Ropewalk Magazine

RM magazine

ropewalk

craft

issue 7 free

Exhibitions Workshops Events July - September 2012

The Ropewalk • Barton upon Humber

The Ropewalk was built in 1801 and as Hall’s Barton Ropery manufactured ropes for the world. It closed as a working factory in 1989 and was brought back to life as an arts centre in April 2000 by an artists’ co-operative who still manage the site today. The Grade II listed building is a cultural quarter of a mile long!

The Ropewalk has 3 temporary exhibition spaces with a rolling exhibition programme that ensures there is always something new to see.

Workshops

The Ropewalk offers a stimulating programme of art and craft workshops that run throughout the year, including regular classes in printmaking and life drawing and day classes in a range of activities.

Events

The Craft Gallery continually displays in excess of 200 makers’ work from throughout the country including jewellery, ceramics, glass, textiles and a wide selection of artist-made greeting cards. The Hall-Mark Room displays a range of contemporary prints and collectables.

Ropery Hall is a small community venue with a capacity of around 120 that offers a programme of film, theatre, music and comedy.

Coffee Shop

Craft

Galleries

The Ropewalk

the ropewalk

Fresh local produce is used to create a wide variety of mainly vegetarian snacks and light lunches. A large selection of delicious freshly made cakes, coffees and organic juices are also available.

The building also houses a small Museum, Artist Studios, meeting rooms for hire and bespoke picture framing service.

Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

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welcome

Has anyone seen the summer?

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et’s hope we see the sun before autumn arrives! Whatever the weather The Ropewalk can always offer shelter from the elements and staff with a sunny disposition.

Friendly staff scored highly yet again on our annual Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) assessment which we passed last month for the fourth year in a row.

Other things to brighten up the dullest day are the current Print Open Exhibition and the two Edinburgh comedy previews in July.

The last six months has seen a number of new developments at The Ropewalk. A new seat has taken pride of place in the Sculpture Garden. Designed and made by studio artist Michael Scrimshaw we commissioned it in memory of Sue Hamnett, designer of the garden who passed away last year and who is sadly missed. At the side of the

building the new gate is now in place, a piece of functional art that finishes off the new road beautifully and will be in place for many years.

And finally back to the weather… our Jubilee tea party had to move inside due to rain which meant that the eagerly awaited knitted bunting display was curtailed. Not to worry, ST-ART is organising a circus activities day outside the building on August 26 and weather permitting the bunting will make its debut then. Come along and try some juggling or stilt walking and marvel at Barton’s knitting talent!

Liz

Cover image: Comedian Juliet Myres, appearing at Ropery Hall on July 21.

Find us on

Admission Free Galleries Open: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm The Ropewalk is on one level with good wheelchair access; we are a 5 minute walk from the Barton Transport Interchange with half-hourly buses to Hull and Scunthorpe and a 2-hourly rail service to Grimsby and the wider rail network.

July - September 2012

craft

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eramicist Richard Godfrey’s unique style of work will be featured in The Ropewalk’s Box Gallery this summer.

A popular maker at The Ropewalk, his work is inspired by the coastline and countryside around his South Devon Home. Ideas are formed from items he picks up from the beach such as shells, wood and even plastic bottles and the natural forms, such as insects, seeds and berries, which are found in hedgerows.

The Joy of Colour

Patterns of colour and tone and also smaller details such as butterfly and moth wings, insects and wild flowers all translate into the forms Richard makes with clay.

Richard has managed to translate the deep and vibrant colours of the Mediterranean (he lived in Gibraltar as a teenager) into his ceramic work through many years of experimentation which has made his work well known internationally.

He finds the chemistry of glazes and the infinite variations on forming techniques fascinating and with an enthusiasm and desire to create new work, Richard is constantly testing new material and techniques to enable him to produce work which is an expression of the joy and pleasure he gets from living and working in Devon.

His unique style of very bright and original ceramics, ranging from very outrageous hand-built tea pots to a range of colourful mugs, makes his work highly collectable and he has pieces in major public and private collections around the world.

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Featured Jewellers July: Dee Barnes

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rom her studio in Lincoln Dee has been busy designing a new limited edition collection of work just in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Using old stamps for her work, Dee’s jewellery is available in several colours.

