Empty Shops Project

2010-12-22T13:35:00.000Z

The Empty Shops Project has now ended. A big Thank You to everyone who has exhibited or volunteered their time to help make the project a success!

2010-12-06T11:22:00.000Z

NOW EXHIBITING..

All exhibitions run until Friday 9th December 2010

OREN - Carrie Ravenscroft and Sarah Wooldridge
GWYRDD- Emily Prescott BOXPORT
GREEN and BLACKS - Kieran Morris
DRAGONS DEN - UWN Photography

2010-11-30T16:28:00.002Z

2010-11-24T16:56:00.001Z

THE BANK JOB

SIX FEET UNDER

FRIDAY 17th DECEMBER 7PM

We would like to thank all who have supported the Empty Shops Project over the past year and we hope to continue all our collective efforts well into 2011.

So, we decided to team up with Border Magazine and Newport's finest bands including DIRTY GOODS, TOWN & MANY MORE to put on the mother of all Christmas parties!!!

EMPTY SHOPS PROJECT, BORDER MAGAZINE & DIRTY GOODS PRESENT:

THE BANK JOB. FRIDAY DECEMBER 17th. 7PM.
ONE NIGHT TO BREAK THE BANK AT THE BIGGEST HEIST IN TOWN.
COME JOIN US AT SIX FEET UNDER AND DO THE BANK JOB...!

LIVE MUSIC AND DJs UNTIL 3AM.

BBQ & FOOD.

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TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT:

THE RIVERFRONT THEATRE

BOX OFFICE: (+44) 01633 656679

TICKETS ONLINE HERE: http://bit.ly/aTlUwd

EXCITING NEWS!!! EMPTY SHOPS PROJECT ARTISTS WILL GET IN AT THE REDUCED PRICE OF £5!!!!! Limited number of tickets are available so if you have spent time exhibiting at the Empty Shops please e-mail info@emptyshopsproject.co.uk NOW!!

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LIVE MUSIC FROM

DIRTY GOODS

www.myspace.com/dirtygoods

TOWN

www.myspace.com/wearetown

NEW TO LINE UP!!!! LAVISH & THE DEBTS (Debut Gig!)

http://www.myspace.com/lavishandthedebts

TIN PAN GANG

www.myspace.com/tinpangang

DRAFTS

www.myspace.com/draftsuk

INNOVENCE

www.facebook.com/innovence

THE DEAD BEGGARS CLUB

www.myspace.com/thedeadbeggarsclub

DJs LEE 'FASH' WILLS AND B-PATROL

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT:

THE RIVERFRONT THEATRE

BOX OFFICE: (+44) 01633 656679

TICKETS ONLINE HERE: http://bit.ly/aTlUwd

£8 (adv) £10 (On the door)

DON’T FORGET, IF YOU HAVE EXHIBITED AT THE EMPTY SHOPS YOU CAN GET IN FOR £5!!! Please e-mail info@emptyshopsproject.co.uk for tickets. (Limited number available. First come first served)

WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING SOON.

DIVERSE MUSIC

KRIMINAL RECORDS

2010-11-24T13:33:00.002Z

GWYRDD Exhibition Profile

Artists: Natasha Stockham and Jemma Lewis-Morse

Natasha Stockham - Never Knowing
http://www.nstockham.wordpress.com/

"I am a welsh artist, aged 25, and I appreciate, and attempt to create, art that displays craft, expression of emotion and aesthetic appeal.

Currently, I’m working as a Finisher but painting,photography, and the visual arts in general, are my true passions in life.

My artistic studies have been diverse, and assist me creatively. These include:-

Beauty Therapy Level 2
Theatrical Media Makeup Diploma
Photography Diploma
Contemporary Media BA (Hons) Degree

Initially, I focus purely on photography, using a photograph as the foundation of my eventual concept. This, I feel, enables me to make a strong, bold start, with what could already be considered a piece of art. The photograph acts as a kind of automatic palette, determining the colours, tones & structure of the eventual piece.

When I work in this manner, I treat the photograph more as a stepping-stone, a ‘shortcut’ to the heart of an artistic concept or idea. I don’t believe photography exists solely in the documentary sense, & so it can be manipulated or ‘tampered’ with. This ‘tampering’ may consist of deconstructing the elements of the photograph: scratching away the pigment or using water to de-saturate or dissolve colour & light. This altered image may then provide the blueprint for a purely painted piece or be incorporated into a painting.

Another method is to construct: to ‘build’ on photograph with layers of paint in certain areas where the photographic imagery requires emphasis or enhancement. Sometimes the intention may be to conceal certain aspects of the photograph, to shroud the image or not ‘tell the whole story’. Once this developmental stage is complete, the concept could already be fully realised, the piece fully formed. But more often than not, I will take my ideas & convert these into a painted piece that will be the final result.

Conceptully, my work remains ambiguous until the final stages. It is usually only in looking back that I realise what it is I set out to achieve. My work focuses on death & the memory of loved ones lost. I this is key not only to the aesthetic of my work, but also to the work process. This is why i begin with a photograph because I believe the camera acts like the human mind. Taking visual snapshots that document the past, that act as the remaining manifestations of a lost time. The manipulation, I then perform, relates to the distortion of memory, the warping of mental imagery that occurs through the deterioration of time or possibly even through self-deception "

Jemma Lewis-Morse
http://www.missjklm.wordpress.com/

I am a developing artist trained in Howard gardens UWIC in printmaking specialised in woodcuts more recently art work has involved expressing through painting although wood cuts is till very much a part of my creative expression. my woodcuts are strictly dynamic through black and white to achieve x-ray visions of scenarios or emotions. it is about stripping down to the bare core or bones of a moment.

2010-11-16T09:47:00.000Z

OREN Exhibition Profile

Saturday 13th November 2010 - Friday 26th November 2010

Title: The Wolves are in the Kitchen

Artists: Emma Hatton and Steph Anderson

The Wolves Are In The Kitchen will be using an empty space to create the feeling of another world; an escape from reality. We have installed a photography studio in the shop to create an experience that people can get involved in as well as look at and watch. The project is mainly aimed at teenagers upwards as this is the age group that are most affected by the pressures of everyday life. In our interactive space we hope that people can forget about these pressures for a short while and just have fun. We want people to realise you don’t need to be a kid to have fun!

