SoCo SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2009 AND CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dear SoCo Member,
We've had a fantastic and full year of events, with more to come (See calendar of events below). Our AGM is coming round again and we do urge you to attend. Aside from the formal election of the committee, it's an opportunity to contribute your views, suggestions - or concerns. SoCo depends on members' involvement and encouragement. It's always
encouraging when members respond to the opportunities we provide, volunteer to help, or
come up with constructive suggestions for developing our activities.
We are also contactable through the SoCo website (www.soco.org.uk), our email address (socoartists1@btinternet.com) or our postal address at Oak Passage Studios.
We are steadily building our membership - currently at 68 members and of course, we also need membership renewals and new members.
Our recent postcard show & sale was a great success and we are retaining the remainder of artworks in our studio portfolio, to represent Soco members' work. This event was so well attended that we're inspired to hold another one next year.
Coastal Currents this year has a visual arts focus and it's a great opportunity for SoCo artists to participate and benefit from audiences attracted by the festival which is marketed, through its brochure, from Folkestone to Brighton. SoCo's main Coastal Currents event this year is the forthcoming exciting collaboration "Conversations from the Edge" show, for which we've managed to secure St. Mary in the Castle as our venue. On July 16th (5pm) we're holding a first meeting for interested artists at the venue, during which we will discuss the show's concept and contents. Please do attend even if you're mildly curious because for the first time SoCo is collaborating with a new group of artists: Phg (Photo hub Group)
Phg (Photo hub Group) has just been formed by Andrew Moran, Grace Lau, and Lucy Bell as a photography hub working towards the first photography festival in Hastings, connecting with the Brighton Photo Biennale in 2010. So the EDGE show will have an integrated presentation,with, hopefully, experimental new works from both Soco and Phg artists.
See the calendar below for information on all SoCo events, during Coastal Currents and beyond including a themed SoCo members Exhibition In November/ December, also at St. Mary in the Castle
Finally, I am stepping down as Vice Chair in order to focus my energy and time on developing the new Phg, as photography is my main medium. So I'm not really leaving SoCo, just the formal post. Its been a very rewarding time working with the SoCo committee and members, sometimes frustrating, sometimes scary but always exciting.
Grace Lau (Vice Chair - SoCo)
July 2009
SoCo CALENDAR JULY NOVEMBER
( Please note: this information is correct at time of circulation we will notify you of any changes and/or further events, as soon as possible)
JULY
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Reminder that most members are due to renew their membership during July/ August. You can download a renewal form from the website: http:// www.soco.org .uk. Renewal forms will also be available at the AGM.
JULY 17th
SoCo AGM 7pm @ Hastings Motorboat and Yacht Club Rock a- Nore (far end of Rock a Nore, bar + free parking ) Election of committee. Very important to attend if you possibly can. RSVP to socoartists1@btinternet.com or tel Carolyn Jackson 01424 423194
AUGUST
HASTINGS HOT HOUSES: AUGUST 1st/2nd, 6th/7th/8th/9th Many Soco artists will be showing in Hastings Hot Houses, timed to co-incide with Old Town Week, with some also opening late for the First Thursday event on 6th August. Do let us know if you're involved so that we can publicise to other SoCo members.
AUGUST 16th: Costume Life Drawing day at The Beacon 10am - 4pm
Painting & drawing from costume model. A chance to be totally self indulgent , flamboyant / colourful, with input from Charlotte Snook and Angie Braven! SoCo members £15 Non SoCo members £20 (Light lunch included)
To book: Contact j.dewsbery@btinternet.com or (01424 ) 431305
SoCo Summer Show at the Conquest Hospital.
Exhibition: Continuing until 16th August:
A selection of work by Soco members: paintings, prints, photographs, 3-D pieces and a sound installation, including work by: Brian Rybolt, Patrick Burton, Sineid Codd, Charlotte Snook, Angie Braven, and Annie Soudain. All works are for sale
SEPTEMBER
SoCo exhibitions and events during COASTAL CURRENTS FESTIVAL
SEPT 5th/6th 12th/13th
Open Studios
Showcasing SoCo Projects and taster selection of work by SoCo members @ our base at Oak Passage Studios ( Top of steps by Pump House pub in George Street or Follow path by the Wardrobe Dress Shop, High Street. (More info to follow)
SEPT 20th - 0CT 4th
Conversations from the Edge
Exhibition at St. Mary in the Castle, Hastings (café entrance in Pelham Arcade) 20 Sept 4 Oct 2009 Open: 10.30am - 6pm
SoCo (South Coast artists) and the newly-formed photo hub group (PhG) collaborate to explore a strip of our local landscape to interpret the shifting layers of cultural, temporal and spatial changes. Some works will be available for sale.
A seminar with the exhibiting artists presenting their work, in conversation with visiting speakers, will take place during the show on Sunday 27th September :
Time 5.00 8.00pm. To book contact socoartists1@btinternet.com
SEPT 25th 7pm -9pm
Interactive Installation at The Beacon: Paper kimonos a garden of intrigue.
Sensory stimulation created with colour, texture and light based on and around an idea of handcrafted contemporary Kimonos. Curated for SoCo by Judy Dewsbery, collaborating with Linda King and David Reeve; including works by SoCo members and surprise exhibitors... an inspiration...
Event is free. Static exhibition continues Saturday and Sunday (26th and 27th) 2-4pm
Further info: http://www.beaconhastings.com or http://www.soco.org.uk
Workshops: (Paper Kimonos) prior to event 16th, 17th, 21st September, 11am-5pm. sessions to construct kimonos in paper for live event/performance. Transient garments that blossom, then die.
Admission £8 (includes nibbles and paper)
Contact j.dewsbery@btinternet.com or (01424 ) 431305 to book for workshops.
(The Beacon 67 -68 St Mary's Terrace, sea end, down unadopted track near Angel Inn)
OCTOBER
Saturday October 3rd @ The Beacon 10am to 4pm Soco Textiles Workshop 'Reconstructing the Familiar' A second workshop with Carly Ralph, continuing the theme of deconstruction/reconstruction.
SoCo members £20, Non SoCo members £25 (Includes light lunch)
This workshop is part of SoCo's ongoing Webs and Nets project, which seeks to challenge boundaries between fine art and textiles.
NOVEMBER
Further workshops dates TBC
November 20th Dec 6th Members Exhibition at St. Mary in the Castle: A themed exhibition for SoCo members: Further details to follow