Category: people

Draw A Forest

You are invited to join us on the 17th March to Draw A Forest.  Taking inspiration from the wonderful Artikinesis and our current exhibition, We Are Forest, we want you to join us and draw your own interpretation of a forest and then add this to our forest wall.  The wall will be up all weekend and we will be sharing your wonderful creations online.

DRAW A FOREST IMAGE

This Activity is completely FREE and suitable for all ages.  Some come down, whether your 1 or 101, and join us.  No need to book. Just turn up and drop in!

We have level access, a toilet with high contrast grab rails (due to the size of our space our toilet is a bit too small to take a wheelchair in, LED lighting (so no horrible flicker for those with SPD), and welcome children and breastfeeding mothers.  Oh, and we’ll also have some squash.

Donations are very welcome.

FRAGMENTS PRIVATE VIEW

Join us on Saturday 2nd September for the opening of Sticks Contemporary in Gosport and the private view of Fragments, a new exhibition featuring the work of two Portsmouth based artists, Sue Eves and Krasimira Butseva.

 

Featuring work from Sue Eves’ Rollered collection and Krasimira Butseva’s well received, Slices of Red (pieces of which have been featured on Lens Culture and Source among others); Fragments aims to create a two-way conversation about the lived experience, and our understanding of what is real and what is not, whether that is down to human imagination, as in the case of Sue’s work Rollered or due to some different system, such as that used in propaganda, represented by Krasimira’s work questioning the reality of the photographic image in relation to Eastern European communism.

Sue Eves, Synapse (2016)

It does this by situating the work of these two very different artists in such a way that can be read either as individual collections or together, moving from one side of the room to the other, looking at the concept of reality and what impact our psychology and lived experience has on our own version of what can be considered “real”.

Krasimira Butseva, Slices of Red (2016)

The private view begins at 5pm and continues until 7pm at our new base in the heart of historic Gosport.  Both artists will be in attendance and on-hand to speak more about their work and food and drink will be provided by Sticks Contemporary.

Artist Book Call Out

Sticks Gallery/ Live Art Local CIC will be at Ferneham Hall on the 1st July for their volunteer and not for profit event.  There will be over 70 other stalls and organisations plus entertainment and hundreds of people are expected.  We will be telling everyone about what we do and celebrating arts and diversity.  We only had only space on this confirmed very recently and so this is a last minute opportunity.

 

As we are always looking at ways to celebrate artists and help them promote their work we have decided to use our space at this large event to promote artists as well as the work of the organisation.  With this in mind, we will be devoting a part of our area to artists’ publications.  This can be dummy books, printed publications, handstitched books, one-offs or those with a larger print off: it is up to you.

Books can be sold on the day and the artist will be able to retain 85% of the sale price of the book.

Can interested artists please email beth@sticksgallery.co.uk with the name of your publication, a bit about the theme of your publications, price and at least 3 images of the work contained in the book.   Selected artists will then be given an address to send your books to; or if appropriate a time to drop the book(s) off on the day.

 

The deadline for expression of interest is 26th June.  We will contact all artists the day they contact us

Artists’ Union England Event Tonight

Our Chief Executive will be speaking at Aspex Portsmouth this evening along with others about the value of the Artists’ Union England.  Although this is not our event we are run by artists and believe it is vitally important that artists’ views are heard and that we work towards artists having the same rights and expectations as other workers.

 

Please see the information we were sent by AUE below:

“Join us between 5-7pm on 1st June at Aspex Portsmouth to find out more about Artists’ Union England and what it can offer you.

 

There will be a chance to hear from your local Union rep, a former member of the executive, and the wider Union movement about how joining your Union can give you a voice in securing more rights for artists as workers, and how together we can ensure Artists are no longer ignored by politicians and employers.

 

We are here for you and we are run by you, we want your views on what you want and need as artists to ensure you can work safely and effectively, but we can only do this with your support.

 

We want you to come together with other artists at this event and tell us what’s important to you, and ultimately, positively affect what the AUE fights for in your region.

 

This is your Union and we want you to be a part of it.  Join us and help to build Artists Union England, the organisation devoted to securing your rights, today and in the future!