We are printing out the images every day so people can come in to look at them even if they do not want their picture taken. On the last day (26th Nov) we will be showcasing all the images for everyone to come back and look at. As well as this all the images we make in the shop will be uploaded to our wesbite.

You can contact us at

thewolvesareinthekitcen@hotmail.com

http://www.thewolvesareinthekitchen.co.uk/

2010-11-11T16:45:00.000Z

Have a look at this.....

Why not get yourself down to Colchester and get in the know about what's going on with other Empty Shops Projects and pick up some tips for Newport's Empty Shops Project?

2010-11-04T11:17:00.000Z

OREN : Exhibition Profile

Artists: Jan Vowles, Malcolm Waite and Glenn Allen

ARTIST STATEMENT: JAN VOWLES

Jan Vowles is a Newport born Watercolour artist, who is entirely self taught. Jan believes that an artist must be free to create whatever is "right" for each individual, and therefore rejects the rigid "rules" of watercolour, and the "system" rules, and creates art that is original in technique. Jan says, "An artist must be free to express his or her own personality, without being 'conditioned' to paint a certain way".

Jan started off, as many do, by painting realistic landscapes, but has now, automatically, started painting semi-abstract. Jan says, "Because I am self taught, I have automatically found the way of painting that is "right" for me, it has emerged slowly, and I find I can now no longer paint realistic paintings, all my most recent work is semi-abstract. It wasn't a conscious choice, it just happened"

2010-10-21T18:34:00.001+01:00

COME AND ENJOY 2 ONE-OFF EVENINGS OF PERFORMANCE AND LIVE ART WITH A GLASS OF WINE!!

NEWPORT LIVE ART SPEED DATE

If you missed it here's a short clip of the night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9AFhLXjrpQ

FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER - SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER

DOORS OPEN AT: 9.00PM.

EVENT STARTS AT: 9.30PM SHARP.

FREE!

IN THE OLD DRAGONS' DEN SHOP

In the New Dark Philosophers Shop (was Dragons' Den - opposite Iceland) this coming Friday 22 - Saturday 23 October we have the Newport Live Art Speed Date!!

Doors Open at 9.00pm after Elemental has finished at the Civic Centre. You can do both. For FREE!

Come over for a glass of wine and some intimate one-on-one encounters with an exciting range of Newport-based talent and emerging artists.

OUR ARTISTS ARE:

Gareth Clark

Jenni Davies

Beth Greenhalgh

Tracy Harris

Kelly Jones

Patrick Jones

Marega Plaser

Gary Raymond

Tin Shed Theatre

Dom W

Rachel Helena Walsh

Will Woon

WHAT IS LIVE ART SPEED DATE?

Live Art Speed Date is an exploration and celebration of intimate exchange between Artist and Audience. A diverse selection of innovative performance artists are invited to create and present a four minute one-on-one performance or "date". The audience make their own journey through the dates, with opportunities to interact with each other and walkabout artists. This carefully curated event explores public and private behaviors creating a vibrant fairground of fragmented experiences, pushing the notion of interactive performance and audience/performer collaboration.

"Live Art Speed Date crystallizes a movement in contemporary British performance - a free-wheeling, wide ranging bashing down of boundaries between forms and practices, a celebration of us all as both artists and audience." - Tim Crouch

Watch this short video: http://community.nationaltheatrewales.org/profiles/blogs/live-art-speed-date-newport

The Newport Live Art Speed Date is curated by National Theatre Wales in partnership with Stoke Newington International Airport with huge support from The Empty Shops Project, Newport Riverfront and Newport Festival 2010.

2010-10-19T16:02:00.001+01:00

GWYRDD

Exhibition Profile

Saturday 16th October - Friday 29th October 2010

GROUP: UNDY AND DISTRICT ART SOCIETY

' We held our first group meeting in September 2006 with a small group of interested people.

The enthusiasm has spread through local advertising and word of mouth and our membership is 20 plus to date- February 2007. We meet every Wednesday evening at Undy Church and Community Hall between 6.00 and 8.30pm. Our meetings vary between 'painting in the studio', 'still life painting', 'portraits/life drawing' and visiting artists to demonstrate in a variety of media.

Our membership is made up of people with a common interest in art but with varying abilities and levels of expertise. We advise and encourage each other in the use of various mediums. ie. Watercolours, pastel, Oil, acrylic, Pen and wash, Pencil and Charcoal.

We have a planned programme of activities throughout the year. If you are interested in joining us, we'll be pleased to see you, just come along! '

2010-10-14T10:47:00.003+01:00

OREN Exhibition Profile

Saturday 16th October - Friday 29th October 2010

Private View: Saturday 23rd October 2010 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Artist Group: University of Wales, Newport Graduates

Title: Fflow

Fflow is an exhibition of work from a group of artists who have recently graduated from Newport’s Fine Art degree course. Our journey began three years ago upstream in Caerleon at the University of Wales.

Fflow, our first graduate show, can be said to represent our transition to professional practice. We are all adjusting to new working environments, for some of us this is a kitchen table, a bedroom or garden shed! Alongside this we have to adapt to working on a new scale or finding new media out of economic necessity.

Regardless of these struggles we are all committed to our practice as artists and view this show as affirmation of this.

2010-10-11T16:37:00.001+01:00

COMEDY PORT - Newport Comedy festival!!

COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN AT COMEDY PORT HQ

(GLAS - The old Meeks shoe shop)

Newport’s very first Comedy Festival, Comedy Port, will begin this weekend on Saturday 9 and continue until Sunday 17 October 2010.

Newport will turn into a mini Edinburgh-esque Fringe Festival and will be awash with comedians and general fun shenanigans; from established acts like Shappi Khorsandi and Jon Richardson to up and coming names like Nick Helm and Maeve Higgins and local funny men Elis James and Dan Mitchell through to long-standing alternative/comedy club comedians like Tony Law and Ian Stone.

Watch out for funny things happening all over the city; a pop-up venue (Comedy Port HQ) will spring to life in town in one of the Empty Shops to house some up and coming names and fringe acts, lots of madcap antics will happen in Le Pub and The Riverfront will house some of the bigger comedic names and shows. The Riverfront cinema will also be showing some classic comedy (Anchorman and This is Spinal Tap), and new releases Skeleton and Whatever Works. You can also take a comedy taxi ride from outside The Riverfront (between 5.30pm and 7.30pm) every day of the festival.

