After our very successful “Seeking Sanctuary” event across Hastings area, we are now planning further activities for the next six months. But meanwhile, it is essential that we receive your membership subs to support our work. Renewal forms can be downloaded from our website. Please send your payment to Lynne Bingham, Membership Secretary, (2 The Lawn, St Leonards on Sea, TN38 0HH) BEFORE November 15th, or your name will not be on our updated listing.

Other News:

1) Creative Workshops :  the next one will be on Sunday,  9th Nov, led by Oska Lappin at the Beacon, Hastings, from 10am-4pm. This introduces woodblock relief printing from a simple narrative which will be constructed by participants. All materials provided.
Cost is £12 for Soco members, including simple lunch. £15 for others.
Booking by 2nd Nov is essential. Please phone Judy Dewsbury on 01424 431 305

Followed by Chris Milton's workshop on November 23rd; details announced later.

2) Christmas Show : We are looking for suitable venue for a week's members show with works for sale.  Suggested idea is that all works should be size 7”x7” or 7”x5” on any medium. Please do tell us if you have ideas about venues.

3) Let's Do Business event: November 13th at Kings Church, The Ridge, Hastings.
We have been offered a free stall and it's a great opportunity for Soco to network with business sponsors/partners. It's also a great way to promote your own art. So please do support us by letting Lesley have any of your artists cards, posters, leaflets and a piece of visually stunning artwork that we can display to represent our organisation. It can be for sale so include your name, title, price. We need this by November 5th.

Lesley asks for help in manning the stall, even for two or three hours, please call her on 01424 713 873, also for information about delivery of artworks, etc.


4) Conquest Hospital art exhibition . This will take place in March/April and we will keep you informed.

5) Computer skills : Many artists need lessons on computer skills involving Photoshop, making websites, simple creative designs for postcards, name cards, posters etc. We have an Applemac computer, scanner and printer at Oak Passage, and are planning small classes for up to three people at a time with a small fee, to develop your skills.  If anyone is interested, please email us with your specific requirement and when you would be free. If we receive enough response, we will set up a pilot class in the near future.

This year has been experimental, exciting, eventful and, we believe, successful. Thanks to all of you who have supported us in offering your skills, your time and ideas. Thanks also to the Arts Council for development funding and Hastings Borough Council for relocation funding. Much thanks due to Carolyn Jackson for getting us Awards For All funding and coordinating/organising Seeking Sanctuary through.

Having built us a respectable foundation, however, we can't relax and wait for things to happen. We have to make them happen. So Lesley and I appeal to all of our members: your support is essential, contact us (email: socoartists@btconnect.com ) and check our website (www.soco.org.uk < http://www.soco.org.uk > ) regularly and share your ideas, your work, and yourselves with us through the next year.