First Thursday Artist Meeting

Our Artist-In-Residence  melissandre varin , joined us for the March First
Thursday Artist Meeting. mel spoke to us about their winter residency and
recent exhibition, sorry we are close(d), at Arcadia, giving us a virtual tour
in photos (taken by photographer Mandip Seehra) and talking us through
the exhibition and how it became responsive to the current COVID crisis.
This was a fantastic introduction before the evening’s online event “just a
series of transitions…" where mel continued their story, presenting a
personal and intimate testimony of their exhibition at Arcadia Gallery and
sharing the journey that led them to operate as an artist in Coventry.
mel asked how we gather feedback as artists, requesting some from us
about their exhibition and how we felt it worked within lockdown – thinking
about restrictions and what people were comfortable with – and what
barriers there might be to accessing artwork/exhibitions even before
COVID limitations came into place. mel also included an invitation to
phone in and leave feedback via an answerphone message on 024 7622 3642.

The 12 artists present this month introduced themselves and talked a little
about their practice, which included a wide range disciplines: film/moving
image, producing, zines, podcasts, photography, archives, sound
recording, light, VR, digital, textile, painting, installation, workshops. The
work of those artists present explored a number of themes: nature,
sustainability and eco community festivals, uncovering local talent,
soundwalks, sanctuary, history, mental health and wellbeing, training and
more!

There was also discussion around
– Studio space at Artspace and how that can be accessed during
COVID restrictions
– The City of Culture Fair Pay Manifesto
– Socially distanced filming of projects and the difficulty of getting
portrait shots for professional portfolio whilst photography studios
remain closed – Mindy offered the use of Arcadia space to use for
some photography as long as full risk assessment undertaken.
Artspace are currently working to find ways to support artists with this
– renting out space and equipment and linking local
photographer/videographers.

The following links were shared:
From Mandip – Training from Cardboard Citizens. Full list can be found
here: https://cardboardcitizens.org.uk/get-involved/training/
From Amanda Randall – New art by Amanda Randall responding to
biodiversity loss on the HS2 route in Warwickshire:
https://natureontheline.co.uk
From Mindy – Outside In, an established national charity that aims to
provide a platform for artists who face significant barriers to the art world
due to health, disability, social circumstance or isolation:
https://outsidein.org.uk
From Janet – Library of Litter website and soundwalk:
http://www.libraryoflitter.art
From John Whitmore – Choosing and Losing Zine sign up:
https://johnwhitmorephotography.co.uk/support/
From Alan Van Wijgerden – A reminder about Action Rayz, weekly film
screenings which can be accessed via Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/263304208003579
From Sherrie Edgar – Covert Arts, an artists’ collective that is committed
to shining a light on Coventry’s hidden works of art and showcase work
that often remains out of view: https://www.facebook.com/covarts