Folk with tickets for the comedy festival, will be able to get food and drink discounts in venues all over the city centre including Le Pub, Kama Lounge and Revolution.

For more information, please visit www.newportcomedyfestival.co.uk or www.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront. Tickets are on sale from The Riverfront Box Office and website. Call 01633 656679 for more details. Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/portcomedyfest and join our Facebook group, Comedy Port.

Here's what's happening in GLAS.....

SATURDAY 16th OCTOBER

1.30pm – The Great Brain Robbery
Criminally silly songs and sketches all the way from Luton.
Price: £4, reductions £3
Venue: Glas (Empty Shop Project, Upper Dock Street)

3.30pm – Drones at Comedy Port

The Drones Comedy Club is coming to Newport for one afternoon only! Come and enjoy a great mix of local stand-up comedy from Cardiff’s longest running open mic night.
Price: £3
Venue: Glas (Empty Shops Project on Upper Dock Street)

SUNDAY 17th OCTOBER

12 – 4pm Scrabble Sunday at Glas (Empty Shops Project)

Scrabble is the best board game in the world. Fact. So whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro. Come and join us for some wordplay, tea and cake. All you have to do is bring your brain. Bring a packed lunch too so we can all eat some grub, play scrabble and have fun times.
Price: Free
Venue: Glas (Empty Shop Project, Upper Dock Street)

6.30pm – Nick Helm at (Empty Shops Project)

Comedian Nick Helm is putting his past and his problems firmly behind him in an attempt to help make you appreciate life in a whole new way, whether you want to or not. Featuring poetry, music, stand-up and chutzpah. A wonderful closing act for the festival.
Price: £5, Reductions £4
Venue: Glas (Empty Shop Project, Upper Dock Street)

2010-10-01T13:20:00.000+01:00

VOICE AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Dear All,

The VOICE Awards - http://www.wearevoice.co.uk/v_awards.asp
VOICE - www.wearevoice.co.uk

Could you please nominate Empty Shops Project as the 'Best City Centre Venue' found under the Nightlife category (Closest category we could think of) and The Riverfront for 'Best Theatre' found under the Entertainment & Dining category.

Thank you in advance.

E.S.P. Team

2010-09-27T14:24:00.000+01:00

PORFFOR : Exhibition Profile

27th September - 8th October 2010

Photographer: Jay Dyer

Title: The Naked and the Dead

2010-09-21T17:46:00.002+01:00

GLAS Exhibition Profile

Saturday 18th September - Friday 24th September 2010

Performances: Thursday 23rd September 2:00pm, 4:00pm & 6:00pm and Friday 24th September 2:00pm, 4:00pm & 6:00pm

Performance Group: Blink Dance Project

This is an Installation Piece incorporating Movement & Live Visual Art!

Doors Open 2pm, 4pm & 6pm... Free Entry!!!

This is not your ordinary 'boxed theatre piece' audience members are welcome to move around the space freely, viewing the art and performance!

2010-09-21T17:12:00.000+01:00

GWYRDD Exhibition Profile

Saturday 4th September - Friday 17th September 2010

Artist Group: 21 Group

21 Group were originally part of a Welsh National Organisation and a platform to promote artistic endeavour. We are now primarily associated with visual arts, and are an idependent multi-disciplinary group based in Wales.

Since 1994, as well as initiating practical events, we have actively promoted contact with Galleries and Art Centres throughout Wales as venues for showing members work.

We are now a thriving, professional group exhibiting all over Wales. We have a dynamic, exuberant energetic approach to art, and our Artistic Director, Mal Charles and Chairperson Patricia Clifford see us approaching the New Year with a strong and hard working core membership with a philosophy that is mutually supportive. They state of 21 Group "It's strength is it's diversity."

2010-09-21T16:49:00.000+01:00

OREN Exhibition Profile

Saturday 4th September - Friday 24th September 2010

Artist: Merel Prescott
Title: Inspired

"I was born in Newport in 1961 and spent part of my childhood living in Ethiopia and in Egypt. I was fortunate to have travelled extensively throughout my youth experiencing a wide variety of cultures. I have had an extremely varied working life including time spent in the Merchant Navy, work as a geophysicist, a Public House Manager and a Montessori Directress. Following the breakdown of my marriage I graduated from Cardiff University in 2003 with BSc (Hons) Mathematics and trained as a secondary mathematics teacher with the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham. After a reasonably long period of supply teaching my teaching career came to an end when I decided to devote my time to home educating my youngest daughter. It is my dearest wish to take my daughter to Ghana in the next year or two in order to do about three months voluntary work for Project Sand (http://www.projectsand.org). I am currently looking into fundraising for this.

Being a mathematician with what I considered to be non-existant artistic talent I don’t think I’d even considered art on my daughter’s curriculum until one day when, on the way to the bus station from the library, my daughter and I called by the Empty Shops and were admiring the beautiful works on display. When we came at last into the shop where Alfonso Marino was working I told him that I wished I could draw or paint. He got us to come in the next day with a canvas each. My daughter started on her painting that day while I sat staring at a blank canvas, too apprehensive to even draw a line on it. However, the following day I picked up a paintbrush and have not since looked back. I now work with oil pastels, acrylics and oil paints and am about to experiment with water colours. I get my daughter to take photographs everywhere we go – we are constantly on the lookout for beauty in our surroundings which until recently we would have ignored.

I would like to thank all those involved with the Empty Shops Project for the life-changing experience it has provided both me and my daughter, and Marino and Jonathan Sherwood for providing us with inspiration, confidence, help and friendship. I hope that during my time in this shop I will be able to help inspire others too."

2010-09-08T14:27:00.005+01:00

MELYN Exhibition Profile

Saturday 4th September - Friday 24th September 2010

Curators: Sian Donovan and Sally Fowler

Title: River of Life Project

Travel back in time to medieval Newport when Melyn formerly the card shop, becomes home to truly innovative and exciting community project – The River of Life Newport Heritage Project.

