Gill Jones discusses the recent exhibition from her 3rd year show for her B.A. Hons in Fine Art. The image shown here,"Cogito Ergo Sum", was part of that show and was also included in the Evolver Magazine prize exhibition at the Thelma Hubert Gallery.

Gill’s degree show was called "A Tenuous Grasp" and she describes the body of work as follows; "This work has been an exploration of presence and absence, time passing, the corporeal, the ethereal, what it means to 'be', love and that tenuous grasp we have on life."

 

Members and guests are welcome to this informal, friendly evening where they can relax and chat with fellow members, eat good food and generally have an enjoyable time. This is an ideal way of getting to know fellow artists and for new members to ease into the group.

 

As there will be no meeting of North Devon Arts in November
(due to the Private View to which all are invited on 1st November at The Picture House in Exeter!) we would like to hold a meeting at Broomhill hosted by The Broomhill Group (the NDA writers/poets group). Rinus will feed us if there is a reasonable number of people taking up this invitation. We are considering all sorts of ideas to make an entertaining evening based on ‘words’. There will be no pressure on anyone to create or perform anything. Anyone who considers words are ‘not their thing’ will be surprised!The Broomhill Group welcomes your support - contact Jann for more information: memberships@northdevonarts.co.uk

Artist, photographer and interested in geology, Kester Webb has been walking the coastal footpaths and exploring the sea cliffs of North Devon since the 1950s, taking photographs and drawing the dramatic scenery in order to create geo-morphic landscape paintings. Kester will be giving an illustrated talk about Exmoor to NDA members.

Inspired by E.A.Newell Arber's challenge in The Coast Scenery of North Devon, 1910: 'It would be a proud accomplishment to have traversed the whole of the shoreline from Porlock westwards' - Kester Webb is the creator of The Hidden Edge of Exmoor Project.

He has now scrambled, boulder-hopped and rock-climbed the entire length of North Devon's beaches and given numerous illustrated talks of his exploration for charities and groups throughout the region. He is also involved with the Combe Martin Museum through his practical experience in local silver-lead mineral mining.

Read about editor, Tom Hodgkinson's day out with Kester on The Idler website: http://idler.co.uk/country-diary/a-country-diary-45/

You've heard of Speed Dating, now we present Speed Skilling! The idea of the evening is for you to use our 'experts' to brush up on your skills moving from table to table finding out about topics of interest! A number of areas will be covered on the night, including: Networking/volunteering in the arts; Internet Q&A; Writing about your work; Using your photos; Promoting yourself. This comes in response to member feedback that they'd like to see more training and skills sharing in NDA - hence this meeting. Just come along, pick a topic and pick our brains!

SPECIAL NDA MEMBERS EVENING - Wednesday 10th August
Traditionally, NDA doesn't hold an August meeting, but some members have said it seems such a long time not to get together.

So the committee have arranged with Rinus at Broomhill to have an informal meet and walk in the wonderful Broomhill gardens, taking in the newly situated Sculpture Prize shortlisted works. Rinus has agreed to cook a BBQ for us (weather permitting, or in that case a buffet) at the special members rate of £7.50 (veggies catered for as well!)
 
Members are welcome to bring friends with them (no guest fee this evening) and have the choice to eat or not, although what better way to get to know fellow members than over a BBQ in these gardens? Come along to enjoy the friendly company, good atmosphere, fab food and discuss your choices about who should win the Broomhill Sculpture Prize!
 
Please note; food will be only be served to those who have pre-booked with Broomhill. To book, can members please contact Broomhill direct, leaving their names, on; 01271 850262 or email:  info@broomhillart.co.uk  no later than Saturday 6th August.

NDA member Andy White talks about his new series - 'A Kid I Have Fallen in Milk'- a collection of seven surreal paintings that catalogue the transition from the Summer to the Autumn of his life. His technique involves the absent minded application of paint to the canvas with minimum conscious intent.

At around 8.30pm the NDA AGM begins with reports on the past year, and a chance for members to feedback and talk to the Committee. Finally the next Committee will be elected for 2011/2012.

If you want to know more about the outgoing committee, or would like to nominate yourself to be part of the NDA committee, please see form attached to the June newsletter.