August: Peter Kibbles

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ilversmith Peter has created several ranges of jewellery which sell in many outlets throughout the UK. Originally trained in photography and graphic design in the 1970s he re-found his passion for jewellery making in the 1990s

September: Barbara Cassell

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n the last few years from her studio at home in Harrogate, Barbara has started creating her unique jewellery range. Inspired by the natural landscape and man made elements within architecture she uses textiles, rubber and metal to create her one off pieces.

July - September 2012

box gallery

B

oth ceramicists work with porcelain and intricately decorate their work using different techniques. Inspiration comes from different sources, but their work has a good relationship.

Alison first started working with porcelain whist studying at Rochdale College of Art. From her small garden studio in Carlisle, Cumbria, Alison produces a charming range of fine porcelain ceramics. The range includes cups and saucers, mugs, bowls and vases, framed porcelain illustrations and porcelain with silver jewellery. For this joint show Alison is showing a selection of her decorative yet functional ceramics.

Alison Ogden

Gwen Bainbridge

Gwen Bainbridge and Alison Ogden

inspiration from her memories of childhood. She’s an avid collector of all things old seen at museums or found at antique fairs. She’s always on the look out for inspiration.

After growing up in Cumbria on a rural farm, where the woman’s place was in the home Gwen’s nostalgia for this period of time is echoed in this work.

Rather than a direct reference to the natural world Gwen prefers to explore the work of other craftsmen of the past who themselves might have once been inspired by nature.

Appreciating the finery of the costumes of previous eras, with their lavish embroidery and the distincThe selection is slip cast and then tive qualities of their design these individually hand manipulated elements are all shown through the to create a unique pot every time. detail on the ceramics. Porcelain and The craze free glaze, especially bone china lend themselves perfectly developed for Alison by her husband to this amount of detail, receiving produces highly durable dishwashimprints and markings. er-safe ware.

Box Gallery Gwen’s ceramics act as her three August 4 - September 2 dimensional scrapbook, as she draws

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exhibitions

Exhibitions for the autumn

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his September we have two new shows by two promising young artists.

Opening on the 15th is a show by North East Lincolnshire painter and lecturer Madeleine Vernau.

Her new work exhibits a pure indulgence in paint: “The deliberate and vibrant brush strokes create gentle abstracted images that transport us to quiet intimate places.”

Madeleine Vernau: New Paintings. Gallery One September 15 – October 21 Alan Jones is a Sydney-based artist who is spending a short residency at The Ropewalk which culminates in a show entitled The Mother Land. His work explores ideas that surround notions of identity and in this new series Alan takes a journey that sees him trace his family’s ancestry back to the north of England.

More information about Alan and his work can be found on his website www.alanjonesonline.com Alan Jones: The Mother Land.

Artspace – September 15 – October 14

July - September 2012

exhibitions

North Lincolnshire Print Open 2012

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he third biennial Print Open competition once again generated a good response and drew entries from around the country making life difficult for the two selectors Melvyn Petterson and Alf Ludlam. After the difficult task of slimming the entries down to the 115 prints exhibited they then had to select the prize-winners. Luckily their choice was unanimous for the winning entry which was awarded to Hull College lecturer Lindy Norton for her print, Martin’s Room.

Our region was well represented by another Hull based artist Sara Clark who won the second prize, sponsored by GKD Litho, for her etching, The House of Bone, and the third place, sponsored by Hawthorne Printmaking Supplies, went to Lincoln artist Alan Abbey for his print, Whitby. The final prize, sponsored by Intaglio Printmaker was awarded to Stephen Robson who is based in London, for his print, Marsh 2.

Top Left: Lindy Norton with her prizewinning print ‘Martin’s Room Top Right: House of Bone by Sarah Clarke Below: Marsh 2 by Stephen Robson

The exhibition runs until September 9 in both Gallery One and the Artspace.

Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

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workshops

image: Henrietta Corbett

Printmaking at The Ropewalk If the current Print Open has whetted your appetite for the medium or if you would like to discover what a collagraph actually is why don’t you enrol on one of our printmaking courses? We have regular classes on a Wednesday afternoon with our resident printmaker Tim Needham who offers oneto-one tuition, tailored to the individual whether they are experienced or a complete novice. On a Tuesday afternoon or Sunday morning our print technician Angela Lindsley is available to provide support and encouragement for the more advanced student and the print room facilities are available for hire at all other times.