This unique project, the first of its kind in Wales, has at its heart the desire to bring a community together in a positive and uplifting experience that will form a solid basis on which to build a better future for the people Newport.
Inspired by the Medieval Mystery plays and Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the “River of Life” will be shaped by the community, developing stories drawn largely from the Stow Hill area through drama, dance and music.

Exploring links from the past to the present and culminating in a series of performances that will travel down the hill from St Woolos Cathedral , performing in fascinating parks to a grand finale in John Frost Square on May 7th 2011.

Come along and discover the rich and intriguing stories and take part in taster workshops such as dance, drama and arts and crafts. All ages welcome.

Opening times will be posted on the door.

2010-09-06T13:51:00.012+01:00

GLAS Exhibition Profile

Saturday 4th September - Friday 17th September 2010

Artist: S & M

Opening Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm

As part of the Empty Shops Project www.newportcitycentre.co.uk/emptyshops) in Upper Dock Street, local vintage expert Sara Crerar teams up with artist Marion Webber to give accessories and furniture a new lease of life. Their pop-up shop is destined to ‘not be anything you would find in M&S.’

‘These days, many of us are addicted to fast, cheap, throwaway fashion and I’m not saying that we’re not partial to it – yet by restoring old leather accessories, furniture and textiles we can turn something ready for the tip into something useful whilst at the same time celebrating the unique.

Through this process maybe we can re-think the way we shop and consume the mass-produced.’

Marion Webber graduated from Central St.Martin’s and recently took part in the SuperDragons project. ‘Since leaving college in 1992, I’ve worked in the fashion industry for some well known high street retailers.I used to paint on leather accessories found in charity shops when I lived in a tiny flat.

I made a fledgling business out of it, selling in London and Brighton – then freelance design work took over. It was great to meet Sara unexpectedly again at this years’ Maindee festival, we just talked about creating something different out of vintage – The Empty Shops Project is going to be a great opportunity for us to show what we do.’

Sara, apart from her keen buying skills also employs her talent for felt and dress-making, to create her own clothing range using original vintage dress patterns, customising them to her own specifications into beautiful

woollen capes, lined with original 50s fabrics giving them an unusual and surprising twist.

Workshops in felt-making and painting will run alongside their pop-up shop, so come along and visit for more details. Opening hours are 10am-4pm, 7th-17th September.

http://www.maggiesdressvintage.co.uk/

www.mleilaniwebber@blogspot.com

Title: Re-invent Vintage

2010-08-25T14:51:00.001+01:00

PORFFOR Exhibition Profile

Saturday 21st August - Friday 3rd September 2010

Artists: Group Show- The Vision Hermosa Gallery

Susana Johnston is a Newport based Art Agent. Susana is currently showcasing the work of local Artists, Photographers and Craftmakers from the Vision Hermosa Gallery (Market Arcade) in 'Porffor' as part of the Empty Shops Project. This exhibition will be rotating.

2010-08-25T14:32:00.010+01:00

OREN Exhibition Profile

Saturday 21st August - Friday 3rd September 2010

Private View: Thursday 2nd September 2010, 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Artists: Tina Testagrossa and Diba Mehrab

Diba recycles material and proves not everything has to end up in the bin. Tina just likes to have fun after work with paint. She does not use brushes, just hands and anything in a household.

2010-08-25T14:24:00.002+01:00

CO-OP Bank Exhibition Profile
Monday 23rd August - Saturday 28th August
Opening Times: 11:00am - 6:00pm

Title: The Z Factor

Artist Group: Zig Zag Zoo

Created in 2008, the Zig Zag Zoo is an evolving world of ambitious, egotistical celebrity animals, harnessed and caged by a troubled duo of bearded ladies.

In March 2010 Zoo managers Bella and Helga staged the first Z Factor talent show in Bristol. The close runner-up was Dungcan the Dung Beetle. He had never performed onstage before but had made a brilliant costume. He said being concealed in the costume gave him the confidence to sing at the top of his lungs. How can you beat a singing dung beetle? Only if you’re Z Factor winners the Backflap Boys- a troupe of four penguins with a breakdance routine.

Now they need more acts, and this August they’re crossing the bridge to Newport…

The Z Factor is different every time we do it- because it relies on the characters that audition. The Z Factor is a comedy show, not a real talent show. Even the most skilled performers will have to dress as some kind of animal. Everyone will be in disguise- it’s a great leveller.

The Z Factor is for anyone who likes to express themselves and show people what they can do. Now we’d be honoured if the people of Newport- from children to grandparents, professional to beginner- would help us make this Z Factor the best one ever. So send in your auditions or come and record one with our help…. And you might be taking part in the Z Factor Finale Cabaret at The Riverfront with the Zig Zag Zoo animals!!!

For more information, head this way!

2010-08-24T15:55:00.005+01:00

GWYRDD Exhibition Profile
Saturday 21st August - Friday 3rd September 2010
Private Viewing: Tuesday 31st August 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Artists: Phil Nash and Neil George

The principle behind getting involved in The Empty Shops Project was for us to exhibit our paintings and photographs to the public for the first time.

Our objective is primarily to gain feedback and comments on our work. To date this has been very positive.

The experiment has also proved useful in terms of meeting other creative people and learning how and where they display their work.

2010-08-23T17:15:00.010+01:00

GLAS Exhibition Profile

Saturday 21st August - Friday 3rd September 2010

Title: Balls

Artist Group: The Fairways Of Newport

This is the third exhibition by the Serialist Art Collective

A new project by the serialist Art Collective, inspired by the Ryder Cup 2010 golf tournament to be held at the Celtic Manor resort, Newport. The theme is about golf and how the Ryder Cup coming to Newport has changed the city, good, bad, the artists views put down in paint.

... Remembered is the crucial element of the project which was to envisage the golf world encroaching more and more into Newport, swallowing up it's suburbs into a mega golf course...what happens to the ordinary folks then, estranged from their highrise in Ringland for example? How does the Ryder Cupites compare with Newportians we know and love? This discussed in an array of colour, form and texture by the artists in their own intrinsic style.

Artists: Ariel Seratonine Jones, Andrew Podmore, Austin J. Curtis, Steven Jones, Louise Horton, Stephanine Roberts, Meurigg Watkins, Caroline Smith and Dan Romer.