North Devon Arts is pleased to welcome one of the country’s foremost international, furniture designer/makers, John Makepeace OBE, to talk about his outstanding 50 year career as a maker and an inspiring teacher.

John’s furniture is both classic and modern, representing workmanship at its very best.  There is a touring exhibition of his work going round the UK this year and we are pleased to announce that John will be bringing three of his iconic chairs to display in Barnstaple’s Museum during June to coincide with his NDA talk. The talk is part of the North Devon Festival. For more information on John's work, see his website at
http://www.johnmakepeacefurniture.com/

Tickets for non-members £5.  For further information and to book for John’s talk at Broomhill, please contact; events@northdevonarts.co.uk
 
In conjunction with John Makepeace's talk at North Devon Arts, Barnstaple Museum presents a special opportunity to view three chairs by influential furniture designer and maker, John Makepeace, at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon from 1st June-30th June 2011, Mon-Sat 9.30am-5.00pm, as part of the North Devon Festival. Free entry.  Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon , The Square , Barnstaple , Devon , EX32 8LN

Please note: new date of 18th May for this talk (not our usual meeting date of 11th May).

Liz Atkin is a visual artist based in London. With a background in theatre and dance, physicality underpins her creative practice. Skin is her primary source for corporeal art, both as metaphorical membrane and physical boundary. Her work centres on a multilayered exploration of the possibilities of marking, extending and transforming the skin so as to question the limits of the body and the potentials for communication across and within the porous textures of light and surfaces.  This personal investigation explores body focused repetitive behaviour resulting in a sometimes violent rendering of the body in order to condense it to matter for resculpting.

Liz completed a Masters with Distinction from Laban in 2007. She won The London Paper self-portrait award with the London Affordable Art Fair in February 2008. Liz was the only international Artist in Residence on The Genesis Project, Los Angeles California for five weeks that same year. She has exhibited her work at exhibitions in London, such as solo shows at APT Gallery  (April 2008), Camden People's Theatre (Oct 2008), as well as group shows including 'What NOW,' a weekend showcase at Siobhan Davies Studios London in April 2009, celebrating a new generation of young dance-artists who think and ask questions through movement and the body. Most recently Liz exhibited work in a solo show at Blackheath Halls.
In April 2010 Liz joined Havelock Walk in South London, a creative community of sculptors, painters, designers, photographers and other visual artists.  She is forging new collaborations with Gary Lambert (dancer/choreographer), Lenka H Ryan (photographer), Oliver Warren (film maker) and Dr Simon Park (molecular biologist at University of Surrey). For more information www.lizatkin.com

 Written by Peter Villiers

This is the night when we all get an insight to the work of others in the group. It's an open evening for members to talk about their own work and inspirations.

If you are showing work in New Year New Work 2011, why not tell us about the work you have on show. Also why not bring along something that inspires you to give us an insight into what makes you tick! If you are not showing, why not bring along a piece of work and tell us about how you work, what you do and what inspires you. A great way to find out more about fellow members and to network!

Sadie Green undertook a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship in September and October 2010 and will be talking about her experiences at our February meeting.

Sadie travelled through North Carolina and Virginia, visiting organisations, artists and archaeologists. The aims were to reignite the 'special relationship' between Bideford and her new twin town, Manteo in North Carolina through the arts and to research North Devon’s pottery trade with the colonies of the Eastern Seaboard in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Sadie produced a 3-year plan with Dare County Arts Council (DCAC), laying out the steps for an Arts Exchange Programme for Bideford and Manteo. The first step being an artists' handmade postcard exchange project with an exhibition scheduled for late May and June at DCAC. Postcards will also be exhibited in Bideford at the same time. It is hoped that two primary schools in Bideford and Manteo will also undertake a similar handmade postcard exchange in 2011.

Viewing the collections of sherds in Jamestown added to her knowledge and understanding of the trade as well as it's aesthetic qualities. Sadie also studied collections in Williamsburg, Richmond, Charlottesville, Virginia and in Raleigh North Carolina. She met curators of collections and archaeologists, all were generous with information and contacts. What was striking was the sheer volume of sherds. These finds also cemented the link between the tobacco and pottery trades and the importance of this relationship to the development of the English colonies in Virginia and to Bideford as a port and town. Contact Sadie at sadie@experiencedevon.com. Sadie’s blog can be viewed at www.sadie-green.blogspot.com

Haiku is a Japanese verse form known for distilling the essence of a moment in time and place through strong nature imagery...and Haiga are illustrated Haiku.