The print room is fully equipped to offer a wide range of printing facilities including monoprint, drypoint, etching, aquatint, collagraph and linocut.

In addition we have day-courses run by visiting tutors who offer specialist instruction in new and traditional media.

Day workshops this autumn Saturday October 13- Mezzotint Engraving with Martin Maywood 10.30am – 4.30pm £34 / £30* Participants will use Perspex creating images by drawing on the surface with a soldering iron and then printing from those marks.

Saturday November 3 – Soldering Iron Printmaking with Henrietta Corbett 10.30am – 4.30pm £34 / £30 A unique way of using a soldering iron to create designs and marks onto plastic. We will also be mixing traditional dry point techniques with the soldering iron designs to achieve individual, hand made prints.

Saturday November 17 – Drawing the Line with Tim Needham 10.30am – 4.30pm £34 / £30 To coincide with the mini print exhibition, this workshop is suitable for anyone interested in printmaking and working on a smaller scale using the drawn line.

Learn skills using soft ground etching, hard ground etching and dry point .Use the workshop to transform your own ideas and develop these into finished prints made from the one or multiple printing plates. These small prints are often ideal for gifts or cards.

July - September 2012

news

New Gate Open

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he weekend of the Diamond Jubilee also marked the unveiling of the new gate at the southern end of the Promenade near to the Ropery Coffee Shop.

The new gate replaces the existing wooden gate and attached fencing and The Ropewalk’s managing director Liz Bennet believes it reflects the building’s long association with rope-making and its current use as a regionally acclaimed arts centre.

Made by Selby artists Ailsa Magnus and Hamish Marr, the installation of the gate and fence is the second and final stage of a multi-thousand pound project funded by Arts Council England and LEADER. Reflecting the building’s history as part of Hall’s Barton Ropery and its present-day use as a flourishing arts and entertainment venue, the gate is the final part of the project began late last autumn to create a more positive image for the external surroundings of the quarter-mile long building.

Above: Hamish Marr (right) holding the new gate prior to installation.

Below: A montage of images from the workshop at Barton St.Peter’s School that Magnus and Ailsa ran to develop design ideas.

The first stage included the resurfacing of the promenade, a well-used walkway linking the area around The Ropewalk with the Humber Bank whose surface had deteriorated over the years, and landscaping the surrounding area and the installation of enhanced signage, including the history of the Grade 2 building, by M D Signs of Barton.

10 Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

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st-art

Develop Your Circus Skills

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oll Up! Roll Up! ST-ART, the young people’s art charity based at The Ropewalk, is already honing its circus skills in preparation for the summer holidays.

From Monday July 30 to Sunday August 26 there will be a programme of workshops delivered in Barton and the surrounding villages which will have circus skills as its theme.

“Artists are putting together a programme which will focus on skills which can be seen at circuses around the world,” said ST-ART coordinator Janine Knight.

“Although we are still in the planning stage it is expected we will offer circus skills workshops including juggling, games, making circus head-dresses and music such as Samba,” Janine went on.

The workshops will culminate in a parade being held on the Bank Holiday Sunday which will see all those who have enjoyed the sessions over the summer holidays coming together for one final time for a parade around the Waters’ Edge area ending at The Ropewalk when a show will be put on which will reflect the hard work carried out through the summer break.

July - September 2012 11

film

New Film Season

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he new season of films starts in September with three much requested movies.

Information on further films can be found on our website.

13 September The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. (12a) 2011 2h 3m Starring Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson and Judi Dench

Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel, a group of British retirees decide to ‘outsource’ their retirement to India, bolstered with visions of an inexpensive and exotic life of leisure.

Though the new environment is less luxurious than imagined, they are forever transformed by their shared experiences, discovering that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past.

20 September The Descendants (15) 2011 1h 54m Starring George Clooney, Judy Greer

Matt King is an indifferent husband and father of two girls, who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident. The event leads to a reconciliation with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell land handed down through his family from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.

27 September Marley (15) 2012 2hr 24m

Starring Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley and Jimmy Cliff

Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history and role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled.

The definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his early days to his rise to international superstardom. Made with the support of the Marley family, there is rare footage, incredible performances and revelatory interviews with the people that knew him best All films start at 7.30pm and cost £4

12 Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

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music

July - September 2012 13

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opery Hall traditionally closes its doors for the summer due to a combination of factors: audiences are occupying their time gardening, taking long walks along sun kissed beaches (Cleethorpes) and of course the lack of air conditioning at the venue can make gigs quite unpleasant. The exception to this rule is if we are able to secure Edinburgh preview shows that are worth breaking with tradition for. This year we have two such shows that should make you want to leave the grass unmowed for.