2010-08-17T14:14:00.017+01:00

GLAS Exhibition Profile

Saturday 7th August - Friday 20th August 2010

Title: Pictures

Artist: Josephine Atkin

Josephine has lived in Newport and the Newport area for 43years. Originally a journalist, she taught English at Caerleon Comprehensive School for 20 years prior to retirement. Always interested in art, she began painting seriously in the early 1990s, joining the Newport Art Society which met at that time every Tuesday evening at the Dolman Theatre.

Early pictures were often of the canal paths around Newport and local scenes, but later she and her husband walked the South West coastal path and were inspired by the pretty villages in Devon and Cornwall, and seascapes.

In 2002 they decided to walk the Camino de Santiago in Northen Spain, beginning in St Jean Pied de Porte in the Pyrenees and ending in Galicia, a distance of 500 miles. It took 32 days, and most day they found time to produce water-colour sketch of their travels. These sketches were often used to form the basis of larger oil paintings on returning home.

The whole experience proved so inspiring that they have done something similar every year since: in 2009, for instance, they walked from Seville to Santiago, over 600miles. A typical day would involve an early start, a 15mile walk, a search for accommendation, and then time spent sketching. Apart from the spiritual element of the pilgrimage which undoubtedly affects everyone who undertakes the walks they have benefited by improving their sketching ability, and providing considerable entertainment for the other pilgrims, local people and tourists.

2010-08-16T11:55:00.011+01:00

GREEN & BLACKS Exhibition Profile

Saturday 7th August - Friday 20th August 2010

Title: An exhibition by Joan G. Evans

Artist: Joan G. Evans

" In 1996, I decided to join an evening class at Blackwood Comprehensive Community College. I tried craft at first, but it was really art that I was interested in. I then moved onto art class in 1997 where I was taught by Mrs Sylvia Pitman. She was also a French Teacher. I tried French too, without success! Sylivia was impressed with a lot of my work and I did a lot of homework.

By the year 2000, I started having exhibitions of my own in Libraries and Churches. I have sold quite a number locally and so my pictures are enjoyed in many homes around the South Wales Valleys.

I was inspired by David Attenborough and enjoy drawing and painting animals. I am very versatile and work in pastels, watercolour, pen and ink and charcoal."

2010-08-12T12:11:00.005+01:00

MELYN Exhibition Profile

Saturday 7th August - Friday 27th August

Title: Orange Car

Artist: Anna Bush Crews

You are invited to see 68 photographs of a very particular car, a 1978 orange Volvo. The Volvo’s driver and photographer pose with the car in some photographs. The photographs are shot on medium format and colour negative film. Along with the car are trees/flowers, cathedrals, famous buildings, ancient sites, haystacks, houses and other rural and urban manmade landscapes. The photographs are in Southern England with a couple in Wales, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

The car is relative to its surroundings: the colour, light, season, cultural significance, legal constraints and controls, car hierarchies. The car is also considered as status symbol, as fashion accessory, as gendered, and as a means of transport. Levels of impermanence are contrasted, the car itself as a reminder in the lack of respect it increasingly commands with age, that this happens to people as well as cars. The car’s journey is a one-way street and it ends in the scrapyard. Received and observed wisdom is questioned through coincidence.

Car photographs were exhibited at the Watershed in Bristol and the Bath Fringe Festival at Sydney Place in Bath in the late 1980s (both shows in black & white). More recent exhibitions at Howard Gardens Gallery in Cardiff, the Hot Bath Gallery in Bath, the Watershed in Bristol, and …trashed…, recently shown with the empty shops project, Upper Dock Street, have not included the car.

2010-08-12T11:45:00.007+01:00

OREN Exhibition Profile

Saturday 7th August - Friday 20th August

Title: Eye Create

Artist Group: Newport Youth Service

Following on from the huge success of the 'Eye See' SuperDragon Project, Newport Youth Service has put together an exhibition, aptly named 'Eye Create', to celebrate the wealth of artwork created by young people of Newport.

This mixed media exhibition has come from different projects within Newport Youth Service, namely Youth Work in Schools, A.L.F. (Alternative Learning Forum), The Information Shop, and Youth Clubs across Newport.

These young people are inspired by their environment, and use art as a mean for creative expression. One of the young people involved via The Information Shop who took part in the project, said her art had helped give her an outlet for her frustrations she felt within her life.

The young people involved in the project are excited to have their work on display and feel it a great honour and achievement to have their work exhibited in the public arena.

The exhibition will be open between 11am and 3pm. Some of the young people who were involved in the project will also be available on site to answer to answer any questions about their artwork.

Comedy Port: Nick Helm

2010-07-16T15:25:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie...

The lovely folk from Comedy Port said some nice things about us after Nick Helm performed an Edinburgh warm up show in the Empty Shops HQ on Wednesday night, so we thought the least we could do it point you in the direction of the little round up they have written about the event!

Head this way to read, and see, what went on!

Nick Helm - Edinburgh Preview Show

2010-07-13T18:20:00.001+01:00

To celebrate the launch of Comedy Port (Newport Comedy Festival), the wonderful Nick Helm is doing a preview of his Edinburgh show, in the Empty Shops Project HQ (Upper Dock Street, Newport).

Since starting stand-up comedy in 2007, the talented and enthusiastic Nick Helm is quickly gaining attention from across the industry for his unique, powerful and above all hilarious blend of one-liners, stories, poems and songs.

Tickets are just £3 - and it is BYO - so come along, have a drink and be merry!

You can find more information about the show here!

Exhibition Profile: Lines

2010-06-29T16:10:00.001+01:00

What: Lines
Who: Ella Edwards and Sarah Featherstone
Where: Glas (The Blue Shop)
When: 29 June - 9 July

A collaboration between artist Ella Edwards and writer Sarah Featherstone to explore the question: Where does drawing begin and writing end?

Newport’s Empty Shops Project offers Sarah and Ella an opportunity to explore their own practices as writer and artist and how the two disciplines overlap and interact. There are many similarities between the activities of writing and drawing (motor and intellectual), which can be termed ‘mark making’.

We hope to challenge the oft-heard phrase: ‘I can’t draw’, from adults who have lost their childhood confidence in their own creativity. This was one of the reasons for naming the project simply ‘Lines’, as the very word ‘draw’ can be enough to inhibit people. But doodles done while on the phone for example are proof of what anyone can achieve when the conscious mind is diverted and creativity is allowed to flow!

