ingenue magazine, issue 27, Winter 2019

ingĂŠnu/e creative talent revealed

Creative Courses & Workshops

beat the winter blues with a new skill looking ahead to festivals plus

artists & makers galleries & exhibitions theatre, music & dance book reviews & poetry creative marketing

south downs and high weald : issue 27: winter '19/20

ingénu/e creative talent revealed

contents Spotlight on... Creative Courses Visual Arts Contemporary Crafts Performing Arts Seasonal: Festivals Poetry, Prose & Illustration Creative Lifestyle Coda

4 20 42 46 64 71 76 80

who’s who & what’s what editor Gill Kaye editor@ingenuemagazine.co.uk

for press releases

pressdesk@ingenuemagazine.co.uk

sales & marketing

Roger Kaye sales@ingenuemagazine.co.uk 07583 944546 07816 838694

online

www.ingenuemagazine.co.uk and big thanks to 2 Way Communcations for their invaluable help on the website www.2waycomm

cover image

Image from the opera Aida – premiered in the UK by the Russian State Opera, see page 61 www.russian-state-opera.co.uk Image courtesy of Amande Concerts

"if it's not in ingénu/e ...it's not happening!"

prelude Hello dear readers! Well here we are at the start of a new decade... I wonder what it has in store for us. Or should I say, I wonder what we have in store for it!

I think a lot of us are fed up to the back teeth of all the political shenanigans and welcome the opportunity to draw a line under what was an extraordinary and rather challenging year. While the mainstream media relish a good bit of controversy, peddling bad news and a dangerous environment (what else sells, they think), I rather hope that the majority of my fellow citizens can see through the smoke and mirrors and are able to rise above the petty wranglings and disputes that we are subjected to on a daily basis.

Artists and makers, writers, composers, musicians, dancers, film makers – all these are part of the solution to society's woes. For anyone with a creative bone in their body can lift their environment, bring pleasure and joy to those around them and, last but by no means least, challenge the status quo and change the society.

How often have you heard the phrase 'life follows art'? And, when you think about it, how many times have you perceived the truth in that statement? I know I have, on numerous occasions.

So therefore, we, as creatives of all kinds, have a responsibility to elevate society, one painting/photograph/poem/book/song/concerto/play/dance at a time. Occasionally you come across art that depresses or restimulates. I can think of a case in point, many years ago, where a painter had created some very disturbing work... painted with his own blood (shudder).

I'm not saying that all art should be sugar-sweet and Disney-fied. No, that would be too one-dimensional.

Art should inspire, enrich, challenge – yes, but not depress. Art can take us out of our daily round, it can inspire us (I took up dancing after watching 'Fame!'), it can open doors and present possibilities previously unthought of.

So we must all, both as creators and consumers, immerse ourselves as much as possible in art. It is the way forward!

With that in mind, the lead feature in this issue is all about Creative Courses and Workshops. There are so many talented creatives across our region, and many of them love to share their skills and generously pass on their knowledge. How fortunate are we, then, to be able to take advantage of this. Have your diary ready!

Elsewhere in this issue we look ahead at upcoming festivals. We think of festival season as being a summer event, but this year we have both Brighton Early Music Festival and Hastings International Piano Festival holding special concerts in February, while the fabulous annual Celebrating Shakespeare Festival kicks off on the Bard's anniversary in April.

As usual there is plenty to read and enjoy, including, in Creative Lifestyle, an interesting article about marketing your business with video. We have it all!

–Gill Kaye, editor

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spotlight on...

Creative Courses & Workshops Learn Writing

Rachel Hoath

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Writing courses on the charming Isle of Wight ow many times have you heard people say 'I could write a book about it!' But it's a big ask! And we all need some guidance to start, and real endeavour to finish! That's where a short course can help. As a writer and a teacher of Creative Writing on the Isle of Wight, I help people find new ways with words, develop their story, and discover the power of structure.

Short story? The business of that is usually over by the time the story begins. You know the character and his/her situation from the opening. You even know what's likely to happen. The story is about why what you know matters.

Writing a novel? That's different. Being a broad canvas, it gives you room to explore. There are more characters, more action. More people are affected by what your central character does. The setting can be expanded – and time can be, to years and generations as in 'The Thornbirds', or cut right down as in 'Saturday Night and Sunday Morning'.

The Isle of Wight is inspirational for writers.

Offering advice and individual help with your story or idea here near beautiful Sandown Bay is always a real pleasure. –Felicity Fair Thompson www.learnwriting.co.uk pictured top: Sandown Bay, Isle of Wight

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Fused Glass Artist and Teacher achel is a fused glass artist, creating handmade individual and one-off pieces, from homeware, gifts and jewellery as well as sculptural pieces and wall art. Her work can be bought directly at her Etsy shop RachelsGlassStore, and at various venues, details of which can be found on her website, www. theglassworkshopbexhill.co.uk, or on Facebook.

Rachel teaches fused glass workshops from her garden studio in Bexhill-on-Sea. Workshops vary from one-day beginner workshops to specified projects like a set of coasters, garden ‘lollypops’, 16cm dish workshops, and jewellery workshops.

She also teaches copper foiling, which is a different technique involving copper foil and solder.

The workshops run from 10am to 3pm, with lunch and refreshments included. The Glass Workshop Bexhill also has on-site parking.

"Many have described my workshops as like being on a pamper day. We relax laugh and learn, and make fabulous fused glass," says Rachel.

Rachel and her husband John own a property in the Charente-Maritime area of France. There is a small and personal campsite on the grounds, with up to five places for caravans, campers and tents.

They also hold fused glass workshops there, a perfect opportunity to combine creativity and relaxation. _

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops www.facebook.com/theglassworkshopbexhill www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RachelsGlassStore www.theglassworkshopbexhill.co.uk

Media Journey. Includes monoprint, Gelli monoprint, 3-colour lino print and mixed media processes.

“Amanda's courses and workshops are a great mixture of practical demonstration, intellectual and historical background and wonderful energy and support for the group as a whole and individual efforts.

They are truly nourishing to the soul.” –Linda A For booking details contact Amanda 07480 523818, email amandagduke@gmail.com or visit the website amandadukemakeart.com.

The Glass Workshop, fused glass bangle

Amanda Duke

Creative Art and Textile Courses

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manda’s collage, ecoprint and stitched textile works are showcased at Shoreham Art Gallery, The Basement 93 Steyning and Steyning Arts. Adult workshops based in Steyning, Amberley Museum and Sussex Prairie Gardens run throughout the year including shibori, ecoprint, hand stitched fabric collage, print and mixed media. From January single dates or 5 days over 5 months are running at Chalk Pit Art Studio, Amberley Museum, BN18 9LT. For other courses see her website (details below).

January to May: Begin a Fabric and Hand Embroidery Stitch Journey. Includes running and other embroidery stitches, fabric collage and fabric journals.

February to June: Begin a Paper, Print and Mixed

Red Dog Studio

Creative workshops with artist Victoria Lovell

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Gelli print exploration

ed Dog Studio is a small Sussex creative workshop. The classes are held in a relaxed informal and supportive environment perfect for indulging in creative pursuits to nourish the soul. With over 20 years of teaching experience and nearly 30 years as an artist, creating is my life’s work.

One-day arts and crafts workshops include weaving, leatherwork, rag rug, candle making, soap making, macrame, wirework, felting and more. Pottery courses for slab building, coiling, and modelling are two-day and weekly workshops.

Make a Bird! This workshop is about learning the hand building techniques needed to create ceramic clay birds. The first session is for making and second is for glazing/decorating. Each workshop is a threehour session. No need to bring anything, clay, glaze, inspiration and cups of tea are included. £60 for two sessions, materials and firings included.

Session 1: Tuesday 23rd January 6:00pm to 9:00pm Session 2: Tuesday 6th February 6:00pm to 9:00pm Follow me on Instagram to keep up with the latest classes at red.dogstudio

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Sussex Sculpture Studio

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hat better way to begin a new year than taking time off the usual things to do something creative. There is a wealth of activities on offer in Sussex, but for those who a crave a very hands on experience that will fully engage the imagination, then why not consider making sculpture? We run a variety of exciting courses every week under the guidance of practising professional sculptors and welcome anyone to the studio regardless of previous experience.

Thinking ahead, if you can’t decide whether to take that expensive art holiday abroad this summer, an alternative might be found by joining one of our exciting intensive Summer School Workshops, cutting travel expense to the minimum.

These run throughout June and July and cover an exciting range of subjects such as Garden Sculpture, Life Size Life Drawing and Painting, Portrait Head in Clay with Hazel Reeves, Life Sculpture in Clay, Wax & Metal Casting and more.

For a full list, please go to www.sussexsculpture.co.uk.

Everyone enrolling on our courses is important to us and we strive to give them the best experience we can!

students at work at Sussex Sculpture Studios

Gift Vouchers and Taster Sessions available.

Contact us on 01403 786224 or 07765 892864 or at sussexsculpture@btinternet.com.

Jewellery Making

Courses with jewellery designer Debbie Smith

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ebbie has been teaching from her studio in Lindfield for over 15 years and offers a variety of jewellery making classes throughout the year from beginners to intermediate.

If you have ever thought that you could do with some creative 'Time Out', jewellery classes might be just the thing! The Beginners sixweek course is perfect if you have never made jewellery before. Debbie will guide you through the traditional jewellery making techniques, such as piercing, annealing, silver soldering, roller pressing, and polishing, and you will get the chance to make three or four pieces of silver jewellery.

Classes are small and have a maximum of five students to allow maximum tutorstudent interaction.

Students can then progress onto the Intermediate and Advanced courses!

Details of classes can be found on the website: www. thejewellery-workshop.co.uk Sunshine Earrings made by Tracey Petter

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Art Safari!

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atural history artist and tutor Roz Nathan and Angus Wingfield of Africa Wild Trails invite you to join them for a relaxing and creative time in the spectacular KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.

Our two very special locations have extremely comfortable accommodation and fantastic catering – the unique Zingela Safaris camp on the Tugela river, and Elephant Rock, an intimate lodge in Nambiti Big 5 Reserve, where we have exclusive use of the lodge and game vehicle.

The trip is suitable for all artists of any ability – non-painting partners welcome.

The group (max 8) will be drawing, painting and photographing the amazing wildlife, stunning scenery and incredible plants and textures of the region.

Roz will help with sketching techniques on the safari drives, painting in the shade in carefully chosen beautiful field locations and developing sketches or paintings in camp.

For more details, itinerary and costs for our 21st to 31st May ’20 safari; pictures and video from May ’19; dates of regular talk and slide presentations, contact: roz.nathan@hotmail.com / RozNathanArt.co.uk and Facebook / africawildtrails.com / zingelasafaris.co.za / elephantrocklodge.co.za top: Life class at Wannock; below: May's group at Zingela reserve

Weekly Art Classes at East Dean and Wannock

Roz Nathan is a natural history artist whose work has been exhibited at the Mall Galleries with the Society of Wildlife Artists, and seen regularly at Eastbourne Open Houses.

A qualified and experienced tutor, she is offering her range of very popular weekly classes at two new local venues, East Dean and Wannock village halls. Both are light and warm with great facilities, free WiFi, brilliant disabled access, and free parking outside.

Spring courses, which can be joined after the start date, include Abstract Art (inspired by plant subjects); Wildlife Art (using transparent painting techniques); Life Drawing (in a fantastic spacious venue); Personal Projects (individual artwork with guidance) and Landscape Art (water-based paints, mixed media).

Roz’s approach is very encouraging and supportive, and all ages, abilities and experience are very welcome. Courses on similar topics are offered through the year, so students have the opportunity to develop their skills.

For details of weekly courses, painting holidays, summer schools, demos and workshops, see RozNathanArt.com or email roz.nathan@ hotmail.com or call / text 07913 080061

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Cathy Bird Art Courses

Inspirational, individual fulfilling and fun

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f you are looking for an enriching experience that will take your art practice onto a new level, then these concentrated one or two-day art courses may be just right for you.

Experience shows that great progress can be made in a short, concentrated period. Here we offer just the right balance of intensity and fun with lots of individual assistance. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

After a lifetime of painting and teaching, Kent artist, Cathy Bird MA set up her studios at Jessops Farm and has been running successful tutoring sessions there ever since. She is in demand as a guest tutor at local art clubs and regularly leads life-drawing workshops with a local art group. www.weekendarting.com

Astronomy Courses and Workshops at The Observatory Science Centre Celebrating 25 years of Spectacular Science

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ince 1995 The Observatory Science Centre has been promoting science for everyone through

workshop at Jessops Farm Studios

hands-on exhibits, workshops, courses and show presentations at the former home of the world famous Royal Greenwich Observatory. Amongst the iconic green copper domes that still house some of the largest telescopes in the country, is an interactive science centre that is second to none.

A large part of the extensive events programme is devoted to our popular astronomy courses and workshops which offer a mix of classroom and practical astronomy covering a wide range of topics.

For 2020 we are offering the following courses: Spring and Autumn Star Search, The Solar System for Beginners, The Wider Universe, and Intermediate Astronomy.

In addition, we are also offering the following one day courses and workshops: Family and Adults Only Telescope Clinics, Night Sky Photography plus a family-friendly Introduction to Astronomy and an Adults Only Introduction to Life in the Universe.

For full details of costs, dates, times, age requirement and content please visit www. the-observatory.org or call 01323 832731.

Thompson telescope at the Observatory Science Centre, photo ©johnfoxphotos.com

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Creative workshops at Shoreham Art Gallery

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Bridget Marchi, Wildflower Wave

Create Fused Glass Workshops with Bridget Marchi

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using glass components in a kiln to create unique pieces of work is called glass fusing. The fascination of how this magic happens in a home studio is universal so it’s no surprise that I’m often asked: “Do you do workshops?” Answer: I do. A haphazard handful of glass shards will emerge from the kiln looking amazing, so experience or creative skill is not required for success. Everyone can enjoy this fascinating artform.

I learnt to fuse glass eight years ago, just as you will, in a workshop. For a while it was a hobby but leaving my L&D training profession, I set the goal of building my skills and knowledge to a high level so that I could share them in my well-equipped studio in Crowborough.

I’m proud to launch a selection of high-quality project-based workshops and introduction to glass fusing courses.

I am also delighted to be able to create bespoke workshops for family and friends or team groups (maximum of four).

Full details are on www.bridgetmarchi.com or call Bridget on 01892 668846.

aking and creating is proven to have huge health benefits. It is exercise for the mind that can improve your overall wellbeing. A new experience such as taking part in an art workshop is sure to energise you and get the creative juices flowing.

If you’re already working as an artist you can build on your knowledge and trying out something new can feed back into your own work in many positive ways.

