Saltaire Arts Trail

Festival Special - 5 days to go!

2011-09-01T22:14:00.047+01:00

In just 5 days time, Victoria Hall will be packed to its very high rafters with 45 talented artists and makers as part of the Saltaire Arts Trail Festival Special on 10th September. So to get you in the mood, here's a sneak preview of what's in store:

Doors open at 10am
Top tip: arrive early for the top picks - we're only here for one day this time around and as everything on sale is unique and handmade, when it's gone... it's gone!

Demonstrations
A number of our makers will be demonstrating throughout the day, including bookbinding, printing, weaving and painting. Feel free to stop for a chat to discover more about how they go from inspiration to finished product.

Children's Activities
The lovely people at Kirkgate Studios will be running a free childrens workshop, where junior crafters can get stuck in to making paper lanterns and learning origami. Just turn up and join in!

ARTISTS AND MAKERS:
There are no Open Houses in the Festival Special, but you'll see plenty of familiar names in the list of artists and makers taking part in the Makers Fair below. We're also welcoming lots of new faces too, so take a look for a full who's who...

Agnis Smallwood
Luxury handwoven and felted textiles

Alice Fox
Mixed media textiles and handmad cards

Anna McDade Jewellery NEW
Etched, recycled silver and copper jewellery

Barbara Cassell
Contemporary copper jewellery with a difference

Blueberry Park NEW
Screenprinted organic and vintage fabric

Button Boudoir
Vintage inspired jewellery and textiles

Catherine Green
Vibrant, tactile artwork and accessories

Catherine Woodall
Silver and semi-precious stone jewellery

Ce-Leather Goods
Bold, contemporary bags, satchels and leather goods

Clare Caulfield
Paintings, prints and handmade cards

Cross Barn Crafts
Fine silver jewellery - pendants and earrings

David Starley
Saltaire based artist working in oils

Dear Emma Designs
Quirky accessories and homeware

Debbie Greenaway Illustration
Illustrator and printmaker who draws everyday

Diane Taylor
Unique, co-ordinating handmade textile products

Ditsy Bird NEW
Freehand embroidered and beaded textile designs

Elaine Douthwaite
Silver jewellery with gemstones and more

Flossie Limejuice
Folk art dolls, bears and beasties

Gemma Scully Jewellery
Bespoke precious jewellery handmade in Manchester

Hugh Leishman
High quality, handmade wood-turning

Hunt and Gather Design NEW
Range of gorgeous handcrafted gifts

Inky Linky NEW
Etched copper and silver jewellery

James Green Printworks
Original linocut prints from Sheffield artist

Jaygo Touchy Feely Textiles
Quirky textile gifts and homewares

Karen Belarouci
Mixed media jewellery with vintage elements

Kate Bowles
Hand-bound recycled books and paper goods

Kate Thornton Design
Contemporary collage and design

Kitschen Sink
Colourful, kitschy, funky and fun jewellery

Leigh Shepherd Designs
Quirky, colourful, affordable, upcycled resin jewellery

Lindsay Thomas Ceramics
Handbuilt raku ceramic sculpture

Martin Priestley Photography
Landscape photography by Martin Priestley

McDonough & Davies NEW
A collaboration between graphics and textiles

Mercury Arts NEW
Contemporary ceramics and ceramic jewellery

Oldfield Press NEW
Original, affordable, traditional

Print for Love of Wood NEW
Eco-friendly letterpress printed goods and stationery

Rachel Lucie Designs
Unique handmade silver jewellery

Rachel Webb Printed Textiles
Printed textiles inspired by Saltaire village

Rogers Ink NEW
Strikingly different prints and greetings cards

Ruby Spirit Designs
Handmade jewellery utilising recycled vintage components

Steamstress
Eclectic mix of trendy recycled jewellery

Stitch Art
Textile and mixed media whimsy creations

Swirly Arts
Fun and quirky recycled products

The Old Brewery Pottery
Raku fired and wood fired ceramics

Treefall Designs
Textile based home accessories and clothing

Wychbury
Mixed media jewellery and accessories

Yeun Jewellery
Unique and contemporary precious jewellery

Zincwhite
Where discarded objects become desirable again

Call for Applications: Festival Special 2011

2011-07-14T22:09:00.013+01:00

CALL FOR ARTISTS & MAKERS

SALTAIRE ARTS TRAIL: FESTIVAL SPECIAL
Saturday 10th September 2011

For the last 4 years, the Saltaire Arts Trail has been proud to work alongside the hugely popular Saltaire Festival and 2011 is no exception! We'll be back again to join in the festival fun with a ONE DAY SPECIAL on Saturday 10th September 2011. We'll be taking over Victoria Hall to host a Makers Fair and range of family activities.

We're pleased to announce that applications are now open for artists and makers wishing to take part. There won't be any Open Houses this time around as we'll be based solely in Victoria Hall, however we welcome applications for both 2D and 3D artists to take part in the Makers Fair. Simpy fill in the application that can be downloaded below and return it to us no later than 31st July 2011. Full details including costs and timings can be found on the application form and supporting notes.

For regular updates about the September event, as well as information and calls for applications about the main Saltaire Arts Trail taking place in June 2012, don't forget to sign up for emails here, or join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM >>

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE EXHIBITOR GUIDELINES >>

Date for your Diary:
Saltaire Arts Trail 2012 will be taking place on the bank holiday weekend of the Diamond Jubilee, 2nd - 4th June 2012.

Interview with Rachel Lucie-Johns

2011-05-27T10:44:00.002+01:00

Rachel Lucie Johns is the jewellery designer behind Rachel Lucie Designs. Her enchanting work has been seen in some very exciting places and she will be exhibiting in the Main Room of Victoria Hall throughout the Arts Trail. Rachel will be happy to talk to you about herself and her work in person this weekend but here's a sneaky preview into her inspiration and life.

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I make vintage-inspired silver jewellery using semi-precious stone beads, freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystal using wirework.I have also started to use gold-filled components in my designs.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I work from home, from a VERY tiny home office. My view is amazing across the valley in Hebden Bridge. This constantly inspires me and distracts me in equal measure! I do relish having my own, all be it small, space to work from, as I have 2 small children, and it's bliss being able to leave out unfinished work and tools etc without having to clear everything away every time I need to do something else. I do think when the kids are older, working in a creative environment like a studio space with other artists might be a good move, but currently this suites me as I can work around looking after the children and school pick-ups etc. I am the main carer, and we decided that if I could make my job work around them, that would be ideal.

Is your art your main job? How did you get started?

Yes, designing and making jewellery is my main job, although involved in making this business run is photography, photo editing, some basic web design work and marketing, which I do all of as well.

I got started when my youngest was about a year old and I had been a stay at home mum for about 4 years. I think lots of things converged to give me the drive to find something creative to do at that time. Being at home with 2 under 4's can certainly drive you to needing to do something for yourself! I got some birthday money in the spring of 2008 and decided to buy some handmade jewellery, but although there was some gorgeous pieces I found, I couldn't find something that was really me. As I looked around, my childhood love of beaded jewellery, silver and geology kind of entwined itself as I just got the urge to buy some beads and dive right in! I started getting ideas for jewellery for myself, but within a month I had decided I would do all I could to make it my career to design and make beaded jewellery! It sounds funny, but I had so many ideas, and lots of them were for jewellery that wasn't for me – my creativity was unleashed.

What work will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

I will be exhibiting some of all my current Summer jewellery collections, which are Songs of the Sea, Botanica, Forever Pearl, Vintage Wedding and Inspired.

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?

I am only working in silver and gold-filled at the moment. I am enjoying photography as much as the jewellery making, but it's not something I have yet persued professionally as yet.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge,

Pyramid Gallery, York,

Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford,

soon to be at the Solo Gallery, Sheffield and Royal Exchange, Manchester

Online on my website www.rachellucie.co.uk and Etsy http://rachellucie.etsy.com also Notonthehighstreet too.

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?

I was asked to make a Chanel-inspired necklace based on the one worn by Keira Knightly in the Coco Mademoiselle advert photograph. It's a real statement necklace with large pearls, opulent belcher chain and Swarovski crystal stars. I loved making it, and my client was really happy with it, she's worn it out a lot!

It's always a real honour to be asked to make something unique for a bride on her wedding day A lot of my pearl collection lends itself to weddings, but to make something the bride herself is wonderful. I have had some commissions for bespoke statement earrings, bracelets and necklaces so far.

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?

It's a very prestigious event. I visited the Makers Fair a couple of years ago and really only dreamed I would be accepted. I went last year to visit and was asked by several people there why I hadn't applied, which was very flattering!

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

The shear size of the event and the diversity of arts on display make it a real must for anyone to visit who loves to support handmade craft, and likes unique products. My only worry this year is that I won't be able to see everything at Victoria Hall properly!

Unfortunately I have never been able to go on the trail itself as I have always had the children with me, but I know it's a wonderful chance to see beautiful crafts in such gorgeous domestic settings. Saltaire is a world heritage site, and the houses are works of art themselves.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

I was lucky enough to be asked to take part in a Vogue editorial piece last April on pearl jewellery, which was an amazing honour. I also have some of my collection being used in a book trilogy coming out later this year, including I believe a picture of my necklace on the front cover.

Rachel Johns

mail@rachellucie.co.uk

www.rachellucie.co.uk

http://rachellucie.etsy.com

http://twitter.com/rachellucie

http://rachelluciejewellerydesigns.blogspot.com

An Interview with Laura Slater

2011-05-25T08:35:00.002+01:00

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I produce hand-screen printed bespoke textile products, all inspired by the interaction of colour and pattern and the translation of drawing concepts onto cloth. All my prints come from hand made marks and development of hand made marks through CAD, I then take the process back out into a hand produced process, printing onto 100% linen with water based inks. All my products are hand made and finished.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I produce my work from my studio and print workshop at the Art House in Wakefield. I am very slowly outgrowing my studio as it has really become, part print workshop, creative space and stockroom. It’s very cosy, but an all round really inspiring environment, that is filled with lots of colour, drawing, mark-making, in amongst all the equipment that is!

Being part of a group studio like the Art House is also a very inspiring place to be in, as it is filled with such a wide variety of creative people all with different disciplines.

Is your art your main job? How did you get started?

I am a full time printed textile designer through my business Laura Slater Textiles. Alongside that I also work as a print technician, lecturer in Surface Design and as a creative educational practitioner at the new Hepworth Wakefield. I have vocationally trained in textiles since the age of 16, so I knew pretty early on that this was what I wanted to do. I then went on to do my degree and MA in Mixed Media Textiles at the Royal College of Art before setting up my business 3 years ago. Its really hard work, but thoroughly rewarding, I think you just have to be very dedicated and motivated!

What will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

I will be exhibiting a range of printed textile products including lighting, furnishings and upholstery pieces. I will also be selling lots of smaller, personal products to pick up and take away. I also work on a commission basis and sell fabric per metre too. I will be around at the Arts Trail if you have any questions about my print collections - you can find me at 2 Constance Street which is number 10 on the arts trail map.

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?

I have recently worked in collaboration in translating my designs into bespoke hand tufted rugs with local rug designer and makers Area rugs. Collaboration is an important part of developing my print ideas, especially into products. I am also working with a product designer in producing some unique shaped lampshades and lighting and I would love to work with some ceramicists, so fell free to get in touch if you’re interested in working with a print designer!!

Where else can we see and buy your work?

There are a number of different ways you can buy my work, I stock with lots of shops and galleries, the most recent being the new Hepworth Wakefield gallery. I also have an online shop and stock with a number of online craft retailers too. You can find a list of all my stockists and a link to my online shop at my website:

http://www.lauraslater.co.uk/.

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?

I work to commission regularly so it’s hard to pick, but I love working on large fabric commissions for people to use my fabrics on their vintage furniture pieces. The most interesting and exciting request I have had recently is to use my prints to upholster the inside of a vintage Citroen car that some one is renovating. I can’t wait to see how that commission develops!

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?

I have exhibited at Saltaire Arts Trail now for the last 4 years and loved every trail. The Arts Trail is truly a fantastic, inspiring and creative event in an amazing location, supported and including the work of a wide variety of talented artists. Not only that, but the Arts Trail has really supported my development in selling my work and building relationships with lots of lovely people, from fellow artists to buyers.

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

The Open Houses is a really unique idea, as you get to see artists work in the beautiful houses around Saltaire. The advantage of this is obviously you can be nosey and look at other people lovely homes as well as the art work it’s self.

As an artist I personally think exhibiting in this situation is also a really brilliant idea as people can get to see how art work might be able to fit into their home an living environments too.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

Yes I am soon to start running photographic screen printing workshops for textiles, throughout the summer. I have just purchased an exposure unit as a new addition to my studio and am looking forward to launching my workshop program shortly. For more information please contact me on: laura@lauraslater.co.uk

http://www.lauraslater.co.uk/

laura@lauraslater.co.uk

Cherry Kino Programme for Mobile Cinema Announced!

2011-05-24T12:41:00.008+01:00

Cherry Kino – Programme of Super8 films to be screened in the Mobile Cinema at the Saltaire Arts Trail THIS WEEKEND! Totally FREE.

Above: 'Every Four Frames' by Alberto Cabrera Bernal

Films will screen between 11am - 5pm this Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th, and Monday 30th May in the tiny mobile cinema which will be situated outside the Salts building of Shipley College, opposite Victoria Hall, in Saltaire (screening at the Cherry Kino Lab to be announced separately). On Saturday between 12 noon and 4pm there will also be a free workshop run by the 'Unravel' folks, whose project is making Britain's longest hand-painted film, one piece at a time.
PROGRAMME OF FILMS BELOW!

PROGRAMME 1: TO THE STREETS

Above: 'This is a test reel' by Matoula Eolou Gekko

Hotel La Mirage – dir. Maximilian Le Cain / Ireland & Greece / 2010 / 5 mins
A melancholy vision of cinema-as-mirage. ‘Hotel La Mirage’ simultaneously weaves and unravels a romantic reverie across the ruin of space and time.

Radl (Bike) – dir. Viktoria Schmid / Austria / 3 mins 19 secs
The bikeride to my darkroom captured with my Super8 camera. After riding the bike I developed the film by myself. My love for bikeriding and filmmaking coming together in these 3 minutes.

Red Road – dir. Arturo Almanza / Colombia / 2005 / 3 mins
‘Red Road’ is an experimental film made with negative Super 8 vision 2 (ASA 500) developed as cross process, which gives a positive with a violent red shift. The development is handmade and made by Kinolab Colombia.

This is a test reel – dir. Matoula Eolou Gekko / Greece / 2010 / 3 mins
On the 8th of April I went out in the main streets of Athens to test a new Super8 camera. I asked random strangers to hold captions I had prepared, therefore making their short portraits and transforming a small Super8 reel into a collective project. This was my own way of reacting to the fear and disappointment that had been created due to ‘the crisis’ that had just been announced in Greece. Super8 was the dream medium, the one that was in opposition to the TV, to the flux, and that allowed a space for encounters, just for a reel’s time.

In the Streets - dir. Robert Harris / USA / 2009 / 5 mins 40 secs
4th of July passions in Chinatown and Little Italy, NYC 1975.

Every Four Frames (Cada cuatro fotogramas) - dir. Alberto Cabrera Bernal / Spain / 2009 / 1 min
A film constructed from destruction with the piercing or perforation of its footage, the different fragments of selected archive images. Every four frames the film’s body is punctured, the holes revealing the cinematographic mechanism’s entrails: the screen and light.

PROGRAMME 2: ELEMENTAL

Above: 'Song before dying' by Pere Ginard & Laura Ginès

The Palm Tree Song Line – dir. Dagie Brundert / Germany / 2008 / 1 min 50 secs
Los Angeles and its palm trees. They are singable!

You Can Never Hurt Me – dir. Jon Perez / USA / 3 mins 30 secs
Like film, the canopies of trees are surfaces ravaged by light breaking through the cracks. Shot while continuously spinning on a single piece of Ektachrome, the film relieves the viewer from the representational aspect of photographing a forest. The trees persist in attracting our imaginations, creating a new vision for new eyes.

Untitled – dir. Elina Street / UK / 2011 / 2 mins 40 secs
My first Super8 film, which I recently completed. My film aims to be interpreted freely, themes may be: the representation of women in film, the mystery of the cameraman, the conscious and unconscious…

LOVE – dirs. Egidijus Praspaliauskas & Rasa Juskeviciute / Lithuania / 2002 / 3 mins 30 secs
Our Motto: let’s develop film under a tree
'Love' is a DEDICATION FOR A Dream Come True, A Heart Full Of Love, A Hug A Day Keeps The Meanies Away, A Love Story, A Piece Of My Heart, A Time or Love, All You Need Is Love, Addicted To Love, As Long As A Bunny Has A Tail, My Love For You Will Never Fail, Bit By The Love Bug, Boy Meets Girl, Bucket Of Kisses, Can't Buy Me Love, Can't Take My Eyes, Off Of You, Circle Of Love Is Never Ending, First Love, First Impressions, For All Eternity, From My Heart, Gimme A Kiss...

Canción última – dir. Dan Hildred / UK / 2010 / 3 mins 30 secs
‘Canción última’ is a very short tribute to the Spanish ‘goatherd poet’ Miguel Hernandez, shot on the centenary of his birth in his native Almeria, and features a reading by the Basque video artist Marta Luque. The film explores themes of decay and abandonment in the landscape.

Song Before Dying (Canción del antes de morir) - dirs. Pere Ginard & Laura Ginès / Spain / 2011 / 4 mins
A film about ghosts (or fools or mimes or butterflies) inspired by the mystique of St. John of the Cross. Performed with joy by Laboratorium.

Fishquay – Matt Sutcliffe / UK / 2011 / 4 mins 53 secs
´I must go down to the sea again´
Loosely based around two poems, ´Two Lighthouses´ by Julia Darling and ´Sea Fever´ by John Masefield, I originally shot my first super 8 film as an accompaniment to a piece of dance choreography. Using samples and rhythm´s from the North Sheilds Fish Quay as a base for the soundtrack, I tried to capture it´s contrasting atmospheres through both sound and colour. The outdated medium of super 8 seemed an appropriate choice when filming the Fishermans declining trade.

Preludio (Prelude) – Albert Alcoz / Spain / 2010 / 3 mins 20 secs
‘Preludio’ is a filmation of a landscape with a building during one evening. Using time lapse options, shutter speed solutions and different exposures, the film transforms one simple framing of the camera in many possible moving image solutions. Some organic changes done in front of the camera allow different representations of the people in the park, the walls of the building, the trees and the sky, the main elements of this minimalistic film.

Untitled [2] – dir. Nathan Cyprys / Canada / 2009 / 3 mins
This diptych Super8 film loop explores the singularity of two people’s relationship as well as the duality of the individual when disconnected from the other. The water each is submerged in plays between the comfort of its all encompassing warmth and the discomfort of its suffocation and the subjects’ nakedness. The actions performed by both subjects in this piece reflect a form of meditation where the subject’s counterpart is sorrowfully both remembered and forgotten. They are disconnected from each other in the framing and placement of the images, yet it is evident that both are in the same location. Their actions remain simple, creating a universality for this piece to be understood.

PROGRAMME 3: ALCHEMY

Above: 'De Luce 1: Vegetare' by Janis Crystal Lipzin

Monster – dir. Marta Daeuble / France / 2004 / 40 secs
Stop motion animation, pixellation technique, painting on paper. I aim to break the storyline in different levels of time, working outside the fixed cinema screen.

Colour Stream – dir. Ian Helliwell / UK / 2002 / 4 mins 45 secs
Flowing lights and colours are the focus of this abstract film shot with Super8 through a close-up lens. Homemade electronics provide the rhythmic soundtrack.

Magic Kingdom – dir. Stephanie Wuertz / USA / 3 mins 11 secs
Waves of neon unleash a sea of pastel visions drifting through the Magic Kingdom.

De Luce 1: Vegetare – dir. Janis Crystal Lipzin / USA / 2009 / 5 mins
This work delves deeply into experiments, expanding the realism of colour expression that original film allows. ‘De Luce’ extends beyond the Kodak palette of colour, by subjecting the film material to unique influences of pigmentation. Unfamiliar colour and light sweep into and literally illuminate vegetative subjects to supply visible evidence of a surreptitious conspiracy between the artist, her materials, and photochemical occurrences. This is an artisanal hand-made work shot entirely on Super8 film and hand-processed by the filmmaker.

Untitled - dir. Elsy Benitez / USA / 2010 / 3 mins

Solar Eyes – dir. Rosie Parsons / UK / 2011 / 2 mins 34 secs
An adventure in memory haunting the future.

Nightlight – dir. Dagie Brundert / Germany / 2009 / 2 mins 22 secs
Berlin lights in time-speed-machine; the gelatin layer of the film stained red.

Above: 'Nightlight' by Dagie Brundert

Check out the Cherry Kino blog here: http://www.cherrykino.blogspot.com

Interview with David Mawdsley

2011-05-20T17:58:00.000+01:00

David Mawdsley is a designer and maker of contemporary furniture. He runs his Skipton based company Mawdsley Williams with his wife Stephanie. David will be exhibiting and demonstrating his work on the stage area of Victoria Hall and took part in our interview to tell us more about his stunning work.

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I design and make contemporary furniture that is comfortable to use and live with. Natural forms, architectural shapes, unusual wood grain and decorative joint detailing influence my designs.

European and North American hardwoods and where appropriate manufactured board and veneer are used to construct my furniture. I particularly enjoy using locally sourced timbers and pieces that have unusual grain patterning, this makes each piece of furniture unique and often gives my clients something to tell their friends. I recently made a coffee table using Burr Oak from Pickering and small amounts of Bog oak dated to approx 3500 BC from Norfolk. The Oak tree would have fallen into a marsh or bog and been preserved in a Norfolk field until fairly recently, Bog Oak is black in colour..

Most of the pieces of furniture I make are made to commission, each piece is designed and crafted with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Through a process of thoughtful design, careful material selection and appropriate construction methods I create furniture that maintains its simplicity while creating a sense of intrigue.

My wife, Stephanie whose expertise is in fibre art often helps me with the designing, we are currently working together to produce decorative sculptural pieces and use Stephanie’s textile skill in ways other than for upholstery. Inlaid work also forms part of our current focus.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I have my workshop in Gargrave near Skipton, I get inspiration from a range of areas, I like to incorporate curves into my work and natural form ,the human body as well as manufactured objects all help as starting points in the initial stages of developing a design. I am fortunate to have my workshop in the heart of such beautiful countryside and will often go for a short walk along side the canal to think out a solution to a design problem

Is your art your main job? How did you get started?

I have a passion for making furniture and was fortunate to study furniture design and making at Loughborough University and graduated in 1982. When I graduated I worked as a cabinet maker for a couple of companies and taught Design Technology.

I moved to West Yorkshire in 1991 and taught at Stoney Lee Middle School, Cottingley and Oakbank School in Keighley. Six years ago my wife Stephanie and I established Mawdsley Williams where we design and make contemporary bespoke furniture to commission; we also have a range of semi bespoke pieces that clients can choose from. Russell our son has recently joined the business.

What work will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

I will be bringing a selection of my recent pieces of furniture including chairs small tables and cabinets. There will also be some smaller items such as Jewellery boxes, clocks and mirrors.

I will be bringing a small workbench and will be demonstrating a few techniques and will be pleased to discuss these techniques with visitors to the fair.

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?

I think that it is important for designers to be able to communicate their ideas through drawing, I enjoy drawing, life drawing and I paint and use both oil and in watercolour, this is done mainly for my own personal enjoyment and I am not selling any of my drawings or paintings at the moment.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

I have recently completed a commission for chairs, benches and tables for use at the Mercer Art Gallery Harrogate.
I am taking part in the following events this year

North Yorkshire Open studios 2011 the dates are 10,11,12 – 18,19 June
I have a consol table exhibited in the Bradford Open Art Exhibition at Cartwright Hall Bradford
The Great Yorkshire Show my stand will be in the Made in Yorkshire marquee.
Art in the Pen 2011 Skipton 13,14 August 2011
Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design, Cheltenham 20 -29 August 2011
Autumn flower show Harrogate my stand will be in the Made in Yorkshire marquee.
I will be exhibiting as a member of the Northern Contemporary Furniture Makers this Autumn at Tennant’s, Leyburn.
Visitors are always welcome to call at my workshop in Gargrave but please phone first to make sure that I will be there ( 01756 748088)

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?

I have recently completed a commission for designing and making the furniture for the recently refurbished Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate. I was asked to design and make four pairs of chairs of different designs, two pairs of benches of different designs, a coffee table and a large side table. I made each piece of furniture by hand using locally sourced Ash, Oak, Brown Oak and Elm. I was fortunate to find the Elm which is now difficult to find in wide enough boards to make chair seats. I choose different colours and textures of the timber to complement each other. One of the chairs that I was particularly pleased with was made in Ash with a Brown Oak seat and small amounts of brown oak detailing. The furniture is now in the gallery and provided for the visitors to use.

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?

There are several reasons for applying to exhibit at the Saltaire Arts Trail

Located in Saltaire, a unique and interesting village
The event has a good reputation and was recommended to me by other makers
A selection process requiring designers and makers only
I enjoyed my previous visits to Saltaire.

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events

I have not exhibited at the Saltaire Arts trail before and I am looking forward to the event. I came as a visitor a few years ago as a visitor and enjoyed a great day out talking to other makers and having the opportunity to see Saltaire and the open house idea is great. Exhibiting with other artist and craftspeople is important to me; I enjoy their creativity and enthusiasm. Those exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail have designed and made their own pieces and have a depth of understanding of their art or craft, this is important.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

I enjoy walking in the Yorkshire Dales and my chair designs are named after the Dales where I have walked.

Thanks so much to David for talking to us, please visit the Makers' Fair on any of the three days to see him at work and talk to him about his craft.

Mawdsley Williams

Unit 1b Asquith Industrial Estate

Eshton Road

Gargrave

Skipton

North Yorkshire

BD23 3SE

Interview with Elizabeth Milner

2011-05-15T15:28:00.006+01:00

Artist’s Name: Elizabeth Milner

Where Exhibiting: 5 William Henry Street

Tell us about your art practice, what kind of stuff do you do and what is your work about?

My practice combines elements of textile art, crafts, set-designing, prop-making, photography and critical analysis. Using the miniature setting as my stage, I create intriguing installations with an unsettling undertone.

What motivates you to be an artist?

I am constantly inspired by all varieties of exciting and engaging art and culture. The interesting ideas and debates that are formed in my own mind as a result of such stimulus leads me to reflect and produce work in my own way.

Tell us about other projects you are working on?

I am participating in a project called the Yorkshire Art Loop, I am awaiting the delivery of a piece of artwork on the 11th July, when I will have two weeks to respond and create my own piece which I will then post on to the next recipient. Also, I am currently the Audience Engagement Intern at South Square in Thornton, delivering events and workshops to the visitors of the South Square Centre. I also work at Pop Up art space in Bradford as a volunteer coordinator, furthering my career within the gallery sector.

How did you get started as an artist?

Whilst studying for a BA in Textiles and Fashion, I realised that the process of design didn’t provide me with enough stimulation. My work needed to be more critically engaging, so I began to tailor my practice towards a gallery environment by giving the work a third dimension and narrative.

What will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

A subtle and surprising installation that plays on voyeurism within the domestic environment, and the use of a home as an exhibiting space.

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What did you think of our previous events?

I have visited the arts trail before and have always enjoyed the experience, so it is a privilege to now be taking part.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

I have a controlled obsession with art, fashion and culture magazines and other printed matter!

Interview with Leigh Shepherd

2011-05-10T13:26:00.007+01:00

Leigh Shepherd is a contemporary jewellery designer. She is an extremely busy lady running her booming business and home but managed to find time to talk to us about her participation in the Makers' Fair.

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I have a passion for upcycling and collecting unusual papers so I have brought this together, along with some lovely resin to create my jewellery range. It's probably worth explaining here the difference between recycling and upcycling. Both terms refer to a way of reusing an item recycling is the process of reusing an item without changing its original form eg. melting down glass bottles to make bottles. Upcycling is another processes of reusing, but in this instance changing the purpose or use of the initial material and as a result adding value. I make pendants from wooden Scrabble pieces and mah jong tiles, brooches from draughts and domino pieces and earrings from sixpence pieces.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

I'm based in Haworth, West Yorkshire, so not so far from Saltaire. Both my husband and I work from home which fits in really well with our lifestyle. Years back I aspired to a rented studio somewhere but working from home works so well! Our children are young so my working hours don't fit the usual 9 to 5. As my business has grown I've gone from working from a folding table in the lounge to converting a room into my workshop.

Is your art your main job? How did you get started?

I began selling my work in local galleries about three years ago. It’s in the last six months that it has become full time.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

I stock around 25 outlets nationally from the British Museum to the Isle of Lewis. One of the first galleries I approached to sell my work is right across the street from Victoria Hall. Art Parade has been selling my work for a good while now. Beverley, the owner, has been a huge support and has given me lots of advice and encouragement.

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

This year will be the fourth time I have taken part in the Makers' Fair. It’s a fantastic event, Victoria Hall is a gorgeous venue! The thing that really makes this event stand out is the visitors, the Arts Trail has a great reputation so people come ready to find something new, they are interested in what we do and know they will find something special. Besides exhibiting we have often visited the Arts Trail as a family, the kids have a great time, in the past we have visited the Garden of Easels and fished in the knitted river - which to the uninitiated may sound strange but was great fun!

Thanks so much to Leigh, you can learn more about her work on her website Leigh Shepherd Designs. and meet her in person at the Makers' Fair in Victoria Hall on 28th, 29th and 30th May.

Interview with Clare Caulfield

2011-05-06T07:48:00.001+01:00

Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.

I am an artist and printmaker producing work that documents my travels to some of the world’s greatest cities. My collection included images of Paris, Venice, New York, Rome, Prague, Sydney and Istanbul. I paint using a variety of media: watercolour, acrylic, pen and pencil mostly on paper but sometimes on canvas too. I also produce handmade prints, limited edition prints and signed handmade cards all taken from my paintings.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the inspiration for your art?

Working from my studio I produce my paintings, limited edition prints & cards. I am a member of West Yorkshire Print Workshop in Mirfield. Here I use their excellent printmaking facilities to make two different types of handmade prints – Screen prints and Drypoints. Every print produced here is entirely made by hand therefore no two are exactly the same. I also teach the weekend screenprint courses.

Is your art your main job? How did you get started?

Yes, I am a full time artist. To start with I concentrated on painting alone, the printmaking, limited edition prints and cards came later once I had become more established having my work stocked in a number of galleries and craft shops.

What will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?

My limited edition prints and handmade cards depicting a range of images including:

Skating in Central Park
View from Academia Bridge Venice
Notre dame & Parisian Rooftops, and
Throwing Coins in Trevi Fountain Rome

And closer to home, I will also be showing work based on the historic Shambles in York, the beautiful architecture to be found here in Saltaire and County Arcade Victoria Quarter in Leeds. I will also have prints available of my recent work of Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay and Staithes.

Do you work in any other mediums besides the work you will be exhibiting at the Arts Trail?

I will be showing all the types of work I do at the ‘Open House’ event.

Where else can we see and buy your work?

Art Parade, Saltaire; Heart Gallery, Hebden Bridge; The Craft Centre & Design Gallery, Leeds; Royal Exchange Theatre Craft Shop, Manchester; Cambridge Contemporary Art; Opus Gallery, Ashbourne in Derbyshire which will be showing my solo exhibition of new paintings in JULY 2011

Tell us about your most exciting or memorable commission?

My most recent commission was to produce a painting of County Arcade in Leeds for a man who had just been given a new job in Oxford. He met his wife whilst studying at Leeds University many years ago and they had lived here ever since so he wanted a special piece of work of Leeds to give to his wife as a memento. They had seen my drypoint & chine-colle print entitled ‘Shopping in County Arcade’ and so asked me to produce them a version of this image as a painting using watercolour and pencil.

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?

I moved to Saltaire just over a year ago and so it seemed like a great opportunity to once again be part of the Arts Trail again but this time not only as an exhibiting artist but also as a homeowner opening up my house as part of the trail!

Have you participated or visited the Saltaire Arts Trail before? What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?

I have exhibited in the Saltaire Arts Trail since the beginning 5 years ago now each time showing my work in a different house within the village. It’s a great opportunity for people to experience the wealth of creativity from many local artists and designers whilst also visiting this wonderful World Heritage Site and having a look inside a Titus Salt house at the same time!

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?

After graduating from Staffordshire University my first job was as an in-house designer for a children's fashion print studio in Shoreditch London. I worked here for a couple of years producing designs for clients including Baby Gap, Monsoon, M&S and Donna Karan. Whilst this was a great opportunity I decided I wanted to move back up to Yorkshire to set up by myself to enable me to develop my own paintings. The first city I chose to visit for inspiration was Florence. Opposite my hotel was a lovely boutique selling children’s clothes. It was in that very shop that I found a little pair of red pyjamas with my design on them that I’d produced in the textile studio in London. They were in my suitcase back home with me!

Super8 Workshops in May!

2011-04-18T14:34:00.003+01:00

Cherry Kino is really happy to announce some Super8 workshops in May! Plus, attendees will be given the option to submit their films to be considered for the Mobile Cinema event during the Saltaire Arts Trail!

You've been asking for more Super8 workshops for a while now, and the time has finally come! The workshop will be two days long, and will give you a great grounding in making your own Super8 films - in colour! Participants are limited to 8 people on each workshop, so book now to avoid disappointment!

Workshop no.1: Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May.
Workshop no.2: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May.
Workshop no.3: Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd May.

Super8 Workshop (colour film!)
The perfect course to give you a thorough understanding of the Super8 format where you'll learn how to make and process your own Super8 film to keep! The course will cover:

Day One:
# a tour of the Cherry Kino Lab,
# how to use various Super8 cameras,
# different types of film currently available,
# the history of the format,
# examples of what is possible with the medium,
# shooting a film each out and about in Leeds,

Day Two:
# hand processing the film at the lab, including information on more experimental techniques
# preparing the film for projection (including splicing),
# direct animation techniques,
# transferring your films to DVD,
# and finally, projecting your film at a screening at the end of the workshop!

Oh, and lots of free tea and biscuits.
An added bonus is that you can also submit your film to be considered for the Cherry Kino event at the Saltaire Arts Trail at the end of May!

This course will demystify Super8, giving you a solid grounding of all the steps needed to make colour Super8 film yourself at home, easily and affordably, in your own bathroom! You'll take away your projection-ready film on a reel plus a DVD, and lots of valuable information to enable you to continue creating Super8 films.

Time: 11am - 5pm on both days.
Venue: Cherry Kino Lab (at ESA), Patrick Studios, St Mary's Lane, Leeds, LS9 7EH
Cost: £80 (all inclusive)
Places available: 8 (per workshop)

To book, email cherrykinocinema@yahoo.com stating "Super8 Workshop 1" (or 2 or 3) as the subject. Places are limited and these workshops tend to sell out quickly, so book now to avoid disappointment!

x CK
http://www.cherrykino.blogspot.com

Call for Super8 Submissions!

2011-04-09T10:42:00.000+01:00

Cherry Kino will be curating a programme of films in partnership with the world's first UNESCO recognised 'City of Film' - Bradford and we are delighted that the programme will be presented during the Saltaire Arts Trail, and will also be presented as a special evening screening, at the Cherry Kino Lab in Leeds.

Submissions are welcomed from all, adults and children alike, whether you are a Super8 beginner or a well-seasoned afficionado.

The only restriction is that the films are originally made on Super8 (submitted as a DVD), and under 10 minutes in length. During the Saltaire Arts Trail, the films will be presented numerous times in what could possibly be the world's smallest purpose-built cinema, seating only 10 people!

Saltaire itself is a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage village in the Bradford region of West Yorkshire, built by Titus Salt, a philanthropic businessman whose 'model village' raised living and working standards for workers in the textile mills. Saltaire stood in stark contrast to the nearby 'dark satanic mills' of Bradford's city centre, offering a different vision of how industrial working life could be. The name of the town comes from Titus' surname, Salt, and the name of the river that runs through it, the river Aire. Titus made countless very secret experiments with alpaca wool (from Peru), a material which was considered rough and virtually unusable by everyone in the trade, and he managed to transform it, through his knowledge of spinning and a bit of innovation and improvisation, into a wonderful textile which made him his immense fortune, and led to the building of Saltaire in the 1800s.

In some ways, Super8 can be seen as similar to alpaca - overlooked by many as obsolete or unusable, but with a bit of patience and experimentation it reveals itself to be a magical material capable of fantastic textures and light reflections, the mini cine format that can be woven into countless patterns, spinning endless tales and abstractions. Film and textiles share many traits - in fact, some early film projectors were modelled after sewing machines!

Saltaire also has strong links with the synaesthetic artist David Hockney, whose photo collages, some of which are housed in part of the old textile mill (now a gallery of his work), somehow always make me think of what is perceptually possible with Super8!

Submission is free. To submit your film to Cherry Kino, send a DVD with a brief description and contact email address to:

Cherry Kino
c/o Patrick Studios
East Street Arts
St Mary's Lane
Leeds LS9 7EH
West Yorkshire
UK.

The closing date for submissions is 15th May, so get spinning that film!

P.S. In terms of screening format, due to the frequent screenings (the cinema only seats 10 people So the films will be shown repeatedly over 3 days), originals won't be shown, and the showreel will be compiled onto DV Cam for the event. However, if you'd like your original to be shown at the second event (an evening screening at the Cherry Kino Lab premises), a very careful projectionist will show the films, on an Elmo ST-1200 in great condition.

Find out more about Cherry Kino here: http://www.cherrykino.blogspot.com/

14 houses and over 100 artists and makers

2011-03-10T20:46:00.001Z

Although the event this year has moved from autumn to spring the ingredients remain the same; 14 of the historic Saltaire village homes and the majestic Victoria Hall open their doors to the public, whilst playing host to exhibitions by more than 100 Yorkshire-based artists, some with established names at a national level, others who remain, for the minute, local treasures, displaying a range of art works.

Over the next few months leading up to the arts trail we will publish more information about our planned events and profiles on featured artists. In the meantime make sure you have the dates in your diary - 28-30 May 2011 - this is one event you don't want to miss!

Open Houses

2011-01-07T12:45:00.002Z

We are now looking for houses in the village to participate in the Open Houses for the May event. This is a great opportunity to have your walls adorned with beautiful paintings and photography while handcrafted textiles, tableware and ceramics grace the surfaces of your kitchen, sitting room, hall or stairs. We will provide each house with artists and makers, public liability insurance and someone to show you the ropes.

If you are interested in opening up your house, would like more details or would like the opportunity to talk to someone who opened their house last year, please email us at hello@saltaireartstrail.co.uk.

Deadline for applications is fast approaching...

2011-01-05T10:36:00.000Z

If you an artist or maker who would like to be considered for the 2011 Saltaire Arts Trail then please ensure you send your completed application form in by the 15 January. The application form and guidelines can be downloaded from the Saltaire Arts Trail website:

http://www.saltaireartstrail.co.uk/artstrail2011/index.html

Take part in 2011!

2010-12-20T23:04:00.007Z

For the last 4 years, the Saltaire Arts Trail has been proud to have worked alongside the Saltaire Festival. It's been a fruitful partnership, bringing colour and creativity to the streets of Saltaire. The Saltaire Arts Trail is expanding and developing what it offers to become an event in its own right and from next year will move to the bank holiday over 28th-30th May 2011.

We have some exciting ideas for the coming year and are looking forward to putting them in place and bringing you a vibrant, high quality event. As in previous years, there will be the popular Maker's Fair in Victoria Hall, and the Open Houses where villagers' homes are transformed into unique galleries. We're currently looking for artists and makers to take part in both these events, so if you have a creative spark and are interested in exhibiting and selling your work, click here to download an application form.

We'd also love to hear from anyone looking to volunteer, either at the event itself, or helping with preparations in the run up to May. If that sounds like you, just drop us an email to hello@saltaireartstrail.co.uk and we'll be in touch.

Living Advent Calendar Lights Up Saltaire

2010-12-19T19:26:00.005Z

The nights might be drawing in, but with the festive season in full swing, the streets of Saltaire are once again being illuminated with the Living Advent Calendar. From Santa to snowflakes, llamas to lions, the creativity of the village is bringing a bit of seasonal magic to snowy Saltaire.

Each day throughout December, a new window is revealed, until all the windows are lit on Christmas Eve and will stay lit until 5th January.

So wrap up warm against the winter chill and enjoy a festive stroll around the village.

For a map of all the windows and a look at the ones open so far, click here >>

Saltaire Arts Trail Co-ordinator needed!

2010-12-09T12:34:00.004Z

We're currently on the lookout for a new member of the Arts Trail team, to co-ordinate the project leads and help deliver another memorable event in 2011.

This is a paid position on a fixed term contract, and will involve working part time, including evenings and weekends.

For more details, including a full job spec and how to apply, simply click here.

If you have any questions about the role, send an email to hello@saltaireartstrail.co.uk and we'll be in touch.

Good luck!

In conversation with photojournalist Asadour Guzelian

2010-09-02T16:08:00.004+01:00

Tickets are now available for the conversation between Asadour and Anne McNeill, Director of Impressions Gallery. The event is in conjunction with the exhibition of Asadour's photographs in the stunning roof space in Salts Mill. The exhibition is a celebration of just short of 25 years of taking photos for national newspapers and magazines.

The discussion will take place in the roof space on Wednesday 15th September at 3pm, with tickets costing £3. It will be a fascinating insight into the work of a photographer with a national reputation. If you have any interest in photography or photojournalism, it's one not to miss.

The Art Lounge - Monday 30th August, 8pm 'til late

2010-08-09T13:56:00.001+01:00

The Art Lounge at Saltaire.

A night of cool music as you unwind at the end of the bank holiday. As a fundraiser for the Saltaire Arts Trail, the wonderful The Housekeeping Society, fresh from their recent spot on the BBC, will be giving their time and playing. And there'll be a tuck shop, vintage kitsch raffle and board games.

Join us for an easy Monday night at Caroline Street Social Club.

Yvonne Carmichael in Conversation with Giuseppe Lambertino

2010-07-29T09:56:00.008+01:00

Conversation Part 1: Background and Photography Projects.

Conversation Part 2: Inspirations and Influences.

Giuseppe Lambertino

2010-07-20T09:41:00.007+01:00

I have attached a link to a review of an exhibition by one of the artists exhibiting at this year's Saltaire Arts Trail. I went to see the exhibition last month and it's a stunning show, curated by Yvonne Carmichael. The photographer is Giuseppe Lambertino and the exhibition is at City Inn in Leeds, five minutes walk from the train station. I thoroughly recommend you go, if get the opportunity.

We have just recorded an interview between Yvonne and Giuseppe about his work and his inspirations, which we will be uploading here very soon. It's a very good listen, so come back and check it out.

Volunteer Co-ordinator wanted

2010-06-28T14:10:00.012+01:00

For the last three years, the Saltaire Arts Trail has been an exciting part of the very successful Saltaire Festival. Bringing together visual arts from both the local community and professionals across Yorkshire, the Arts Trail has incorporated Open Houses (residents’ houses used as unique gallery spaces), a makers' fair, family events and an open exhibition, all focused in and around Saltaire.

The Arts Trail has grown each year and - in addition to a showcase event as part of the 2010 Saltaire Festival this September - from May 2011 the Arts Trail will become a stand-alone event. The new format of the Arts Trail will include elements such as theatre, music, debate and outdoor art as well as increased education and participatory activities.

The Saltaire Arts Trail is developed and managed by volunteers. To support the work of the Saltaire Arts Trail Committee we are looking for a Volunteer Co-ordinator. The Volunteer Co-ordinator will be responsible for recruiting and supporting a team of volunteers to assist in a range of activities across the Arts Trail. It is anticipated that this will include both ongoing support over the next 10-12 months, as well as recruiting a wider set of volunteers to provide hands-on assistance over the two Saltaire Arts Trail events (11-19 September 2010 and 22-30 May 2011).

The ideal candidate will be organised, able to get on well with people of all different ages and backgrounds, and with a positive “can do” attitude. Experience in HR and/or working with volunteers would be welcome, but a willingness to commit to making the Saltaire Arts Trail a success is far more important. This role is on a voluntary basis, but will provide an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the world of arts / events management.

For further details or an informal chat about the role, please contact David Worsley on 07802 445786 or by email at david@saltaireinspired.org.uk.

We also have a range of other opportunities for volunteers, including developing / supporting individual events for the May 2011 Saltaire Arts Trail. If you would be interested in these roles, please also contact David.

Stone & Tankard

2010-06-23T15:56:00.007+01:00

The Tree Tower by Nick Tankard

Three Apples by Paul Stone

I wanted to give you taste of a couple of the artists exhibiting in September. This is always the exciting bit, seeing the artwork, when the pulse quickens and the expectation rises.

Paul Stone, who is based in Sheffield, has described his work thus: "Once considered undignified for serious artistic endeavour, still life has a rich history, its repertoire altering as the genre has evolved. Recently I came across the word Rhopography, and old-fashioned term for still life paintings, meaning the study of trivial objects and small wares. I can appreciate this in reference to my work, particularly reflecting the alterations in art, on the meanings of objects within the last century.

Originally my work had a very traditional, almost simplistic approach to the process of creating artworks. As the paintings (and thereby my practice as whole) have developed and matured, my previous research in History Of Art has over time organically breathed a fresh perspective into the artworks.

At the core of my paintings is the search for a precision of focus on the formal properties of mundane objects that have an everyday, unremarkable presence in our lives. As the majority of the inanimate objects are gathered from local charity shops, they also record a previous unknown transience moment when they are suddenly cast out for whatever reason. This results in a familiar and nostalgic content, and for me a more intimate relationship with their representation." (Courtesy of gallerytop)

Nick Tankard "is a local lad, born and raised at Carr Lane, Windhill. His bedroom window overlooked the Aire valley, and he lived with a view of Salts Mill throughout his childhood. Education was at Nab Wood Grammar, and then on to a graphic design course at Bradford. He was drawn towards illustrating children’s books, and did a Higher National qualification at Middlesborough and then a Degree at Wolverhampton.

He is strongly influenced by Northern industrial towns and their architecture, which he draws in what he describes as his own particular “wonky” style, using his own brand of fantasy and humour." (Courtesy Roger Clarke and www.saltairevillage.info)

Social networking and things...

2010-06-22T13:44:00.005+01:00

To keep up-to-date with everything Saltaire Arts Trail related, you can now check out what's happening via this blog, facebook and twitter. Our twitter username is @saltaireart.

Just to keep you abreast of what's going on. We had a really productive meeting last week to discuss the programming for May 2011. It's going to be a packed programme, which will include outside art, evening events, workshops, a symposium, family activities, urban projections, street performances, exhibitions and participatory activities.

As part of the Arts Trail, there will be evening events around the village during the week and three days of high quality creative endeavour over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

The evening events will feature music, theatre (hopefuly, in collaboration with Theatre in the Mill) and spoken word. We want to encourage new, experimental artwork and are keen to put on inter-disciplinary events, such as music improvised over film or hip hop and spoken word. It's great to have Iain Bloomfield from Theatre in the Mill involved.

And how do you fancy the thought of a giant felt pirate ship? Thanks to Artworks, we might have one of those, too.

Saltaire Arts Trail 2008

2010-06-01T17:31:00.004+01:00

If you are new to the Arts Trail and want to know more about it, here's a little something to whet your appetite for September.

Saltaire Arts Trail 2008
With thanks to Yvonne Carmichael.

Life Drawing with Jon Wiltshire

2010-05-31T15:36:00.003+01:00

6 hour Life drawing marathon Sunday 6th June 2010

A 6 hour marathon drawing session, Tutor led. The day will be split up into 2 parts the first being a series of drawing exercises concentrating on approaches and techniques, building confidence. The second part of the day will be a 3hr study from life. Jon says that what has become very apparent is the lack of opportunity for people to work for extended periods of time from a life model. He has acquired the beautiful The Glen Room in Victoria Hall Saltaire, where a limited number of people (maximum 20) will work from 2 models for durations of up to 3hrs.

Please contact him to reserve your place.

Sunday 6th June Victoria Hall, Victoria Road Saltaire Shipley BD18 3JS.

The class is £30 per person, which is inclusive of materials and light refreshments, Please contact him at jon.wiltshire@hotmail.com for further information and to reserve your place on the workshop or telephone 07944558232.

Reminder for Makers' Fair applications

2010-05-16T14:57:00.003+01:00

For all those still wishing to apply to the Makers' Fair, you have two weeks left. The deadline is 28th May. The quality of the applications we have received so far has been high, so we are looking forward to another great event with some very talented makers on display.

Children's Mini Trail

2010-05-04T16:45:00.002+01:00

Artworks, the fantastic Bradford-based organisation that delivers innovative projects using creativity as a force for change, will be providing a children's activities workshop as part of the Mini Trail this year. Messing around in a 3-dimensional play environment, children will be encouraged to hide and explore in dens and tunnels; they will be able to make their own flags and bunting; and also decorations, which will be used to decorate the area.

That and the amazing projects that the Thornton Grammar School students have been coming up with are going to make a very fab and very wonderful Mini Trail.

Scope for September

2010-04-09T14:26:00.010+01:00

Things are progessing nicely as we work our way towards September. With the planned move to May, in 2011, this September's event will not be a usual Arts Trail. We will instead be offering a taster or a showcase of what you can expect when you come in the early summer of 2011.

We have 7 areas that we are going to focus events around, which are: Participation, Outside Art, Evening Events, Exhibitions, Open Houses, Families and the Makers' Fair. So, in September, there will be an event in each of these categories to whet your appetite.

Being a showcase, it means that we are highlighting different aspects of the Arts Trail, including the Open Houses. We will be opening about 7 houses and will be selecting the artists from those that have exhibited in previous years. 5 of those houses will be 'selling' houses and 2 will be ones that will show work that is of a more non-commercial nature. As a consequence, this year we will not be putting a call out for artists. This is a one-off because it is a transition year, and a call will go out again towards the end of the year for artists to exhibit in the Open Houses in May 2011.

There is a tremendous wealth of artistic talent in Yorkshire and our purpose when we move to May is to showcase that in the fullest way that we can. This is one of the key reasons for the move and September is a stepping stone on that journey.

Makers' Fair

2010-03-31T09:52:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know that the Makers' fair application forms are now available to download from the website.

Last year was a fantastic event, our most successful yet, with sales over the two days totalling around £9,000. It's a popular event with the general public and with the makers who take part.

If you hand-make 3-d objects, whether its jewellery, textiles, wood, books, or something completely different, we'd love to hear from you...

Makers' Fair application forms

2010-03-23T11:53:00.005Z

Just to let you know that the Makers' Fair application forms will shortly be available online for download. Keep an eye out for them...

Exciting times for the Arts Trail

2010-03-23T10:34:00.006Z

As some of you may or may not know, we have been asking some questions about the future of the Arts Trail.

The first fledgling Arts Trail grew out of the Saltaire Festival in 2007. Since then our relationship with the Festival has been an extremely fruitful one and we are proud to have been working in close partnership with it for these last three years. Now in our fourth year we feel that there is enormous potential for the Arts Trail to develop into one of the most exciting and engaging visual arts events in the region showcasing the myriad ways that the visual arts can transform our lives. So, from 2011, the Arts Trail will be moving to May (the exact date to be confirmed) to become an event in its own right.

In May 2011, our aim will be to fill every nook and cranny in Saltaire with art, partnering with key organisations from around West Yorkshire to bring you an event we hope will inspire you.

So, this year, in September, we will have a core Arts Trail bringing you the best of the Arts Trail and letting you know what we are planning for May 2011. It's an exciting time and we are looking forward to a bright and colourful future.

Yinka Shonibare

2010-02-28T13:48:00.003Z

How do you confront serious issues like global conflict as an artist?

Here's a video of Yinka Shonibare discussing an exhibition he had in 2006.

Sumptuous, visually attractive work provides an entry where he hopes his audience will engage on a deeper level.

Thornton Grammar School

2010-02-28T13:10:00.003Z

Towards the beginning of this year, Thornton Grammar School approached us to say that they had been looking at the Arts Trail as part of their Creative and Media course. They want to use the Arts Trail as 'real life' experience for their students. So, those students on the second year of the course are designing and developing events that will be integral to this year's Mini Trail. It's about the whole process taken from the initial idea through its development to the finished product.

And the Arts Trail is extremely pleased to be in a position where we can help the school and the pupils realise some of their fantastic proposals. So, come September, you will be able to experience activities devised and developed by some very talented teenagers.

We value these partnerships highly and in the future will be looking for others, so that we can provide the opportunity for more teenagers to display their considerable flair.

Malcolm Le Grice

2010-02-18T23:49:00.002Z

I don't know if anyone has come across Malcolm Le Grice. I did today - this piece, anyway, and I thought it was stunning.

It's from 1972, called Threshold

Looking forward

2010-02-16T15:54:00.005Z

We've been doing a lot of evaluating of the Arts Trail over the winter, thinking about where we've come from and where we would like to go. Since its inception in 2007, we believed that the Arts Trail, or an event like it, in this area had enormous potential. Saltaire with its rich, evocative history is an inspiration in itself, really telling the story of industry from the Industrial Revolution to the present day: the change from rural cottage industries to the power of the machine age, the dominance of the British Empire in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and their slow decline to the mid 1980s. In its heyday, Salts Mill produced 18 miles of worsted cloth per day on its 1,200 looms employing 3,000 people. It continued to manufacture textiles for over 130 years. But by the mid 1980s, the Mill was semi-derelict.

The Mill was bought by Jonathan Silver in 1987 and, with the help of his childhood friend David Hockney, he transformed its fortunes and that of the village.

Saltaire is choc-full of creative people from artists and writers to people who work in the theatre and arts administration. The diversity of its artistic community is overwhelming. But its not just Saltaire. Shipley, Bingley, Balidon, Keighley, Bradford... There is a huge appetite for artistic experience and a multitude of practitioners engaging in all forms of creativity.

We want the Arts Trail to celebrate all of that; to be a showcase for the incredible talent that exists in this region; to draw visitors from all over the north of England and beyond; to engage people, excite them, and encourage their participation.

So, we have some plans for the future and we'll let you know about them as soon as we can.

Upcoming events

2010-01-28T13:53:00.006Z

A couple of unrelated events that I thought could be quite interesting.

Crunchtime2010 is on in York from 29th January to 6th February. It says that 'It’s a snapshot of voices contained in work engaging with how the world and living is at the present time.' There will be a series of events and exhibitions relating to art and global issues, including the planting of an oak tree and placing a stone in central York, as part of the ongoing worldwide project '7000 Oaks' initiated by Joseph Beuys.

The other thing is something to hopefully look out for in March. Bradford was designated the world's first UNESCO City of Film in June 2009. It is a fantastic accolade for Bradford. And in March, it has been proposed that there will be a high profile public 'film festival city' weekend. So, keep an eye out for information on activities throughout the Bradford District to celebrate UNESCO city of film status.

2010

2010-01-19T11:28:00.005Z

Planning has begun for 2010...

It's the beginning of the process but it feels good to be on the road again. There were many positives that came out of last year: the Open Houses were great and very popular again showcasing some fantastically talented artists; the Makers' Fair is embedding itself on the first weekend and the standard of work gets higher every year; the Open Exhibition had double the number of entries to the year before; and the Mini Trail was again a great day out for families.

We were incredibly pleased to have 3 of the country's top textile artists come and give talks (Janet Bolton, Sue Lawty and Dionne Swift) and Janet brought up 15 of her exquisite and charming pictures for exhibition.

As there always is, there were a few things that didn't go so well and we will be doing our best to learn from those mistakes. Even though it feels like it's been round of years, the Arts Trail is still relatively new and we are learning a lot as we go along.

We also worked with some fabulous organisations last year, including Bradford College, Bradford Museums and Galleries, Bradford Libraries and Kirkgate Studios and Workshops. We are very grateful to them for their hard work and enthusiasm, and hope to develop our relationship with them further.

We'll let you know what's going on and what's happening as things develop.

In the meantime, I found this fantastic piece by Jan Svankmajer that he made in 1966 - Punch and Judy.

The First Weekend

2009-09-17T11:34:00.005+01:00

Saltaire was buzzing at the weekend with people coming to visit the Arts Trail. The sun was out, the streets were packed and there was a lot of warmth and good humour in the air. The general observation was that the quality of all the artwork on the trail was high this year and that visitor numbers were up.

If you didn't get along last weekend, you really are in for a feast. The Open Houses look like 16 individually curated galleries, each with their own style and presence. Look out for the bunting hanging in the doorways, as a sure sign that there are delights waiting for you inside. In every nook and cranny there is something to discover: exhibitions, lectures, films, free activities for children...

Look out especially for lectures by Sue Lawty (Friday 18th) and Janet Bolton (Saturday 19th), and two classic films: Kes (Saturday 19th at 7pm) and The Dresser (Sunday 20th at 7pm).

Saltaire is looking at its best; if you haven't already, come and be part of it, you won't regret it.

As Featured in The Guardian

2009-08-25T12:43:00.004+01:00

The Arts Trail was featured in the Travel section of The Guardian last Saturday (23rd August). The piece was on Open Studios in Devon and we were featured under 'More Open Studios'. It's a great little write-up and is fantastic publicity.

Saltaire Village Fete

2009-07-11T21:08:00.001+01:00

We had a lovely day today at the Saltaire Village Fete. We had intended to do a drop-in workshop at the fete but in the end decided that a bit of gentle awareness raising was probably as good. So we set up a stall, sold some homemade buns, handed out some leaflets and chatted to passers by. It was fun, lots of friends from the village and children running about. The highlight I'm sure, though, was the line dancing and the belly dancing...

Every Tree Tells a Story workshop

2009-07-09T13:32:00.006+01:00

After the success of the drop-in workshop at Cartwright Hall in May, we are holding another one at Kirkgate Studios and Workshops on Saturday 18th July. We had a lovely day at Cartwright Hall and we expect to have as much fun, if not more, at Kirkgate Studios. The photos above were taken in May by Tony O'Connell.

On the 18th, it'll start at 10.30am and finish around 12.30pm, so can come anytime between then. It's free and we'll provide all the materials. During the workshop you'll be able to put your creative skills to good use making tree-inspired decorations for our wonderful recycled tree, which will be displayed at the Arts Trail in September.

Kirkgate Studios and Workshops
Kirkgate
Shipley
BD18 3EH
01274 598928

Caroline Street Social Club

2009-07-08T16:24:00.004+01:00

We had a fantastic night on Friday for the fundraising event. It was absolutely buzzing and the consensus was that it fininished far too early. A little lesson in terms of organising was that we started too early and finished too early; it really should have been 9pm 'til 1am. We'll know for next time. It really filled up from about 10.30pm as people came on from the pub. The dance floor was packed and the tunes went down a storm. We had the hardcore Ska and Reggae 'til about 9.30pm and then the crowd pleasers came out after that.

The raffle was a major hit, the trick there being the choice of quirky off-beat prizes: Elvis jigsaw; plenty of vinyl, which people loved, like The Best of Bread, The Byrds plays Dylan, a double album of Beatles' Love Songs...; a retro mint sauce container...

So a very big thank you to DJ Bamboo and the Fresh Prince of Saltaire (Adam Cole) for spinning his records and to Tony for providing us with some speakers and taking his turn on the decks. And all the people who helped put it on. There was such a buzz that there has been a call for a monthly event. It sounds good to me...

Fundraising Night

2009-07-02T09:31:00.002+01:00

The fundraising night is nearly upon us. Dj Bamboo and the Fresh Prince of Saltaire has been chasing round trying to get some powered speakers, which he's found thanks to a friend of his called Tony. Emails have gone out, posters have gone up and tickets have been sold... There's quite a buzz about it. I bumped into someone in the Post Office this morning, who was very excited, "We've found a babysitter! We're going to come!" I think there is a certain amount of intrigue as to the identity of DJ Bamboo...

Fundraising Night

2009-06-22T09:10:00.005+01:00

Tickets are now on sale for our Fundraising Night on 3rd July. It's going to be a fantastic night of Ska and Reggae, and DJ Bamboo and the Fresh Prince of Saltaire is keen to spin some vinyl. Caroline Street Social Club, on Caroline Street, Saltaire, is a great old school venue; come anytime from 7.30pm.

You'll be able to buy tickets from the Spa on Titus Street and Magic Number Three on Victoria Road, both in Saltaire. Tickets are £5 in advance or £6 on the door. If you are buying them in advance, please could you pay by cash or cheque, as it would help Ray and Georgia out enormously.

We'll be launching the Friends of Saltaire Arts Trail, too; so if you'd like to become a Friend make sure you sign up on the night, as we'll have a few little extra goodies to give away.

Come and help make it a great night; it's all in a very good cause. We look forward to seeing you there...

Selection made

2009-06-18T19:51:00.003+01:00

We had a fantastic response to our call for artists for both the Open Houses and the Makers' Fair. The deadline for applications is now past and after much careful consideration we have selected the artists and practitioners that will exhibit in the Houses and Makers' Fair. The quality of the applications was excellent again this year, which made the selection process incredibly difficult. But we are pleased with the results and are beginning to get a little bubble of excitement at the thought of September...

Open Exhibition

2009-06-05T10:20:00.006+01:00

For those artists wishing to exhibit in the Open Exhibition, application forms are now available to download from the website. The exhibition will be displayed under the magnificent glass-vaulted roof of Shipley College's Exhibition Building. It's a fantastic location to exhibit, as you can see above. We've increased the number of artworks that artists can submit to three this year, which we think will give the exhibition a little more depth. So, if you fancy applying, Chris is waiting for your application form...

Janet Bolton

2009-05-22T12:12:00.002+01:00

I am delight to say that Janet Bolton has agreed to exhibit her work at the Arts Trail this year. She is an extremely popular textiles practitioner, who has been making charming work for over 30 years. She has been on the Crafts Council selected index of makers since 1985 and her work is in many private collections, including The British Council Collection, The Crafts Council Permanent Collection and the Embroiderers Guild Museum Collection. Janet is very keen to come and talk about her work, so we are in the process of trying to make that possible...

Final call for artists

2009-05-20T11:02:00.008+01:00

There's just over two weeks to go now until the deadline for applications for both the Open Houses and the Makers' Fair. The programme looks fantastic again this year, so, if you'd like to be a part of it, make sure you download an application form from the website and get it to us by 5th June.

The events are coming along nicely. 15 houses have been confirmed so far for the Open Houses. We've got a long list of classic films that we'd like to show, including, Rita, Sue and Bob, too, The Dresser, Room at the Top...; all literary adaptations and all filmed in Yorkshire - all we need to do now is choose our top four. And there are some great leads for both the textiles exhibition and the lecture series, which we are following up. So, all in all, it is looking like a very full and inviting programme.

As soon as we firm anything up, we'll let you know...

Every Tree Tells a Story

2009-05-19T17:51:00.002+01:00

Looking for something to do with the kids this half-term? We will be holding a free drop-in workshop in the magnificent setting of Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, in Bradford, on Friday 29th May from 12pm - 3pm.

In September, as part of the Children's Mini Trail, the Every Tree Tells a Story project will feature a magical tree around which will be poetry and story-telling workshops. So, we have our tree but it is bare and we need it to blossom with fantastic tree-inspired creations. At Cartwright Hall on the 29th, the kids will be able to create leaves, birds, acorns (anything to hang in the branches a tree), made out of textiles and other recycled materials, with which we will decorate the tree.

To compliment the workshop, the Lister Park ranger will take the children on guided tours of the award-winning Lister Park to discover and investigate the wonderful diversity of trees, birds, bugs and insects...

It should be a great free day out for the kids and for you, so come along and help the Every Tree Tells a Story project burst forth...

Cartwright Hall Art Gallery
Lister Park
Bradford
BD9 4NS
Telephone: 01274 432711

Fundraising Night

2009-05-13T19:53:00.001+01:00

We are going to be holding an Arts Trail fundraising night on Friday July 3rd. It'll be a fantastic night of ska and dub reggae, with DJ Bamboo and the Fresh Prince of Saltaire on the decks playing some of those old-fashioned records. It should be a lively event and a lot of fun, so come along and bring your friends. The venue will be Caroline Street Social Club, on Caroline Street, in Saltaire from 7.30pm; £6 on the door and £5 in advance. Advanced tickets will be available in Saltaire, we'll let you know where soon.

Salts Mill

2009-04-29T09:32:00.007+01:00

I had a meeting with Maggie Silver at the end of last week and she has generously agreed that we can hold our lectures in Salts Mill. We are absolutely delighted. Salts Mill currently houses the world's largest permanent collection of the work of David Hockney and, if you haven't been, it's a fantastic place to visit. As you can see, it's a spectacular building, built in 1853, spectacular partly because the architects were so lavish in their use of glass due to the repeal of Window Tax in 1851. The Arts Trail will benefit enormously from being able to use the wonderful facilities at the mill - we now hope we can attract some great artists to come and talk...
Images courtesy of Education Bradford's NGfL.

Lectures

2009-04-23T09:12:00.005+01:00

Last night, I had an extremely constructive conversation with Amanda Chinneck, who has agreed to co-ordinate the lecture series we intend to put on this year. She has a passion for contemporary art and textiles, having worked at the Crafts Council and now as Exhibitions and Displays Manager at the National Media Museum, Bradford, and she has produced a short-list of some very interesting artists we'd like to approach to speak at the Arts Trail in September.

All the artists we've chosen use textiles in some way within their work. It might be in a cultural and historical context, like Yinka Shonibare; as mark making, in the paintings of Michael Raedecker; or in the agit-prop art form of banner making, like David Jacques.

We have a short-list of six from which we are looking to find two to speak in September. I am going to see someone this afternoon about a venue and, if they agree, the prospect of these lectures is very exciting indeed.

Animation

2009-04-01T20:17:00.005+01:00

I was looking up various bits and pieces earlier on today, seeing what I could find, when part of the name of one of my lecturers at college popped into my head. It took a bit of time to bring Suky Best to mind but it came eventually and so did finding two very different animations. The first is hers, Early Birds, a hand-drawn rotoscoped animation commissioned for Channel 4, and the second, which also appeared on Channel 4, is just totally charming and is by Barnaby Barford, called Damaged Goods.

We have put a call out for artists today for both the Open Houses and Makers' Fair. This is when the Arts Trail starts to pick up momentum - seeing the applications coming in and examples of some of the fantastic work that is being produced. It's a time of promise...

Guy Sherwin

2009-03-26T08:41:00.003Z

Typically with these things, I post a link to where you can find 'Railings' and the link fails... So I've scooted around this morning trying to find it at another location, to no avail unfortunately. I have, though, come across another film/performance by him, the film part of which was originally made in 1976, called 'Man with Mirror'. It's just a beautiful piece of work.

Interaction

2009-03-25T17:28:00.011Z

We want to try to make this a place for you to interact with, as well as keep you up-dated on the development of the Arts Trail. So, we are keen to show video and audio work or for you to point us in the direction of anything that you feel is of interest. It might be a talk or discussion that you've come across, a piece of text that you've read somewhere or an exhibition that you enjoyed (or didn't). If there's a link to it, and we like it, we'll post it here on the blog. You can email us via the 'contribute' box on the right...

I was shown this film a dozen years ago while I was at college and was absolutely blown away by it. It's called 'Railings' and was made by Guy Sherwin in 1977.

Welcome

2009-03-24T13:00:00.002Z

Welcome to the brand new Saltaire Arts Trail blog. Here we'll keep you up to date with the all latest events, news and useful information about the Arts Trail.