Evocative images are provided by photographer George Brown and words are provided by Jann Wirtz.

Please bring a pen and paper.

Due to the success of last year’s informal Christmas buffet and get together at Broomhill, for NDA members and their friends, it was decided to do the same again this year. If you want to come to the 7pm buffet, you will need to
book at least a few days in advance to give Rinus enough time to prepare. The cost will be £7.50 per head. Please contact Rinus tel: 01271 850262.

Members and guests who do not want to eat, are welcome to come along a bit later, at 8pm. and join in with the socialising - just having fun is an important part of being in the group and is great way of getting to know your fellow members.

Albert Duplock was the winner of the Plough drawing prize in 2009. Born in the North East, he moved to London to study at the Royal College of Art and since then has been a professional artist working in London and the South-west.

His work has ranged from large abstact paintings and collages to delicate and imaginative figurative drawings. He continually experiments and invents using images and mediums in unexpected ways. His talk with the use of slides will take you through his creative journey describing and illustrating the ideas and influences behind his art.

Aune Head Arts (AHA) is a not-for-profit rural arts organisation making and
commissioning contemporary arts projects. AHA provides opportunities for
local, regional and national artists to work in rural contexts, particularly on
Dartmoor; nurtures early career artists by providing professional training and
exhibition opportunities; collaborates with individuals, groups and
organisations across the UK to produce its projects, and exhibits work in rural
communities and urban centres using non-traditional as well as traditional art
spaces. Nancy will tell us about AHA's work and how artists can get involved.

John Hurford became one of the real forces behind the British psychedelic art movement.  His early work (as much of it still is today) was crowded with flowers, birds and insects - highly detailed observations from the natural world he saw around him in the Devon countryside where he lived.   A recently published book,  'Johnny, The Work of Psychedelic Artist John Hurford' , gives further insights into his career. More information from his website www.johnhurford.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO NDA MEETING IN AUGUST.

A members evening, where NDA artists are encouraged to bring along or talk
about what inspires them to produce their work. Guy Stoker will begin the
evening talking about his recent musical composition 'Ictal Variations', an
investigation into the interrelationship between music and epilepsy.
Other members then talk of their current inspirations. The second part of the
evening is the NDA AGM, where members have an opportunity to discuss
how the group should be run in the future and, to choose their next NDA
committee (or nominate themselves).

BBC Film maker and photographer, Martin Pailthorpe, will be talking about his career and how it evolved into to camerawork, photography and editing. Illustrated with film clips and photos from his foreign trips (notably Tibet and South Western China) and closer to home - in North Devon and his current job in the Outer Hebrides.

Tom Hodgkinson is founder and editor of the Idler, a periodical which campaigns against the work ethic. He is the author of three books which outline his own brand of anarcho-idlerism, and they are: How to be Idle, How to be Free and the Idle Parent, all published by Penguin. The latest issue of the Idler is titled "Back to the Land". At Broomhill, he will be discussing his journalistic career to date, his move to North Devon, why he hates Facebook and why he hates Henry VIII. He will accompany his talk with a few songs on the ukulele. More info: idler.co.uk 

Amy Cooper is a ceramicist who is now based in North Devon and has a contrasting body of work. Many of you will have seen her brick sculpture (including the brick sofa in the grounds of Broomhill) and also her delicate porcelain lamps in the form of sea urchins. Amy discusses her work and career to date.

Amy grew up in idyllic Cornwall, spending much of her youth in the countryside and on the beach. After travelling and a series of menial jobs she attended Falmouth School of Art for their foundation course, with a view to furthering her painting skills. She quickly grew disillusioned with aspects of the fine art world and realised that painting wasn't the direction she wanted to take. Ceramics reared it's head as part of the course and Amy quickly became hooked on the infinite properties of clay and the myriad techniques that go with it.