If you’re a complete novice you might find a hidden talent, or failing that at least have a jolly good time with some new-found friends!

Currently, two of the artists at the Shoreham Art Gallery regularly run workshops upstairs at the gallery.

Spending time with either of these two masters within their fields is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Sculpture students working with local sculptor Teresa Martin often develop highly individual work in a variety of materials. Sometimes they enjoy creating pieces that can be assembled together to make group installations. This process has created something rather different every year for over fifteen years now!

Printmaker Karolyn Mnich regularly runs enjoyable hands-on lino printing workshops, covering all stages from designing and cutting blocks to exploring various methods of printing. Her group sizes are small to allow for plenty of one-to-one guidance. It’s also a great opportunity for friends or family to have a go at printmaking all together!

At Shoreham Gallery there is so much varied artwork on display, just coming in for a browse will get you inspired. The gallery is run as a cooperative so there will always be an artist on duty to discuss workshops within the gallery or elsewhere.

Shoreham Gallery, 27 Brunswick Road, Shoreham

by Sea, BN43 5WA 01273 272063 www.shorehamgallery.co.uk Karolyn Mnich lino printing

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops left: Sculptor Cara Wassenberg at work, West Dean

Blackbird Arts – hands on art tuition

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Fuel your creativity with a Summer School

at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation "One of the 10 best creative retreats in the UK and Europe", The Guardian, January 2019

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urture your passion on a creative escape, away from the pressures of everyday life. Learn a new skill or hone your existing talents with intensive teaching and be inspired by the beautiful surroundings and artistic atmosphere.

Between 24th July and 13th August 2020 here are 27 one week courses to choose from including painting, photography, jewellery making, sculpture, printmaking, blacksmithing, enamelling, textiles, stone carving and making automata, all with expert tutors drawn from across the UK and further afield. Develop your painting skills working plein air in the glorious Sussex landscape or nearby sandy coastline, design and make beautiful silver jewellery to wear all year round, or learn the craft of tapestry or writing.

You have the to opportunity to try a morning taster session on another course taking place at the same time, wander freely in the beautiful gardens and 240 acre grounds as well as go to the nearby nationally acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre. There are also yoga classes, an on-site swimming pool and tennis courts to help boost your well-being. The week ends with a celebration dinner in one of the grand State Rooms of the College.

Find out more at www.westdean.ac.uk/shortcourses.

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n these uncertain times, peace of mind can often be found in exploring one’s creativity. This doesn’t have to be complicated, elitist or soul searching (sometimes the soul is best left undisturbed…), just understanding how something is made and learning the skills to do it oneself can be empowering enough.

At Blackbird Arts we aim to provide a sustainable, affordable service where practising artists and craftspeople share their expertise and inspire people to try new things.

Last summer we ran a successful selection of workshops, simple formats that we have found work well for both beginners and those with experience of making things. ‘Clay Tile Making’ was a new venture that we rolled out at Wilderness Wood during their ‘Working with Wood Week’, the collaborative result can be seen in their beautiful new Bath House.

For 2020 Blackbird Arts will be building on the success of the one-day Wood Carving Workshop with a five-week block of evening classes – probably on Wednesdays 7 to 9pm. These can be repeated to mirror the school terms so that students, beginners and beyond, can spend more time on a project under the expert tuition of Martin Brockman.

We are planning the evening classes to start after Easter in the Lewes area.

For more details check out the advert on page 16, and if you want to know more about the workshops please email adele@blackbirdarts.co.uk.

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

Hand made clay tiles, Blackbird Arts

spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Meads Art & Creative Writing Classes

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he Scottish figurative artist Catriona Millar and the writer Roddy Phillips have been running their highly popular art and creative writing classes in the St John’s Parish Hall in upper Meads in Eastbourne for over three years. The art classes run every Tuesday evening 8pm to 10pm and every Wednesday morning 11am to 1pm. The creative writing workshops run every Wednesday evening 7.30pm to 10pm.

The couple have run classes and workshops across the UK but the Meads Hall is definitely a stand-out venue. “Its just such a lovely, atmospheric space,” said Catriona, a Saatchi Gallery artist, “not only is it spacious but it’s well designed with excellent disabled access, which is a vital feature for several of our members. We have two artists in wheelchairs and some who have suffered strokes. Art is an important part of their restorative process and its highly rewarding to work with them.”

“The lighting is also excellent during the day and in the evening,” added Roddy, “lighting is something we take for granted until we start drawing and painting, but we think we’ve got the balance just right.”

Catriona and Roddy’s art classes are the only classes in East Sussex where you can learn to paint in oils using traditional under painting techniques established by the likes of Vermeer and Rembrandt.

“A lot of amateur painters are wary of working in oils but we teach our students from the foundation up, which is quite rare,” said Catriona. “As far as I know these techniques are no longer taught in art schools and colleges and yet they should form the basis of every painter’s process.”

At the Meads art class you can also

learn to paint in acrylics and multi-media in a friendly, creative environment.

You can learn how to draw in pencil, pen and charcoal. Students of all abilities are welcome, from absolute beginners to advanced painters, all of whom will benefit from Catriona and Roddy’s individually tailored advice and encouragement.

Last year a unique art collective, the Meads Art Circle formed from the class and held its first exhibition in the Hall in July, which was a huge success. Another exhibition is currently being planned for the Spring.

Drawing is Roddy’s forte. He worked in advertising for many years and was a professional designer and illustrator. His private portrait clients included a variety of publications and celebrities from the arts, politics television and radio, stage, film and sport. He remembers Margaret and Dennis Thatcher as being particularly generous and charming.

“Sometimes you have to put politics to one side,” said Roddy, recalling the Thatchers, “although at the time I was the area rep for a graphic design union, so that made for some robust conversation.”

Roddy is also a published writer and a creative writing tutor. Under the banner of Bourne to Write his weekly workshops in Eastbourne and Lewes take a studentcentred approach to creative writing, offering a range of strategies to help budding writers achieve their goals.

Members are encouraged to explore their creative writing potential through self-awareness and self-discovery.

“This means there is a lot of laughter in the workshop and sometimes tears,” said Roddy, “it can be a very moving experience as people tap into memories and emotions they have often forgotten.”

The workshops are suitable for aspiring writers of all levels and abilities and for anyone with a strong interest in reading and writing, who would like to deepen their understanding of the creative process.

If you’d like to join the Meads Art Class or one of the Bourne to Write Creative Writing Workshops call Roddy on 07758 367479 or for more information check out catrionamillar.com and roddyphillips.com.

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Studio 11

Textile workshops in Eastbourne

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tudio 11 is back in permanent premises in Eastbourne after a few months of pop up venues around the town.

The new venue is a charming converted chapel building in Bourne Street with lots of fabulous light and very close to the seafront.

The focus of the new studio is totally textile, with classes run

by Christine Chester, a wellrespected mixed media textile artist who has had work exhibited locally at the Towner in the East Sussex Open, as well as nationally and internationally, recently in the International Quilt Study Centre in the US. Christine has been teaching textiles for over 25 years and the fully equipped studio can support dyeing and printing as well as stitch. Having had a lot of experience over the years of many processes, Christine brings these skills to her teaching and really enjoys enabling students to move forward with their work, at whatever stage of their practice.

Full day One-A-Month classes sometimes focus on techniques, and sometimes on the development of the individual. Christine also has a mentoring option for students who want an overview of their work and require some help moving their practice on.

You can join in with existing classes if you have some experience, or join the new classes which start in February in Dyeing & Printing or Machine Embroidery. Just sign up on the Textile Courses page on the website or contact Christine direct via email:

studio11eastbourne@yahoo.com www.studio11eb.co.uk www.christinechester.com above: Studio 11's new studio; inset: printing in progress

Writing for Life Creative Writing Courses

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s creative writing something you’ve always wanted to do but keep putting off and never finding time for? Or perhaps you are keen on using writing to improve your wellbeing? Whatever your interest in creative writing, Writing for Life has something to offer you.

There is a critiquing group, the Writing Workshop, that meets one Saturday morning per month in Five Ashes, East Sussex, for writers to get individual feedback and support with their writing.

There are also ‘pay as you go’ fun café writing groups meeting once a month in Newick, Ringmer and Mayfield.

There are courses at Polegate and a variety of workshops on different topics and in different locations, throughout the year. There is also the offer of individual support through writing mentoring, either face to face or via Skype.

If you really want to get writing this year, get in touch! e-mail: stocktonwriting@gmail.com, phone: 07784 538965 and for more information visit www.helenstockton.co.uk.

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Helen Stockton

spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Painting Workshops with Karin Moorhouse

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ome outside! Come outside! it’s a lovely day out here...

Karin Moorhouse runs monthly painting workshops in and around Arundel, West Sussex.

Her days are aimed at all levels and intend to give confidence through the introduction of a wide range of subject matter and location.

When weather allows these Alla Prima (painting in one session) workshops will take place outdoors while at other times indoor subjects such as portraiture, still life, painting with the interior itself or working up pieces from sketchbooks will be on offer.

In addition to her now established monthly dates, in 2020 Karin will be adding strolling days.

The intention of the strolling days will be to work up a range of sketches (any medium welcome) with an eye to making notes for larger more complex pieces, which could be worked up on some of the indoor days or simply for the pleasure and value of building a personal sketch book.

For details and questions about this and all workshop dates please contact Karin at her website www.karinmoorhouseart.com

Karin Moorhouse painting en plein air

Look Learn Draw with artist Linda de Canha

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ook Learn Draw offers drawing and life drawing classes to anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills. Through quality instruction, the focus is on the process, with an emphasis on 'looking' (both outwardly and inwardly).

LOOK: Get out of your head, be present and observe.

LEARN: Gain knowledge, practice and improve your skills with real time feedback.

DRAW: Create and communicate your visual story.

Choosing from a range of optional curriculums, you will have structured support with a focus on your personal goals. The aim is for drawing to become something you just do naturally well and all the time – asserting your creative habit.

Come draw with us! Day and evening classes run weekly at East Grinstead, Forest Row and Nutley.

Register at www.Looklearndraw.com.

Follow us on Facebook / Instagram (@looklearndraw) to find out more and share your thoughts on drawing.

Linda de Canha, Janey

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

ART ART CLASSES CLASSES

Weekly drawing and painting classes Weekly andwith painting classes 6 Jan - drawing 3 April ‘20 Roz Nathan 6 Jan - 3 April ‘20 with Roz Nathan

EAST DEAN and WANNOCK EAST DEAN and WANNOCK Village Halls Village Halls

Join Africa Wild Trails and Natural History artist and tutor Roz Nathan for a wonderfully creative and relaxing time.

Draw, paint, photograph or just relax and experience the fantastic wildlife and stunning scenery of the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa.

A range of art classes for all A rangeand of art classes for all abilities experience in our abilities andwarm, experience in our lovely new light venues lovely new warm, light venues

For more details contact For more details contact roz.nathan@hotmail.com / 07913 080061 roz.nathan@hotmail.com / 07913 080061 or see courses at www.roznathanart.com or see courses at www.roznathanart.com

For more details: roz.nathan@hotmail.com / 07913 080061 angus@africawildtrails.com / 07932 327534 or see painting holidays at www.roznathanart.com

THE GLASS WORKSHOP BEXHILL Contemporary Fused Glass

WORKSHOPS ONE-DAY FUSED GLASS

Artists wanted to run art classes in Eastbourne.

A creative one-day workshop where you will learn to cut glass, and design and make 2 items

Please e-mail CV

ONE-DAY FUSED GLASS JEWELLERY WORKSHOP

Come and create your own pieces of jewellery using bullseye and dichroic glass

OTHER PROJECT-BASED CLASSES INCLUDE:~

and two images to:

Coaster • Mirror Frame • Garden Lollypops • Mobile Workshop www.theglassworkshopbexhill.co.uk 07879 474947 www.facebook.com/theglassworkshopbexhill www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RachelsGlassStore

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PO Box 19 c/o editor@ingenuemagazine.co.uk

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

painting workshops

Brush up your still life painting or get to grips with landscapes Alla prima art workshops – a mixture of studio-based and plein-air painting days in and around Arundel once a month throughout the year Please see website to contact Karin and see workshop dates www.karinmoorhouseart.com

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

CREATIVE WRITING Holidays & Breaks Isle of Wight

You are invited to our

For experienced writers and those just starting out

Open Studio Exhibition

Tel: 01983 407772

25th & 26th April, 10am-5pm

or visit:

www.learnwriting.co.uk

FOR GREAT HOLIDAY READING visit:

www.wightdiamondpress.com

Ammonoid by Lou Sainty

Help Care for our Sussex Wildlife We are showcasing work by our studio sculptors and painters and would like to you join us in a celebration of work Bring family and friends Tea and Cakes & Raffle to Raise Money for The Sussex Wildlife Trust See exciting work in 2D & 3D Work for sale Meet the artists Free Entrance Sussex Sculpture Studios, Epstein House, Daux Road, Billingshurst, RH14 9TF sussexsculpture@btinternet.com 07765 892864 / 01403 786224

www.sussexsculpture.co.uk

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

AMANDA DUKE

Creative Art and Textile Courses

Eastbourne Eastbourne ART ART CLASS CLASS

St John’s Parish Hall, Meads St John’s Parish Hall, Meads

Adult workshops based in Steyning, Amberley Museum and Sussex Prairie Gardens January to May: Fabric and Hand Embroidery Stitch February to June: Paper, Print and Mixed Media for booking details contact Amanda: 07480 523818 • amandagduke@gmail.com www.amandadukemakeart.com

Tuesdays 7.45 - 10pm & Wednesdays 11am - 1pm Tuesdays 7.45 - 10pm & Wednesdays 11am Millar.

- 1pm Led by acclaimed figurative artist Catriona Led by acclaimed figurativetoartist Catriona Millar.

All media taught, beginners advanced welcome.

All media taught, beginners to advanced welcome.

If you’d like to join call Catriona on 07758 367479 If you’dorlike to out joinour callwebsite Catriona 07758 367479 check for on more details. or check out our website for more details.

catrionamillar.com catrionamillar.com

YOUR CREATIVE RETREAT

Week-long Summer Schools - July and August 2020

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spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Astronomy Courses and Workshops

25 YEARS

THE OBSERVATORY SCIENCE CENTRE

Our fantastic range of courses and workshops offer a combination of classroom tuition and practical activities for beginners and intermediates.

See website for full details, including our NEW one day workshop ‘INTRODUCTION TO ASTRONOMY’ - for families.

