Here’s a link to a series of painting demonstrations in oil by William Whitaker
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Oil painting demos by William Whitaker
by John Rawsterne

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair October 2008
by John Rawsterne
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
23rd-26th October 2008
The Manchester Grammar School
This will be a high profile, high quality selected selling event that will showcase the finest contemporary craft coming out of the North and give makers from other parts of the country an opportunity to establish a Northern client base. Over 100 cutting edge designer makers ( both established and emerging)will be selected by an independent panel of craft experts to showcase and sell their work directly to the public over 4 days. It will be an inspiring mix of ceramics, glass, jewellery, metal, wood, textiles, furniture, basketry and more.
The selection panel is made of renowned curators. They are James Beigton (Curator in Applied Arts at Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art), Kelda Savage ( from Manchester Craft & Design Centre), Stephen Dixon (MMU Senior Lecturer and Ceramicist), Jo Bloxham ( Jewellery curator and collector) and Jemila Topalian ( Artizana Gallery, Cheshire).
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair will be held between 23rd-26th October 2008 in the beautiful and historic setting of The Manchester Grammar School. This is a fabulous venue with ample free parking for visitors, good access for exhibitors and is well situated just 2 miles from the city centre.
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is organised by Great Northern Events, a not for profit organisation, developed to champion contemporary craft in the North and promote designer-makers. They want this to be an annual event with a national feel and one that will put Manchester on the map in the British calendar of craft.
Further details about the event and application packs are available on the website:

Spring Exhibition March 2008
by John Rawsterne
We’re delighted to announce the dates of our Spring Exhibition:
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th March 2008
Between 10am and 4pm
In Hall Green Community Centre, Hall Green Close, Upholland, WN8 0PF

Ken Walter's Virtual Gallery on Second Life
by John Rawsterne
This one comes from Ruth Owen at the Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk…
For those of you who have investigated Second Life, Ken Walters is opening a virtual gallery (with virtual wine and nibbles? How metaphysical!) so anyone who is interested in attending and has a Second Life account should visit:
Ken Walter’s Second Life Virtual Gallery
on Sunday night (24th) at approx 9pm gmt or 1pm SL time.

Art in the Pen 2008
by John Rawsterne
Call for artists
16 & 17 August 2008
10am – 4pm each day
No commission taken on sales!
Download your application and guidelines from Art in the pen
ART IN THE PEN is now an established major selling event in North Yorkshire and is part of a unique agricultural arts initiative based in Craven Cattle Mart, Skipton.
Over 3500 attended the exhibition in 2007 with artists selling in excess of £30,000 of work and commissions, The invitation is now open to all artists to participate in the 2008 showcase. ART IN THE PEN allows artists and makers to introduce and to sell their work direct to both new and regular buyers and collectors
For 2 days artists are invited to come together to present the very best of Modern and Contemporary art in this spectacular and innovative venue on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Artists working across all art forms, large scale work, both 2D and 3D, are invited to submit their CV , artist’s statement and six images of their work, either on a CD or as slides or photographs.
Selection will be by panel.
If you would like your images returned please enclose a stamped addressed envelope – we cannot return them without one.
Costs: for two days which includes electrics, marketing & publicity.
Large space – £90 inc vat 6 meters x 3 meters (approx) inclusive of 1 × 13amp socket
Small space – £60 inc vat 3 meters x 2.5 meters (approx) inclusive of 1 × 13amp socket
Preview Opportunity Friday 15 August, 7pm – 9pm
Note: No commission taken on sales.
For information/clarification, please email anthea@ccmauctions.com
Tel 01756 709666 or visit www.artinthepen.org.uk

World Community Arts Day - 17th Feb 2008
by John Rawsterne
The organisers behind last year’s World Community Arts Day are getting geared up for the 2008 event and hope you can join them. Due to be held on 17 February, the day has a subtitle of ‘Art as a catalyst for caring and sharing’. All they ask is that you hold an arts project on that day, no matter how small – or that you add an image or sound etc to a website to mark the occasion.
To find out more about World Community Arts Day 2008, go to worldcommunityartsday

John Moores 25 Contemporary Painting Prize
by John Rawsterne
Entries are invited for this competition for painters, which is held every two years at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.
The John Moores exhibition showcases the best new paintings in the UK and attracts a broad range of artists. No preference is given to levels of experience or particular practices of painting. The work is selected anonymously from an open submission by a jury, which also awards the main prizes. There is a first prize of £25,000 plus four other prizes of £2,500.
The competition has a two-stage entry procedure. Stage 1 comprises submission by image of one painting per artist. Stage 2 involves artists sending in shortlisted paintings for final judging.
The deadline by which to register is 15 February and 29 February for submission of images. Shortlisted paintings will be invited between 27 and 30 May. The exhibition will run from 20 September 2008 to 4 January 2009.
For more information, phone 0151 478 4121 or email johnmoores25@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk or visit the website here:

Exhibition at Skelmersdale Library Nov 2007
by John Rawsterne
We’re holding an exhibition and sale of members work in Skelmersdale Library, Southway, Skelmersdale, Lancs, WN8 6NL between 17th November and 1st December 2007. There’s a wide variety of work on display including pastels, watercolours, oils and acrylics.
If you’d like to go along here’s the opening times:
- Monday 9:30 – 19:00
- Tuesday 9:30 – 17:00
- Wednesday 9:30 – 13:00
- Thursday 9:30 – 19:00
- Friday 9:30 – 17:00
- Saturday 9:30 – 16:00
- Sunday Closed
If you’d like more details you can contact the library on 01695 720312 or drop us an email to uphollandartists@gmail.com

Eric Kelly Retrospective
by John Rawsterne
Sadly one of our founder members, Eric Kelly, passed away on the 14th October 2007. As a mark of respect we used this years annual exhibition to celebrate Eric’s work. The exhibition was held between the 9th and 11th of November.
Here’s a few pictures from the exhibition (click the thumbnails to view bigger versions):

Love Arts - Manchester 1st to 4th Nov 2007
by John Rawsterne
Love arts – Contemporary art shows
Introducing the North of England’s fastest growing and most inspiring contemporary art fairs. Whether you are a collector with years of experience or a beginner who really isn’t sure what it’s all about, you are sure of a warm welcome and a convivial atmosphere in which to discover and enjoy some of the finest contemporary art available in the UK today.
Love Arts Manchester
at The Exchange Hall, Manchester Central (G-Mex)
Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th November 2007
Private View Evening: Thursday 1st November – 6pm to 9pm
Admission by invitation or advance ticket purchase only
Show Opening Times:
Friday 2nd November – 11am to 8pm
Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th November – 11am to 6pm
To buy tickets in advance please visit www.seetickets.com
Register for updates on www.lovearts.net (in the visitor contact section) to receive a 2FOR1 ticket voucher.














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