On Saturday July 7 Josh Widdicombe will make his second appearance this year at the venue. Josh is a remarkably polished comedian with boyish good looks that just charm the laughter from you. His observational comedy is spot on and relevant. He will preview his new show Josh Widdicombe: The Further Adventures of… Join Josh in trying out new material in a preview of his hotly-anticipated follow up to last year’s Foster’s Newcomer nominated debut from the star of Live at the Apollo, Stand

Up for the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats and The Rob Brydon Show.

On the same night we will also be presenting Charlie Baker ‘Freshly Baked’. Charlie is an award winning Comedian,Singer,Actor,Wr iter and Tap Dancer. Also Husband, Father, Son, Runner, Devonian and overeater. New to Ropery Hall but becoming more and more familiar on television and radio, Charlie is one to watch for the future.

How can we possible follow two comedians for the price of one – how about three! On Saturday 21 July we welcome back Mary Bourke and she has persuaded two friends to accompany her on the long trip north from London.

Mary Bourke : HAIL MARY Irish comic Mary Bourke presents her caustic, contrarian’s guide to life in the 21st century. If you’re tired of comics in skinny jeans and check shirts doing jokes about their iphones this might be the show for you.

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Stand up Showcases

comedy

craft

Please note : this show has no manipulative sad bits in the middle, there is no arc or journey , there are however jokes , jokes , jokes , jokes and lots more jokes. Seriously there’s a lot of jokes .

Sajeela Kershi : REMORSE CODE Sajeela is a regular on the panel for the BBC News Quiz and has performed comedy since 2006 all over the UK and abroad including taking shows to the Edinburgh, Glasgow and Brighton fringes as well as performing at the Montreal Just for Laughs festival.

Juliet Meyers: RAISED BY FRIDGE MAGNETS Like her favourite flour, Juliet is self-raised, but has she equipped herself for life’s dramas? Expects tales of redundancy, dysfunctional parents, the strange people in her neighbourhood, coping and not coping!

After the summer break we return with the autumn comedy curtain raiser and I am delighted that this comedian has agreed to appear here.

Highly original and a favourite of one

of our regular performers Henning Wehn ANDREW LAWRENCE IS COMING TO GET YOU As seen on BBC 1’s Live at the Apollo, now a regular on Channel 4’s Stand Up For the Week, Andrew Lawrence is back on the road following a sellout fifty date tour of the UK. Twice nominated Best UK Headline Act at the Chortle Awards 2010/11, also a former double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, audiences can expect Lawrence to deliver an evening of top class stand-up.

‘His almost Victorian blend of rage and good grammar is still a delight.’Sunday Times Liz Josh Widdicome and Charlie Baker 7 July £12/£14 Mary Bourke, Sajeela Kershi, Juliet Meyers 21 July £12/£14 Andrew Lawrence 28 September £12/£14

July - September 2012 15

Megson

Jess Morgan

Contemporary Folk: Megson

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ombining the talents of northerners Stu Hanna and Debbie Hanna, the duo Megson are fast becoming hot property on the British folk and roots scene. Their four albums, ON THE SIDE, SMOKE OF HOME, TAKE YOURSELF A WIFE and the new release THE LONGSHOT have chronicled that blossoming creative talent Three times nominated in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and winners of the 2010 Spiral Earth Awards the husband and wife duo of Stu and Debbie hail from Teesside and draw heavily on this heritage to create their unique brand of folk music.

Their infectious sound is a mix of heavenly vocals, lush harmonies and driving rhythmic guitars and mandolas.

2 nominations for BEST DUO in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009 and 2010.

Megson will be supported by Jess Morgan a singer-songwriter who is steadily building a name for herself on the UK folk scene, and with contemporary folk and roots audiences - home and away. Accompanied by acoustic guitar Jess’s stance has been likened to that of the classic East then West Coast songcrafters of the 1970s but with her own distinguishable guitar style and voice – and often a distinctly British subject matter. Every Jess Morgan song in fact, has its own story to tell.

