Mono Printing outreach session….

Mono printing outreach session 20/11/2013
Photo by Jo Howell

Mono Printing outreach session 20/11/2013
Photo by Jo Howell

On Wednesday 20th November 2013 between 1pm and 4pm we took The Art Studio up to the library.

The outreach session went really well in the library education room in Fawcett Street. Lots of wonderful Sunderland themed mono-prints were created.

Some of our studio members attended as well as a couple of people from Sunderland who really got stuck in to creating some fantastic prints.


The session was very simple allowing for people of all ages and skill sets to take part. You could create a mono print in multiple colours or stick to one.

There was some great experimentation which created works with a very interesting aesthetic.

If you missed the session on Wednesday, then don't worry we are having another one on Saturday afternoon, same bat place, same bat channel. Click here for more information.

So we look forward to seeing you all this coming Saturday, you can bring down your own resource images if you have something particular in mind, but otherwise all materials and resources will be provided.

For more information follow us on Facebook or check out our website.

Mono prints created at the outreach session 20/11/2013
Photo by Jo Howell

Studio-ing along...

Prints in the Print workshop at The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell

The craft fair at the Arts Centre Washington was a great success. We managed to speak to the people of  Washington about all of the great projects and the work that The Art Studio Sunderland does for people with mental health problems.

We also made a few sales of the studio members work which will go back to the members and back into new art projects. So we would like to say a big thank you to all of the members who worked so hard to create the products for the stall, a big thank you to the guys who manned the stall, and another big thank you to all of our customers who came along to support The Art Studio.

If you missed the craft fair but would still like to purchase a limited edition Art Studio calendar for £6 each then please contact us by email or phone. (Details available on the website, see link at bottom).

Hand building ceramics by Art Studio Member
Photo by Jo Howell

Having finished the craft fair the guys are now working on a number of projects across different mediums with our resident artists.

There has been a lot of print work going on, with members working on some large scale lino cuts that are really impressive! I'll show you some photos of the final work as the guys get further along with it.

In ceramics the guys have started working on hand-building their own bowls, and have begun a decal project where they are learning to apply printed decals to ceramic blanks. It should be nice to wind down ready for Christmas, with only our respective Christmas parties to enjoy before we start one earnest again in the New Year.

Decal application by Art Studio Members
Photo by Jo Howell

Its not quite so quiet for our resident artists at the minute who are preparing to do some community outreach mono printing sessions next Wednesday 20th November and Saturday 23rd November at the library in Fawcett Street. The session is free to attend and is for people of all ages. Click links for more information.

Thats all for now, follow us on Facebook for more updates or check out our website.

A bit of publicity...

Way back in May the Sunderland Echo published our excellent news about receiving funding from the Big Lottery Fund. You can read the full article by clicking on this link.

But, here's a small excerpt for you to enjoy in the meantime...

Screen shot from Sunderland Echo 28/05/2013

A grand day out...

On Friday 25th October a group of our studio members went for a wonderful day out to the National Glass Centre.

Photo by Mick Hodgson (Art studio member)

We spent the afternoon taking in some contemporary glass art in Jeffery Sarmiento's solo exhibition, where we saw a combination of print techniques with glass. We also had a brief tour around the museum area to learn about Sunderland's historical connections with the material.

 Then we went to watch the daily glass blowing exhibition which was fantastic and gave a few of the members some new insight into how glass is created.

Photo by Mick Hodgson (Art studio member)

After soaking up all of the culture we had some teas, coffees and cakes in the cafe before heading home.

Fingers crossed we get more great days where we can get the members out into Sunderland to enjoy the array of crafts, arts and history that our city has to offer.

For more information check out our website or find us on Facebook!

Time for some new ideas...

Art Studio member plays keyboard synthesiser
Photo by Jo Howell

The craft fair items are nearly completed, by the end of next week the guys will be raring to go. There will be a mixture of handmade ceramics, hand printed items like cards and much more for you to get your family members for Christmas. The craft fair will be at Arts Centre Washington on November 2nd 2013 from 10am until 4pm. So come on down to see us and bring your purse/wallet!

Gargoyle (work in progress) by Art Studio Member
Photo by Jo Howell

Sketch by Art Studio Member
Photo by Jo Howell

Having a reprieve from creating the craft fair products has allowed a lot of the members to finally tackle some of their own works again. As you can see from the following photos there is a lot of talent here that spreads through a variety of mediums.

Remember to keep up with us via facebook or check out our website if you want to get in contact with us.

Exhibitions and calendars...

The Art Studio Sunderland Exhibition wall in Virgin Money, Gosforth
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

The first exhibition of our members work is now installed in Virgin Money, in Gosforth. Hung in the true salon style (a bit higgidly-piggildy and crammed in) but commanding a lot of attention from everyone who passes the work in the busy corridor.

The guys worked really hard on the final presentation of their work and went the extra mile to get them framed-up. I think that they should be extremely proud. The work is for sale and will remain on show until the beginning of November.

The first show has shown us all a lot, and we've learned a few things for the future. The members want to have more curatorial control, and a bigger space to really show-off what they can do next time. So keep your eyes peeled for a much more ambitious show in the future!

The Art Studio Sunderland Calendar £5.99 with all proceeds going towards future projects, events and exhibitions
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

In other news, we have just received our calendars from the printers and they look fantastic!

The calendar has been beautifully designed to promote the wonderful work that we do here at The Art Studio Sunderland. As an Arts and Mental Health Charity we believe that we can help to ease the burdens of mental illnesses through art, and the calendar is a great way for us to show how that works in real terms. Each page has a gorgeous photograph of an Art Studio member's piece of work, showing the wide range of the activities that we cater for. If you would like to support The Art Studio Sunderland by purchasing a calendar then please contact us via our email to arrange to pick yours up.

www.theartstudio.org

The Art Studio Sunderland email:  theartstudio@btconnect.com

New promotional materials...