So come in and have a go and see what we can create together.

Who knows where the lines will take us…

ARTISTS:

Ella has recently completed her Fine Art degree at Newport School of Art and Design and is defining her practice as a painter within a broadly figurative theme. Ella has a passion for colour and is interested in the materiality of paint as a substance and in drawing as a means of expressing the subconscious.

Sarah has an MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University College. She has recently completed one of the Newport Superdragons - Awen (poetic inspiration), and is currently working on a poetry pamphlet and her first novel for teenagers.

Performance: Stephen Hammett

2010-06-24T16:35:00.002+01:00

On Friday 25 June, at 7pm, local poet and artist Stephen "Stevo" Hammett will be performing a Performance Installation, called Angel Dust: In Dust We Trust, at Oren (The Orange Shop, Upper Dock Street).

See you there!

2010-06-22T10:00:00.000+01:00

Who: John Sherwood
Where: Glas (The Blue Shop)
When: 14 - 25 June

Since reading a book about Van Gogh in the school library I have wanted to be an Artist. I did badly at school except in Art class, making some pocket money doing other kids Art homework in the process.

After school, I did a foundation course at Worcester Tech where I met the best Art teacher I ever had, Lionel Mills, an eccentric but inspiring teacher, whose ideas and approaches to painting I still employ now. I later went on to Art College in Cheltenham and was offered a place at the Royal College of Art but could not afford to go, so I returned to Worcester.

I work from memory and imagination which I believe reveals another underlying reality behind the material surface of things. Personally, it does not matter what the paintings depict or mean, it is the act of painting itself that makes me return to my paints and bushes every day. Art should be shared by all, everybody can have a go!

Exhibition Profile: AdorNation

2010-06-21T15:17:00.003+01:00

What: AdorNation
Who: Amy Hooper - Illustrator/Painter/Jewellery Designer
Where: Porffor (The Purple Shop)
When: 14 - 25 June

Drawing inspiration from the natural world and my passion for travel and culture, most of my creations exhibit a very organic and ethnic feel. My jewellery uniquely integrates gemstones, shells and antique coins from India, with a form of South American macramé intricate spirals woven and knotted using waxed cord.

My illustrations of faeries and other mythical creatures, adorned in jewellery and clothes reminiscent of my designs, range from earthy tones of pen and ink, and oil paint to much more monochrome pen drawings, depicting the organic flow of life and the unseen connections that link us to each other and the world around us.

Every creation, every pen stroke, every knot is made with care and consideration and much love, in the hope you will experience them with as much joy as I have had in creating them.

Andrew Bolton: Video Installation

2010-06-11T11:48:00.001+01:00

Occupying (what we have called) Green and Blacks, Andrew Bolton's Goes Around exhibition, has been evolving for a few weeks, with some wonderful window scrapings.

Andrew has now added a video installation, which you can see below:

For more information on the exhibition, please click here.

Private Viewing:

2010-06-09T13:52:00.001+01:00

You are cordially invited, on Wednesday 9 June, between 5pm and 8pm, to the Private Viewing of Anna Bush Crew's exhibition.

..TRASHED..
Photographic artworks by Anna Bush Crews
Newport art Arts shop
30 Upper Dock Street, Newport, NP20 1HG
Open daily 11am - 4.30pm, June 1 - June 12

For more information on the exhibition click here.

Exhibition Profile: Anna Bush Crews

2010-06-08T16:57:00.002+01:00

What: …trashed…
Who: Anna Bush Crews
Where: Newport Art Arts

When: 2 - 12 June

Below, Anna describes the different elements of her exhibition:

…HAUNTED HOUSE…(1999-2010)

Photographs grouped into five formation pieces of four, six or nine colour prints are placed together, slightly floating; the stillness of individual images hides the reality of the actions that time and time again led to the shrouded evidence of aggressive destruction. Movement within the five formation pieces creates a visual complexity that point to the repetitive acts of desperation and depression, over a period of time, in what was once a grand domestic space perched on the cliff in Bristol. Movement within a stillness, the remains of the domestic, chilled. This piece is dedicated to my father, Judson Crews, June 30, 1917 –May 17,2010. Judson was a poet, and social worker, among other things.

…FRIENDS…(2008-10)
Marks of intention and marks by accident, strength applied with force, breaks and shatters the target, depending on the aim and impact…the teen spirit comes through; the happy face replaced by a sad face. Teens gather, to form their groups, away from home, in abandoned places and territories. To grow up.…to escape the domestic… “Home is the place you leave”…Some never come back. This piece is dedicated to my niece, Iris McLoughlin, Oct.8, 1989-Jan 25,2010. The digital photos that make up…FRIENDS… were shot in Taos, New Mexico, USA.

The drugs corporations will not be happy until Americans are all on hundreds of dollars of prescription drugs each month for various complaints, some brought on by the addictive junk food diet, tobacco, alcohol. Other culprits of addiction keep us sitting instead of active. All are short term fixes for the stresses and conflicts brought on by the culture of persuasion to be part of the great consumer greed. Is it any wonder the young react to the hypocrisy?

THANK YOU MR. HASELGROVE (2010)

This acts as a link within the shop/gallery, and in the materiality of the photograph, abstracted and 3 dimensional, takes us back to another time, recognizable though revealed only partially. Of an evening, after a day of work, supper served by Mrs., Mr. would devote himself to his hobby, photography. Over the years he captured the family life, travels, the school, all the interests he had. With curiosity and a good eye, he used various cameras, papers. These full plate fiber-based prints are curled up—an outdated technology— and offer only slivers of those unknown times and places.

Another work, Around 3, (2003) related, includes photos collected from various sources, intentionally combined in a random way, created not as a story, but becoming a novel of atmosphere we project onto the time—the surface hints at the underlying.

The past is not a smooth surface
The surface of time is not smooth
The time of suffering is not a surface

Anne Carson

Also in the exhibition:
Homage to Louise Bourgeoise, (2010), a 3-D collaboration with Sohrab Crews, objets trouves, balloons, disco ball.