W W W.T H E - O B S E R VAT O RY. O R G • 0 13 2 3 8 3 2 7 31

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FIND • TWEET • SHARE

spotlight on... creative courses & workshops

Weekend Arting 2020 Weekend art courses in the heart of Kent

Expressive Abstracts Sculpture: a Portrait Head in Clay Saturday 7th & Sunday Saturday 25th & Sunday 8th March 26th April

Plein Air Painting Drawing Dancers: Sheer Joy of Music Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July and Movement Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th May

Taking Control of The Joy of Drawing Watercolour Saturday 17th & Sunday Saturday 19th & Sunday 18th October 20th September

www.studio11eb.co.uk Tel: 07941 399479

Textile Classes with Christine Chester Jessops Farm Studios, Tonbridge Road, Bough Beech, TN8 7AU For info call Cathy 01892 870067 cathy.bird1@btopenworld.com

www.weekendarting.com

A range of classes for beginners or the more confident practitioner – check website for details.

Small classes and expert tuition: now in a new venue near the beach in Eastbourne

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BRINGING ARTISTS TOGETHER

@The Makery is the gallery for a group of 12 local artists & makers who have come together to share their exquisite creations with Guest Artists and a rehang every six weeks. @The Makery, Unit 7, The Enterprise Shopping Centre, Eastbourne, BN21 1BD. Email: info@themakery.me.uk

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www.themakery.me.uk Find us on:

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visual arts

@ THE MAKERY, EASTBOURNE The only retail outlet in Eastbourne that is managed as an artists’ cooperative, @ The Makery is sited within the Enterprise Shopping Centre just beside the railway station.

Looking for something unique? Then look no further. We stock an eclectic range of hand-crafted art, craft and home furnishings, paintings and prints, ceramics, fused and cast glass, textiles, woodturning and furniture.With a rehang every six weeks and featuring guest artists, there is always something new to see. @ The Makery collaborates with a range of events organised with the Enterprise Centre.

Create returns to the Enterprise Centre on 8th March from 10am to 4pm. A number of artists from the Makery will be holding workshops in a variety of mediums, painting, ceramics, felting, glass, jewellery, knitting, embroidery, vintage hat making and much more. This is a super opportunity to learn

something new and take something home.

Following on from this, Fibre Fest will be returning to the Enterprise Centre on the 4th and 5th April.

This successful speciality show incorporates all things textile. With over 25 exhibitors, plus demos and workshops it is a must for your diary. For more information on these two forthcoming events please follow the link. Facebook.com/SussexCraftandDesignFair.

If you haven’t yet discovered us, do pay us a visit; you are assured a warm welcome by the artist on duty.

With prices ranging from just few pounds to a few hundred there is really something for everyone here.

Our aim is to present local, unique, affordable art and crafts in an accessible and welcoming environment.

For more information about the gallery, the artists and their work visit: www.themakery.me.uk pictured above: Darren Murrell, Evening light at Birling Gap, watercolour & pastel

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Original Art in the Heart of Sussex

The Art of Temptation Come and be tempted by a selection of paintings, fused glass, ceramics, prints and cards at reduced prices

6th January to 23rd February 2020 Gina Lelliott ‘Winter Solstice’

Chalk Gallery 4 North Street Lewes BN7 2PA 01273 474477 22

Artist-run gallery Open everyday 10am to 5pm

chalkgallerylewes.co.uk

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visual arts

Chalk Gallery, Lewes Chalk Gallery re-opens on Monday 6th January with ‘The Art of Temptation’, a whole gallery exhibition of exquisite art at discounted prices billed as the most tempting show around!

A new exhibition in the gallery follows on from this, featuring Rue Asher from 24th February to 15th March followed by Gabrielle Lord from 16th March to 5th April, beginning an exciting programme of events at Chalk Gallery for 2020.

For more information about the gallery, the artists and their work visit: www.chalkgallerylewes.co.uk.

Chalk Gallery, 4 North Street, Lewes, BN7 2PA. Open 7 days a week, 10am to 5pm. pictured left: Gabrielle Lord, Dancers on a Mustard Ground, acrylic on canvas; below: Rue Asher, The Conversation, oil on canvas

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Artgenu/e

by Lesley Samms | Pure Fine Art

“If you’re feeling the winter blues, why not try painting yourself a different colour…”

For this winter edition we are going to bathe ourselves in colour!

Colour is an intrinsic and essential element of all our lives. It forms a vital link in both our verbal and non-verbal communication and colour meanings and symbolism occur on an individual, cultural and universal basis. Colour symbolism is also contextual, dependent and influenced by changes over time. There is even some evidence to suggest that colour was used by early civilisations to communicate.

Between the 5th and 17th centuries colour was largely related to in a religious context. Blue was symbolic of heaven and white of purity. Today, purity is still symbolized by white in the UK, Australia and the USA but by blue in other countries like India. Similarly, the church influenced the perception of colours like crimson and purple. Largely because the dyes for these colours could only be sourced from precious pigments, religious figures like Madonna, cardinals, and the Virgin were seen in scarlet and purple.

During the Renaissance black and purple were colours of mourning. Today however mourning or death is symbolized by white in East Asia, black in the UK and US, and blue in Iran, while happiness is 24

symbolised by white in Australia and New Zealand, and yellow in China.

We also use colour today to describe our moods, for example people are described as green with envy or red with rage. We use colour to describe the world around us. A grey day for example implies depressing. Colour symbolism is embedded in our culture.

We have traffic lights of red and green, indicating when we can stop and go. We have blue for boys and pink for girls and we have colours to denote political persuasions, religious ceremonies, traditions and festivities. Red and green for instance are commonly associated with Christmas; orange and black with Halloween.

Colour is actually light of different wavelengths and frequencies. Each colour has its own properties with its own wavelength and frequency. The visible colour spectrum is made up of seven main colours: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Although white is often referred to as a colour, it is generally not included in the scientific spectrum as it is in fact made up of all the colours. Isaac Newton proved that white light is indeed made up of colours when he passed natural sunlight through a glass prism, resulting in a rainbow being projected onto a surface.

Artists employ colour to communicate mood and emotion or to inform and illustrate a message or story embodied within their artwork. A significant group

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visual arts of artists who employed colour as a critical element of their practice were the Scottish colourists. A group of four painters whose post-impressionist work, though not universally recognised at the time, came to have a formative influence on contemporary Scottish art and culture. They were Francis Cadell, John Duncan Fergusson, Leslie Hunter and Samuel Peploe.

The Scottish Colourists combined their training in France and the work of French Impressionists and Fauvists such as Monet, Matisse and Cézanne with the painting traditions of Scotland. A forerunner of this movement was William McTaggart (1835–1910), a Scottish landscape painter who was influenced by Post-Impressionism. He is regarded as one of the great interpreters of the Scottish landscape and is often labelled the "Scottish Impressionist".

If you are Interested in all things colour: The Colour Group, founded in 1940, is an interdisciplinary society that draws together people interested in all aspects of colour – its perception, measurement, reproduction and artistic expression – www.colour.org.uk. They are part of the International Colour Association – www.aic-color.org.

Colour is an intrinsic element in the art practice of Sussex-based contemporary painter Richard Heys.

Working primarily in abstract, Richard explores pure colour and form, the substance of paint and ground and the tensions between the physical processes of making and the ‘life’ in the piece. He strives to create paintings with presence, atmosphere and countenance.

Richard is committed to colour and forgetting. He says “As I am now 52 and am under siege from all I have seen and all I know I attempt a self-forgetting, a side-stepping of rational processes to allow moments of creative innocence to arise. This side-stepping, deflecting quick answers and slick resolve, leads me on a passionate journey through the worlds of colour, both outer and inner. In the realisation of a finished work I aim to recover mystery and in this world of the known, I work standing before the unknown.” www.richardianheys.co.uk www.pureartsgroup.co.uk Pictured – paintings by Richard Heys above: Summertime; left: Autumn – both 100 x 100 cm acrylic on canvas; opp top: We stand behind the sky

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PURE

Enabling Aspirations Inspiring Vision Empowering Success

PURE Arts Clubs Professional Development Mentoring & Networking Exhibitions & Events

Tenterden

Hastings

Lewes

JOIN THE CLUB! For more information and to join visit pureartsgroup.co.uk 26

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fine art jewellery glass ceramics Beautiful work - Expertly made

T

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B

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visual arts

First Saturday of each month Meet the artists 2-4pm

Open Tue-Sat 10.30-5.00 01732 365924 167 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1BX www.artspringgallery.co.uk Social Media @artspringallery

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Mark Fairnington: Prodigy

visual arts

BEAST Exploring the human/animal divide

With artists Edwina Ashton, Nicky Coutts, Mark Fairnington, Laura Ford and Kay Walsh 28

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 18th January - 23rd February 2020 Open weekends 12 - 4pm ADMISSION FREE Tonbridge School TN9 1JP Tel: 01732 365555 www.oldbigschoolgallery.co.uk

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BEAST

Old Big School Gallery

17th January to 23rd February

Beast exhibition explores the ‘human-animal divide’ Internationally renowned artists will be displaying their work in a new exhibition at Tonbridge School’s Old Big School Gallery.

January and 23rd February from 1pm to 5pm.

The exhibition is open for booked groups during the week, to book a group contact erg@tonbdridge-school.org.

Visit www.oldbigschoolgallery.co.uk for more details about the exhibition and artists. above: Laura Ford, Three Bears; below: Laura Ford, Bedtime Boy

Beast, which will open to the public on Saturday 18th January, will feature photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and film, as the artists explore the human/animal divide.

This unique exhibition will only be staged at Tonbridge and will not be touring elsewhere.

The artists featured are Laura Ford, Mark Fairnington, Nicky Coutts, Edwina Ashton (who is Kent-based) and Kay Walsh.

Emily Glass, the Gallery’s Curator, said: “The Beast exhibition reminds us that our relationship with animals is both complex and conflicted – the artists use their skills to humour and disarm us, making us question our assumptions and beliefs. We will get to see large-scale drawings of a gorilla using sign language to communicate, a five-feet sculpture of an elephant boy standing awkwardly in pyjamas, and a round oil painting depicting a minotaur’s eye in exquisite detail.

“The artists in this exhibition reflect upon the frameworks we create to distance ourselves from other creatures. We collect, document, display, categorise, eat and breed them, yet we are also enticed to understand them in very human ways. Animals have human emotions and thoughts in books, cartoons and films, and of course our pets are part of the family.”

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Susie Olford

Moods of Land, Sea and Weather By the time you read this, 2020 will have arrived.

A New Year with an alliterative annum, and we wish for a year of artistic achievement in all our areas of art. We might also wish for a little less rain!

I say paint moods of ‘weather’, but not sad moods.

This means painting the electric skies before the storm; or the brightening sky after the storm. I see wonderful watercolour work with umbrellas and reflective puddles but as an oil/acrylic painter I don’t 30

strive to achieve this image.

The light-filled spring is for me, cheerful skies, colour emerging around the landscape, but a wind still ruffling the waves on the beach close to home.

To view my interpretation of the happier moods of weather, you are welcome to visit my exhibition, part of the Regis (Chichester) Art Trail during the first two weekends in May. My venue is easy to find off the A259, two miles east of Littlehampton – Hoe Lane, Flansham PO22 8NJ. Open Sat 2nd, Sun 3rd and Fri 8th (B/H), Sat 9th and Sun 10th May. Contact Susie at smoart@btinternet.com, for more details visit the trail website: chichesterarttrail.org

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above: Susie Olford, Roaring Fields

visual arts

The Artists Networking Breakfast in Worthing’s West End

Throughout the year Sarah and Barry from the West End Gallery in Worthing host informal monthly Networking Breakfasts in Worthing for local artists and anyone interested in the Arts.

They are always on the 7th day of each month and are held at Brunswick & Thorn Bistro, just off the seafront behind Premier Inn in Worthing.

An artist who regularly comes to the breakfast is ceramicist Carolyn Friend who has moved to Worthing quite recently. She says "The artists networking breakfast has been a lovely introduction to fellow artists and craftspeople in my area. It has been especially important in understanding the challenges artists face in finding suitable venues in which to exhibit their work."

Drop by at any time between 9am and 11am, no booking necessary, you will be made very welcome.

For more information find us on Facebook or go to worthingartstudios.com.

LET’S FACE IT An exhibition of photographic mixed media by John Stanley-Clamp from 10th to 22nd February at the Skyway Gallery, Shoreham-by-Sea. ‘Let’s Face It’ is an exhibition about people. Some John knows well, some he has recently been introduced to. They all represented to him as different individual aspects of their personalities – right or wrong. And this led to some of the photographic portraits having added mixed media layers. It has been a very enjoyable process for John and he hopes for them too.

John studied at the Royal College of Art before working as a designer for Harrods, he moved to Kodak, designing exhibitions and shop windows before becoming art director in graphics at Conrans.

A period of freelancing in both photography and graphic design led John to running the Visual Communications department at Northbrook College.

Now retired from teaching, John is more prolific than ever in his cross-media explorations.

John had wonderful help and support from his Girl Friday, Traci Moss – an artist in her own right, she’s ‘The Headcase’. And his thanks go to Woodie for crits, Duncan the incredible printer and Glen ‘van Gough’.

Skyway Gallery, 2 Pond Road, Shoreham by Sea, BN43 5WU. www.skywaygallery.org

above: John Stanley-Clamp, Headcase

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An exhibition of photographic mixed media by John Stanley-Clamp Des RCA 10th to 22nd February 2020 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday

At the Skyway Gallery 2 Pond Road Shoreham by Sea BN43 5WU Visit

www.skywaygallery.org for further information

Perspectives Recent Paintings by Nick Hebditch

The Smallhythe Studio Gallery

Smallhythe Road, Tenterden, TN30 7NB 17th-28th March 2020

open daily Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm 07905 948525 • art@smallhythestudio.com www.smallhythestudio.com 32

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PERSPECTIVES Nick Hebditch

Perspectives, a solo exhibition of recent paintings

by Nick Hebditch will be showing at the Smallhythe Studio Gallery, Smallhythe Road, Tenterden TN30 7NB, on the edge of Romney Marsh.

The exhibition runs from 17th to 28th March, open daily Tuesday to Saturday, 10am- 4pm.

Working largely in oil and mixed media, Nick avoids a slavish photographic representation, enjoying the possibilities of mark making, surface textures and abstract qualities that are encountered through the act of painting. His focus is to capture the feeling and emotion of a place, whilst depicting the interplay between light, land, water and sky.

Nick has found a wealth of rich subject matter in rural settings near to his home in Tonbridge such as the surrounding Medway Valley. Further afield Ashdown Forest, the South Downs and coastal scenery are all favourites. He enjoys painting views of London as well as Venice, Paris and recently Istanbul.

Selected exhibitions include the RBA, ROI, RWS, RSMA shows at the Mall Galleries; Chelsea Art Society as well as showing with a number of leading galleries in the south of England and Affordable Art Fairs. He was awarded The Jullian Barrow painting Prize at Chelsea Art Society 2018, and The Painting Prize at the Pure Art Fair, Sussex, 2017 and 2018.

