Wrapping up SAW

I am in danger of giving away secrets with the writing of this blog...

Christmas approaches and it's time to start wrapping presents. I am hoping that many of you like me, are maybe, just maybe wrapping some art, more specifically art that you bought during SAW 2013.

It's a tricky one buying an object based so strongly on personal taste to give as a gift. Perhaps it was made easier by the recipient dropping big hints when you visited a particular exhibition or you just got that instinctive gut feeling that they would love the print, painting or sculpture the second you saw it - as if it was commissioned unwittingly for them. 

As a family we have always bought presents whilst on our holidays or special days out and wrapping a gift I purchased back in September is like wrapping up a little piece of that early Autumn sunshine and even some of that rain we had during this year's festival. The memories are so intrinsic to the gift given.

Christmas is a time when we all naturally look back over the past year, remember and plan ahead. Maybe this is the year that you, inspired by the artists that you visited in 2013, take the bold step of actually opening your studio in 2014. September maybe a way off but now is the perfect opportunity to become a member of SAW in time to register your open studio before the deadline on the 31st March. You can find all the details that you require here.

During this year's festival artist Fiona Winning captured sound snippets of visitors experiences at varying venues. Have a listen, see if you can guess the venue or the artist, do they portray your memory, evoke others or prompt you to be more involved?

I have some wonderful, creative memories of the past year, I hope you have too. We are so busy living in the now that we often tend to forget all too quickly and are constantly looking to what has to be achieved next and ticked off. I like to think that Artweek helps us slow down a little, look deeper and see the artists' shared vision with our own eyes - that a creative connection is made, remembered and planned to be part our future year.

Here's wishing you a wonderful Christmas that surprises you with...

Teasing Tag harvested from the Apple Tree at Westcott farm at the end of SAW 2013

 

 

Missing Your Art Fix?

Did you enjoy the SAW Festival this year? I truly hope so, there was just so much crammed into those all too short but incredibly art intensive weeks. Some of you may now feel that you are missing the connection that you made with the Somerset art scene and are keen to reconnect with what's going on in the here and now. Many of you will no doubt have signed artists' visitor books requesting to keep in touch with your favourite venues. Another great way to keep in touch is by becoming a patron of the arts, particularly the Somerset arts, by becoming a Friend of SAW. 

We are all aware that funding for the arts is forever dwindling but also aware of how important the arts play in our sense of well being and mental health. The staggering array and rich diversity of art exhibited at Taunton's Musgrove Park hospital is testament to this understanding. 

By becoming a Friend of SAW your yearly membership fee will go towards training for emerging artists, as well as sponsoring projects and works of art. Your help can nurture excellence from within the visual arts of Somerset and really make a difference. It can be very difficult for graduating artists to continue working within the arts once they have left the support network of an educational environment. They are suddenly isolated, may have student debts to pay and loose the workshops they previously had access to - making any first commissions they may receive sometimes impossible to fulfill.

All the artists involved in this year's Abundance Garden Trail were recent graduates that SAW was able to nurture, encourage and most importantly fund. They certainly presented some truly inspiring and professional installations which will now lend credence to their own personal future projects. SAW has helped provide a strong foundation on which they may now hopefully build firm careers in the art world. Who knows in ten, twenty years time one of the Abundance artists may be delivering the Reith Lectures...

As a friend of SAW you will receive regular newsletters and invitations to private views; keeping you connected with the Somerset art scene throughout the year. Earlier this month members were able to join the Firewalk at Westcott Farm which despite the awful weather the organisers managed to capture some amazing images. A second Firewalk is planned for next Spring when hopefully the weather will be kinder and once again Friends of SAW will be able to attend.

Each year you will also be invited to the Festival's prestigious launch party and of course you will receive a copy of the Somerset Art Weeks Guide hot off the press.

 
Friends are also entered into a quarterly Prize Draw to win an original artwork by one of our SAW artist members. Recent winners were invited to Aller Farm Gardens to not only join in the celebrations to mark Leah Hislop completing her Labyrinth but also to be presented with their stunning prize generously donated by printmaker Sue Lowe.  

So how much does it cost to be a patron of the Somerset arts? 

Individual membership is as little as £25 for a year or £60 if you sign up for three years. Joint membership (two adults living at the same address) is available at £35 per year or £85 for three years. If you are already a SAW Member but feel you would also like to support the friends scheme then the fee is £20 a year or £50. Perhaps you belong to a group or organisation that supports the arts, then the cost is £40 per year or £100 for the three.

So what are you waiting for? Becoming a Friend is easy..

Just download and complete the application form from the SAW website here

or e mail Stephanie at the SAW office info@somersetartworks.org.uk

The Last Walk at Westcott

This month has certainly been one of contrasts, it has been so wet and dark today that it seems quite unbelievable that only two weeks ago we were ambling in glorious sunshine in the landscape of Westcott Farm.

On the final Saturday of this year's SAW Festival Lyn Mowat had invited the public to walk at  Westcott and experience the landscape that had inspired the work exhibited at the farm. 

It would seem that many of the artists who had been involved in other venues had heard the 'buzz' about Westcott and had taken the opportunity to come and see what all the fuss was about and so in reality it evolved into another 'Artists Walk.' This time however the warmer weather was certainly more conducive to actually stopping and sketching and all ages became engrossed in capturing their take of the scenery. 

Artist Dermot Trimble (pictured above) had travelled from London especially to participate. He explained that he usually painted portraits, so sketching landscapes was a break from form and hence pushes your creative output. It was also good experience walking and working quickly. One either tends to go for a walk or go out to sketch, which usually means finding a spot and staying put for a while. And so the walk turned into a speed sketching lesson, a technique that tutors of life drawing classes often employ. We didn't try the one where you draw with your eyes closed!

Not all had come prepared to sketch, but paper and pencils were soon shared around 'loaves and fishes' style. Artist Andy Davey produced the most well used and loved pencil from his pocket, explaining the shortness of length allowed for far more freedom and expressive gestures, rather like working with a piece of charcoal. He also went on to explain that one of his teachers had insisted that his students new pencils were immediately divided into a least four for this very reason.

While some sketched , others just enjoyed being in the space, under the big sky..

It was then time to head back and a chance to view the work on show back at base. The artists were on hand to discuss their work and there was even a little buying flurry. Some went home excited and happy with their purchases. Sadly others left disappointed, as in the short time they had dithered about making a purchase others had swept in and taken the decision away from them.

All in all it was a very pleasant, productive afternoon and I hope that  there will be many more Artists Walks as part of SAW 2014.

If you have enjoyed this post you may also like reading about our earlier Winter and Spring outings on the farm here.