Snippets of Open 5

Transforming spaces – Arts use of empty shops and other disused spaces

Saturday 17 March 2012 9.30am – 5.15pm @ firstsite, Colchester

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1JH

£32.40 incl. VAT, lunch and two refreshment breaks. 50 free places available! (email us for a booking form and further details)

A Regional conference hosted by UK premier Empty Shop organisation Slack Space Colchester, in partnership with firstsite. The event will look at working in empty shops and other disused spaces and will combine an interactive focus on case studies and success stories with practical advice and contextual understanding.

This event is suitable for:

Artists

Community groups

Arts and regeneration professionals

Landlords and developers

Outline of day:

9.30 Arrivals. Refreshments available to purchase at firstsite restaurant

10.00 Abigail Cheverst (Slack Space) ‘Working in empty shops – possibilities, challenges and opportunities’

10.30 Michaela Freeman (Artside) ‘Artside - curating in the public space’

11.00 Amy McKenny (Tap) ‘TAP – running an artist led studio / gallery space’

11.30 Refreshments (provided)

11.50 Breakouts

12.15 Kayte Judge (We are Bedford) ‘We are Bedford’ – case study’

12.45 Chris Clarke (Slack Space) ‘Slack Space – case study’

1.15 Lunch (provided) with performance from popular folk band The Medlars

2.00 The coalface slots – a series of short presentations from working artists on what empty shops activity has meant for them

2.30 Eddie Bridgeman (Meanwhile Space) ‘New spaces, new ways of working - the meanwhile lease, development trusts and other solutions’

3.00 Dan Thompson (Empty Shops Network) ‘The big picture – presenting the results of a National research and evidence gathering project on disused space activity in the UK’

3.30 Refreshments (provided)

3.50 Breakouts

4.15 3Space presentation

4.30 Plenary / panel discussion – ‘Empty shops, disused spaces – the potential, the pitfalls and where we go next.’ The results of this plenary will be fed into the Empty shops Network National conference taking place later in the year

5.15 Close

Refreshments available to purchase at firstsite restaurant

Tour of Slack Space Colchester (optional)

All delegates will receive a copy of the Slack Space Manual and the Empty Shops Toolkit

Partner profile:

Slack Space is one of the premier ‘empty shop’ organisations in the UK and has been successfully putting art and performance into empty shops for over two and a half years

firstsite is a contemporary visual arts organisation based in Colchester with a mission to make contemporary art relevant to everyone.

Artside is a CoExist project featuring two weeks of art and interventions in Southend High Street with artists working directly with venues to create site-led work.

TAP is housed within a converted water works. Currently it houses CoExist Galleries and Studios,The White Bus, MEET, Solug and Open Arts.

We are Bedford is a community collective. The group put on the Castle Quay Weekender in March 2011, an arts festival in 7 empty shops, and run various other successful community events.

Meanwhile Space is led by the Development Trusts Association as part of the Advancing Assets programme, with support from the Dept. of Communities and Local Government.

Empty Shops Network is the National Network for organisations and individuals working in empty shops and other disused spaces.

3Space offer a brokerage service between landlords / developers with empty space and charities or other organisations wishing to use that space.

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A selection of events to be held at Slack Space between October and December 2011.

Check our blog for up to date event listings: theslackdiaries.tumblr.com

Sat 1^st Oct 2pm - 5pm

Argentine Tango Workshop

A great opportunity to sample the delights of the Argentine Tango with this free taster session

Wed 5^th Oct 11am - 1pm

Adults craft club with local artist Paula MacGregor

Simple Gifts to Make and Share

EXHIBITION:

Wed 5^th Oct – Sat 22^nd Oct

One Drop

A BLACK HISTORY MONTH exhibition exploring identity

Wed 5^th Oct 7.30pm

One Drop launch party

A special preview event to launch the Slack Space BLACK HISTORY MONTH program. Invitation only. E mail lawrence501@hotmail.com for an invite

OCTOBER MINI FEST 6^TH – 8^TH October

Thur 6^th Oct 7.30pm

Black beat

An evening of African art and music curated by Courtney Mallick as part of BLACK HISTORY MONTH Colchester.

Fri 7^th Oct 7.30pm – 10.00pm

Caribbean Fusion

The Saana Jay Dance Company will delight and entertain with a Caribbean Fusion Dance Hall performance and workshop - includes audience participation! Part of BLACK HISTORY MONTH Colchester

Sat 8^th Oct 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars, Gwendal Moele, Azucar and Motet

Sat 8^th Oct 7.00pm

Salsa Party

An introduction to Salsa with a qualified Salsa dance instructor and 3 local Salsa Dance Groups. Part of BLACK HISTORY MONTH Colchester

EXHIBITION:

Wed 12^th Oct – Sat 15^th Oct

Uganda or UK?

Uganda or UK? extends the One Drop BLACK HISTORY MONTH exhibition and contains a display of photographs and objects for hands-on interaction to appeal to parents and children, ages 6 to 14. A facilitator will be on-hand to provide guidance

Mon 17^th Oct 6pm - 9pm

Cicely’s Cakes

A demonstration of preparing, cooking and eating delicious Caribbean Food. Come and watch it being prepared and then stay for a tasting! Part of BLACK HISTORY MONTH Colchester

Wed 19^th Oct 7pm – 9pm

RSA Colchester meeting

Invitation only. Please e mail gladys.jones@virgin.net for an invite

Thurs 20^th Oct 6.30pm – 8pm

Recorder Orchestra

For further details about the orchestra contact Carla Browncarla.brown303@btinternet.com

Fri 21^st Oct 7.30pm – 9pm

Black History Month committee event

A gathering for BLACK HISTORY MONTH committee and guests. Music and refreshments with a semi-private viewing of the One Drop exhibition with presentation. Invitation only. E mail lawrence501@hotmail.com for an invite

Sat 22^nd Oct – Sat 29^th Oct

Free kids craft table

Unsupervised craft table with wide range of art and craft materials. Available throughout opening hours.