More info at www.nickhebditch.co.uk; Instagram: nickhebditch3463; Facebook: Nick Hebditch Fine Art

top: Nick Hebditch, Old Harry, Oil 30 x 42cm; above: Nick Hebditch, Autumn Walk, Oil 30 x 21cm

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work by artists from West Street Loft Studios can be viewed at

CAFÉ ARTISAN GALLERY 2 Tarmount Lane Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 6DA 07970 377046 See page 77 for more about Café Artisan Gallery Pictured: Monday Morning by Angela Edwards, see page 35 34

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ANGELA EDWARDS

fine art painter Contemporary artist Angela Edwards' works point to the way in which digital photographs – through iphones, computers, and other devices – permeate into our day-to-day lives.

Digital images can be so transitory, but placed on the canvas we are given the time to consider them; the time that the digitalisation of the image (in video terms) denies us.

The blurring of the work expresses the quick pace at which we view digital images. With signifiers of context removed her work is less focused on the specificity of who is being featured and more to do with how we surf the web.

Starting with a dark ground symbolising the blank digital screen, Edwards then enables the paint to create a highlighted tonal image which slowly comes into focus.

This adds the weight and historical context canvas and oil paint bring with them.

“We live in a world where there is more and more information, and less and less meaning.”

–Jean Baudrillard, Simulacra and Simulation Edwards' central thesis is connected to a notion of ‘home’, a theme explored from many different perspectives and one to which she continually returns.

She has over many years developed her practice in life and figure drawing and in 2014 gained a first class honours degree in Fine Art Painting. She currently runs a charcoal class for Cass Art in Brighton.

Her studio at West St Loft in Shoreham-by-Sea is open by appointment and you can contact her on info@angelaedwards.co.uk. above right: Angela Edwards, Who Was It, 40x70; right: Edwards at work in her studio

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OPEN NOW IN FOREST ROW Forest Row’s newest Art Exhibition space Friends with Beagle is located in The Bazaar FWB @ The Bazaar, Hillside, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5ES Open 7 days a week for more information contact: christopher@friendswithbeagle.com Follow FWB on Instagram at FRIENDSWITHBEAGLE

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Examples of work by artists whose work can be seen at FWB @ The Bazaar – from top: Victoria Young Jamieson; Duncan Dimanche; Gill Bustamante (Gill has an exciting year ahead, watch this space!)

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Friends With Beagle

Forest Row's newest art exhibition space Friends With Beagle 'FWB' is a curated pop-up Art Gallery which is making its England debut in Forest Row. Having put on several exhibitions in New York City, it has finally come over to be part of the newest addition to Forest Row, The Bazaar.

Situated at the edge of the beautiful Ashdown Forest, Forest Row has a thriving creative community and The Bazaar fits in perfectly. It provides a marketplace comprising boutique stalls and artisan goods. It is also a social hub with an outstanding coffee shop, Emilio's, and at the far end there are hot desks, as well as a salon.

'FWB' has its own booth which showcases both local and international artists. From the beginning

of the new year they will start exclusively to feature local artists in the booth space. The aim of this is to enable aspiring artists' work to be seen and featured in the town and community. Any artist hoping to have their work shown can contact Christopher 'Beagle' at christopher@friendswithbeagle.com.

In addition, artwork will be around The Bazaar space, showcasing some other more international artists, thereby demonstrating the range of work we have to offer. Come by any time The Bazaar is open and you will be able to view and purchase any of the artworks that you see.

FWB @ The Bazaar, Hillside, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5ES. above: Gill Bustamante, Gentle Souls

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TOWNER Eastbourne Alan Davie & David Hockney: Early Works 15th February to 31st May A major exhibition of early works by Alan Davie (1920–2014) and David Hockney (b. 1937) will explore the convergence between the two major figures of post-war British painting.

The exhibition will bring together around 45 paintings, collages and drawings by Davie and Hockney, spanning from 1948 to 1965. It will trace the parallel paths of these key figures of post-war British painting and reveal shared preoccupations with passion, love, sex and poetry as their work oscillated between figuration and abstraction. Early Works is the first major display of works by both artists on the South Coast.

David Hockney, Great Pyramid at Giza with Broken Head from Thebes – 1963

BRINK: Caroline Lucas curates the Towner Collection – until 10th May Caroline Lucas – politician, cultural advocate and environmental campaigner – has taken on a new challenge this autumn: curating her first ever exhibition.

Selecting from the 5000 works in Towner’s Collection, Caroline’s choices will reflect and resonate with her passions and her interests, from her environmental work, the impact of climate change and its effects on

our landscape, to her love of living in Sussex.

Caroline will include works from the Collection

by Jonathan Monk, Tirzah Garwood, Tania Kovats, David Jones and Clare Richardson.

Visit www.townereastbourne.org.uk for further information about both exhibitions.

TOWNER Eastbourne Alan Davie TOWNER and David Hockney Earlyhalf Works

15 February to 31 May 2020 Devonshire Park, BN21 4JJ @TownerGallery #EastbourneALIVE www.townereastbourne.org.uk Towner Members can enjoy unlimited free access to this ticketed show.

Join for as little as £35 per year.

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David Hockney, Arizona, 1964, acrylic on canvas, 60 � 60 ins © David Hockney, photo: Fabrice Gibert

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visual arts

The Art of Giving...

GALLERY SHOP STUDIO EXHIBITIONS W OR KSHOPS

G A L L E RY SHOP STUDIO EXHIBITIONS

fine art - jewellery - sculpture textiles - ceramics - glass

and so much more...

picture framing now available

Celebrating and retailing work from local artists and skilled makers ~ paintings, bespoke silver jewellery, art materials, cards and gift items Artologie, 18 High Street, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath RH17 5JU • 01444 708380 • www.artologie.co.uk

27 Brunswick Road, Shoreham by Sea BN43 5WA Just South of the Station!

Open 7 days a week

www.shorehamgallery.co.uk Tel: 01273 272063

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Bridal Bouquets the perfect wedding gift

contemporary gallery space between city and sea showcasing original work by local artists Winter is now with us – we have a lot of colour and variety in our gallery where you will receive a warm welcome after a brisk walk along the lovely local beach. (closed 6th-22nd Jan)

Shazia Mahmood: Oil paintings

Becky Borthwick: Textiles

Antonio Gouveia: Photography

Angeline Tournier: Oil paintings

Send photos of your wedding bouquet to Karin and she will immortalise them in an oil painting just for you

Also on display at all times is a selection of ceramics | prints enamels | jewellery | glassware | cards and much more

Contact artist Karin Moorhouse for more details: 07801 613334 | www.karinmoorhouseart.com

Rookwood Road, West Wittering, PO20 8LT | 01243 512218 for opening times & info: www.thelittleartgallery.online

Reflections of Arundel 25th January to 3rd March

A unique photography exhibition showcasing the essence of Arundel throughout the seasons Arundel Museum, Mill Road, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9PA Open daily 10am-4pm • 01903 885866 • www.arundelmuseum.org

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Reflections of Arundel

From 25th January to 3rd March 2020 Arundel Museum are holding a unique exhibition, Reflections of Arundel.

This photographic exhibition will feature beautiful photos from Arundel and the surrounding area.

With pictures from across the seasons, it will showcase the essence of Arundel.

Photographers featuring in the exhibition are Bill Philip, Charles Waring, Nigel Cull and Josie Gilbert, all well known to an Arundel audience. Bill's work is regularly exhibited in the summer Gallery Trail. We are also delighted to have Martin Duncan, Arundel Castle's Head Gardener, who can showcase beautiful views from the Collector Earl's Garden. Sam Moore, the Castle's Drone photographer is able to provide an aerial view of the Castle.

Running alongside the exhibition, we have worked with local primary schools; children have submitted photos of views that are meaningful to them. The exhibition is free entry, donations are welcome. The photographs will be for sale, providing an opportunity to take a piece of Arundel home with you. Sales will support the work of Arundel Museum.

For more details visit www.arundelmuseum.org. top: Josie Gilbert, Arundel Water Meadows: inset: Martin Duncan, Spring Tulips along the Water Rill in the Collector Earl's Garden at Arundel Castle

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contemporary crafts enjoys transforming a sheet of hard, sharp glass into something tactile and organic.

As a small boy Paul Chave's grandmother would take him to visit museums, where he became fascinated by early Egyptian and Greek artefacts.

Especially vivid African tribal masks full of drama instilled memories that have stayed with him to this day.

Paul's interests in architecture and design combined with a background in photography and graphic design form the foundation for his three dimensional work. A lot of his pieces have a contemporary modernist feel, whilst others are humorous and playful sculptures to delight. He uses a variety of materials, predominantly fused Spectrum glass from Mexico, stone, concrete, slate and marble to make birds, heads and geometric forms.

Hildegard Pax came to the medium of glass from a background in interior architecture. A fascination with colour and light and a love of pattern combine in her exploration of this unique medium to result in a varied body of work, ranging from glass jewellery to 2D wall-based works.

Hildegard creates modern compositions of colour,

Stunning Glass at

ArtSpring

Ever since ArtSpring opened its doors in Tonbridge the gallery has shown a variety of glass work in a range of sizes, styles and techniques.

Glass is such a fascinating medium, offering a wealth of expression ranging from the decorative to the artistic, from the small scale of creating glass jewellery to large wall hung panels and free-standing sculptures for indoors and the garden.

The three glass artists currently exhibiting at ArtSpring met at Kent Adult Education in Tonbridge.

Sharing a love of glass and the exploration of new ideas, Paul and Hilary decided to join the art collective as founding members and Hildegard took on the role of chair of Tonbridge Art Collective.

Hilary Shields came to working with glass having completed a City and Guilds Diploma in Ceramics, while looking after a young family. She was drawn to glass by the vibrant colours, having been inspired by visiting the Dale Chihuly exhibition at Kew in 2005.

Since then she has enjoyed learning a whole new set of processes and techniques, with clay still playing a role in mould making. Although based in Kent, she spends a number of weeks each year on the Fife coast in Scotland and takes inspiration from the coastline, plant-life and landscape there. She makes moulds of the ripples in the sand or impressions of plants and 42

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contemporary crafts and qualities of glass such as reflection and transmission, transparency and opacity are worked into the overall composition.

Reflected and transmitted colours of the dichroic glass meet and mix, creating an ethereal colour field space within the work. Her techniques of working with the medium include sandblasting and UV bonding. Her artworks have been exhibited in London and the South East, as well as in recent shows in Germany, New York, Chicago and Miami.

Take time out to visit the gallery and discover more about this fascinating medium and the wide range of art on display.

ArtSpring Gallery, 167 High Street, Tonbridge TN9 1BX. Tel: 01732 365924; email: gallery@artspringgallery.co.uk; social media at @artspringallery; website: www.artspringgallery.co.uk Opening times: Tues to Sat 10:30-17:00, open other times by appointment. Nearest car park: Kinnings Row, Tonbridge TN9 1NP.

clockwise from opposite top: Hildegard Pax, Crevice VII, Dichroic Glass-Plaster, 40x40cm, white frame; Hilary Shields, Beach Ripple Platter; Hilary Shields, Grey Allium Panel; Paul Chave, Glass Heads & Sculpture; Hildegard Pax, Glow Necklace

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contemporary crafts

V Pease Jewellery

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PRINT YOUR OWN DESIGN OR CHOOSE ONE OF OURS Screens4printing will make up a screen from your own, bespoke design or you can choose from a large selection from our on-line library in a range of screen sizes.

We also supply squeegees and inks – including 2 new metallics – so you can start printing straight away.

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Then brighten up your day with the only regional arts & culture magazine in the South East. For just £9.95 a year you can have ingénu/e magazine delivered to your door each quarter.

Visit www.ingenuemagazine. co.uk, or email subscribe@ ingenuemagazine.co.uk

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

contemporary crafts

Julie Snowball ceramic artist

The nomadic ladies have been inspired by the work of Gustav Klimt – particularly for his unique deployment of colour and pattern Julie has been working with clay for the past thirty years and never tires of the creative possibilities this medium offers.

Her ceramic creations are primarily hand built, creating figurative work in the form of Angels and Nomadic Ladies. Sometimes she portrays the human form in a spiritual form, very often creating variations on the same theme.

Life drawing underpins Julie’s design ideas, taking inspiration from the work of Klimt and Giacometti. She impresses all kinds of materials into the clay, such as antique lace, shells and woven textiles to create and emphasize surface texture.

Having recently attended a residential course at West Dean College in Chichester, in order to strengthen her skills on the potters wheel, she feels another direction will be evident in her new creations for 2020; suggesting an exciting diversion from her predominant passion of hand building.

Julie is constantly challenging herself and working to evolve her work, knowing this part of the artistic process results in further development and a more successful outcome.

To keep up to date with her work please follow her on Facebook: JulieSnowballCeramicArtist For more information visit jasceramicsandartworks.co.uk above: Nomadic Lady II left: The Goddess

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theatres A snapshot of contrasting performances at Worthing Theatres early 2020

O

n 26th February the Connaught Theatre sees the arrival of the Damien O’Kane Band. Damien is an award-winning banjo player, a superb guitarist and an ingenious arranger. Not to mention an accomplished tune-maker, researcher, bandleader and accompanist of rich imagination and fearless vision. He’s also a

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full-time member of Kate Rusby’s band. What more is there to say?

The 29th of February at the Assembly Hall the Jive Aces present the Big Jive All-Dayer – five bands, three DJs and one huge dance floor making for a jumping, jiving, swinging twelve hour marathon!

Also on Saturday 29th February, at the Connaught Theatre, Olivier-Award Winning OperaUpClose, in association with the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, present a new English version of Puccini’s classic opera Madam Butterfly.

One of the best-loved operas of all time, Madam Butterfly’s glorious music and tragic heroine have enchanted audiences for more than a century. This ground-breaking reimagining of Puccini’s masterpiece will be told from a female, East-Asian perspective, performed by a diverse-led cast of talented singers and musicians.

Dance graces the Connaught on 3rd March as the Vincent Dance Theatre in association with Worthing Theatres perform ‘In Loco Parentis’. What happens to young people when their parents can’t look after them? In Loco Parentis explores what it’s like to grow up in care. Vincent Dance Theatre’s latest insightful and hard-hitting performance combines movement, strong visual imagery and spoken word. Director Charlotte Vincent illuminates the inner-worlds of careexperienced young people, demonstrating their extraordinary resilience, demanding their stories be heard.

Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park Arts Centre perform gothic masterpiece Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, adapted by Nick Lane, from 12th to 14th March at the Connaught Theatre. Jane Eyre tells the thrilling story of an orphan girl and her journey from a childhood of loneliness and cruelty to a life at Thornfield Hall. Falling in love, she gradually

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

performing arts Conor is woken by something at his window. A monster has come walking. It has come to tell Conor tales from when it walked before.

And when it’s finished, Conor must tell his own story and face his deepest fears.

Visit www.cft.org.uk for further information about these and other performances as the theatre's winter season draws to a close. pictured clockwise from opp top: Jane Eyre (playing at Worthing Theatres and Capitol, Horsham); Damian O'Kane Band; Claire Martin, photo by Kenny McCracken; Mariam Tamari of OperaUpClose

uncovers a hidden past to the gloomy, forbidding residence, and a terrible secret that forces her to make a heart-wrenching choice.

Visit worthingtheatres.co.uk for full information about what’s on at the theatres.

Big band music and a novel is brought vividly to life Chichester Festival Theatre early 2020

O

n 23rd January the internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band are joined by multi awardwinning vocalist and radio presenter Claire Martin, for a unique celebration of the leading ladies of the Big Band – including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee and their contemporaries.

Through a diverse repertoire arranged and curated by the BBC Big Band and Claire Martin, the concert celebrates the music of some of the twentieth century’s most iconic vocalists, whose legacy and influence continues to define a classic era of jazz singing. An evening of feel-good music inspired by the most glamorous women in Jazz!

From 6th to 15th February the theatre presents The Old Vic production A Monster Calls, in association with Bristol Old Vic. Based on the novel by Patrick Ness and inspired by an idea by Siobhan Dowd, the production is suitable for audiences aged ten plus. Patrick Ness’s piercing novel is brought vividly to life in the Olivier Award-winning production by visionary director Sally Cookson. Thirteen-year-old Conor and his mum have managed just fine since his dad moved away.

But now his mum is sick and not getting any better.

His grandmother won’t stop interfering and the kids at school won’t look him in the eye. Then, one night

Two contrasting highlights at Horsham’s Capitol Theatre in March

O

n 29th February on Screen One at Capitol Theatre you can experience the Met Opera Live performance of Handel’s Agrippina, followed by an encore performance on Screen Two on 8th March. Mezzosoprano and opera superstar Joyce DiDonato leads as the imperious title empress in the Met’s first-ever performance of this tale of deception and deceit.

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performing arts Set in Ancient Rome, Agrippina plots the downfall of Emperor Claudius to secure the throne for her son Nero, in Handel’s first operatic triumph. Sir David McVicar’s wry new production gives this Baroque black comedy a politically charged, modern updating.

The 12th March sees Barbara Dickson arrive at the Capitol, accompanied by pianist Nick Holland.

They will be performing songs from her back catalogue – including ‘January, February’, ‘I Know Him So Well’ and others – as well as more recent material.

Barbara has come a long way since emerging from the Scottish folk scene of the late 1960’s and not only has she earned 6 platinum, 11 gold and 7 silver albums but also has a successful career as an actress. She was awarded an O.B.E. in the 2002 New Year’s Honours for her services to music and drama.

Visit www.thecapitolhorsham.com for more details about what's on at the theatre.

Two highlights from Eastbourne Theatres' programme in early 2020

L

ondon Philharmonic Orchestra presents Light and Shadow. On 23rd February at 3pm, at the Congress Theatre, the LPO will be performing music by Mozart, ˇ with Ben Glassberg conducting Sibelius and Dvorák and violinist Fanny Clamagirand joining the orchestra.

Joyce DiDonato, photo by Simon Pauly

A quiet hymn, a flurry of birdsong, a dancing ˇ rhythm and Dvorák’s Eighth Symphony bursts into sunny, irrepressible life. Dvorák ˇ might have written more famous symphonies, but he never wrote a happier one. And so it is perfect for conductor Ben Glassberg, the new music director of Glyndebourne on Tour, and he’ll bring out all the drama of Mozart’s Magic Flute Overture too. In between, you can lose yourself amid the fire and ice of Sibelius’s atmospheric Violin Concerto. Performed by the awardwinning French violinist Fanny Clamagirand on her Matteo Goffriller violin made in Venice in 1700, it is classical music’s very own slice of Scandinavian noir.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover arrives at the Devonshire Park Theatre from Tuesday 31st March to Saturday 4th April. When Clifford Chatterley returns from the war a wounded hero, his young bride Connie does her best to care for him. Neglected and alone, she instigates a love affair with the gamekeeper, a relationship that bridges the social divide and challenges convention.

Lawrence’s most sensual of novels was first published in 1928, but only in 1960 did an uncensored version become available, leading to one of the most famous trials of the century.

Visit www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk for full details about what’s on at the theatres. left: Fanny Clamagiran

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Cara Dillon performs at Chequer Mead Theatre, East Grinstead, 30th April

C

ara Dillon occupies an enviable position at the very top of her genre. She has risen to become one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world.

An extraordinary singer, Cara has been captivating audiences and achieving exceptional acclaim for over 20 years. Alongside a selection of favourites from her previous releases, Cara will be performing material from her new album "Wanderer".

Visit www.chequermead.org.uk for further details.

Cara Dillon

Cinderella the Panto at the Worthing Pavilion Theatre –review by Emily, Siddi and Alia

O

ne of the timeless joys of the festive season is the thrill of heading off into the chilly dusk to dive into the crazy, colourful tradition of the Christmas Panto.

And so we did, full of pleasure and anticipation of another evening of fun and frolic.

The Pavilion always presents these things so well.

A golden carriage had pride of place in the Denton Lounge bar, setting the scene and beginning the magic.

The front curtain too was a work of art, all glittery and timeless, a huge clock showing midnight and the delicate silhouette of Cinderella set against a background of swirling colours and sparkle.

And then to the clear excited joy of all – the curtain rose and the stage burst into life!

There was a full and hilarious range of all the classic panto gags, a delightful Buttons engaging all the children, outrageous Ugly Sisters, a feisty and lovely Cinderella, and the handsome Prince and his right hand man making a smooth and entertaining duo.

One of the real delights was the chorus, coming on stage in some beautiful costumes that had their influence in the classical ballet, bringing a feeling of timeless beauty to the scenes they created so well.

Our children's favourite scenes were the hilarious antics of the ugly sisters as they got dressed into their many outrageous costumes and the brilliant and traditional First Day of Christmas song, with a twist...

Anyone looking for a great evening of traditional pantomime would not have been disappointed, it had all the ingredients of a great night, even showers of festive snow!

The show had its share of stars: Ian Waite from Strictly Come Dancing, Mark Reed from the band A1 and Naomi Wilkinson from Children's TV. These fab three brought smooth professionalism and glamour to the production and Buttons, played by Mark Jones as last year, was a strong and funny link between the scenes as was the Fairy Godmother, a delightful character, quirky and kind and with lovely stage presence.

As always the staff of the Pavilion Theatre were brilliant, hosting this delightful family show so well. All in all a great evening's entertainment for all! Thank you Worthing Pavilion Theatre and all the wonderful cast!

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The Grove Theatre, 1 Grove Road, Eastbourne. BN21 4TL

An evening of song, silliness and glorious mud!

Friday 14th February

YOURS EVER, JANE

An elegant and witty look at Regency England through the letters and novels of Jane Austen Saturday 15th February

A FEW GOOD MEN Thursday 19th March Friday 20th March Saturday 21st March

MEMOIRES D'UN AMNESIQUE Somewhere in between a play, a piano recital and a film, Mémoires d’un Amnésique tells the story of Erik Satie.

Friday 22nd May 2020

www.groveeastbourne.com

performing arts

The Grove Theatre,

Eastbourne is now open for business!

The Grove Theatre is Eastbourne’s new arts space, offering a broad range of performances, exhibitions and activities for the benefit of the local community.

Located on the corner of Grove Road, under Eastbourne Library, The Grove Theatre opened in December with a wonderful launch event and a production of the much-loved Christmas classic 'It's a Wonderful Life'.

From art exhibitions to first class drama productions, live music to coffee mornings, children’s theatre workshops, stage combat workshops, new writing events, arts and health initiatives, the Grove offers a wide range of activities to enjoy.

Highlights of the forthcoming season include A Night Out With Tommy Cooper, featuring Guinness World Record holder Clive St James as Tommy Cooper; an evening of comic song with Flanders & Swann and Tom Lehrer; Shirley Valentine, the classic comedy by Willy Russell direct from the Hollywood Festival; A Few Good Men, the compelling courtroom drama known by many as the blockbuster film starring Tom Cruise; Those Magnificent Men, a nail-biting, side-splitting true story of the first ever non-stop flight across the Atlantic by Alcock and Brown; and Louise Jameson: Shakespeare’s Mistress, in which Louise takes the audience from Shakespeare to soap and the National to stand-up, a life in performance.

The Theatre's Friends Scheme provides valuable support to the theatre through volunteering and special Friends events, offering discounts in the Redwood Bar and for tickets to all the shows. The theatre is home to and run by Redwood Productions Ltd. For all the details visit www.groveeastbourne.com. from top: Clive St James as Tommy Cooper; Those Magnificent Men; cast of It's a Wonderful Life; Louise Jameson: Shakespeare's Mistress

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THE OLD MARKET announces Reigning Women 2020 programme says “Our Reigning Women programme this year is our biggest and best yet. Last year we had such a blast showcasing a fabulous variety of performers from all walks of life, so we can’t wait to do it all again in 2020. This is fast becoming a highlight of our calendar and I hope everyone will come along with us for the ride!”

The season will run from January to March 2020, kicking off with a launch party on Thursday 30th January, featuring live music from up-and-coming female artists. Visit www.theoldmarket.com for more information. pictured left: Ute Lemper, photo by Lucas Allen; below: Joanne Shaw Taylor

The Old Market in Hove has a brand new programme for their Reigning Women miniseason, which will include performances

by Anna Meredith, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Ute Lemper and Kiri Pritchard-McLean and many others.

The programme of events is billed as a celebration of women in the arts, with a focus on both local and up-and-coming talent. Performers of all genres, including music, comedy, theatre, dance and film come together as part of the season.

Previous seasons have featured stellar artists including comedian Rachel Parris, podcaster Dolly Alderton, musician Nerina Pallot and theatre-maker KoKo Brown. The season also helps to raise awareness for Brighton-based women’s charities, including Brighton Women’s Centre, for whom The Old Market raised over £1,000 during their last season.

Helen Jewell, Programmer of The Old Market, ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

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OTHER WORLDS 2020 CONCERTS IN BRIGHTON DOME 15 February – Invigorating and bittersweet works by Sibelius and Dvořák 18 April – Beethoven’s idyllic ’Pastoral’ Symphony ‘The @LPOrchestra concert last night was stunning ... I thought I would burst with joy.

Thank you all.’ Brighton audience member

01273 709 709 brightondome.org Series discounts available

2020 CONCERTS IN EASTBOURNE’S CONGRESS THEATRE 19 January – Heartfelt classics by Mendelssohn, Haydn and Brahms 23 February – The fire and ice of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto 22 March – Step into the fairytale world of Tchaikovsky 19 April – Beethoven’s idyllic ’Pastoral’ Symphony

01323 412 000 eastbournetheatres.co.uk discounts available 54Seriesingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

performing arts

THE COMPOSERS SERIES AT 27th January

In Search of Mozart

1st March

In Search of Chopin

31st March

In Search of Haydn

FILM | ARTS ON SCREEN | FOOD | EVENTS | PRIVATE HIRE | WEDDINGS 01825 764909 I www.picturehouseuckfield.com I High Street, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 1AS

WHAT’S ON AT THE CAPITOL!

SHAKE THAT THING! THE GREAT BRITISH SWING DANCE SHOW

5 SOLDIERS: THE BODY IS THE FRONT LINE

JANE EYRE

The most musical, exciting and entertaining celebration of song-and-dance in the UK! Featuring The Swing Time Jivers, Tony Jacob’s Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra and many more!

Rosie Kay Dance Company in association with the British Army present a thrilling and humane portrait of army life, telling the stories of the men & women serving on the front line.

Blackeyed Theatre present a gothic masterpiece of tempestuous passions and dark secrets. Capitvating, brooding and intensely powerful.

SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 7.30PM

FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY 7.30PM

TUESDAY 10 & WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 7.30PM (TUESDAY MATINEE 2.30PM)

Box Office 01403 750220 www.thecapitolhorsham.com Ingenue advert January 2020.indd 1

29/11/2019 11:06:59

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performing arts

SENBLA PRESENTS ELLEN KENT’S SPRING 2020 OPERA FESTIVAL FEATURING INTERNATIONAL SOLOISTS, A HIGHLY-PRAISED CHORUS AND FULL ORCHESTRA

Starring celebrated sopranos Elena Dee† and Alyona Kistenyova†.

With an exquisite Japanese Garden and spectacular costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.

Starring Korean soprano Elena Dee† in her iconic role as Mimi and the celebrated soprano Maria Tonina† returns as Musetta.

Set within the attics and backstreets of Paris.

Featuring Musetta’s dog, snow effects and a brass band.

Both operas sung in Italian with English surtitles.

† Cast subject to change.

‘THIS IS A BUTTERFLY TO CHERISH’ MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

THE HAWTH CRAWLEY BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON THEATRE ROYAL WHITE ROCK THEATRE HASTINGS GUILDFORD G LIVE BASINGSTOKE THE ANVIL TORQUAY PRINCESS THEATRE BASINGSTOKE THE ANVIL RICHMOND THEATRE PORTSMOUTH KINGS THEATRE RICHMOND THEATRE GUILDFORD G LIVE TORQUAY PRINCESS THEATRE

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Madama Butterfly La Bohème Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly La Bohème Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly La Bohème Madama Butterfly La Bohème

FULL TOUR LIST AT SENBLA.COM ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

‘AUTHENTIC, TENDER AND PASSIONATE’ DAILY TELEGRAPH

Tue Fri Sat Thu Fri Sun Fri Sat Sun Sat Mon Thu Tue

28 31 01 06 07 09 14 22 08 28 30 02 07

January January February February February February February February March March March April April

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*Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge

performing arts Senbla by arrangement with Opera International presents An Ellen Kent Production

PUCCINI’S CLASSIC OPERAS

MADAMA BUTTERFLY & LA BOHÈME Eminent opera producer and director Ellen Kent brings two of Puccini’s best loved operas, Madama Butterfly and La Bohème in her Spring 2020 UK tour.

Featuring a full orchestra, international acclaimed singers, sumptuous costumes and exquisite sets, these two productions offer audiences the unique opportunity to experience these classic operas in their original language (with English surtitles) at their local theatre. The tour begins on 21st January 2020 at the Palace Theatre Manchester La Bohème.