After graduating from Falmouth, Amy went on to the University of Wolverhampton and studied for a B.A. in art and design (ceramics and sculpture) where she channelled her passion for clay into two main (and completely contrasting!) bodies of work - delicate porcelain lamps and large scale brick sculpture. Graduating with a first class honours degree in the summer of 2002, her career was kick-started by a hugely successful degree show and she has gone from strength to strength ever since showing regularly at craft design shows and major ceramics events, as well as supplying a host of galleries both at home and internationally. For more information, see her website at www.amycooperceramics.co.uk

 

Claire Williamson will be leading this informal poetry evening, where she will give a brief outline of her career as a Bristol based poet and writer, plus being an organiser of Poetry Slams.

A few years back, NDA commissioned Claire to write a cyclical poem in response to the foot and mouth crisis here in North Devon; part of an Arts Trail using five artists making temporary, outdoor artworks in five different communities. Her poem was then reproduced onto postcards, inviting visitors to venture back into the countryside.
 
Claire will be reading from some of her published works. A question and answer session will round off the evening.

Claire Williamson is a freelance writer, living in Bristol with her husband, daughter and two dogs. Claire has a strong performance element to her work and her latest collection, The Soulwater Pool (The Poetry Can, 2008) reflects these theatrical ingredients.

Claire has worked extensively in education and has worked with The Poetry Slam introducing performance poetry to schools, since 1994. Claire is lead-tutor for Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes at University of Bristol and has worked extensively in the community, in areas such as addiction recovery, looked-after children, profound disabilities, cancer care and with older people.

Claire’s first collection Ride On (PoTA Press, 2005) won an Arts Council Award and toured the South West. Claire has also toured with Exposed (Apples and Snakes) and The Truth is Optional (PoTA Press). She is currently working on a new novel entitled The Scarab Bookshop. More info on Claire's website:www.clairewilliamson.co.uk

This is the night when we all get an insight to the work of others in the group. NDA member Ric Hyde will begin the evening, telling of his new approach to his artwork. From there, it's an open evening for members to talk about their own work and inspirations.

If you are showing work in New Year New Work 2010, why not tell us about the work you have on show. Also why not bring along something that inspires you to give us an insight into what makes you tick! If you are not showing, why not bring along a piece of work and tell us about how you work, what you do and what inspires you. A great way to find out more about fellow members and to network!

Why not join other NDA members for a get together on the last meeting of the year, Wednesday, 9th December? The committee thought it would be a good idea to keep this an informal night, where members can chose whether to book a £6.50 Christmassy Broomhill buffet (at 7pm), or come along later at 8pm to meet their fellow members.  This social occasion would help us all to get to know each other better and what we do and, best of all, have some fun!

The Lucky Dip will still be a feature of the evening - so if you want to take home a present, please bring a wrapped gift to the value of £2.50 to put in the box (optional!).  If any of you want to dress up for the night, or bring something you have made to decorate the tables, it's up to you - there may be prizes for the best, judged by the infamous NDA Clapometer!  

If you would like the special, delicious Broomhill buffet, served at  7pm, please contact; Rinus on 01271 850262 by no later than Saturday, 5th December.

Members of 3 local arts and crafts co-operatives - Helen Bailes, Sue Martin and Alison Nicholson will talk about the background to the setting up of cooperatives at The Appledore Crafts Company, Appledore; 14 the Gallery,Torrington; and The Art Coop at Gallery 39, Barnstaple. They'll discuss the ethos, advantages and disadvantages, success and disappointments.

Gill will be talking about her work  as a feltmaker.  She studied at Loughborough College, Exeter College and University of Plymouth.   She is a practicing artist and researcher currently responsible for delivering and developing Art@Bicton since 2004.   She is a Professional Associate of the Society of Artists and of the International Feltmakers' Association.

A celebration of food and culture, in cooperation with: NDA, Wild curl and Broomhill's Salon Del Eccentrica. Please note, unlike usual NDA meetings this event starts at 7pm, with buffet later during the evening.

'Mangez l'art' will be packed full of delicious foody treats and performances of music and poetry. Riverford Farms' Guy Watson will be giving a talk on his new Riverford Farm Cook Book. Fred Dudbridge from Slow Food Devon will be advising us on how we can counteract fast food and fast life. A variety of local food producers will be displaying their produce,including a mouth-watering demonstration from Swiss Chocolatiers Melchior Chocolates based in South Molton! The food theme continues on the walls with an exhibition by food photographer Guy Harrop. To complete the evening, a special buffet (for those opting to eat) will be served by the award winning Broomhill restaurant 'Terra Madre'.