 

Merchandise will be available with 100% of the price going back into the Union

 

5-7pm, 1st June, Aspex Portsmouth, The Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth PO1 3BF

 

For more information on Artists’ Union England please email info@artistsunionengland.org.uk

For more information about the event please email badhofbauer@gmail.com”

 

Sticks Exterior

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end……

So you may wonder why the cryptic title.  That is largely as I am not sure really how to word this.  A few weeks ago we discovered a sign on the window of our main space for a pizza company to acquire an alcohol licence.  Cue lots of stress, frantic phone calls and unanswered questions.  Finally, on Maundy Thursday we had it confirmed by our Landlords that they were indeed looking to sell our space to a commercial venture: a pizza restaurant.

 

We have spent the time since we found out packing up two years worth of equipment and “stuff” and trying to find a new venue whilst securing the agreement of our grant manager to use the remainder of a grant to finance a new space.  We are pleased to announce we have succeeded in both and are in the process of going through the legalities involved in procuring a new space.

 

We received our eviction notice on Thursday (27th April) and so have spent the last two days removing the last vestiges of Sticks from Fareham Shopping Centre.  To all those who have supported us at Fareham Shopping Centre we are grateful.   To those who will miss us as a break from the boredom of consumerism, remember we still have an outreach space in Fareham.  To those who are worried this is the end:

 

It’s not.

 

We currently have a rolling call on our affiliates site for the Food Gallery.

You can still catch the wonderful exhibition, VIBRANT, featuring the work of Svetlana Ochkovskaya at Food Gallery until 29th May

The wonderful work of illustrator Erin Keen is still on view at Tooth Gallery

 

AND

 

We will be updating you about the new Sticks main space very soon

Releasing details of an exciting event we are currently working on with support from Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy

For those who have contacted us concerned. We will still be running the open this year and will be releasing details in due course

 

Sticks Exterior

Sticks Exterior

LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY: take over our space for your art

This is an opportunity for all artist members to come in to our space next week and use it as a studio.  Our current exhibition ends with the closing event on Saturday 25th March and with the exception of workshops, will not properly re-open until our new exhibition on  22nd April.

In the intervening period, we are looking at piloting opening up our space to other artists during these gaps when we are not painting the space or installing/de-installing and allowing them to take over the space.  The one caveat is that the space remains open during these times and artists interact with the public should they come in.

 

As the project develops we could also consider mini exhibitions in the space during this time which are led by the artist and which last for a week at a time.

 

This current opportunity will run (very last minute) from the afternoon on the 28th March until 2nd April.  If interested please email beth@sticksgallery.co.uk with some information about your work.

Please Note: there is no water supply to the gallery

arts for health mind matters workshops for young people with mental health issues

ARTS FOR HEALTH: MIND MATTERS (workshops for young people experiencing mental health issues)

Last year we were lucky enough to be given some funding to run a series of workshops for young people who have experience of mental health issues.  After months of planning these are due to start on April 15th at Sticks Gallery in Fareham Shopping Centre and will run for the following 6 weeks.

 

These workshops are not a form of therapy and non of the artists involved are counsellors.  However, everyone teaching the workshops has experience of mental health issues whether directly or indirectly, and all have workshop experience.  There will always be someone on site with a current DBS.

 

These workshops are for 13-17 year olds and anybody who would like to attend should email beth@sticksgallery.co.uk to reserve their place before hand.  The workshops are completely free and young people will get the chance to do songwriting, action painting, drawing, performance poetry, physical theatre and art journalling.

 

The gallery will be closing early on the days the workshops run and will not be open to the public during the sessions so that the participants do not feel like they are being watched.  The young people will get to take home everything they produce.  Photographs will be taken of the sessions but will only be used if agreement of parents for under 16s is given.

 

arts for health mind matters workshops for young people with mental health issues

TRUSTEE TREASURER WANTED

We are in the process of becoming a charity and are currently on the lookout for two new trustees.  We will be adding details about the second position on the board shortly but please see below for what we are looking for and get in touch if you think you fit the bill as if you have a financial background and are passionate about people and/or the arts then we would love to meet you!

 

TRUSTEE TREASURER ROLE DESCRIPTION

 

The overall role of a treasurer is to maintain an overview of the organisation’s financial affairs, ensuring its viability and ensuring that proper financial records and procedures are maintained.  The role and person specification are summarised below.

