I was a bit nervous that Flore might be disappointed when she saw the Exhibition Space. I picked her up from East Midlands airport this morning. She had travelled from Avignon which is a million miles away from the industrial town of Long Eaton. However, we hit it off immediately and she really liked the space. She was relieved it wasn't as polished as some commercial spaces and the lace factory is a very appropriate setting for her work. She will be returning for her performance on the preview evening of the Open Studios, but I also think it will be the start of a long distance friendship.
The staircase is half ready but Mark is waiting for the access to be lengthened before he can complete. There are no lights upstairs either and some walls aren't ready yet… so it's cutting it a bit fine for the Southwell Open Studios in a fortnight's time. Mmmm.
I am glad I am busy, very busy. I had a biopsy yesterday and I don't have time for dark moments.
Jem has offered to look at a lease for another studio which comes up fro renewal in 2009 . This is 'meat and drink' to him and it will only take him a short time to work out what they have signed up to, and what is their bargaining power.
A chance conversation with a friend also running studios meant I was able save them over £1000 on the rates bill. I suggested she check with the local authority to see if the studios qualified for small business rates and thus a 50% reduction. Result! Not only was the bill halved but also back-dated.
I spoke to Laura (the ADO) and she has managed to organise a banner on Long Eaton roundabout advertising the Open Studios. It will be shared with The Art Room who will be holding arts events celebrating Divali during the same weekend.
The latest show, 'We are all Tuvalu' was installed with 5 minutes to spare before the PV last night. See http://www.harringtonmillstudios.co.uk/index/exhibition_sp.htm
I didn't stay long, but apparently the party went on til midnight because…
Just when you think you have more than enough on your plate, something unpredictable happens which you have to deal with too. After we walked my dog , Tallulah last Thursday evening we didn't notice straight away she had a third degree wound on her back leg. It looked like a barbed wire sort of injury which needed an operation. (I have far too much empathy to be useful in these situations and so I wasn't the one to inspect it ). Anyway, it meant I couldn't be around to welcome Paul to the studios today for the first day of his residency. No worries, Sarah Cavani showed him the ropes and everyone was happy.
Stella rang today about the Open Studios. She is going to help with the press-releases. I am so grateful. Her experience is valued as she successfully ran the Bonington Gallery at Nottingham Trent. We have plenty to write about… the mayor is opening the event, the French artist, Flore will be showing work and Xymphora, the Leeds graduates will be completing their residency with screenings of their work. Not forgetting the variety of work from HMS artists too.
I'm worried about spreading myself too thinly and making a pig's ear of everything. I think this may already be the case.
We still have a hole the size of a small car which awaits a staircase to my studio. As the Southwell Open Studios takes place in a few weeks there is a sense of urgency. A bit anyway.
I am also representing HMS and Southwell Artists at the NCan(Nottingham Contemporary Network) meetings. Both organisations are opening their studios in October as part of a Nottingham wide arts festival. I am having difficulty coordinating both and hope that I'm not confusing all parties at the same time:(
Issues relating to the Harrington Factory Company are coming to a head too, which fills serious head-space. Legal issues relating to leases and service charges are being dealt with by Jem… and solicitors. GROAN.
Some fun bits too… I've spoken to Flore about her Exhibition. She is doing a performance on the opening night -"Self-Embriodery" where as a 'living sculpture' she will embroider the clothes she is wearing.
I'm having lunch with Laura, the ADO and Polly who will be finishing her residency at HMS. She is going to take part in the Open Studios though by making work for the communal area.