Free to all NDA members who aren't eating, £5 for NDA members including Mediterranean Tapas buffet (please state you are an NDA member when booking, and bring membership card along on the night, since normal event price is £7.50). Booking essential, 01271 850262.

This first ever NDA Summer Party party is being held at Holwell (between Muddiford and Berrydown - a few miles from Broomhill) and will be held at member Liz Willis' house and grounds in a beautiful rural setting. The party will be indoors, if wet.

A buffet meal will be provided: bring your own alcohol and an instrument if you’re musical!

Tickets £10 per person. Tickets available at the next NDA meeting on 8th July or by sending a cheque payable to 'North Devon Arts' to: North Devon Arts, PO Box 291, Barnstaple EX32 2BN.

 

A members evening, where NDA artists are encouraged to bring along or talk about what inspires them to produce their work.

The second part of the evening is the NDA AGM, where members have an opportunity to discuss how the group should be run in the future and, to chose their next NDA committee (or nominate themselves). Details of the 2009/2010 committee and member nomination form is available here.

The chair's report 2009 is now available here and the AGM Minutes are also available here.

Tracy will talk about how a spark of an idea gets developed into a published novel, using her forthcoming novel 'Remarkable Creatures' as an example.

Tracy is an author whose works include 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' (also made into a film). Tracy's next book is about fossil collector Mary Anning. If you want to know more about Tracy, take a look at her great website www.tchevalier.com.

Ken Hildrew is a well respected artist, living and working from his North Molton home and studio. He has work in private collections and in business institutions across the world. Having studied at the Woolwich School of Art, he originally worked in television and advertising.

He has exhibited throughout the UK, winning many awards along the way, including being three times winner of the Sunday Times Watercolour Exhibition. Ken's laid-back approach to all this success is refreshing and endearing in these self-promotion times!
 

Joanne Vickery gives a special session for North Devon Arts members at Broomhill.  Joanne is also part of the Gateway Theatre Group, working with children and community groups across North Devon. She is committed to bringing out people's creative ideas, but at the same time having as much fun as possible!

Why not use this great (free) opportunity to help you think laterally about the way you work, plan your career or promote yourself.

Arts Matrix is the skills and enterprise development agency for creative professionals in the South West. They enable arts and creative industries professionals to develop skills to make the most of their careers. Their services, for creative businesses and social enterprises, include one-to-one professional development planning, business and organizational consultancy, skills audits, sector specific seminars, and training programmes.

If you would like further information about Arts Matrix services please visit www.artsmatrix.org.uk

Peter Stiles will be talking about his forthcoming project with the North Devon and Barnstaple Museum to celebrate Darwin's 200th Anniversary.  Artist Peter Stiles has been commissioned to examine the Museum's seaweed collection and produce artwork, an exhibition and a publication, which focus on the connection between Ilfracombe, Charles Darwin, Philip Gosse and George Eliot.

This is the night when you can get an insight to the work of members of the group. Some members showing work in New Year New Work 09, will tell us about the work they have on show.  Others will bring along something that inspires them to give an insight into what makes them tick! Some who are not showing, including non-visual artists, will be encouraged to bring along a piece of work and tell us about how they work, what they do and what inspires them. A  great way to find out more about NDA members and to network!

Sandy Brown is a world renowned ceramicist, first studying under master potters in Japan, where she lived for a time.  Sandy has had major touring exhibitions in many countries and has just returned from a tour of China. Her experiences of China will form the basis of her talk in January. One of Sandy's platters is pictured here (photo: John Andow).
Please note: this event is takes place at The Glove Factory, Appledore; and the date is later in the month than is our custom! No buffet is available prior to the meeting, so please make alternative arrangements (perhaps a local pub?).

The annual Christmas Party at Broomhill.  This is a great way of introducing friends and interested people to NDA as it is always a fun night and one where we can get to know each other in a relaxed setting.
The price of the tickets  include a three course meal and a complimentary glass of wine.  This year make a Christmas Decoration as a gift to swap - a prize for the best.  Dress To Impress - theme is Crackers! (prize for the best decorated).
Tickets are £14 and can be purchased by sending your cheque made payable to 'North Devon Arts' to: North Devon Arts, PO Box 291, Barnstaple, EX32 2BN.

