bhaam whats on

The Border Project is an exciting and innovative series of art installations and exhibitions created for Somerset Art Weeks by the Blackdown Hills Artists and Makers (BHaam). The events will take place between September 18 th and October 4 th 2009 and is a creative response to the Devon\Somerset border, running along a 12 mile stretch within the Blackdown Hills.

The various events will explore many aspects of what constitutes a ‘Border' and will include border posts, contemporary dance, walks mapping the border, art installations and pinhole tent photography. There will also be exhibitions at The Merry Harriers inn and Wallace's Farm Shop. A BHaam ‘passport' will be issued to all participants who will then attend the various events and obtain passport stamps. These will be available from local information points.

During September ‘08 almost 9000 people attended art events in the Blackdown Hills which were run as part of Somerset Art Weeks. BHaam sees this as an opportunity to connect with the local community and those further afield through art and appreciation of the beauty of the Blackdown Hills.

Artwork created by 150 children from Hemyock Primary School is currently being exhibited alongside work by BHaam artists at the East Devon Business Centre, Heathpark, Honiton from 7 th July to 15 th September.

The work entitled ‘Belonging' is part of the ‘Border' project being run by BHaam and has been created as a result of workshops run by two BHaam artists Fiona Hamilton and Jane Lawrence. The intention - to identify borders both personal and collective, whilst connecting the children personally with their school community and their local area – to realise their place within it and to increase their sense of ‘belonging'. The workshops have been made possible and funded by the Blackdown Hills AONB Sustainable Development Fund.

Following exhibition at the East Devon Business Centre, Honiton, ‘Belonging' will be exhibited in Somerset Arts Weeks 2009, alongside BHaam work for the ‘Border' project at a venue along the Devon/Somerset border.

For more information of these events, how and where to view please visit www.somersetartworks.org.uk or for regular updates revisit www.bhaam.org.uk

Pre-empting the forthcoming BHaam/SAW ‘Border' events in Sept/Oct BHaam Members invited the community to ‘map' their own personal borders within the lines of the Tennis Courts– over 50 people of all ages turned up to participate and a good time was had by all. A few images of the event are attached below:

NB: If you wish to use the old tennis court space in Hemyock, have any ideas for projects/ workshops/ art installation please contact a Committee member or e-mail Fiona Hamilton on fionahamilton@tiscali.co.uk .

Belonging' is an artwork by Fiona Hamilton and Jane Lawrence. The work is part of the ‘Border' project being produced by the Blackdown Hills Artists and Makers (BHaam) for Somerset Art Works Sept 18 th – Oct 4 th 2009 (more details of this event will be posted nearer the time on www.bhaam.org.uk )

Connecting man with his borders, Fiona and Jane will be threading jumpers given by the community from both sides of the Devon/Somerset border, through the trees and along the hedges of the county boundary. The work identifies the border and evokes an awareness of the links between humanity and the landscape, past and present.

If you would like to donate a jumper/ cardigan from your family to the ‘Belonging' art project please contact either Fiona on 01823 680942 or Jane on 01460 57022

At the end of the project the jumpers will be donated to a charity which helps people living in poverty at borders across the world. It would be our preference to give the actual jumpers however if this is not possible the jumpers will be sold and the money raised, donated instead.

A series of workshops, artworks, installations, events and exhibitions are being created by members of BHaam for the Somerset Art Works event Sept 18 th – Oct 4 th 2009. The various events will explore many aspects of what constitutes a ‘Border' and will take place/ be placed at venues along the Devon / Somerset border. Planned events range from border posts, walks mapping the border, dance, pinhole tent photography, art installation and lots more. Details of individual events will be available nearer the time on www.bhaam.org.uk , in the Somerset Art Works catalogue and in ‘Border Passports' available from local information points

AGM
Date: Weds June 17 th 7.30 pm
Venue: Cornhill Room, Catherine Wheel Pub, Hemyock

BHaam/ SAW Border Project
Interested parties met to walk, discuss and map a small portion of the Devon Somerset border with string, twine and wool. A few photographs recording the journey are below.