 

General financial oversight

  • Has Trustee status
  • To prepare budgets, accounts and financial statements (inc end of year accounts/report).
  • To liaise with the CEO and other trustees about financial matters.
  • To ensure that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
  • To ensure compliance with relevant legislation e.g. Charity legislation (inc. Completing Charity Commission Annual Return)
  • To ensure accounts meet the conditions of contractual agreements with external agencies such as funders and statutory bodies.
  • Expenses for staff and volunteers

 

Financial planning and reporting

  • To present financial reports to the board.
  • To advise on the organisation’s reserves policy.
  • To advise on the financial implications of the organisation’s strategic and operational plans.
  • To advise on, and/or support the fundraising strategy of the organisation. Supporting bids and monitoring with financial information

 

Other

  • To sit on appraisal, recruitment and disciplinary panels as required.
  • Deal with expenditure/invoices/insurance etc

 

Qualities and Skills Preferred

  • Ability to ensure decisions are taken and followed-up.
  • A willingness to be contacted on an ad hoc basis.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience of fundraising and pension schemes.
  • Experience of financial control and budgeting.
  • Good time-keeping.
  • Ability to work within a small team

 

Time Commitment:  The role of the Treasurer requires an estimated commitment of 1 hour per week, and a trustee meeting with the board every 2 months lasting approximately 2 hours.

Teach an Art Journal Workshop for Young People

We are looking for an artist to run an art journalling workshop this March at Sticks Gallery for young people with mental health issues.

This workshop should last approximately 1.5 hours – 2hours and we will pay £80 for the session.

We have a  £25 materials budget for this workshop and so you should think about what materials you would need to run it and factor this into your proposal.

The workshop will be for young people of senior school age who experience mental health problems.  It will feature as part of a larger group of workshops run by artists and supported by funding from Portsmouth Partnership.

To find out more and to apply please log in to the “Affiliate Artists” Site OPPORTUNITIES section and click on this opportunity; you will then be taken to details of how to apply.  It is FREE to apply for this and all our opportunities for Affiliate Artists.  It is currently FREE to become an affiliate artist for two months when you chose the silver option; and then less than a cup of a coffee a month for opportunities, free exhibition opportunities, other opportunities, workshops, meetups,  and more.  To find out more and join please visit http://affiliateartists.sticksgallery.co.uk/join/

Having an up to date DBS is an advantage but not a necessity

The closing date for this opportunity is 14th February

RESPONSE: Calling all Artists

This January we are launching a new opportunity in Sticks Gallery for up to 4 artists to use the space to create an exhibition in real time responding to the previous artists’ work.

response

Is an exciting new project to see what happens when artists are asked to directly respond to the work of someone else and where there are no other rules or expectations.

During their week the selected artist’s will be able to use the whole of the downstairs of Sticks Gallery as a studio in which to work, with the door open so that people may come in and observe the artist’s as they create their responses and learn more about their work.

We want this to be used by artists as a testing ground and a way to explore ideas about play and what constitutes a work of art.  We will provide various materials to the selected artists and supply each artist with £20 to purchase other materials as they deem fit.  We are interested in what ways artists respond to a limited budget and working with other materials.  We are particularly interested in artists who want to challenge themselves by working in a different medium to they are used to.  Artists are also free to use our equipment in the showcasing of their work; this includes projectors, screens a PA system, blur ray player, etc and where necessary artists are free to bring in equipment and/or materials from home (e.g. if they are a photographer).

Four artists will be selected and each artist will have a week in which to create their work during our normal opening times (other times can be arranged via discussion), with each artist adding to the previous work created.

Response will form an ongoing curatorial project with each artist able to reshape the meaning of the exhibition and re-position the former artists’ work.

Upon the conclusion of the last week the resulting exhibition will remain open until 18th February on our usual days.

The dates for the micro-residencies are:

Week 1: Jan 9th – 15th

Week 2: Jan 16th – 22nd

Week 3: Jan 23rd – 29th

Week 4: Jan 30th – 5th Feb

Artists interested in responding to this call out are asked to send a 100 word (maximum) response explaining why they’re interested in this project and up to 5 examples of their work that they feel best reflects their practice to admin@sticksgallery.co.uk.  We welcome applications from artists working in all media, including visual, written and sound

This opportunity is free to enter