Peter Randall-Page is an international sculptor, working in stone.  He uses nature and its intricate mathematical forms as his inspiration and is known for his collaborative sculptures with the Eden Project and Kew Gardens.

Details of the proposed association membership are included in the newsletter - come to the meeting to vote in person, or send your vote to chair@northdevonarts.co.uk.

Ex editor/owner, ‘Art in Devon’ currently working on ‘The People’s Republic of South Devon website magazine.  Lee will talk about ways of getting your work in magazines, creating an interesting story and producing a good image for a feature, plus talking about his latest website project.

Chris is a well known photographer working in Devon, mainly showing black and white images. He is renowned for his emotive, documentary photos of life on a Devon farm during the Foot and Mouth crisis.

A members evening, where NDA artists are encouraged to bring along or talk about what inspires them to produce their work.  The second part of the evening is the NDA AGM, where members have an opportunity to discuss how the group should be run in the future and, to chose their next NDA committee (or nominate themselves).  Nomination forms to elect a new committee have been sent out to the membership.

A special evening hosted by North Devon Arts as part of the North Devon Festival, with musical instrument maker, Tony Benson, musician friends Babelfish and plenty of artists making up this informal gathering.  The evening will centre on the relationship between the Visual Arts and Music.
The event is open to non-members of North Devon Arts - admission is £4 for non-members.  For further information ring 01271 850262 or email: chair@northdevonarts.co.uk.

Louise will be talking about her career as a professional artist, curator and educator.  She is widely exhibited, is Director of STATION, teaches at leading universities, and advises artist groups.
Louise studied Fine Art at Exeter College of Art graduating in 1986.  In 1992 she attended the University of Wales Institute Cardiff with an M.A. in Fine Art.  She has exhibited widely in the Europe, the Middle East, Georgia and Australia.  The installation work 'Teething Room' was purchased by the Arts Council Collection of England in 1999.  Her interest in collections and commonly used objects have culminated in installations and sculptural assemblages which often utilise various forms of dirt and discarded material.
Louise has long been involved in curation, exhibition organisation and consultation, since initiating STATION (a former fireboat station) and an old donkey stable/cave, a temporary Research and Development Context for Art, based on Bristol's docks (www.stationbristol.org.uk) of which she is Director.  She has been instrumental in initiating debate, and in making opportunities for artists to realize new works.
She has taught in Site Based Practice and Photography at the University of Plymouth, Camberwell College of Art and Goldsmiths, and is Senior Lecturer in M.A. Fine Art at the Cardiff School of Art & Design.  She currently also works as a agony aunt for ALIAS (www.alias.org). Louise has most recently been Artist in Residence at the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, marking its 21st Anniversary.

Multi Story Theatre Company are a small-scale touring theatre company that will run a participative session for NDA members which examines the way artists see, using activities such as kinetic sculpture.  Multi Story will introduce themselves with a short performance from their current work, probably from the piece that they will be taking to the North Devon, Brighton and Prague Festivals in 2008.
Multi Story is crammed full of experience.  Bill Buffery both performed and directed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and was Artistic Director of Orchard Theatre Company for eleven years.  Gill Nathanson worked with some of the UK's top Education and Community theatre companies before joining Orchard Theatre Company in 1989.  As well as playing leading roles with the company, she ran three Youth Theatres and an extensive workshop programme.
As the name implies, Multi Story are centrally concerned with the enduring power of story - and with communicating the richness of experience that the old stories contain to new audiences, both young and old.
Pictured right are Bill Buffery and Gill Nathanson - photograph taken by Guy Harrop.

Kate Rowley discusses her career as a textile designer for clients such as Tommy Hilfiger, Garnet Hill, Ludvig Svensson, Almedahls and IKEA.  Kate began her career selling print designs for fashion through agents, and worked in Rome and Paris.  Since returning to the UK she has concentrated on furnishing print designs for curtaining, bedlinen, shower curtains, table cloths, beach towels, etc.  She has also recently worked on wallpaper designs.

Come to hear the stories and inspirations behind New Year New Work 2008- as participating artists are informally invited to talk about their work.  A real chance to get an insight into the working methods, creative responses of fellow members.