OLD TENNIS COURTS SPACE, HEMYOCK
BHaam's rental of the above space began 1.1.09. A few members couldn't resist working with the sub zero conditions – herewith a few initial experimentations with the space:

OPEN AIR FILM SCREENING !!!
An open air screening of locally made film will take place shortly – WATCH THIS SPACE for details.

If you wish to use the old tennis court space in Hemyock, have any ideas for projects/ workshops/ art installation please contact a Committee member or e-mail Fiona Hamilton on fionahamilton@tiscali.co.uk.

Free BHaam membership to under 21's
If you are under 21, involved in the creative arts and living within the Blackdown Hills you are now entitled to join BH aam free of charge and to have your work promoted under the ‘Young People' section of this website. To join all you need to do is complete a BHaam Young Persons Application Form and post back to Louise Cottey (see under ‘Who we are'). To post work on the website you will need to send a photograph of your work (max 400 pixels wide) together with your name and any other details you wish to give including a description of the art form to fionahamilton@tiscali.co.uk. NB: If artwork please include details of media e.g. acrylic on paper/ photograph/ charcoal drawing/ mixed media etc., if music, dance or other performance give name of band/ music type/ event & date etc.

1. Calling all creative thinkers, artists,
makers & performers
Do you want to be involved in a BHaam SAW event? Are you free next Tuesday 16th Dec at 8.00 pm?

Intention: To create work for a series of events/ workshops/ interventions along the Somerset/Devon border during Somerset Arts Week 2009.

Interested/ got some good ideas? Initial meeting to be held on Tuesday 16 th December, 8.00 pm at The Catherine Wheel Pub, Hemyock - please come, all welcome you do not have to be a BHaam member to become involved. If you are interested but cannot make the meeting please contact myself Fiona Hamilton on fionahamilton@tiscali.co.uk or 01823 680942

2. Exciting ‘space' offered to BHaam –
do you have any ideas?
BHaam has been offered the opportunity to utilise the ‘old' tennis courts site in Hemyock. Starting in January and initially for a year the site has great potential both for individual members of BHaam and also collaborative work with members of the community. This space is a fabulous opportunity and BHaam will be working closely with the Parish Hall Committee to ensure intentions are suitable. Nothing is set in stone regarding use of the space and initial ideas range from film showings, performances and art interventions to community workshops and a space for exhibition of artworks. It is also hoped to utilise the space for Professional Development, inviting professional artists from outside the area to work with local arts practitioners and the community.

Film Night Saturday 28th February
In the long-term, funding will be sought to develop a series of events, however in the short-term and as use commences from the beginning of January 2009 it has been decided to set the ball rolling with a film night on Saturday 28 th February. A working party comprising Tim Martin, Liz Gregory, Sally Clark and Sarah George will be putting together material for the showing and if anyone has any archive footage of the area, arts project film or indeed anything they feel relevant please contact one of the above.

Any Ideas?
To utilise this ‘space' fully and successfully we need YOUR input and welcome all ideas and offers of participation – is there something you would like to use the space for – would you like to create work within the space, develop workshops and/or a community project or stage a performance? Let us know your thoughts and aspirations – this is a unique opportunity – we look forward to hearing from you.

BH aam painted fence as eye-catching as ever at the ‘Celebrating the Blackdowns' Event Saturday 20th September

Being recent beneficiaries of Leader+ funding, alongside New Eyes and Landance, BHaam were invited to take part in the above. As can be seen from the photographs it proved to be a glorious day (one of few this summer) and attendance was good. The event provided an excellent opportunity for members of BHaam to meet the public and to promote the Arts within the Blackdown Hills AONB.