The Art studio promotional bookmarks
Photo by Jo Howell

The Art Studio promotional banner
Photo by Jo Howell

Today is the AGM at The Art Studio which is a great chance to show off all of our new promotional materials which were delivered on Monday! Exciting times :)

In other news, as part of the relaunch of The Art Studio we have organised some outreach sessions on Wednesday 20th November and Saturday 23rd November 2013 to be held in the education room, in the library on Fawcett Street, Sunderland. In the session participants will be invited to create a mono-print of Sunderland- all materials will be provided so all you have to do is turn up.

Everyone is welcome to take part in the activity and we have ordered some special bookmarks, and a lovely banner to show-off what The Art Studio can do.

The members have been continuing to work really hard getting handmade craft items ready for the Craft Fair at The Art Centre Washington (2nd November 2013). Things are ticking along quite nicely and the guys have made so much work that the studio currently looks like a factory production (only with better products!)

Once we have done the outreach sessions and the craft fair we will be looking to start a film project with the group, and we will be continuing to look for new partnerships or project ideas. So if you would like to work with the art studio on a voluntary basis or on a particular project please contact us via the website.

Christmas Decorations made by The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell

Or for more updates you can follow us on Facebook by clicking here.

Lino Printing....

Cutting the lino by Mick Hodgson
Photo by Jo Howell

Lots of interesting work going on in the studio today. Mick was working hard on his lino cut of Durham Cathedral and it has turned out wonderful. He plans on showing his work at the craft fair in the  Arts Centre Washington so if you would like to order a special limited edition print then come along on the 2nd November 2013 and I am sure he would be happy to oblige.

Hand Printed Christmas Cards by The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell

It may be a bit early for Christmas but if you're an early bird then you may want to purchase some of our lovely Christmas card designs for someone special!

Keep up to date on Facebook or contact us via the website for more information.

Mudslinging again....

Christmas decorations (work in progress) by The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell

I say mudslingers but what I really mean is hard working ceramicists have been in The Art Studio once again, manically making vessels, decorations, and glazing furiously.

I hope you guys are ready to dig deep and support your local Arts and Mental Health Charity by purchasing some of our lovely handmade items from the craft fair in the Arts Centre Washington on the 2nd November 2013!

I will certainly be adding to my own collection of tree decorations as all of the proceeds go towards new projects in The Art Studio.

Ceramic bowl by Josie made in The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell

We are also in the process of finalising some dates for outreach work in the community, this is where we will be bringing The Art Studio to you!

On Wednesday November 20th 2013 and Saturday November 23rd 2013 between 1pm and 4pm, two of our artists will be offering free mono-printing taster sessions in the education room of the library in Fawcett Street, Sunderland.

Its completely free to take part and there are no age restrictions for the activity (although younger ones will need supervision). We will be taking our charming city of Sunderland as our inspiration you will learn the basics of creating your very own print.

There will be resource materials there for you to use but if you have specific photos or drawings of Sunderland that you would like to use then please bring them along.

Printing rollers from The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell

Our artists on the day will be Jo Howell and Karen Dodsworth who are both experienced print makers, so get yourself along for a free afternoon of creative printing!

Remember you can find out more information from our facebook and website.

Re-launch, new logo, new outlook....

This artwork holds pride of place and is hand painted by the group onto our reception area window. Using glass paints and one of Mick Hodgson's designs, the members of the group all stepped-up to take part in the production of the piece.

Since everyone had some ownership over this piece we decided to use this for the basis of a new logo to represent The Art Studio. We are still ironing out some of the ideas for the final logo but we will run with a vector version of the following design:

On another note everyone has once again been putting pedal to the metal where the Washington Arts Centre craft fair is concerned. New designs are being made which will include christmas cards, ceramics and other small handmade prints.

Please check out our new links page to find links to all of our artists blogs and websites.

Getting ready for the Craft Fair....

Hand Painted Glass candle holder by Polly Cotterel Art made in The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

The studio has been buzzing again with a lot of time and energy being put into the creation of craft items for our stall at the Arts Centre Washington craft fair on 2nd November 2013. Alongside some wonderful hand painted glass objects we will have lovingly handcrafted ceramics, prints, Christmas cards; and you will even be able to commission our member artists to create personalised works by paying a small deposit on the day.

The members have also been working very hard on their own online profiles- making new blogs and learning the power of social networking to share their work with the rest of the world.

Painting (work in progress) by Mac made in The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

You can check out our members blogs here:

Polly Cotterel Art

Mind Blown Art

Elaine-Marie Art

We will post more as the members progress and we will keep giving you a good rounded view of general goings-on via this blog or you can also follow us on facebook.

If you have any queries or you know of someone with a mental health problem who would benefit from this service then please head to our website and contact us via there, we are always looking for new additions to the group.

It's all go at the studio...

Ceramic Booties (work in progress) by Elaine made in The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

It's been full throttle ahead at The Art Studio Sunderland since we received our Big Lottery Funding, we have started regular ceramics workshops, printmaking workshops, and photography workshops alongside business support/mentorship.

There's been a great buzz around the studio with lots of our members coming in to take full advantage of the new program of activities.

Polly Cotterel Arts adds some finishing touches to the glass tea-light holders made in The Art Studio
Photo by Jo Howell Photography

In the coming months we are preparing for a craft fair in the Arts Centre Washington and a new exhibition showing a range of the members work at a venue in Gosforth. We'll keep you updated as we go along with photographs of the work as its being created, and if you want more information in the meantime please 'like' our facebook page by clicking here.