Theft of a cable delayed the train home last night. I had been in London, along with most of the Southwell Artists, to collect our runners up certificate for our Big Draw event at the Minster last October. Amongst the images projected on a big screen was the colourful Noah’s Ark which Heather and I had created – adorned with creatures and butterflies. We had a nice meal in a Thai restaurant afterwards (which was v reasonably priced). Another enquiry about setting up the studios and I realised an important factor about HMS – we have made the spaces as cost effective as possible because we haven’t spent money on upgrading the property unecessarily. Everything is quite basic. We don’t have sinks in every space, the floors aren’t perfect and the lighting is only strip lights (though we do have huge windows). However, the chipboard walls allow for drilling, painting, sticking, and screwing. The floors will take a splash of paint. Most Important – the spaces are affordablle.
It’s great to see a solo show by a local artist in one of the premier spaces in Nottingham. Last night was the launch of Marek Tobolewski’s show ‘Continuum in Symmetry – New paintings and Drawings’ at the Djanogly Gallery where a huge contingent of the artist community turned up to support a dedicated and much admired friend. (The arrival of Nottingham Contemporary has raised the profile of the city enormously but local artists have suffered from the loss of Angel Row and Bonington Gallery as the new art gallery is dedicated to showing international artists). I was in awe of these sinuous, fluid and graceful pieces which take the viewer on an unending journey. Thank you Marek ! see Tom Hackett’s review www.a-n.co.uk/p/631740/
The car park is full of fancy cars at the Harrington Mills belonging to visitors of the exhibition by furniture manufacturers. It’s a shame there can’t be some dialogue between us and the directors because I am sure there is potential for something really special. A handful of artists at HMS are particpating in the Derbyshire Open Studios. I prefer to open my space once a year but I’m happy to encourage others :)
We have a case management conference meeting with a circuit judge for an hour in July. Apparently this is unusual as 1/4 an hour with a lower ranking judge is the norm. People keep asking me if I don’t feel like giving up. the answer is always no. It is our belief that the service charge is not being administered according to the terms of the lease. Our claim is about the right of challenge. This isssue has been ongoing since 2007 when we asked for discussions etc. We are defending a counter-claim which questions the very definition and administration of studios. Our licenses are based on one forwarded by the Arts Council. Licenses are not leases but the Factory Company is arguing that we are giving artists the right of possession. Licenses offer only rights of occupation and represent a subtle but important difference to leases which offer more substantial rights of possession. How can we give up?
It’s a minefield dealing with solicitor’s letters – some are open and others are privileged. To mention the latter in open correspondence is also a no no. It’s like living in a parallel universe.
