddy, “perhaps not everyone, but there was no alternative and no one knew how long the restrictions would last.”

More than a year later Bourne to Write’s Zoom creative writing workshops are thriving with three

it's written or recorded and I can play video and sound clips. When I’m working one-to-one with a writer I can edit or revise their work live, the medium is extremely versatile. And of course we now have writers from across the UK who would never have had the chance to join one our workshops.”

“At first the Zoom workshops were a lifeline,” added Roddy, “but now they’ve become a way of life and a new way of learning to write.”

Find out more at www.bournetowrite.co.uk or call Roddy on 07758 36747.

Coda

A New Age?

Here we are on the cusp of a new beginning as it were. Optimism is rife and festivals are being organised, theatres are opening again, art trails, exhibitions and creative events of all genres are planned and (I can’t believe I’m even writing this next phrase) we are allowed to hug each other again!

Is this a new dawn? Let’s hope so… a culture frozen in time for over a year will take some rebuilding, both economically and in spirit. Let’s get busy!!

Here is a relatively famous poem I’m reminded of by British poet Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy (1844-1881) entitled Ode. I think we should take it to heart, for, as the poem says ‘each age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth’.

Ode

We are the music-makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone sea-breakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world for ever, it seems.

With wonderful deathless ditties

We build up the world's great cities, And out of a fabulous story

We fashion an empire's glory: One man with a dream, at pleasure, Shall go forth and conquer a crown; And three with a new song's measure Can trample an empire down.

We, in the ages lying

In the buried past of the earth, Built Nineveh with our sighing, And Babel itself with our mirth; And o'erthrew them with prophesying To the old of the new world's worth; For each age is a dream that is dying, Or one that is coming to birth.

Brit awards

I’ve never really been a fan of awards ceremonies for various reasons, but I watched the Brit Awards recently on TV out of curiosity. Gosh, I must be getting old! It was relatively vacuous, and I’m afraid I had no idea who half the winners were. But there was talent there, quite a bit of it, but it was interesting how self-centred many of the songs were, and how over produced the performances were. I would have loved a good old fashioned protest song or something to connect with. Oh well, maybe next year!

innovation despite all

A bookshop owner in Southampton asked for help to move books to another location due to a high rent situation. Lo and behold, Over 250 people of all ages formed a human chain to transfer thousands of books hand to hand across a distance of 500 feet. The whole thing apparently took about an hour. Wow! What fun and something that restores one’s faith in humanity!

And it’s marvellous to see the famous East Grinstead Bookshop open again with outdoor chess games set up for anyone to stop and have a game. It’s wonderful to see older people playing youngsters, kid versus kid etc. Chess is a game that requires quite a bit of thinking and a perfect way to beat the ‘lockdown blues’ or while away a contemplative hour.

And as if a year-long pandemic didn’t do enough harm…

Many artists and musicians are up in arms against a proposal by the education secretary to cut 50% of the funding to arts subjects at universities. Apparently one comment was “The arts subjects are not 'strategic priorities'”. I can understand how this idea originates, but I’m sorry to say I believe it’s from the minds of people who are lacking in intelligence, awareness and most of all, creative vision. So shortsighted and asinine.

Bob Dylan turned 80 earlier this year

Arguably the most influential singer/songwriter ever, it’s good to see Bob Dylan still going strong at such a ripe age. His 39th studio album ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ was released in 2020. Praised by critics, it was number one on the album charts in over ten countries. Not bad for a career that spans over 65 years!

I still think the 1965 promotional film of ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’, is one of the best videos ever made. The film was the opening segment of D.A. Pennebaker's famous film ‘Don’t Look Back’ which documented Dylan's 1965 tour of England where he ‘went electric’ and was heckled by cries of ‘Judas!’ by a small section of folk music aficionados. This funny and bohemian film heralded the new music video age which is now a mainstay of popular music.

Following in the footsteps of Pete Seeger and the Beat Generation, Dylan’s lyrics were equally as important as the music. He became the thinking man and woman’s songwriter, and he paved the way and influenced so many musical luminaries such as Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Crosby Stills and Nash, Paul Simon, Al Stewart, Donovan and the Beatles and many, many more. And not only was Dylan awarded

the Nobel Prize for literature in 2016 “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition” he is also a fine artist of some note. Eighty years and still a creative force to be reckoned with. To paraphrase a song title by Neil Young – ‘Long May He Run’.

Music from the past

How far back does the history of music go? Well first off, we have the human voice. This goes back as far as we wish to believe we have been on this Earth. As regards musical instruments, one of the earliest archaeological finds is the Divje Babe flute, a cave bear femur pierced by spaced holes that was found in 1995 in Slovenia, which is approximated to be over 50,000 years old. I’m sure music was made from before or certainly following this date, and Mankind has been entertained by the many genres of music ever since.

Which brings me to ancient music from the mediæval and renaissance era, of which there are performances during some of the many fascinating events and festivals mentioned in this issue.

Regular readers will have

noted that at certain festivals and concerts we have regularly featured, there is definitely no dearth of musicians and singers using ancient instruments and music. It’s marvellous to hear such ancient songs being sung and watch such strange and beautiful instruments being used, bringing ancient music into the present with such professionalism.

For example, the Mediæval Baebes perform this year at the Loxwood Joust Festival in August (see p4). Created by Katharine Blake, who sources lyrics from mediæval and romantic texts which she sets to original scores, as well as reinventing traditional songs and folk songs, the performances are also often accompanied by the Baebe’s plethora of mediæval and folk instruments.

And let’s not forget the Brighton Early Music Festival which is scheduled to occur again in late summer, early autumn. BREMF contributes to the vibrant arts scene in Brighton and Hove through its programme of choral concerts, workshops and schools projects. BREMF also has produced some midsummer season performances which ran from early June to early July at the royal Spa in Brighton.

The Flauguissimo Ensemble performed one concert with baroque flute, harpsichord and baroque guitar and the theorbo, which is such a startling instrument it has to be seen to be believed!

The Academy of Ancient Music has also appeared at festivals we have covered. An orchestra with a worldwide reputation for excellence in baroque and classical music, they create vibrant performances using historically-informed techniques, period-specific instruments and original sources.

And last year folk duo Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer appeared at Virtually Tenterden festival, with Vicki playing a Nyckelharpa, another instrument which has to be seen to be believed.

Do check out these inspiring musical events which are sprinkled across our festivals feature and take a trip into ages past, where our ancestors (or dare I say perhaps you yourself) performed or were entertained in an era which was the precursor to the more modern music of the many different genres we know and love today.

clockwise from top left: Views of the Divje Babe flute approximated as over 50,000 years old; Yu-Wei Hu and Johan Löfving of the Flauguissimo Ensemble, photo by Aiga Ozo Photography; A Nyckelharpa dating from c1350; Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer

https://www.coastalevents.co.uk/

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC

Music by Richard Rodgers

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II

Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan

Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener