Q & A with printmaker Janis Goodman

Perhaps typifying the handcrafted spirit that all our SAT 2012 artists and makers share, Janis Goodman creates intricate etchings on a old commercial printing press crammed into a corner of her own home!


Janis, who'll be exhibiting in 19 Ada Street, has been kind enough to answer some of our questions about her creative practice and motivations for applying to be a part of this years Arts Trail.

Q & A with jewellery designer Christine Davies

This years call for artists and makers for SAT 2012 was extended far further than for previous event.  Christine, based in Birmingham, answered that call and is looking forward to her first 'solo show' at Saltaire.


Christine Davies Jewellery will be exhibiting in the grand surroundings of the Victoria Hall as part of the Makers Fair.

Q & A with Art Trail homeowner and artist Martin Priestley

Martin Priestley, owner of 19 Titus Street tells us all about the experience of opening his house to the general public as part of the Arts Trail, including a chance encounter with the a rude ex-tenant of his house.

Martin will also be exhibiting his photographs as part of the Arts Trail.

Q & A with printmakers Salt Press

Rachel from Salts Press was kind enough to take some time out from the busy build up to the Arts Trail to answer some of our questions.

Salt Press will be exhibiting at 19 Ada Street during SAT 2012.

Q & A with Saltaire Homeowner Sharon Ashton

You may have noticed we've been posting Q&A's with some our the lovely and talented artists in the lead up to SAT2012.  Well, as a bit of change we thought it also be good to interview a number of the Open House home owners, without who's kind support the event just wouldn't be the same.


First up is Sharon Ashton of 10 Edward Street who'll not only be opening her doors to the general public for the fourth time, but also will be exhibiting her wonderful textile creations.  Busy lady!

Q & A with Photographer Nicola Taylor

In the second of our Q&A sessions with makers and artists from SAT2012, photographer and Open Houser Nicola Taylor shares some of her thoughts, images and a movie trailer with us!


Nicola will be exhibiting in the Wunderkammer during SAT2012

Q & A with Kate Lycett - Open Houser

Kate Lycett, one of our returning Open House artists, has been very obliging to provide some answers to a brief Q&A we sent out to the SAT makers and artists.  Who'd have thought that someone who creates such beautiful work could be a closet speed demon on the road, 68.7 mph in a Fiat Panda indeed!

Kate is in 19 Titus Street this year as part of the Open House event, and can also be found online at www.katelycett.co.uk


Tell us about the work you do and the types of materials you use.
I work on thick watercolour paper, and layers of inks, gouache, acrylic. My paintings build up from
dark to light, and at the final stage I pick out details with my old sewing machine and pieces of gold
leaf.

Where do you produce your work? Does your working environment form part of the
inspiration for your art?
I have a studio in my house, though there is an outbuilding in the courtyard earmarked for me to
move into one day. My environment in key to my work. I live in the centre of Hebden Bridge,
though the house predates most of the town's industrial past. I can see 3 million chimneys from my
studio window, and there are the remains of a vast one in the garden – the flue for steam running
under the road and the neighbour's house. I am surrounded by defunct industrial buildings, and
tiered houses built for the textile workers. I know that they used to be soot blackened and that
everywhere was dark. I love it that the chimney in my garden is now full of nesting birds, and that
the formerly blackened houses are made colourful by washing lines and pots of flowers.

Is your art your main job?
Aside from three small children, Yes!

How did you get started?
I worked for a long time as a corporate textile designer. The design briefs were strict – particularly
when it came to colour – so I used to paint for a bit of escapism. I didn't paint landscapes until I
moved to West Yorkshire 7 years ago. I took the decision when my first daughter was born to take
the plunge and try to make a living painting. I've never regretted it, and I've never looked back.

What work will you be exhibiting at the Saltaire Arts Trail?
I will have a selection of hand finished prints, as well as a couple of original paintings. Most
exciting for me is that I am hoping to have my new lanterns ready to sell for the first time. I've been
working on them for months! They are flat, cut out designs, that wrap around a candle. So I suppose
I am highlighting with light, rather than with gold. I have hit all sorts of technical hitches, but I have
been told that is par for the course. I'm very proud of them. But sending them out into the big wide
world is going to be a bit of a mother hen moment.

Where else can we see and buy your work?
I supply galleries in Hebden Bridge, Brighouse, Pembridge and Knaresborough. I'm currently
preparing for a solo exhibition at the Calder Gallery in Hebden Bridge this autumn. I also open my
house as part of Hebden Bridge's Open Studio event.