‘Face It Portrait' (Acrylic Paint)
by Venetia Miller (Age 14)

Free BH aam membership to under 21's
If you are under 21, involved in the creative arts and living within the Blackdown Hills you are now entitled to join BH aam free of charge and to have your work promoted under the ‘Young People' section of this website. To join all you need to do is complete a BHaam Application Form and post back to Louise Cottey (see under ‘Who we are'). To post work on the website you will need to send a photograph of your work (max 400 pixels wide) together with your name and any other details you wish to give including a description of the art form to fionahamilton@tiscali.co.uk. NB: If artwork please include details of media e.g. acrylic on paper/ photograph/ charcoal drawing/ mixed media etc., if music, dance or other performance give name of band/ music type/ event & date etc.

BHaam Events
‘A Fence of Many Colours’
Community Arts Project – Wellington Monument

BHaam, Blackdown Hills Artists and Makers have recently been involved in a community arts project at the Wellington Monument site in Somerset. The objective was to paint the corrugated fencing which currently surrounds the monument, with the help of local community groups and members of the general public. Funding was sought and received from Leader+ c/o The Blackdown Hills Business Association AONB to support the project.

The Monument is owned by the National Trust who have erected the barrier for safety reasons as the monument is in need of repair. As the barrier will be in place for some time, local artists felt that it needed to look more appealing hence the project was born. The National Trust have given their full support to the work.

Over 3 weeks, 300+ members of the local community, school children and art students together with members of the general public and users of the site collaborated with members of BHaam to add their own colourful stripe, painting in all weathers – sunshine and snow!! to produce what has become a quite stunning a highly unique ‘Fence of many Colours’.

Devon Open Studios, the largest visual art event in the county, has 230 artists taking part in 111 venues. This includes four artists from the Blackdown Hills who will be opening their studios to the public during the above dates. Visitors are offered a unique opportunity to see artists in their studios and discuss their work with them. The event offers a huge array and variety of ceramics, paintings, textiles, sculpture and crafts. Details of the venues and artists taking part will be in the forthcoming catalogue which will be widely available nearer the time (at libraries, TIC's etc).

Blackdown Hills artists taking part include Kathy Ramsay Carr (oil paintings) at her studio at Kerswell, Sarah Bovey (mixed media paintings), Ann Janes (paintings on reclaimed wood) and John Farmer (wood scultures and paintings) at 2 studios near Upottery.

Following the sell-out, groundbreaking marquee performances of Foresight last October, eighteen writers in East Devon parishes have, in a series of workshops led by playwright and director Nick Stimson, each written a New Talking Head based on the well-known format used by Alan Bennett. Each lasts 15 minutes and they will be performed – a different six each night – at Payhembury Hall on Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 of October, starting at 7.00pm.

Each New Talking Head is being transformed into a filmic version through the drawing of storyboards, under the direction of , Jim Stanes , a Payhembury resident and graphic artist who works in films, and all will be filmed in an Exeter University drama studio by Ben Vallack ( 0117 230 9 236 ben@phototropic.co.uk) of PhotoTropic Productions, Exeter , and issued as a DVD. Six of the eighteen will be chosen to tour to The Tacchi Morris Arts Centre and Ottery St Mary Institute.

Tickets for these performances can be obtained at the door or in advance (remember ‘Foresight' sold out within five days of the tickets going on sale) from Paula Nelson on 01404 841232 or paulafnelson@aol.com

Ticket prices: per person (i.e. it must be the same person who uses the multi-ticket) £6 for1 night, £10 for 2 nights and £12 for 3 nights. Under 16s are free.

SHERBORNE HOUSE ARTS
in partnership with THE STUDY GALLERY
presents
ARTWORK + DISCOURSE
Exhibition and creative dialogue

SEMINAR for artists
Engaging with: Art and Archaeology

Thursday 13 November 2008 : 10am – 4.30pm
Art inspired by archaeology, archaeology as art. What relevance has our past for contemporary artists? Past lives have shaped our landscape, left their mark though accident or design – how is our landscape interpreted visually as well as scientifically. What stories are evoked by the art and artefacts of our ancestors?