Back by overwhelming public demand, the awardwinning operatic production of Madama Butterfly returns with stunning sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl Cio Cio San who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant with tragic results. Musical highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria Un bel dì vedremo (One Fine Day), the famous tenor aria Amore o grillo (Love or fancy) and the unforgettable Bimba, Bimba,

non piangere (Love Duet.) The cast includes the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee and the celebrated international soprano Alyona Kistenyova. Based on a true story, Madama Butterfly was the inspiration for the hit musical Miss Saigon.

La Bohème is one of the most romantic operas ever written. Set in the backstreets and attics of Bohemian Paris it tells the heart-breaking tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer, Rodolfo. The set reflects the Bohemian art of the period and was inspired by Chagall, Renoir and the Impressionists alongside authentic period costumes.

The production will include a brass band, snow effects and Musetta’s dog will also make an entrance. This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including Che gelida manina (Your Tiny Hand is Frozen), Sì, mi chiamano Mimì (They Call Me Mimi) and Quando me'n vo (Musetta’s Waltz). Korean soprano Elena Dee will share the role of Mimi with the celebrated international soprano Alyona Kistenyova, Maria Tonina is Musetta. The production also boasts a full orchestra and chorus.

For full details and tickets go to www.senbla.com.

Madama Butterfly

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performing arts

T he HANOVER HANOVER Band TM

TM

Patron: HRH The Duke of Kent, KG Founder: Caroline Brown

J.S.BACH

ST. JOHN PASSION

The Hanover Band Chorus Andrew Arthur director/organ

Friday 10 April 2020 19.30 St.Nicholas’ Church, Arundel Book online: www.thehanoverband.com Tickets: ☎ 0333 666 3366 (bookings only) 58

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performing arts

22 ND February 2020 | 7.30 PM St. Peter & St. Paul’s Parish Church, Tonbridge £17/£16/£8 | Conducted by Benjamin Westerman

photo © Pete Gilbert

www.tonphil.org.uk

10.01 | The Hope & Ruin

C L O Ww N S 17–18.01 | Lewes

A Winged Victory For The Sullen

30.01 | The Prince Albert

Pictish Trail

Lewes Psych Fest

Not enough music in your life?

Peaness

05.02 | The Komedia

Isobel Campbell

...then pep up your day with the only regional arts & culture magazine in the South East. For just £9.95 a year you can have ingénu/e magazine delivered to your door each quarter.

07.02 | The Rosehill

Grimm Grimm 10.02 | The Old Market

Anna Meredith 20.02 | The Hope & Ruin

PINS

26.02 | The Komedia

Benjamin Francis Leftwich

Visit www.ingenuemagazine.co.uk or email subscribe@ingenuemagazine.co.uk

05.03 | St George’s Church

29.03 | The Hope & Ruin

02.05 | St Luke’s Church

The Handsome Family 05.05 | St George’s Church

Ezra Furman

ST GEORGE’S CHURCH EVENTS

13.02 | DHP Presents

Sam Lee

27.03 | atom promotions presents

10cc’s Graham Gouldman & Heart Full of Songs 09.05 | Live Nation presents

Ward Thomas

Tickets for shows are available from your local record shop, seetickets.com or the venue where possible.

meltingvinyl.co.uk

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performing arts

Two superb gigs from Brighton’s Melting Vinyl winter programme Melting Vinyl bring the soft psychedelics of Isobel Campbell to Komedia in Brighton on 5th February while Seattle based singer/songwriter Damien Jurado arrives on 1st March at Folkstone Quarterhouse.

Isobel Campbell was a member of Scottish indie band Belle and Sebastian until 2008, providing vocals and cello before leaving for a solo career. Since then she has collaborated on three albums with American alternative rock musician Mark Lanegan and more recently worked with The Jesus and Mary Chain, amongst others. Isobel is touring celebrating the release of her recent album ‘There Is No Other’, her fifth solo album, actually her tenth including collaborations.

Her songs are bitter, sweet and occasionally cutting, delivered for the most part with a whispery, ethereal vocal complemented by luscious electronic backing with an acoustic undertone.

Damien Jurado’s Folkstone gig is part of his European solo tour, following the release of his fourteenth studio album ‘In the Shape of a Storm’. His influences are many, ranging from Nick Drake to Neil Young, from Lou Reed and Randy Newman. He had collaborated with Moby and his song ‘Everything Trying’ was featured in the Oscar-

winning film The Great Beauty and two of his songs appear in the Netflix documentary Wild Wild Country.

His songs are simply beautiful, they are delivered with delicate, heartfelt vocals, highlight social and personal troubles, with hope and despair always in the mix. www.meltingvinyl.co.uk for all details of up-coming gigs.

above: Isobel Campbell; inset: Campbell's 'There is no Other' album cover; bottom: Damien Jurado

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The Russian State Opera premieres Aida also brings us Carmen

Verdi brings ancient Egypt to the stage with an evolving love story against the backdrop of war.

Aida is a timeless emotional opera with breathtaking melodies.

The princess of Ethiopia (Aida) falls in love with the Egyptian General (Radames) and he is also besotted by her. Radames is chosen by the king to lead the war with Ethiopia and Aida is left to choose between her lover or her father and her country.

Aida is a gripping love story that will keep you on the edge of your seats until the very end.

Feel the thrill of fiery passion, jealousy and violence of 19th century Seville in Carmen, Bizet’s most popular opera. The rich and colourful vigour of the gypsies’ scenes will have you on the edge of your seat, the vibrancy, enthusiasm and intensity of the performances will reverberate long after the final curtain has fallen.

Both operas feature an impressive cast, accompanied by a live orchestra numbering over 30 musicians.

Visit www.russian-state-opera.co.uk for more details.

Carmen

Tonbridge Philharmonic Society Spring 2020 – from Russia to France Tonbridge Philharmonic Orchestra’s first concert of 2020 takes place on Saturday 22nd February and features big-boned works by two Russian giants – Mussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.

Although Mussorgsky originally wrote Pictures At An Exhibition for the piano, it was Maurice Ravel’s orchestration of 1922 that has become so enduringly popular. Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 is one of the composer’s most best-loved works. Created in a climate of political fear, it is a piece where a huge range of emotions and orchestral effects are explored in dramatic style.

The orchestra will be conducted by new Music Director, Benjamin Westerman, and the concert will take place at St. Peter & St. Paul’s Parish Church, Tonbridge.

Seven weeks later, the combined choral and orchestral concert on Saturday 28th March will include delicious music by Camille Saint-

Saëns and Gabriel Fauré, with Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem forming the highlight of the programme.

Conducted by Benjamin Westerman, the concert will take place in the splendid Chapel of St. Augustine, Tonbridge School.

Visit www.tonphil.org.uk for further details.

Box office: 07778 034396 Tonbridge Philharmonic, photo by Hannah Elizabeth

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Coastal Events brings us a legendary band

Fairport Convention

arrive at the De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on 20th February What can be said about this band that hasn’t already been said?

Fairport Convention have been in existence for over fifty years, and I well remember, during the late sixties and early seventies, the original line up and subsequent line ups reinventing folk music and pioneering the Folk-Rock tradition.

Early members tended to gradually spin off and form new bands such as Ian Mathew’s Southern Comfort, the legendary Sandy Denny’s Fortheringay, Ashley Hutchings’ Steeleye Span and Judy Dyble’s Trader Horne, all as innovative as the creative crucible they sprang from.

There were also many musicians from the band who went on to further successful creative pastures such as Richard Thompson, Dave Swarbrick, drummers Dave Mattacks and Gerry Conway and many more.

Meanwhile, founder member Ashley Hutchings has been firmly ensconced during all the line-up changes, and previous members often turn up and play at concerts, especially at Fairport’s own annual festival, now entering its forty-first year, at Cropredy near Banbury in Oxfordshire. Any Fairport gig is a treat and usually contains some surprises. Not to be missed!

Visit coastalevents.co.uk for further information.

top: Iain Matthews; above: Richard Thompson; below: The legendary Sandy Denny and Fotheringay circa 1970

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looking ahead to festivals

Deal Music & Arts Festival 26th June to 11th July 2020

T

his year’s festival celebrates Creative Women in Music with many of the most inspiring female artists of our time, headlined by international artists including trumpet soloist and 2013 Gramophone Artist of the Year Alison Balsom OBE, award-winning saxophonist and BBC Young Musician Finalist Jess Gillam, baroque violinist and 2015 Gramophone Artist of the Year Rachel Podger, and winner of the Dame Joan Sutherland Audience Prize at Cardiff Singer of the World 2019, mezzo-soprano Katie Bray.

Together with orchestras London Mozart Players, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra there are other world-leading artists and ensembles including oboist Nicholas Daniel with Purcell School Orchestra, Andy Sheppard Quartet and Academy of Ancient Music with Historic Performance Department of Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

And all that is not to mention virtuoso piano entertainers Worbey and Farrell, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Changeling Theatre Company at Walmer Castle, Minima’s live music to the 1920 silent film The Cabinet of Dr Caligari and much more. Deal Music and Arts festival 2020 promises to be a highlight of the South East’s arts calendar.

Visit dealmusicandarts.com for further details.

top: Academy of Ancient Music; left: Changeling Theatre Company

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looking ahead to festivals The second week’s events will take place at the iconic St Mary in the Castle and will feature Silent Movie Night with Mark Kermode and The Dodge Brothers, An Evening of Jazz with Claire Martin OBE and Friends and An Evening with Rachel Portman OBE. Closing the Festival will be the Puppini Sisters with The Pasadena Roof Orchestra.

For more information and latest updates visit hastingsinternationalpiano.org. Tickets for the festival are available from the White Rock Theatre website at whiterocktheatre.org.uk.

Brighton Early Music Festival Early Opera Marco da Gagliano’s La Dafne

A neglected masterpiece from the birth of opera

O Hastings International Piano Festival to open in February

26th February to 8th March White Rock Theatre and St Mary in the Castle

T

he Inaugural Hastings International Piano Festival will host an exciting array of music concerts featuring some of the most celebrated artists including headliner Rufus Wainwright, one of the world’s most revered singer-songwriters, composers and performers. Rufus will be joined by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday 28th February at the White Rock Theatre.

The festival opens on Wednesday 26th February with a concert by one of the UK’s most successful songwriters of all time, Guy Chambers.

Other events taking place in the first week at the White Rock Theatre include Sam Smith’s pianist Reuben James, RPO Gala Concert with Martin James Bartlett and Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition prize winners and NOCTURNE: The Romantic Life of Frédéric Chopin, featuring Lucy Parham, Patricia Hodge and Alex Jennings.

n Saturday 8th February at 3pm & 7.30pm and Sunday 9th February at 3pm & 7.30pm BREMF returns to The Old Market in Hove for a fourth year of staging early opera in this intimate venue.

Directed by Thomas Guthrie, this highly entertaining and delightful work was premiered just one year after Monteverdi’s Orfeo, and like Monteverdi, sets a classical story from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. The tale of Apollo and Dafne explores enduring themes of love, power and control as boastful Apollo pursues the beautiful nymph Dafne with dramatic consequences amidst the chaos of gods behaving badly.

Featuring a stellar cast of talented young singers and instrumentalists, including some familiar names from previous BREMF early opera performances such as tenor Rory Carver, who wowed audiences as Orfeo in the Festival’s 2017 production.

Tickets: £18–£28 (half price for u-25s) from bremf.org.uk or 01273 201801.

top: Puppini Sisters below: Rory Carver who will play Apollo in La Dafne

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looking ahead to festivals The 48th Cornwall Folk Festival in Wadebridge

Bank Holiday: 28th to 31st August

C

ornwall Folk Festival once again brings folk’s best to Cornwall this summer while also showcasing Cornwall to the world. There are four nights of the finest in folk at the main stage concerts and three additional gigs at the Betjeman Sessions. In addition there are three days of back-to-back regional music at the FAR Stage, live music in the streets of host town Wadebridge, sessions in local pubs and dance and music workshops.

This year the Festival welcomes Scotland’s finest songwriter Dougie Maclean, a performer who can truly hold an audience in the palm of his hand. It opens with perfectly paired O’Hooley and Tidow, whose music reached millions on TV as the accompaniment to the closing sequence of TV drama ‘Gentleman Jack’.

Merry Hell have delighted festival audiences across the UK in recent years with their uplifting, rock-based folk, and join the stage with the hard-hitting songs of powerful duo Winter Wilson. The final concert is a double take on traditional with one of Ireland’s finest, Gatehouse, crossing the water to join the youthful maverick energy of Granny’s Attic. There are many other performers including Blacksmith, Mike Silver and Joe Partidge, Geoff Lakeman and Rob Murch, Steve Dan Mills, Mic McCreadie’s Handpicked and the Coastal Belles.

Visit cornwallfolkfestival.com for further information; there are a limited number of Early Bird Festival Tickets now on sale on the site.

Shipley Arts Festival Spring through to autumn 2020

S

hipley Arts Festival is one of the most diverse Music Festivals in the UK. Internationally based musicians return year on year and music is heard for the first time from performers in schools, pubs, country estates and churches, boasting numerous expressive and unique performances that elevate audiences in celebration of the human spirit.

The Festival Friends are central to the music, and once again the String Academy will perform, also with some of the world’s finest young string players from the Yehudi Menuhin School. The festival furthers opportunity for pupils in the String Academy, from where over thirty former pupils have entered the music profession as teachers, performers and arts managers.

Eminent UK instrumentalists and composers regularly return to perform at the festival, including many who will be well known to the Festival community through the last nineteen years.

For further information about this wonderful festival and the remarkable Andrew Bernardi, founder and Artistic Director of the Festival, go to the website www.shipleyartsfestival.co.uk pictured above: Merry Hell; left: Shipley Arts Festival visits their sponsor Nyetimber Vineyard in 2018; opp top: Morris madness at Tenterden Folk Festival, photo

by Phillip Hinton; opp right: Tempest

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looking ahead to festivals from the Town Hall to the Church and Church Hall you can visit concerts, barn dance, workshops, special shows and many other events.

More details and guests will be announced in early 2020 so check out the website www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk for further information.

Celebrating Shakespeare 22nd to 26th April

C

Tenterden Folk Festival Four days from 1st to 4th October

T

his annual festival of folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions is now in its 28th year and goes from strength to strength.

The emphasis remains on the traditional English folk arts, but the festival also includes contemporary material with its roots in the tradition, as well music, song and dance from other cultures.

Much of the festival is free and takes place in and around the streets of Tenterden town centre where you will find not only hundreds of Morris dancers but also Slovakian dancers, Asian dancers, street stalls, a craft fair, street entertainers, buskers from Belgium and many more surprises. In around five of the public houses and cafes you will find free folk song and musician sessions supported by local and visiting performers and festival guests. In venues ranging

ome and join the feast at Shoreham Wordfest’s fifth annual Shakespeare Festival, a cornucopia of Shakespearian and Elizabethan delights, celebrating the great Bard’s birth and death day of 23rd April.