There will be a session on how to get the best out of the NDA web site.  There will be an introduction to some useful new features on the site.  There will also be a discussion on how to get your own web site address and web site and how to create and maintain your own web site.  The evening is hosted by Mark Hajdukiewicz of m2z ltd, designers of the new NDA web site.  The meeting notes with links are available here.
Fiona Fraser-Smith, co-ordinator of the Appledore Visual Arts Festival, will also speak.  Starting off the evening, she will explain the format for the 2008 Festival and be asking for NDA artists to be involved, either exhibiting, doing workshops or, responding to their call for artists in residence.

This is the annual Christmas Party at Broomhill.  This is a great way of introducing friends and interested people to NDA as it is always a fun night and one where we can get to know each other in a relaxed setting.
The tickets are £18 and include a three course meal and a complimentary glass of wine.  There's a fun Christmas Creative Challenge to bring or wear your Christmas tree - a prize to the best.  Also bring a wrapped present to the value of £1.
Tickets are £18 and can be purchased by sending your cheque made payable to 'North Devon Arts' to: North Devon Arts, PO Box 291, Barnstaple, EX32 2BN.

How to choose frames and best present work can be a problem to artists.  Practising artist and framer Christina Bonnett will talk about displaying artwork including some tips on presenting work for Exhibition and Galleries.

An unusual introduction to Picasso led to Lydia Corbett (or Sylvette David as she was then known) modelling for him on a regular basis.  Stunningly beautiful: ‘The Girl with a Ponytail’ was the inspiration for numerous paintings and sculptures and this encounter with genius was instrumental in developing her own artistic practice in later life.
From an early age Lydia has been engaged in the world of artistic expression.  In the last few years her work has been increasingly expressive and illustrative, recalling those early impressive years and later her journeys through motherhood, love of nature, religious, social and philosophical themes.  Corbett’s paintings and ceramics possess a dreamlike quality born of naïveté.

Those organising and participating in Devon Art Works and Art Trek explain what goes into making an open studios events work - costs, promotion, brochure distribution, etc.  It promises to be a lively and topical discussion, as it takes place during the Devon Art Works open studio event (Devon Art Works takes place 8th-23rd September).
Web sites: for Art Trek www.northdevonfestival.org/events/arttrek.html.

Jeweller, April Doubleday and textile artist, Jill Denton will talk about their commitment to fair trade products and environmental issues relating to their work.
How jeweller, April sources her materials for her silver and gold jewellery without using the mines that exploit their workers and how she uses recycled old wood from muscial instruments.
Textile artist, Jill will talk about how she's become sick of the waste produced everywhere and the need to buy new frames and materials all the time, now tries to recycle and reuse in her work wherever possible, using found objects and recycled materials.  All related to the same environmental issue, and is something she feels very strongly about.  Having spent time in India and similar countries, Jill has seen how resourceful these peoples are, inspiring one to think along similar lines.

Come to hear the stories and inspirations behind the ‘Square Picture Show’ exhibitions as participating artists are informally invited to talk about their work.

This well known local artist will be talking about his painting career and demonstrating his techniques.  Colin’s modest but easy and confident manner is infectious and shines through in his paintings and drawings of life in the North Devon landscape.

Andy works as a mosaic artist and his latest creation is a fabulous, large, classical mural.  His pet interest is resistance to the creative process, or artists 'block' as we know it.  Andy will talk about his mammoth mosaic and hopefully impart how he copes with the ‘blank canvas’ syndrome! www.andywhitemosaics.co.uk

Vanessa is a well known sculptress and has spent many years working to commission, making life-sized bronze or resin figures.  She will provide us with details of what this has entailed in marketing terms, being at the right fairs/shows and the sheer hard work of creating large scale art works.  Her paintings can also be seen at the NDA ‘New Year - New Work’ exhibition until 1st March.  www.vanessamarston.com

Hear exhibiting members talk about their work in the Winter Show and what inspires and motivates them.
As a special addition to end this evening, artist Tony Culver will engage us with his ‘off the wall’ ideas on Art.

Having taken early retirement from teaching in order to focus on her writing, Frances completed an MA in Creative Writing at Exeter University in 2003, gaining a Distinction and a School Commendation.  In the last few years, her poems and stories have appeared in many magazines and anthologies in the UK, the USA and Ireland.