USK EDDY, video work running for 59 minutes. The ebb tide flow produces the current that is pushing debris around; the surface carries logs, branches, some with distinctive marks— yellow leaves like flags, twigs, trees, tires, rubbish bags, plastic bottles floating, and who knows what all caught up in the encircling movement of the eddy. The river level goes down, as the tide pulls the water out to sea. The accompaniment is traffic roar and birdsong. Linear time, demanded by train schedules, has impacted the whole culture, anxious about time; life itself has evolved a linear way of living, tied to the job, the demands, the cocktail hour, the news.

Gallery reading from:
The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, Erich Fromm

Exhibition Profile: East Side Art Club

2010-06-02T16:19:00.002+01:00

Who: East Side Art Club

Where: The old Coral Bookmakers

When: 31 May - 11 June

Established in July 2008, East Side Art Club, meets on a Tuesday evening at the Eveswell Community Centre, Newport.

Hailing from very varied backgrounds, the 17 members of the club have diverse stlyes and interests. Subjects painted range from abstracts to portraits, flowers to landscapes (both urban and rural). Pencil, pastel, watercolour, acrylic and oil are among the media used.

The East Side Art Club will be exhibiting their work until Friday 11 June. You can find more pictures of the exhibition here.

BBC Wales Feature

2010-05-27T15:44:00.001+01:00

Last week we promised that BBC Wales would be publishing a feature on their website about Empty Shops Project, and you can read an extract from the piece below:

Empty retail units in Newport are becoming creative exhibition spaces thanks to an innovative arts project.

The project located in five shops in Upper Dock Street, Newport city centre will run until 31 October 2010.
Artists, community groups and anyone interested in the arts have a chance to express themselves creatively and bring their work to a wider audience.

Fifty SuperDragons are currently being transformed in one of the empty shops to create an arts trail around Newport.

Nick Cadman, community arts development officer for Newport council said the arts development team had been thinking about the best way to utilise the empty city centre premises for a couple of years.

"We've got a lack of spaces to exhibit and do workshops in, so it's always been in the back of our minds," he said.

The rest of the lovely feature can be seen here.

TJs in The Square

2010-05-25T16:10:00.002+01:00

We are pleased to be supporting TJs in The Square, which will features some of the brightest stars of the 1990s, who are to reform for a special open-air gig in John Frost Square this summer in tribute to Newport TJ’s owner John Sicolo, who died in March.

Local hit makers Goldie Lookin Chain will be joined by a stellar line-up including The Darling Buds, fronted by Andrea Lewis, who have not played together since racking up a string of hits in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Darling Buds, Novocaine, Doctor Bison, Flyscreen, Rollerco, Varispeed and Disco will all also reunite for the concert. As well as the music, there will be guest speakers including Paul Flynn MP and John Sicolo’s daughter, Leanne.

The Empty Shops Project will be providing the backstage area, in the old Co-Op Bank, which was cleaned up this weekend by an army of enthusiastic volunteers! There will also be an exhibition of photos and clothing in one of the Empty Shops.

Mr Sicolo was pivotal to the mid-1990s Newport music scene which led to the New York Times dubbing the town the ‘New Seattle’, after the US city that had earlier spawned Nirvana and the grunge movement. At that time, local MP Paul Flynn even raised a Parliamentary White Paper in praise of the town’s talented musicians. And now many of those bands that found their feet in TJ’s years ago will play one-off sets at a free, open-air show for up to 2,500 people in John Frost Square.

Newer bands will also be represented by the likes of Sick Livers, Bad Samaritans and Elephant Rescue Plan, and there will be ska bands earlier in the day to represent Mr Sicolo’s love of the genre. As well as the established acts, a band of local youngsters will be given the chance to play in front of thousands as part of a ‘Square Factor’ talent contest, which is supported by Newport City Homes.

The gig on Saturday July 10 will run from 11am until around 9.30pm and is supported by Newport Initiative as part of the Summer in Newport City events schedule.

For further event details check www.wearevoice.co.uk, www.newportcitycentre.co.uk or check out the Facebook group.

BBC Wales - Gallery

2010-05-21T17:18:00.001+01:00

We were visited by the lovely people from BBC Wales (South East) this week, to discuss the Empty Shops Project.

They will be publishing a full article next week, but as it's Friday we thought that we'd share their pictures first.

Follow this link to see their gallery of Empty Shop Project photos.

Gallery

2010-05-20T16:29:00.000+01:00

If you haven't had a chance to check out our group on Facebook, you can do so by heading this way.

In the meantime, check out some of the ace photos that people have been uploading to the group!

Artists Lounge

2010-05-07T11:00:00.001+01:00

Last week's first Artist Lounge went wonderfully well! Over 40 artists turned up and spent the evening talking about new projects and collaborations, so we are excited to announce that there will be an Artists Lounge every two weeks, on alternating Wednesdays and Thursdays (to allow people to attend if that cannot make one particular evening).

The next Artists Lounge takes place next Wednesday (12 May), in Empty Shops HQ, at 28 Upper Dock Street. Find the Facebook event here.

Please see the invite below for more information, and we look forward to seeing you next week!

Exhibition Profile: Communal Perspective

2010-05-06T17:00:00.000+01:00

What: Communal Perspective
Who: Tom Morris
Where: The old Coral Bookmakers

When: Monday 10 & 11 May

Communal Perspective is an exhibition situated somewhere between art, design and a local village fête stall. Diverse graphic messages in the form of posters, photographs and zines provoke thought on local community and create an atmosphere of collective thought. Interested in questions rather than answers, this exhibition asks you to see your community with fresh eyes, full of potential. Come along and be inspired, drink some tea and have a think with friends.

International Visitors

2010-05-06T12:55:00.001+01:00

Yesterday, as a bit of fun, we tried to get visitors to this website from as many different countries as possible. Gunhild assured us Norwegians, Rach offered a Kiwi and Leah has promised us a German by the end of the day. So far we have had visitors from 14 different countries (see the map below for our progress), and we want more!

We would like Empty Shops Project to become truly global (if only to see the joy on Mike's face when he checks Google Analytics and sees yet more countries lit up!)

If you know anyone who lives abroad - please send them a link to this website, and let's take over the world!

Empty Shops Project Online

2010-05-04T17:02:00.006+01:00

Although this blog is the best way to keep up-to-date with the Empty Shops Project, you can also find out more about what we are getting up to by following us on Twitter, and joining our group on Facebook.