What was it about the Saltaire Arts Trail that made you want to apply to exhibit?
Honestly? To look inside the houses! I love Saltaire. I come often with my family to the mill and
the park and have often meandered down the streets of pretty houses. I was thrilled to be invited to
be part of the trail last year.

What is unique about it and how does it differ from other events?
I think the event is unique because Saltaire is unique. Everything is nice and close, and walking
between the venues is as enjoyable as seeing the beautiful things on display in the houses.

Could you leave us with one more interesting fact about yourself or your work?
I currently hold the land speed record for a Fiat Panda at 68.7 mph.

Interview with SAT volunteer co-ordinator Becky Kidner

As you can see, Becky's been with us a few years now.  We thought it was about time we promoted all the good work she and all the other volunteers do for SAT.  Becky really seems to get something out of giving up her spare time to help.  If you fancy joining the team and help out over the weekend of the event then please drop us a line at hello@saltaireartstrail.co.uk  


Interview with SAT Volunteer Co-ordinator Becky Kidner


Q. How did you first get involved with the Arts Trail?
A. When I moved to Saltaire in 2009 I was a visitor to the Saltaire Festival which the Arts Trail was attached to. The following year I had a look on the Saltaire Arts Trail website and noticed they were in need of volunteers. I emailed and volunteered myself to help out over the 2 weekends the Arts Trail was on during the Saltaire Festival.

Q. What is your role as a volunteer?
A. Having volunteered during the Festival I then wanted to become a bit more involved in the organisation of it all. I then joined the Saltaire Arts Trail Organising committee and took on some additional duties throughout the year such as responding to emails, forwarding queries on and some adhoc administration jobs as and when they arose. Last year (2011) was the first year the Arts Trail became a stand alone event, and I was really proud to have been part of the organisation for it. I took on the role of Volunteer Coordinator which I will be doing again this year.

Q. What do you enjoy about volunteering for the Arts Trail?
A. I really love being part of the Arts Trail. It’s a fantastic event and is such a great opportunity to be involved in something so community spirited. I enjoy meeting people, and working with other volunteers who all put so much time and effort into making the event what it is.

The Arts Trail is run almost entirely by volunteers and we are always on the hunt for more people to join the team. If you are interested in volunteering for us either during the Arts Trail weekend itself (5th - 7th May 2012), or with various events and jobs throughout the year - please do get in touch with us at hello@saltaireartstrail.co.uk hello@saltaireartstrail.co.uk.

The Arts Trail really is a fantastic event to get involved with. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of it, and look forward to meeting and working with even more lovely volunteers who will love being a part of it too!

Screen Printing - from concept to product by Open House artist Salts Press

A fantastic glimpse into the screen printing used by Open House artist Salts Press.  From initial idea and preliminary sketches through to the finished product, this video gives a good walk-through of the screen printing process and all it involves.  Salts Press will be exhibiting at 19 Ada Street throughout Saltaire Arts Trail 2012.


Thanks to Salts Press and Dave Hackney for the video.

We've changed our website and brand

Here at Saltaire Arts Trail we've been going through bit of an online evolution in the recent past. We thought it might be fun to post a few thoughts from Laura who works as part of the SAT Marketing team as to why we went through the whole redesign process.

If 2011 was all about dipping our toes in the water as a stand-alone event, 2012 is all about diving in head first! Not only have we got an exciting and packed programme of events, we’ve also spent the last few months revamping the website and visual identity of the trail.

Over the years our website has stood us in good stead, but as the Trail has grown, so have our requirements online. Indeed, one of the key aims of Saltaire Arts Trail is to promote independent artists and makers and we needed an outlet to do this online. This is where we called upon the folks at Maraid Design.

After several months beavering away in the background, we now have a fantastic new website that gives us the control and flexibility we need. It means we have a platform to shout about all 120 of this year’s talented artists and makers. It includes an interactive map for all the Open Houses, as well as a great visual display for the Makers Fair. Each artist has their own page with a link back to their own site and we’ve got plenty of space to add details of exhibitions and events as they get firmed up – especially useful now the brochure print deadline has passed! There’s no way you’re not going to hear about all the great stuff that’s happening now!

Back in November, we also put our graphic design out to tender and following a lengthy pitch process, brought on board the team at Firecatcher. They’ve since been working hard putting together the brochure, flyers, posters and all the printed material that you’re sure to see popping up very soon. All of the illustrations, both in print and online have been created especially for us by Firecatcher and reflect the character of Saltaire that’s so much a part of our identity. The design brief was quite tricky, but I think they’ve managed to strike the right balance and appeal to the range of people we had in mind and am really pleased with the end result.

But more importantly, what do you think?

Laura

SAT Marketing 2012

Saltaire Arts Trail website hompage