Using the works in the accompanying exhibition as a starting point, Engaging with Art and Archaeology will offer a stimulating series of presentations and discussions exploring the relationship between art and archaeology including a presentation on the current Stonehenge Riverside Project.

Speakers include:
Dr Andrew Jones, Lecturer in Prehistoric Archaeology University of Southampton; Dr Joshua Pollard, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Bristol; Dr Helen Wickstead, Archaeologist and Project Coordinator for Artists in Archaeology and artists Leo Duff, Amanda Wallwork, Brian Graham and Brian Rice.

The day is aimed at professional artists from ALL disciplines.

COST:
£25 (includes sandwich lunch)
VENUE:
The Study Gallery, The College, North Road, Poole. Bournemouth. BH14 0LS

If you are in the Kes Tor vicinity you might like to visit Shovel Down as just behind the tor there are some interesting hut circles.

This is the spot Yuli Somme chose to site her Feet Felt land sculpture. She makes the connection between our ancient ancestors and our contemporary predicament with regard to climate change and the energy crisis.

She dressed the feet of 40 volunteers, including children, in raw wool from Frenchbeer Farm. As they walked the wool felted, resulting in poignant moulded feet felts. These feet are being allowed to slowly biodegrade back to the land they came from, a reminder of the natural cycle of life.

Yuli explores new and old ways of using wool, a natural, sustainable and local resource which is currently being wasted as its value is so low. The issue of textile manufacture should be as high on the agenda as food production, namely; where the raw material comes from, how it is manufactured, used and disposed of at the end of its useful life.

Pub nights, come and see the storyteller and musician perform their spellbinding work, at the Holman Clavel 10th July 8.00pm and at Wych Lodge 13th August 6.00 to 8.00pm.

The project is now into its 5th month and the work is really coming alive in all its different forms. The four artists are from very different disciplines but all are responding to the layers of nature and culture imbedded in this beautiful stretch of landscape.

Sue Palmer, artist, is creating an art based website which will explore the layers of movement and migration within the landscape. She is also asking questions about what a landscape is and what it is not. She is asking these questions to herself and to other people whilst walking across the land. These encounters will be documented on short films along with observations of nature, local culture and politics.

Jane Mowat, printmaker and carver, is carving a 16m long fallen oak tree (for it's location contact Neroche office on 01823 680846). She is using imagery inspired by the tales and songs crafted by Jane and Fiona (see below) and the wild life in the woods nearby. It is very exciting to see how this site-specific new work will emerge.

The storyteller, Jane Flood and musician, Fiona Barrow have been researching in folklore archives and amongst local people and have gathered a lot of traditional songs and stories and have worked these into a new performance which they have performed in the woods at the Neroche Bushcraft event and at other local events.

'When we play out in the forest the work really comes alive in a totally different way than working indoors'. Fiona Barrow

Join SAW for a mystery tour through the leafy lanes of Somerset to explore the wonderful world of Artists' open studios!

Our knowledgeable and friendly guide will accompany you on a specially selected route, introduce you to the artists and make sure you experience the full flavour and variety of Art Weeks.

Tours will run on the following dates in September: Saturday 13th 2-6pm, Friday 19th 10am-2pm, Saturday 20th 2-6pm, Friday 26th 10am-2pm, Saturday 27th 10am-6pm (full day).

Minibuses will collect from a selection of pick up points, further details on the booking form.

Adults: £10 (short day), £20 (full day), Children and full time students: £5 (short day) £10 (full day), Children under 2 free.

To book: email arts@somersetartweek.org.uk tel 01458 254253 for a booking form and further details. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.

THE BLACKDOWN DRAGONS PROJECT

The Blackdown Dragons Project explores the stories of the two Blackdown dragons at Castle Neroche and Churchstanton. Artist Gordon Field has worked with three Blackdown Primary Schools exploring the potential of these dragon stories. With the wealth of images and ideas for dragon figures and related products it is clear that there is a great deal of interest and potential in branding the dragons, and staging a future ‘Dragonfest' on the Blackdown Hills. The next stage is to raise further funding for the project. Gordon is seeking ideas for potential projects, workshops and local producers wishing to develop dragon related products.

blackdown dragons

Contact Gordon at gordon@thefield.eclipse.co.uk with any ideas you may have or if you wish to become involved in the project.