Please join us, and get involved. Upload your pictures of the Empty Shops Project, tell us what you think of the exhibitions, make suggestions for future ideas and just get involved in any way you can!

Artists Lounge

2010-04-29T15:39:00.001+01:00

Empty Shops Project feels it’s important to get artists to get together and talk about what they love doing best!

We’d like to invite you to come and meet other artists to discuss potential projects and collaborations in the Empty Shops, and to generally chill out in a creative, artistic environment.

We are hoping to have this as a regular event every fortnight. The details of the first event are:

Date: Thursday 29 April 2010
Time: 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Old Meeks Shoe Shop / 28 Upper Dock Street

Exhibition Profile: S.A.A

2010-04-27T15:06:00.001+01:00

What: The Newport S.A.A Exhibition
Who: Society for All Artists
Where: The old Travelwise - Bus Station

The old Travelwise shop in the Bus Station has been taken over by S.A.A.:

We are a Newport Based Art Group. At the moment we have fifteen regular members, and we have been meeting for seven years. We meet every fourth Wednesday of the month, at 6.45pm till 9pm in the hall above the Stepping Stone Cafe (Salvation Army) on Hill Street, Newport.

Our ages range from 30 to 90 years old and our abilities also range from beginner to more advanced, and we work in various different mediums. We also hold workshop days with various experienced artists.

Price per session: S.A.A Members £4.50 / Non Members and Visitors £5 (tea and biscuits included)

New members are always welcome (first week free!).

Exhibition Profile: Andrew Bolton

2010-04-22T09:56:00.003+01:00

What: Goes Around
Who: Andrew Bolton
Where: 25(ish!), Upper Dock Street
When: 11 June - 9 July

Occupying (what we have called) Green and Blacks, Andrew Bolton's Goes Around exhibition officially commences on 11 June, but has already started taking shape, with the stunning window "scraping" shown below.
Andrew describes his plans:

I will scrape a drawing in to the paint on the windows with simple tools, and clear some bigger areas so that passers-by can partially see in to the shop. From a distance, it will look like any other whited out shop, but close up it will be obvious that something is happening.

Over the next month, I will create a non-narrative film for this project. Two edited versions of the film will show on separate screens visible through the window. Because they loop, and use elements of thesame footage, they will appear to interact with each other in a rhythmic way.

Maja Palser from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama will score the film.

For more information please visit www.communitymurals.org.uk.

SuperDragons Designs

2010-04-20T15:51:00.001+01:00

At the top of Upper Dock Street, sits the Dragon's Den, home, for the next couple of months, of the wonderful SuperDragons project.

As part of the project, several artists will paint their SuperDragons in the Dragon's Den, allowing the public to get up close and personal with the creatures that will soon be situated throughout the city.

Last week, the final 50 designs were chosen by the Arts Review Panel, and are now on display in the Dragon's Den.

Please do your best to get down there and see them first hand, before the hard work commences to transform the artistic visions into reality!

Empty Shops Project has launched!

2010-04-16T16:20:00.001+01:00

Today, at 2.30pm, Empty Shops Project was officially launched by the Mayor of Newport, Cllr Jarvis, who cut the ribbon outside the Dragon's Den, which was packed to the rafters!

Loads of people enjoyed the speeches, a chance to see the winning SuperDragon designs, tours of the shops, a dragon parade from SWICA, live poetry and some wonderful fairy cakes!

You can see some pictures of the launch here.

Application Form

2010-04-16T13:43:00.001+01:00

As Empty Shops Project is about to launch, we have uploaded details of the application process for artists to the How? section of the website.

The form should tell you everything that you need to know to apply to use an empty shop.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Dragon's Den

2010-04-15T15:40:00.000+01:00

The Dragon's Den is at the top of Upper Dock Street, and is a partnership between Empty Shops Project and SuperDragons.

It will also open tomorrow, (Friday 16 April), and will feature the first completed SuperDragon, as well as lots of blank Dragons, and a selection of the winning Dragon designs. The vacant shop is being decorated as we speak, and the outer windows are being dressed with ace fiery vinyl!

Official Launch

2010-04-14T08:50:00.002+01:00

The Official Launch of the Empty Shops Project is this Friday (16 April), between 2.00pm and 4.30pm, on Upper Dock Street, Newport.

The launch of the project, which will be attended by the Mayor of Newport, will involve the opening of three premises on Upper Dock Street Site, including the Dragon's Den, which will be home to the wonderful SuperDragons project, which is also part of Newport Festival 2010.

The launch will centre around the old Meeks store, which will be the Empty Shops Project HQ for the duration of the project.

Activities at the launch will include:

Tours of the shops
Live artists at work
Live bands
Details of how to get involved
The chance to meet the ESP team

Anyone, and everyone, is invited to attend - See you on Friday!

Volunteers Needed!

2010-04-13T17:31:00.001+01:00

Empty Shops Project launches on Friday (more details of that will be posted tomorrow), but before that we still have loads to do to transform the vacant retail units that we have taken over into viewable spaces. Although there are already lots of people helping out, including local artists, staff from The Riverfront and a very helpful local window cleaner, we still need more help!

If you can spare any time before Friday, and are willing to do some clearing up, some painting, or even just some promotional work online, please get in touch! Email mail@emptyshopsproject.co.uk, or call Nick Cadman on 01633 656679 and we'll gladly find you something to do! As you can see from the pictures below, we have a mountain to climb, just to get the HQ ready...

Empty Shops Project is on YouTube

2010-04-13T17:20:00.000+01:00

Empty Shops Project is now on YouTube!

Head to www.youtube.com/emptyshopsproject for video updates of our progress!

There is already a video up showing the work still to be done before the launch on Friday!

Welcome to the Empty Shops Project

2010-04-01T14:49:00.003+01:00

Hello, we are the Empty Shops Project, based in Newport (South Wales).

Please take a moment to explore the other areas of the blog, which will tell you more about who we are, what we do and when we are doing it.

Please check back here regularly or, best of all, follow this blog, and follow us on Twitter. There will be loads of updates, and we wouldn't want you to miss a thing.

Please get in touch with us if you'd like to get involved, and, more importantly, enjoy the Empty Shops Project...