www.chapelartsstudios.co.uk

I started this blog only a few weeks ago. Seems like another life. Sitting behind a gallery desk, getting my bike stolen, and watching people fall ill. Struggling, hoping and living in a bedsit. Today’s NFASP conference, at the Toynbee centre in London, was another clear signpost to a brighter, happier, artier world. With the Chapel Arts studios having their official mayoral-opening tomorrow, Motivated Dave was in da house, and everything that everyone said was interesting. People spoke of ideas creating change, of funding possibilities, of tenancy agreements, of integrating with the community, of educational programmes, of diversity, of residencies and of studio collectives. No such thing as too much. I’m so fired up I could soak myself in this stuff till my fingers go wrinkly.

All that and biscuits too! Mind you, I missed all the chocolate ones as I was too busy talking to a studio director about their aspiration of “raising the consciousness” of their home town through an ambitious outreach programme. I liked this lady.

In fact the only bit of the day that could have been disappointing turned out to be the best success. Five afternoon seminars. Choose one. I chose one. Turned out I knew the speaker, Katherine Anteney, (I liked her too),and had previously been part of the splendid aspace organisation and studio complex she was talking about. The work that Dan Crow, the director (who I like as well), has done these last nine years is nothing short of inspirational. He’s been flying an ever-expanding lone flag of creative talent in the city’s centre, and without him, Southampton would be a much poorer place.

Be that as it may, this was not the seminar of New and Unexplored and Unexpected territory that I was hoping for. Bummer. Though, seeing a slide of my work appear during the presentation was unexpected. As was one of the NFASP trustees approaching me about an exhibition he’s curating curate. He saw the slide of my work and would like to involve me. “I can do that” I said, and if all goes well, I will.

For now, I best put all that to one side and get ready for tomorrow’s opening. Michael, my brilliant but over-worked and worn-out development officer has announced he’s got the red ribbon at last. Seven metres of it?! I had to laugh when he told me that. I mean, how big can two doors be? Are we wrapping the entire Chapel in the shiny stuff? But he’s bringing tables at 10, and collecting sandwiches at 11. Then it’s best bib and tucker with all hands on deck. Ruth, Michaels wife, and Louise, my almost-wife, will be there to help with the drinks, and a-talking we shall go.

I’m going to remember tomorrow for a long time, I think. It’s not everyday that a best case scenario lands on your doorstep, so this is one to savour. With wine of course. And a lot of thankyou’s.

We’re off to London tomorrow. Not to see the queen this time, but to attend an annual conference of art-studio providers. I’m expecting to glean huge amounts of useful, practical and inspirational material form this day, and although I’m still typing well past my bedtime, I can’t seem to switch off from all the possibilities that are starting to show themselves with the Chapel Arts project. Each day uncovers something new. Another path to follow, a new lead. We now have a plethora of what-if’s .

For when I come back from the conference with yet another bag stuffed full of yet more of the plethoric what-if’s, I have got myself booked into an advice session. With so much to plan, (and most of it completely new ground for me) I’ve chosen a very clever man called Jonathan. He’s an advisor for ARC in Portsmouth, and yea verily, he shall dispenseth of the wisdom. Or I’ll want my money back. Or at least the biscuits I intend to feed him.

Just a little over 24 hours to the opening now, and the non-stop info-gather and plan-hatching of the last couple of weeks is really coming together. We have a coalescing, I do believe!

Speaking at last weeks Café Culture to a small, but well-listened audience, I began to see the studios at a genetic level. We have a wonderful opportunity to build something into existence, and the genes we provide it with will go a long way in determining the life-form that evolves over the next few months (and hopefully years).

What if the studios evolved into a base of operations? It’s beautifully formed, but too small to be a dedicated venue. I think what we have here, in viewing it as a base, is more of a creative think-tank: an ideas machine that people will come to, meet, speak, react and respond. This building needs to be an engine that churns out these ideas and inspiration, feeding the local community and drawing people in from a wider field.

So, the question is, what are the ingredients that will yield this rich harvest that is so desired?

Good question.

It’s here! The wait is over! The studios have a bright red settee, and it’s a thing of comfort and beauty!

What a great night. Is this really work? The opening was at Weyhill studios, and what a place. Once was a time when it was a sheep stables. Now, the little sheep lounges and boudoirs have been converted into a few dozen arts and craft studios. With a café. And a shop. It’s a great set up. Never heard of it before coming here. Is this the same for all over UK? Are there towns scattered around the country that possess this level of facilities and outlets, but remain off the map of public awareness?

Either way, I had the rare opportunity to wax nerdily about Palaeolithic cultures and the daring exploits of the Leakey family in Olduvai gorge. Museum directors are easy to like!

Best get on with the presentation for tonights Café Culture. Met some more artists last night who will be coming along, so it’s looking like we’re going to have an audience.

Builders in, builders out. Still the ventilation hums above the threshold. Time is running out for the Grand Opening now, and we really need to get the work signed off and the studio to be studio-fied. As it is, I’ve got some tenacious and diligent people on my side that just won’t take “It’ll do” for an answer. I like it when that happens.

Tonight I’m off to attend an opening of some local artists, and am looking forward to meeting more of my new community. Maybe even have a glass of wine, who knows?

Then it’s nose back to the grind stone as I prepare my presentation for tomorrows Café Culture event, where I’m one of the two speakers. This is my first spotlight occasion in the new role, and I hope to give a good account of myself. There’s a lot of extra observations starting to filter their way into my understanding of this role. One of them being a sense of responsibility towards the Andover community. It’s caught me by surprise, really. I mean there I was thinking that I’d just be the Responsible Artist, wheeled out to make Art and Perform to high standards, fulfilling requirements in the role. I guess what I mean, in other words, is that I expected to find a fairly objective approach in my work. But here I am, having been welcomed with open arms, thrust right into the core of a creative and bustling community, and I’m feeling a sense of responsibility towards the town. “Oh, I hope I don’t let them down” “Oh, will this be what they need?”, “Must try harder, must try harder!”

Reading back over this blurt, it feels like I’m not expressing myself very well. That maybe I wasn’t prepared to commit in some mor engaged way with the project. That’s clearly not the case, as evidenced by my move to Andover to make the whole thing work to its best.

Not sure what to make to make of this, or even what I’m trying to say. Maybe it’s just that I’m enjoying myself an ways that I wasn’t expecting, and that’s bringing about a new set of attachments to my life in Andover.

Whatever it is, it’s a good thing, and it’s spurring me on more each day. Just got to get the ventilation fixed so I can stop being Office Boy, and start being Artist Man!