Sat 22^nd Oct 7.30pm

One Drop wrap party

A presentation on the One Drop exhibition, explaining the importance of this year’s BLACK HISTORY MONTH ‘identify’ theme. A further presentation by Nardia Foster, author of ‘Out of Slavery, the history of Black British Caribbean people in the United Kingdom’. Includes refreshments and Caribbean buffet. Invitation only. E maillawrence501@hotmail.com for an invite

EXHIBITION:

Wed 26^th Oct – Sat 12^th Nov

Open 4

The forth Slack Space open show features work from local artists entered through our open submissions procedure

Sat 29th Oct 11am - 2pm

Life Masks – Venetian mask workshop with artist Rachel Brown

Come along and make a mask that is unique to your face

This event is suitable for adults and children over 8 years.

Booking essential. Please contact Rachel Brown barbwirerose@btinternet.com

Sat 29^th October 2pm – 4pm

Slack Jazz

Bring an instrument and join in or just come and listen to the music!

Wed 2nd Nov 11am - 1pm

Adults craft club with local artist Paula MacGregor

Holly and Ivy Wreaths

NOVEMBER MINI FEST 3^RD – 5^TH November

Thur 3^rd Nov 7.30pm

TBC

Fri 4^th Nov 7.30pm

TBC

Sat 5^th Nov 7.30pm

Later at Slack Space 3

Band night. 3 PA’s Non-stop music!

Sun 13^th Nov 3pm – 5pm

Wivenhoe Pantomime preview

Open rehearsal. All welcome!

EXHIBITION:

Wed 16^th Nov – Sat 3^rd Dec

Graphic illustration and typography

An open show featuring works of graphic illustration and typography

Wed 16^th Nov 7pm – 9pm

RSA Colchester meeting

Invitation only. Please e mail gladys.jones@virgin.net for an invite

Thurs 17^th Nov 6.30pm – 8pm

Recorder Orchestra

For further details about the orchestra contact Carla Browncarla.brown303@btinternet.com

Sat 19^th Nov 2pm – 5pm

Teenage Kicks 2

An afternoon of entertainment from teenage bands and musicians

Sat 26^th Nov 2pm – 4pm

Slack Jazz

Bring an instrument and join in or just come and listen to the music!

DECEMBER MINI FEST 1^st – 4^th December

Thur 1^st Dec 7.30pm

Singing concert

A night of harmony from Souterrain and special guests

Fri 2^nd Dec 7.30pm

The Mixing Bowl 3

A night of eclectic sounds. Powered by EMS

Sat 3^rd Dec 2pm – 3pm

New Music Against the Grain

Master class for writing for 5-string violin and 5 string electric violin

Sat 3^rd Dec 7.30pm – 10pm

New Music Against the Grain

New electronic music of National significance. Taped and live performances featuring Stuart Russell, Midnight Llama and special guests

Sun 4^th Dec 7pm

Art auction

Another of Slack Space’s fund raising art auctions. Please come along and support if you can. Bar, refreshment and live music

EXHIBITION:

Wed 7^th Dec – Sat 24^th Dec

TBC

Wed 7th Dec 11am - 1pm

Adults craft club with local artist Paula MacGregor

Simple Decorations

Sat 17^th Dec – Sat 31^st Dec

Free kids craft table

Unsupervised craft table with wide range of art and craft materials. Available throughout opening hours

Wed 21^ST Dec 7pm – 9pm

RSA Colchester meeting

Invitation only. Please e mail gladys.jones@virgin.net for an invite

CLOSED

25^TH Dec – 3^rd Jan

SLACK SPACE WEEKLY EVENTS

Piano Friday

Every Friday the Slack Space piano is out for anyone to have a play or practice.

11am – 6pm

All events are free accessible and held at Slack Space, St James House, Queen Street, Colchester CO1 2PQ. We are open Wednesday to Saturday 11am – 6pm

SLACK SPACE @ VICTORIA PLACE

Slack Space is very pleased to be taking on a brand new property. Come and check us out for a limited range of dates over the Winter!

Thur 27^th Oct 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Thur 10^th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Sat 12^th Nov 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars, Triangle, Tilly Roberts, Phil Lyons and The Larks

Sat 12^th Nov 6pm – 10pm

Opening party!

Come and help us wet the baby’s head at Slack Space’s fantastic new property. Music and refreshments

Thur 24^th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Thur 8^th Dec 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Sat 10^th Dec 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars and special guests

All events are free accessible and held at Slack Space @ Victoria Place, Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester CO1 1LR. Opening hours vary

Open call for artists

This is an call for artists to take part in the next Slack Space open show. ‘Open 4’ will run from 26 October to 12 November and the deadline for submissions is 12 October. Work of any media can be submitted. Slack Space open shows are designed to showcase the work of artists who have not exhibited in Slack Space before and preference is given to those who live or work in the Colchester Borough.

To submit work for this exhibition please send digital images and brief info to colchesterslackers(at)googlemail.com