The Neroche Scheme in the Blackdown Hills has just commissioned four new artists for 2008.

Two artists have been commissioned to work pacifically with community groups; they are storyteller Jane Flood and musician Fiona Barrow. They are both highly experienced and accomplished in their field. They will be working with schools, from the Neroche area, and community and youth groups from both the local area and from Wellington and Taunton. So look out for events and workshops coming soon.

Sue Palmer has been commissioned to produce sound and video pieces to go on the Web and on hand held PDAs. She has some interesting ideas she wants to explore around the migratory and transitory paths made by humans and non-humans across the Neroche landscape.

And finally we have just commissioned Jane Mowat to carve her stunning reliefs onto fragments of wood from the Neroche forests.

We are thrilled to have four such high quality artists to bring alive this rapidly changing stretch of forests and beautiful hills.
Look out for more news on this exiting arts project or visit www.nerochescheme.org

2008 open studios event will be from 13th – 28th September
2009 exhibitions and events will be open from 19th – 4th October 2009

BHaam have booked the East Devon Business Centre exhibition space for three months from Tues 7th July to Thursday 17th September 2009.

We intend to utilise the space for a Group Exhibition showcasing the work of BHaam members together with a preview of work-in-progress for the forthcoming BHaam/SAW Border project.

The intention will be to exhibit one at most two pieces of 2D work per member, depending upon interested parties. If you would be interested in exhibiting work, please contact Fiona Hamilton with the details of Title of Work/ Medium/ Size and Price by Friday May 8th latest.

Further details of display facilities, commission taken by the centre upon sale of work and Insurance cover are available upon request.

Lentells Chartered Accountants have contacted BHaam to offer individual Artists the opportunity to exhibit work within the Lentells Hospitality Area of the Blackdown Hills marquee at this years Honiton Show. NB: You will require your own Public Liability Insurance to cover the work you chose to exhibit.

If you are interested in taking up this opportunity or wish to discuss/ obtain further information please contact Chris Ryder (contact details below).

Chris Ryder,
Marketing Co-ordinator
e-mail : Chris Ryder
address : Lentells Limited, 26 Fore Street ,
Chard, Somerset TA20 1PT
Tel: 01460 64441

TALE VALLEY COMMUNITY THEATRE
OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN
A NEW ANIMATION PROJECT

Would you be interested in becoming involved in a new film animation project to be undertaken by Tale Valley Community Theatre. The project, led by Daniel Loveday , aims to complete a pilot project to test out the feasibility of a future, more sophisticated animation production. The aim is to blend work undertaken by individuals and groups into a video - animation and perhaps original music, drama and dance. It will be a community animation using 'Blender' a free 3D animation software which can be accessed by any participant on their home computer. We are hoping to attract young people in the 12+ age range to become involved, but helpers and supporters can be any age!

If you have an interest and/or skills in this area of work, please contact Daniel - wireater@dircon.co.uk

Do some of you remember the highly successful Neroche inspired and run - ‘Punkie Night' – from last year – maybe some of you attended? Well we have been contacted by Gavin Saunders, Neroche Project Manager with an exciting opportunity for anyone wishing to become involved in working with the Community…..Neroche have decided to run Punkie Night again this year but would like to get together a volunteer committee to take a major involvement, rather than let it be purely managed by paid staff. Accordingly they're putting an appeal out for volunteers. If you are interested or there is anyone you know or think may be interested in getting involved, then could you please pass this on to them and ask them to contact Fiona Hamilton.

Neroche will also be letting one or more small contracts to people to take the lead with the school lantern making sessions, the event management and the storytelling on the night. Similarly, if you know of anyone who might be in the market/have the right skills for this, do pass this on.