This year sees the return of the wonderful ‘This is My Theatre’ company, with their unique, enchanting adaptation of The Tempest; actor Paul Morel of Oddbodies Theatre brings his acclaimed one-man King Lear; there's a Shakespearean film night; a free concert of Shakespeare’s magical words mingled with Elizabethan music and song, devised by Janet Pressley.

And there's more – a chance for all to learn authentic Elizabethan dances with renowned teacher Charlotte Ewart, most recently on TV in ‘Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Christmas’; ‘Such Stuff as Dreams are Made On’ the great Michael Pennington, back by popular demand, on playing Shakespeare’s Prospero and much more; Shakespeare’s Birthday Night Revels, dance, eat, celebrate; ‘Coffee with Shakespeare’s Monsters and Magicals’ with accomplished writer and performer Janet Behan; ’Witches in the Wood – tales of heresy, supernatural and invasion’ with well-known and loved historian Chris Hare; and to round off the weekend a joyful Elizabethan songs workshop for everyone who likes to sing, with inspirational teacher Emily Longhurst.

Tickets available from February 1st 2020.

For more details and ticket information go to www.shorehamwordfest.com

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looking ahead to festivals

CELEBRATING SHAKESPEARE

SHOREHAM WORDFEST’S FIFTH ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

22 – 26 APRIL 2020

Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival photo by David Bartholomew

Third Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival a great success

O

ctober 2019 brought the third puppetry festival to Tunbridge Wells and it was the biggest and best yet: three days of rock-star marionettes, hand puppetry, lost dogs, little monsters, magic, black comedy, pirouetting in the rain, giant magpies, circus, jubjubs… and more.

Around 3,000 people attended the free programme, over 1,200 tickets were sold for shows and workshops, four schools hosted puppet-making sessions and a record-breaking 54 volunteers helped make it happen. Work is well underway for the fourth Puppetry Festival in October 2021.

Visit twpuppetryfestival.org for more info.

Horsham Film Festival 2020 Awards Night

13th February at the Capitol Theatre

F

ollowing is debut in 2019, the Horsham Film Festival is back for 2020, a night of short films and a few other surprises as well.

The festival will be nominating films from firsttime filmmakers and experienced professionals in categories including Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Documentary, Best Animation and the Your District award which honours the films made in West Sussex.

Visit www.thecapitolhorsham.com for more info.

2020

The Tempest from ‘This is My Theatre’, one man King Lear from Oddbodies, talks from renowned actors Michael Pennington, Janet Behan and local historian Chris Hare, Shakespeare Night Revels, Singing and Dance Workshops, Songs, Sonnets and Soliloquies

For more information:

www.shorehamwordfest.com 68

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27 2020_Ingenue_advert.indd 1

23/12/2019 13:45

looking ahead to festivals

EARLY OPERA Sat 8 & Sun 9 February 2020 3pm & 7.30pm The Old Market, Hove

Creative Womenin music

A gem from the birth of opera: Marco da Gagliano’s 1608 opera La Dafne explores a tale of thwarted desire with gods behaving badly.

26th June - 11th July

Book at bremf.org.uk or 01273 201801

2020

ARTS

SHIPLEY

FESTIVAL

2020

Artistic Director: Andrew Bernardi

A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS an exciting and eclectic programme of concerts that unite the arts, heritage and Sussex communities at some of the county’s most beautiful venues throughout the year Led by violinist Andrew Bernardi, the Shipley Arts Festival is a most highly regarded classical music festival, which has become nationally renowned for its innovative performances and commissioning of new music.

To book tickets call 01403 750220 or go to www.thecapitolhorsham.com.

Concerts regularly sell out in advance so be sure to book early. To join the Festival Friends for priority booking and other benefits visit the website:

www.shipleyartsfestival.co.uk Henfield Agency 01273 492239 Bysshopps, High Street, Henfield, West Sussex, BN5 9HP

TOOVEY’S ANTIQUE & FINE ART AUCTIONEERS

‘the best Lark Ascending I have heard by anyone anywhere’ – County Times 2019 ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

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looking ahead to festivals

Tenterden folk festival 2020

Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald

Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th October

C O R N W A L L

F L FSV L Wadebridge, North Cornwall Fri 28th-Mon 31st Aug

Brings Folk’s Best to Cornwall Shows Cornwall’s Best to the World!

Free events include crafts marquee, street stalls, free music stage, dance stage, Morris dancers, dance displays, procession, street entertainers, song and music sessions, etc.

Ticketed events include concerts, barn dance, special shows, workshops, meet the guests, folk clubs, etc.

Guests will be announced on our website and social media from early 2020.

Dougie MACLEAN O’Hooley & Tidow MERRY HELL GRANNY’S ATTIC

Winter Wilson Gatehouse Blacksmith Geoff Lakeman & Rob MurchSteve Dan Mills Mike Silver & Jo Partridge + many more

Tenterden Folk Festival: Charity No. 1038663

WWW .C ORNWALL F OLK F ESTIVAL . COM

HASTINGS INTERNATIONAL PIANO CONCERTO COMPETITION PRESENTS

26TH FEBRUARY – 8TH MARCH 2020

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT WITH THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

GUY CHAMBERS • RACHEL PORTMAN CLAIRE MARTIN • REUBEN JAMES THE PUPPINI SISTERS • THE PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA LUCY PARHAM • ALEX JENNINGS • PATRICIA HODGE MARK KERMODE • THE DODGE BROTHERS • NEIL BRAND THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA GALA CONCERT BBC YOUNG MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR MARTIN JAMES BARTLETT

HASTINGS INTERNATIONAL PIANO CONCERTO COMPETITION PRIZEWINNERS MARIE WHITE • NATIONAL YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA • AND MORE!

All tickets available from the White Rock Theatre

HASTINGSINTERNATIONALPIANO.ORG

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ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

poetry prose & illustration

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acumen A

A

acumen A

L I T E R A R Y

J O U R N A L

92

September 2018

Putting your feelings into words Resurrecting Leigh Hunt

L I T E R A R Y

J O U R N A L

96 January 2020

Touching on Poets from many countries: Amrita Pritam, A.E. Housman, Robert Frost, Giovanni Pascoli, Walter de la Mare, Seamus Heaney

Has poetry been hijacked?

New Poetry • Prose • Reviews

New Poetry • Prose • Reviews

LITERARY JOURNAL

ACUMEN Acumen anLiterary Journal gazine from the UK independent ma

an independent magazine ACUMEN accepts all poems

LOST FOR WORDS a selection of autobiographical columns from the inimitable Roddy Phillips – a must for your bookshelf Available from Amazon or through www.roddyphillips.com

on merit and is no

ion, fame or any a superbinflu collection of der poetry and, relig prose , ethnicity enced by gen poem. the value of than the othertimes published three a year: ing the perio dur in t sen k t wor the bes acceptand WeMay January, September short-list the this ieve ach To e. each issu between £15, annual subscription single copies £5.50 chosen f g bein tinue, the final poems system will con

long mulled-over short-list.

Acumen Literary Journal, 6 The Mount, Higher Furzeham Road, Brixham, Devon TQ5 8QY www.acumen-poetry.co.uk

RNAL is published three tim ACUMEN LITERARY JOU and September. ary, May Januweald ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high : issue 27 £15.0071 (UK), costs tion scrip Sub r’s Yea One ; €35.00 (Europe)

poetry prose & illustration

book reviews Same Face Different Place Beginnings

by Helen J. Christmas

When 16-year-old Eleanor's father has to leave town, the course of events takes a sinister turn and her life is changed for ever.

Set in the 1970's London, Same Face Different Place, Beginnings charts the perilous journey young Eleanor is forced to take when she is left in the hands of her father's employer, after he has to flee the city in danger of his life. What follows is a nail-biting series of events as Eleanor is catapulted from one dangerous situation to another.

Unaware that her father was a hit-man for a gangster boss, she is wrenched from her sheltered life at a boarding school and groomed for work in a brothel.

With her father's sinister mortal enemy at her heels, hell-bent on malicious retribution, Eleanor is thrown into the path of a young man whose fate also hangs in the balance. Their fates become inextricably entwined as they attempt to stay one step ahead of

The Amersham Chronicles a radio play

By Patricia Keiller The Amersham Chronicles is the script for a radio play which Worthing-based writer Patricia Keiller is hoping the Cleveland Radio Players in Ohio will broadcast, and the audio production will subsequently also be available on their website in the near future.

The play was a fun read. Given that I am a science fiction fan the editor passed it on to me to review. I’m steeped in stories from the so called ‘Golden Age of Science Fiction’, of which this story is reminiscent, and so went about my task with great enthusiasm.

It’s an interesting story with shades of Wells’ War of the Worlds, set as it is in the Home Counties and London and involving an alien invasion. The characters are well written and as the plot progresses one is drawn into the unfolding threat of the superior technology the aliens have brought with them. All seems lost to the characters as they witness increasing death and destruction wrought by these visitors from 72

their nemesis.

There is tragedy, betrayal, intrigue, corruption and at the bottom of it all the murder of an MP and, crucially, a witness. As the plot twists and turns with a full cast of characters Eleanor discovers who she can trust and, crucially, who she can't.

Will Eleanor find the peace and the answers she so desperately needs?

Beginnings is just the first conspiracy thriller in a series of five by Helen Christmas which follows the mystery across the decades.

Available on Amazon, more information at www.samefacedifferentplace.com

the stars.

However, as in all good stories there is a twist, as two of the main characters come up with a brilliant but simple idea to fight back. But will it work…? You will have to read it or listen to it to find out.

–reviewed by Roger Kaye Patricia Keiller has had two radio plays produced and broadcast. She has also written books for young adult and children, many of which are science fiction, action and adventure or mystery thrillers. Her books can be found on Goodreads.com.

To learn more about Patricia and her work visit patriciakeiller.wixsite.com/screenwriter-author

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

poetry prose & illustration

Richard/Rebecca

a story of the Chartists

by Sue Hitchcock A novel set amongst the Chartists and the Rebecca Riots might not sound like much of a page-turner but Sue Hitchcock defies expectations with her excellent second book Richard/ Rebecca – a story of the Chartists, published by Bourne to Write.

Hitchcock’s first novel, The Small Shop – also available on Amazon, is a heartwarming homage to HG Wells, distinguished by a strong sense of character and crisp prose. In her new novel we meet 17-year-old Richard who becomes involved in the Rebecca Riots which took place in rural west Wales, in 1839-1843.

The riots were a series of protests made by tenant farmers against the payment of tolls charged to use the roads. Tolls were a big expense for small farmers, who used the roads to take their crops and animals to market, and also to collect lime. During the riots, men disguised as women attacked the tollgates. They called themselves ‘Rebecca and her daughters’.

Hitchcock investigates why there was a three-year silence between the riots and imagines what could have been part of her family history, had any records

The Tango School Mystery A Crampton of the Chronicle Adventure

by Peter Bartram When young reporter Colin Crampton's romantic dinner with his girlfriend is rudely interrupted by the discovery of a body in the flat above the restaurant, his journalistic instincts kick in and adventure ensues.

Already tasked with investigating the disappearance of his boss's brother, Crampton, ace reporter with the Brighton Chronicle, suspects a connection between this and the mystery corpse. The trail soon leads to a sinister character from the past and a conspiracy to kill a leading public figure.

As he unravels the plot he encounters a thuggish ex-military officer, a professor of witchcraft with a 40-year-old grudge, and the Argentinian proprietress of the eponymous tango school.

In the course of his investigation, aided and abetted by his feisty Australian girlfriend, our plucky reporter nearly gets himself killed, has a close encounter with the local hunt and solves the apparently random but ultimately significant theft of three

been kept. Written in first person the result is a fascinating and compelling journey through 19th century life and politics. It is also cleverly illustrated with period hymns, portraits and charters.

From the outset the tone and the voice of the novel feel authentic, in fact it reads like a ‘found’ testimony; “I never went to school”, says the narrator in the opening line, rather his education is the farmyard and the harsh realities of a basic rural life.

Eventually, politics and protest sweep our hero and the reader up in a story that will resonate like a drum beating for justice. Richard/Rebecca is a living history waiting in the wings for the film maker Mike Leigh.

–reviewed by Roddy Phillips Published by Bourne to Write, December 2019.

Available on Amazon in paperback £6.99 and Kindle £1.99.

waxwork figures of celebrities.

The Tango School Mystery rattles along at just the right pace, fast enough to keep you intrigued but not so fast as to make you breathless. The action is tempered with a generous helping of humour, Crampton being the master of the oneliner and Bartram having a dry delivery reminiscent of the voice-over in a noir thriller.

Hugely enjoyable, I now have a taste for more Crampton of the Chronicles' Brighton mysteries.

Available from Amazon or via author's website.

Peter Bartram started as a reporter on a local weekly newspaper, graduated to newspaper and magazine editor in London and finally turned freelance. He wrote 21 nonfiction books before turning to crime – and penning the Crampton of the Chronicle series. For more information go to www.colincrampton.com & www.peterbartram.co.uk

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p

t e o

poetry prose & illustration

Patricia M Osborne Seagull Sequence

1.

Wrong Turn

2.

Invasion from Brighton

3.

Water Harmony

Seagulls flock in snow coats above the jewelled lake,

Gallant geese evacuate, driven out by snowy invaders, seagulls squawk to claim their victory.

Triumphant geese return to fold, wings spread, joyful gabble.

a wrong turn inland away from the sea.

Mottled mallard and widgeon scatter to sheltered bays, concealed from flocks of snow-white birds that hover above the storm-kissed lake.

High amongst clouds, formations dance without sound

flip up and down, stop, turn around, split, aim for invasion.

White wings fall like tissue paper on rippled waves.

Red-beaked moorhens veiled from view, bide their time for militant gulls to rocket away and evacuees return.

Yellow croci spring up in green, pink camellias cluster the circle of sun-washed water.

Coots and moorhens boasting red and white beaks chug along creating ripples.

Mallard and widgeon emerge from hiding, a pure white feathered duck in tow.

–by Patricia M Osborne. I wrote ‘Seagull Sequence’ after watching my local lake over three consecutive weeks. It was first published in 2017 by Indigo Dreams Publishing in Sarasvati Magazine and will appear in my upcoming debut poetry collection Taxus Baccata published by Hedgehog Poetry Press.

Recognition

Black and white prints cover creased hands.

Eyes narrow, dazed, not seeing...

We slung satchels over knitted cardigans, slammed the door, grey pleated skirts hitched high above the knee.

We stood to attention at the bell, split from my look-a-like, a whistle insisted we march into separate classrooms.

