2021 Archive
Art is good for you
“Art is good for you, whoever you are,” says Grayson Perry in the tagline for his popular TV series Grayson’s Art Club; and so it returns for a second dose, following the success of their first series in April 2020.
As Grayson and his wife Philippa throw open their studio doors again,
they look back on an extraordinary year, and share tips on how to get
creative in lockdown. The artist and his co-star/wife, psychotherapist
and author Philippa Perry, have announced that Series 2 will air on
Channel 4, beginning with Episode 1 at 7pm on Sunday 31st January. If
you gain nothing else from the series, you’re sure to be entertained by
the artwork created by the Perrys and their guests. Anyone can submit
their artworks to be considered to feature in one of the six episodes
based on different themes.
These themes are:
- FAMILY
- NATURE
- FOOD
- DREAMS
- WORK
- TRAVEL
Pershore Arts member Dora also recommends:
Forest, Field & Sky: Art out of Nature
Dr James Fox meets six artists whose work explores our relationship to the natural world.
“Sending you this inspiring video. I saw this years ago, but have been reminded, so watched it again this evening. So beautiful and moving. I totally recommend, especially when we all need something outside ourselves to show us the greatness of this world and view artists who create using what is around us. Available on iPlayer, 1 hour long; enjoy.” Dora Paynter
Royal Academy online exhibition
The Royal Academy is also hosting a new online exhibition. You can explore “Tracey Emin / Edvard Munch: The Loneliness of the Soul” from home. You can also revisit the 2016 exhibition Ai Weiwei 360
Remembrance for Rooftop Housing
In October, Pershore Arts received a request from Sue Bentley, Health and Wellbeing Facilitator for Rooftop Housing Group, to help with Remembrance commemorations.
Rooftop is a housing association based in Pershore and Evesham for older people who live independently in supported sites. Their usual Remembrance services were expected be limited due to Covid19 restrictions: would we be able to create a display to locate in one of their sites?
The answer was ‘yes’. We’ve responded to similar challenges as enjoyable collaborative projects, such as the murals in Pershore Library and in the entrance hall of St. Andrew’s Church, but with Covid19 restrictions, collaboration is difficult. Following a site visit and discussions with Kim Skipsey, Team Leader for Rooftop, the concept, a continuous image on six separate panels, was designed by one member, and the artwork was produced by a team of three, working socially distanced in a back-garden studio. Finally, the painted panels were delivered to Cherry Orchard House, for a member of staff to display in six window panels by the main entrance.
Concept: Sue Haslam
Painting: Sue Haslam, Gemma Harding, Corina Trosan
Pershore Arts’ Virtual Annual Art Exhibition
In lieu of our Annual Exhibition at Number 8 Community Arts Centre, we have created an online exhibition of our work. Most of our members have contributed to this exhibition - You can view it on the Gallery Page - we hope you will enjoy it.
Pershore Arts’ Donations to Charity
The economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic has been enormous, not just on business and individuals, but on the income of charities. Pershore Arts would normally cover the cost of hall hire and the various exhibitions we take part in, but this year there may be no such outgoings. Therefore, with members’ approval, and following a vote, Pershore Arts has made two donations of £150, to St John Ambulance and to All Things Wild.
St. John Ambulance have found themselves under enormous financial pressure whilst supporting the NHS throughout the epidemic. All Things Wild has been closed and unable to generate income during the lockdown, but of course, the animals still need to be fed and cared for. We hope that our donations will help both these worthy organisations to keep doing what they do so well.
Vicky Faller, Project Development Manager at All Things Wild emailed: We would like to say a huge thank you for the very generous
donation from Pershore Arts. We are overwhelmed by the kindness of you and your members, and your donation will help us to continue to provide
the best care for our lovely animals.
Pershore Arts – New Beginnings
Having missed our annual exhibitions in spring 2020 and 2021, Pershore Arts members make a welcome return to the walls of the Foyer at Number 8 Community Arts Centre.
Some made brave ‘new beginnings’ as far back as the first lockdown, using the time to experiment with new themes, new materials, and new techniques. Others, who struggled to be productive in those alarming months, have made a new start as life began to return to normal.
Come and see what we made of these unprecedented times. The exhibition continues until and including Wednesday 24thNovember 2021.
Photography Group
will meet at Number 8 at 7.45pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month starting 18th November. We are not charged by Number 8 for this, so do consider buying a drink at the bar while you are there. Those who wish to attend need to become a member of Pershore Arts.
If you can, please bring some prints of your recent work to share and discuss what we enjoy. The group is led by Geoff Hodgson. Geoff studied photography to Masters Degree level and exhibits his work extensively in London, Bristol and Birmingham and his photographs are held in private collections across the world.