‘BUILDING BLOCKS TO SOCIAL ENTERPRISE '*
at The Ammerdown Centre, nr Radstock , BA3 5SW
Monday and Tuesday, 22 nd and 23 rd June 2009

* SOCIAL ENTERPRISE is any trading project which seeks to meet social aims. Examples may include a community-run village shop or child-care facility, a timber re-use scheme or even a leisure centre.

The AIM of the training is to support community and voluntary groups to plan and develop their own SOCIAL ENTERPRISE activity.

• People who have an idea for a project which both generates an income and provides a service to the community

Other examples of SOCIAL ENTERPRISE may include out of school clubs, community cafes, food coops, IT businesses, reprographic services etc.

The training will be delivered by professional trainers with experience of community development and social enterprise. We will use a variety of methods including simulation, groupwork, presentation and individual action planning. There will be opportunity to share ideas and to hear from an existing social enterprise.

Mike Atkinson, Social Enterprise Coordinator, Somerset County Council
Tel: 01823 355611 mob: 0787 966 8736
email: matkinson@somerset.gov.uk

The Safe Routes to Schools Project
Opportunity for a Placement Artist
A Placement Artist is required to work alongside a lead artist on an educational project. The Safe Routes to Schools Project has been developed by Somerset Art Works with the support of Spaeda. Details of project brief, an outline of the project for the primary and secondary schools involved and the Emerge Placement pack and application form can be accessed by clicking on the buttons below: (word docs are attached)
For more information on the Safe Routes Project -past projects - please see
the Somerset Art Week website: www.somersetartworks.org.uk

SPAEDA (Somerset's Arts Education Partnership)
Great Bow Wharf
Bow Street
Langport
Somerset
TA10 9PN

Direct Line: 01458 254262
Admin Line: 0845 3580368
www.spaeda.org.uk

Somerset Partnerships Arts Education Agency. Registered charity no: 1083241

A course suitable for anyone looking to consult with young people through engagement in creative participatory activities.

There is increasing pressure from national and local government, funders, organisations and young people themselves for organisations involved in youth arts activities to consult effectively.With this in mind, Artsplan has created this course to respond to this growing need and to inspire course participants to undertake meaningful, well structured, planned, engaging and dynamic consultation programmes with young people.

This course has been created as a result of a huge amount of research via ENYAN (English National Youth Arts Network) into effective, creative methods of consulting with young people. The evidence gained shows clearly the benefits of creative consultation as a tool for gaining access to young people’s real thoughts, fears, options, hopes and aspirations. The course has been developed in partnership with a range of organisations across nine English regions who have submitted case studies demonstrating the creative consultation techniques they have used with young people. All participants will receive the ENYAN ‘Youth Arts Consultation Toolkit’ as well as a wealth of additional course materials.

Trainers
Artsplan trainers have a wide range of excellent skills, experience and understanding developed whilst working within the Youth Arts sector. This course is written by Jay Barron, Artsplan Development Manager, in partnership with ENYAN and organisations across nine English regions.

Participants
This course is suitable for anyone who wishes to develop a greater understanding of what is effective consultation. We will discuss the benefits of consulting with young people and the advantages of creative techniques.

Participants will look at creativity models of good practice and case studies, undertake creative exercises that can be used and adapted in their work with young people. You will gain a further understanding of what is needed to resource consultation and look at effective ways consolidating and utilising your findings.

Contact
For further details on Artsplan courses or to make a booking please contact the Artsplan Development Manager at: Artswork, Fairways House, Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton, SO14 0QB

T: 023 8063 0960 f: 023 8063 2949
e: artsplan@artswork.org.uk

Details: where and when and how much
The course is on Monday 21 July at:
Isambard Community School,
Redhouse Way,
Redhouse, Swindon
SN25 2ND
Cost: Free to Music Alive & Flux project volunteers
£15 for all other attendees.

What's On?

THE BLACKDOWN DRAGONS PROJECT

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