Weymouth Arts Network

I hope this is photoshoppped…

Following on from Dorset Art Weeks (DAW ) meetings, we are meeting at 6pm on Weds 30th at White Stones in Easton, Portland to discuss possibilities of having open studios in the years between DAW, and any thing else we might want to achieve /organise. Everyone is very welcome.

Awesome Sand Hotel a world first. Built by Weymouth, Dorsets sand man Mark Anderson this is a great feat of sand engineering. Perhaps it should become a semi-permanent fixture…

sand,sculpture,weymouth,dorset,2012,mark,anderson,hotel

World’s first sand hotel

Information has been released inviting artists to apply for commisions. Artists from all disciplines are invited to engage as follows:

1) Submission of material for showcase, (2) Site-specific / Artist-in-Residence, (3)  South West Screen “Moving Image” commissions, (4) Weymouth College Short Film Weekends, (5) Dance, performance and theatre, (6) Building Business Relationships, (7) Weymouth Arts Network exhibition.

 See here for full details.

‘Inside Out’ is to present a special one-off event to celebrate the launch of the Cultural Olympiad in Dorset in September. The performance follows on from the dramatic success of Inside Out 2007 and its programme of extraordinary events in extraordinary places, which recorded audiences of over 30,000 last September.

2007 Event Statistics : 93% are either likely or very likely to recommend Inside Out. 93% rated the performance quality as good or very good. 21% defined themselves as regular arts attenders (indicating that Inside Out was extremely successful in reaching new audiences for the arts). 95% supported the use of public funding for this type of event. 95% rated the environment/venue as good or very good.

Moving Tides Procession at Spirit of the Sea Festival

The ‘Moving Tides’ procession (part of the Spirit of the Sea Festival) was a great success. This colourful spectacle with a sea theme was a collaboration between Kinetica, commisioned local artists, members of Weymouth Arts Network, youngsters from the local area and Weymouth College. The first section of the procession was designed by two local artists, built and exhibited with the help of various volunteers including Weymouth Arts Network members, pupils from local schools and visiting Spanish language students. The procession was lead by two giant puppets; Queen Elizabeth II and King Phillip of Spain (designed by Sarah Butterworth) reflecting an ‘Armada’ theme, plus participants wore hats in the shape of English and Spanish galleons (designed by Maggie Foottit), carrying paper sea gulls and sea waves . The rest of the procession was designed and co-ordinated by ‘Kinetica’ who specialise in carnival workshops again assisted by children from local schools, with a mixture of colourful costumes and various musical instruments. The procession danced its way to the town clock via the sea front at Greenhill. From here it took its position on the Esplanade road, making its way along the harbourside to Brewers Quay, to the delight of an appreciative audience and passers by. The whole event lit up Weymouth with a spectacle of vivid colour, music and exhuberance. Press coverage here. Dorset Echo Letters. Echo Photographs.

Procession photos 01 (above) by Grace Williams

Procession photos 02 (above) by Jackie Avery

Procession Props Under Construction

For more photos, see here.

Come see the Spirit of the Sea ‘Moving Tides Procession’.  A colourful spectacle with a sea theme. A collaboration between Kinetica, local commisioned artists, members of Weymouth Arts Network, youngsters from the local area and Weymouth College.  6pm, Saturday 12th July (today!) from Weymouth Esplanade and ending at Brewers Quay.  Come join the fun! Press coverage.

Job Opportunity: Arts Information Officer.
Closing date 1st August 2008.

Arts Information Officer, based at County Library HQ, Dorchester. To assist DepARTure, the arts in education partnership for Dorset, and the County Council. Arts Team to improve services to artists, arts organisations and schools in Dorset and promote the development and marketing of these services. £16,740-£18,993 per annum, pro rata. Part time? 18.5 hours per week. We value the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Interviews will be held in Dorchester on 3rd September 2008. If you would like an informal discussion about this role, please contact Hannah Baker, DepARTure Manager on 01305 224525. For details and application form,  click here .

Budmouth Technology College Summer Showcase. An annual showcase of talent. 7.30pm, Wednesday 9th July. Pavilion Theatre, The Esplanade, Weymouth. Tickets : £8 plus concessions, 01305 783225.

Weymouth & Portland. 5th to 13th July 2008. Celebrating the area’s close relationship with the sea, the festival brings together a range of sporting activities, cultural events and entertainment – all on a maritime theme. http://www.spiritofthesea.org.uk

Cultural / creative events include :

‘Moving Tide’ Procession -  6pm, Saturday 12 July.  Weymouth Esplanade, finishing at Hope Square, Weymouth.  Children’s procession on Weymouth seafront. 800 children will be making costumes, carnival figures, music and dance around the “Spirit of The Sea” theme.

Weymouth ‘Beach Live’ Live - Saturday 5th until Sunday 13th July. Weymouth Seafront. Live music on stage on the beach everyday. Weekends : 2pm till 10pm, weekdays : 6pm till 10pm. (Stage on beach opposite Alexandra Gardens).

‘Art in the Park’ - Saturday 12^th July. Easton Gardens and Easton Methodist Hall, Portland. Art in the Park’ is a new Royal manor workshops (RMW) annual summer event in conjunction with W&PBC as part of the Spirit of the Sea Festival. The event is to provide a focal point and awareness of local arts and crafts on the island and the Royal manor of Portland. See here.

Island Voices - Sunday 13th July. Brakenbury Infants School, Portland. ‘Island Voices Community Choir’ and the ‘Chesil Cove Children’s Choir’ will be performing.