In the sixties we explored Brighton Laines, rummaged antique stores, picked up gold leafed books, bought treasure boxes to hide shared secrets.

We sank into striped deckchairs, flipped off our tops to reveal psychedelic swimsuits – 74

plastic sunglasses concealed our faces.

We lazed by gull-grey waves, pebbles chattered at our feet.

We sniffed salt from the sea, cardboard cones on our noses, read Jackie in the sun.

A transistor radio blurred Cathy’s Clown, from the Top Ten charts.

I sit by the iron framed bed, wait for a flicker of recognition.

Chubby Checker blasts from the box high on the wall

Lillie looks up, whispers my name.

‘Freddie – The Twist. you and me that day down in Brighton.’

–by Patricia M Osborne. ‘Recognition’ was first published in 2016 by Indigo Dreams Publishing in Reach Magazine.

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

y r t

poetry prose & illustration

N J Crosskey

Mourning Walk

Heaven’s Gate

I heard the news this morning, A little before ten.

Your heart has ceased its beating, And I won’t see you again

I’m never drinking with Seraphim again. Bastards.

Getting into a theological debate was a bad idea, taking the bet was worse.

It’s not that I don’t support the Watcher’s strike.

But, closing the gate, forever? My species can’t have got that bad.

Raziel just laughed. “Alright,” he said. “You try. I’ll grant one last place. Just one. And I’ll bet you can’t even fill that.”

So here I am. Scouring humanity. And I’ve probably lost my own slot, what with the coat stealing. But, those gilt-winged gits dropped me here buck naked.

I’ll plead entrapment, Pete’s a good guy, he’ll understand. Maybe.

And I’m losing. Raziel was right, things have changed. The city is a cold sea of scowls and selfish aspirations, drowning kindness in its tide. The crowd may move as one, but they live apart.

A man slumps beside me on the bench, cloaked in dirt and body odour.

“You look like shit,” he says. “When’d you last eat?”

I shrug. I don’t think, ‘Fifty years ago,’ would go down well.

“Ain’t much, but here…” he offers me a half-eaten sandwich. “Reckon you need this more than me.”

I smile, and press Raziel’s crumpled ticket into his hand.

“Buddy,” I say, “you just became the richest guy on Earth.”

With heavy soul and mind a-fog, I shrugged on coat and shoes Then stepped out of my sanctuary Into the autumn hues.

The people on the streets don’t know, Their eyes they cannot see The change is tiny, imperceptible To everyone but me.

For I can see the lustre lacking From a day that should be bright, I can see the colours draining From everything in sight.

My friend, I knew you only briefly At the closing of your days But the jokes we had and hugs we shared I’ll carry them, always.

You held my hand, I kissed your cheek I brought you midnight snacks.

While everyone was snoring, Our friendship laid its tracks.

We drank tea at three am, And put the world to rights.

Our synonyms for risqué things, Brought laughter to our nights.

So I take this walk to think of you, And all that made you shine.

I take this walk to tell you That I love you, one last time.

–by N J Crosskey In loving memory of Grace Gurr

–by N J Crosskey

Three line poem Viscous secrets, sparkling champagne. Some things, Once opened, cannot be closed. “Don’t pry little girl.”

Mama poured out another.

–by N J Crosskey. This untitled three line poem was originally published in the Light Lines anthology:

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creative lifestyle

MARKETING FILM ingénu/e interviews a film maker offering economical marketing help We caught up with Gyorgy Zak recently to discuss his interest in helping creatives of all genres to promote their work more effectively.

When we asked Gyorgy about his business he told us, “My aim is to help artists, musicians or any creative company make themselves more known and visible. My background is as a director and actor in theatre. I started the business four years ago as I have always wanted to make films and help others, it’s my passion.”

We also discussed the difficulty most creatives have in promoting themselves. We are aware that it is much easier for someone else to promote an artist’s work than it is for the actual creator to do so.

“I myself found that difficult in my own creative work” said Gyorgy. “I hated having to ‘sell’ myself.” He went on to say “People often prefer to watch a short video than read an article; I can make a film for a website in which the client can express themselves or feature their work and I can also organise increasing the traffic flow to their website through social media and marketing.”

Gyorgy is keen to point out that he is very confident in his ability to get across aesthetically the message the client wants to express. “I do this by taking a director's viewpoint when making a film” he says. “I can guarantee that the person’s

Gyorgy Zak

message will be delivered with a quality even better than the individual might expect.”

To find out more and see examples of his work visit www.marketingfilm.co.uk, or check out www.facebook.com/marketingfilm.

Contact Gyorgy at zak@marketingfilm.co.uk or call 07506 850536.

ADVERTISING FOR THE MICRO-BUSINESS "Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted. The trouble is, I don't know which half’."

That famous line comes from Department Store pioneer John Wanamaker in the 1880’s.

Wanamaker was a pioneer – the first modern department store, the first store to use price tags, the first store to offer instant refunds, and the first to use direct advertising methodology.

The methodology is detailed in 'Scientific Advertising', a 1923 book by Clause Hopkins, as relevant now as it was 97 years ago. It may be ignored or unknown in many big-budget agencies, but it is the backbone of direct advertising (mail-order). There, every penny spent has to prove itself in sales. Headlines, images, fonts, colours, layouts and copy are constantly tested against each other. Every word has to count. Look at the 76

economy of one of the best mail-order ads of all time: “Corns Cured in Seven Days Or Your Money Back”.

Online advertising – dominated by Google Adwords – is a baby by comparison. But the old-time mail-order men would have loved it. Even on a tiny budget, it opens up the world of online advertising to a new, small or micro-business.

It’s not hard to get started. There are consultants like me who will manage a Google account for you, or YouTube videos that can show you how to make a start yourself. It’s a sophisticated tool that can let even a tiny business compete on an even playing field with big established companies. If you’re trying to get established with a business, it can definitely help.

To find out more email Mike at info@2waycomm. uk or visit 2waycomm.uk. (see ad on p.78)

ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

creative lifestyle

Café Artisan Gallery Shoreham by Sea

where fine art and the art of eating healthily sit side by side Artisan is a beautifully shabby chic café, located in the heart of Shoreham, a two-minute walk from the River Adur and the High Street.

Initially unassuming from the outside, the café was transformed from a small nondescript building into a beautifully spacious, fully functioning café. There is a range of food and drink with a wide selection of tasty salads, soup of the day – healthy, nourishing and comforting – cream tea, coffee, pastries, including gluten-free options, and introducing the latest innovation – vegan sausage rolls. Cafe Artisan Gallery takes the art of eating healthily to another level.

But that’s not all! There is fine art displayed all around the café by Shoreham artists from West Street Loft Studios and the café hosts various regular live music and other events.

We have visited Café Artisan in Shoreham regularly and found it quite endearing. With a welcoming, homely atmosphere, it has a creative spirit over and above its culinary aspirations. Besides exhibiting art on the walls, the café’s table arrangements are made from ex-scaffolding planks and some have a special glassed-topped depression mounted into the table top, in which local jewellers can exhibit their work.

The café is run by West Street Loft and it has a similar feel; slightly bohemian with a relaxed friendly vibe, obviously community oriented and enthusiastic about supporting local artists. Well worth a visit (or two) when visiting the town.

Café Artisan Gallery, 2 Tarmount Lane, Shorehamby-sea, BN43 6DA. Tel: 07970 377046 or for further info visit www.facebook.com/artisancafeshoreham. ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

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creative lifestyle

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Providing effective marketing and consultancy for small and medium size businesses visit: 2waycomm.uk email: info@2waycomm.uk tel: 01342 529950 / 07429 177759

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ingénu/e magazine – south downs and high weald : issue 27

creative lifestyle

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Coda

But is it Poetry?

I’ve been a fan of poet Roger McGough since my early teens when, along with the other ‘Mersey Poets’, his work was featured in a book called The Liverpool Scene in 1967. It had an introduction by Alan Ginsberg and planted poetry appreciation seeds in my still evolving consciousness. I realised poetry could be different, less ‘stuffy’, could be sometimes funny and more accessible than some other poets' work and, oh yes, it could be allowed to rhyme!

A decade or two later John Cooper Clarke’s collaboration with The Invisible Girls on the album ‘Snack, Crackle & Bop’ further opened my eyes to poetry, this time with a musical backing. The aforementioned book and Clarke’s album both still remain favourites of mine to this day. Since those early days McGough has gone on to author over a hundred books of poetry for adults and children, and so it is with great delight that I see he's appearing early in February at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester, with his poems set to

music by LiTTLe MACHiNe. It’s marvellous to see he remains so innovative even in his early 80s.

But is it Art? In the last issue I lamented the closure of a few art galleries and arts projects in our area and had a little snipe at the Arts Council. My worst fears about this outfit seem to be well founded after reading a report recently about minutes from a strategy meeting of the London area Arts Council England (ACE). There was a heated debate about whether the word ‘art’ should be included in the funder’s ten year strategy.

Leaders attending were told that research showed the word art could be seen as ‘divisive’. What the hell is going on? The word is in the title of the organisation for Gawd’s sake! Get on with it, let’s see some action, more money flowing to local arts projects and knock off the intellectual juggling with words and symbols.

To do otherwise is a crime against aesthetics and creative souls everywhere. Creativity makes life better for everyone. Good things can be done – Henshaw Arts & Crafts Centre in Knaresborough, Yorkshire, opened in 1998 thanks to National Lottery funding, and is a marvellous example of what should be happening everywhere on an ongoing basis. This should be the norm; art, artists and creative projects blossoming gorgeously in every town and city throughout this sceptred isle.

To help ACE, here are some influential creatives’ musings on art. They seem to know a thing or two about it, and don’t find the word offensive in any way!

Leo Tolstoy: "Art is not, as the metaphysicians say, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not, as the aesthetical physiologists say, left: Roger McGough and LiTTLe MACHiNe, photo by Nick Wright; top: Roger Hargreaves' Mr Men and Little Miss ©THOIP

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coda a game in which man lets off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of man’s emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity."

Frank Lloyd Wright: "Art is a discovery and development of elementary principles of nature into beautiful forms suitable for human use."

Steven Pressfield: "To labour in the arts for any reason other than love is prostitution."

Elbert Hubbard: "Art is not a thing – it is a way."

Oscar Wilde: "Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known."

Thomas Merton: "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."

Michelangelo Pistoletto: "Above all, artists must not be only in art galleries or museums – they must be present in all possible activities. The artist must be the sponsor of thought in whatever endeavour people take on, at every level."

Federico Fellini: "All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster’s autobiography."

Hugh MacLeod: "Art suffers the moment other people start paying for it."

Aristophanes: "Let each man exercise the art he knows."

It is art!

We were delighted to visit the Lingfield Arts Association’s 2019 exhibition in late October, and were glad to hear there is a minor renaissance occurring in the group, with new interest being shown from younger artists, which was very much needed. The exhibition itself was full of extremely good work and we were also struck by one of the innovative aspects of the exhibition, the Schools Competition. Three schools were involved and the quality of the students’ work on display was outstanding, the winners were both from Imberhorne School. First prize went to Leah Durrant for ‘Illusions’ and second prize to Sofia Naseem for ‘Brother’. Long may the Association continue to show their own works while also encouraging young artists, challenging them to create and giving them a platform to exhibit.

Illusions by Leah Durrant

Francis Ford Coppola: "An essential element of any art is risk. If you don’t take a risk then how are you going to make something really beautiful, that hasn’t been seen before? I always like to say that cinema without risk is like having no sex and expecting to have a baby. You have to take a risk."

L. Ron Hubbard: "Art is a word which summarizes the quality of communication."

André Gide: "Art begins with resistance – at the point where resistance is overcome. No human masterpiece has ever been created without great labour."

Friedrich Nietzsche: "We have our Arts so we won’t die of Truth."

Brother by Sofia Naseem

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coda It’s only words (1) OMG!!! It’s like so rad all these new words appearing. What would my fam make of it all? It’s like I’m woke, but even I throw shade sometimes, even to my squad and last night to my bae; it was so GMT I had to bounce.

As far as I’m aware that would make sense to a young ‘new millennial’ – I’ll leave it to you to decipher.

Language does evolve, but what longevity some words or phrases have is questionable. For example I haven’t heard ‘gag me with a spoon’ or ‘valley girl’ for about 20 years, but ‘selfie’ and ‘bling’ seem to be standing the test of time quite well.

I was struck by one particular word used currently that rather upset me slightly. The word is sadfishing. It apparently means to share one’s problems on the internet with the aim of gaining an audience. It’s a derogatory term, often used as a response to someone who is pouring out their heart. Aside from the fact that it actually is a sad thing to do to publish your troubles to people you hardly know, how is it possible to judge whether the person is actually having a hard time of it or is just being somewhat dramatic to get attention? Either way it would seem to me anyone ‘sadfishing’ is in need of help, as both motives reveal an underlying personal problem of some magnitude. So to ridicule or attack the person in response seems cold and heartless. But perhaps that’s the way it is on social media, the use of the word ‘friend’ being relatively disingenuous. We all know what a real friend is, but a lot of the time friends on social media are essentially virtual reality avatars. You can only truly know someone by having many life experiences with them in the real world, and even then it can be difficult. So let’s take it easy on the sadfishers, we all have our problems!

It’s only words (2) Headline – Mr Men at the centre of a sexism storm Mr Clever and Little Miss Curious are having a chat.

Mr Clever explains that the Forth Bridge is so called because of the Forth River, following Little Miss Curious asking “what happened to the first, second and third bridges”.

A feminist academic has now condemned this conversation as an example of 'mansplaining'. PhD student Shelby Judge accused Roger Hargreaves’ longrunning series of perpetuating “antiquated gender roles” and branded its illustrated characters part of a “sexist iconography”. “They're using Mr Men to enforce these ridiculous antiquated gender roles.”

There you go. More intellectual flimflammery from an over-educated, over-excited millennial, who doesn’t 82

seem to have enough problems. Yes, there is a character called Little Miss Bossy, but there are many Misters whose names leave a lot to be desired such as Mr Stubborn, Mr Scatterbrain and Mr Mean et al.

The phrase ‘get a life’ springs to mind.

As an antidote to her appalling Mr Men experience, Shelby should take a trip along the North Downs Way this summer, explore the verdant rolling grassland and valleys, admire views of the iconic White Cliffs of Dover and fetch up at historic Deal.

She could then relax a little, experience life in the real world and see, hear and enjoy some very talented women of achievement. This year Deal Music & Arts Festival 2020 celebrates Creative Women in Music with a host of the most inspiring female artists of our time (see festivals feature on p.64).

Performers will include the President of Deal Music and Arts, Alison Balsom OBE. above: Alison Balsom OBE, photo by Mat Hennek

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