Songs are peppered with influence from both Jess’s Welsh and English heritage; Jess supplies a fresh new twist on well worn fables; yet other story-songs spring from a keen and prolific imagination.

Since the duo’s genesis in 2004 the couple have played up and down the country at numerous folk clubs and festivals picking up a strong fanbase 8pm Friday 14th September along the way and selling out their Support: Jess Morgan extensive tour dates. Their growing Tickets: £10.00 adv £12.00 otd talent was recognised not only with

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Snake back at Ropery Hall

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hen Snake Davis rolls into Barton on Saturday 29th September, it will be one of the the few performances he is making in between two Japanese tours.

Often regarded as one of the most talented saxophonists in the music business today, his enthusiasm for live music is infectious with his love of soul music clearly being portrayed by his choice of tunes. His manager, Sally Hare, said “Snake chooses music that he loves rather than sticking to a genre, so you can expect to hear pieces written by McCartney or Junior Walker, Prince or Duke Ellington along with self penned numbers. We’re trying to get the new album completed in time for the show so there will be a lot of new material – some of which you can hear previewed on the night.”

very talented musicians a share of the spotlight. His four piece band includes Lancashire lad Paul Birchall his longtime co producer and songwriter on keys along with bass and drums. Between them, their biographies are as impressive as Snake’s and together they perform with flawless perfection; a sensitivity and style that is a real treat to see and hear. Yet despite their dedication to music, their relaxed style brings a great sense of fun to the evening with a lovely rapport and enthusiasm that’s infectious.

If you think you haven’t heard Snake playing before, you could be mistaken, having played with legends such as James Brown to Take That (It was Snake on A Million Love Songs); Dionne Warwick to Primal Scream and of course his long association with M-People, Heather Small and Lisa Stansfield.

Snake performs on a variety of instruments including saxes, flutes, penny whistle and shakuhachi, he can even play a didgeridoo although The Snake Davis Band 8 pm Saturday September 29 he saves that for school demonstrations rather than on stage. Despite Tickets: £14.00 adv £16 otd Snake’s talent, he doesn’t hog the limelight, allowing each of his

July - September 2012 17

D

iary July - September 2012

J

uly

Until September 9 • Artspace & Gallery One • North Lincolnshire Print Open 6

Mediterranean Cuisine

6.30pm & 7pm

£18

7

Josh Widdicombe/Charlie Baker

8pm

£12

20

Pudding Club

7.30pm

£20

21

Mary Bourke, Sajeela Kershi & Juliet Myers

8pm

£12

21

Glass Lightcatchers

Gill Hobson

10.30 - 4.30 £34/£30

A

ugust

Until September 9 • Artspace & Gallery One • North Lincolnshire Print Open

August 4 - September 2 • Box Gallery•Gwen Bainbridge & Alison Ogden

S

eptember

Until September 2 • Box Gallery • Gwen Bainbridge & Alison Ogden Until September 9 • Artspace & Gallery One • North Lincolnshire Print Open 9

Life Drawing

Richard Hatfield

10.30 - 3.30 £25/£22

13

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

7.30pm

£4

14

Megson

8pm

£10/£12

20

The Descendants

7.30pm

£4

21

Pudding Club

7.30pm

£20

27

Marley

7.30pm

£4

28

Andrew Lawrence

8pm

£12/14

29

Snake Davis Band

8pm

£14/£12

Key Exhibitions

Workshops

Music

18 Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

Film

01652 660380

Theatre/Comedy

craft

July - September 2012 19

the ropewalk Directions

We are well signposted from the A15. Just follow the brown signs...

Exit the A15 at J.3 and take the A1077 into Barton (Ferriby Road). Turn left at mini roundabout at the bottom of the hill and follow the road round to the next mini roundabout and turn left again. Follow the one-way system through Castledyke West and get in the lefthand lane. Turn left at the junction opposite the railway station, then take the first right off Waterside Road onto Maltkiln Road. For The Ropewalk Galleries turn left into Tesco’s car park where you will find us in the far left corner. There is ample free car parking adjacent to the building. For Ropery Hall, follow the road round to the Waters’ Edge park gates and then left into the car park. Please park at the end of the car park nearest Ropery Hall then walk to the first set of doors at the side of the building. For Sat Nav users please input DN18 5JR which will lead you straight to Waters’ Edge Car Park.

Ropery Hall

The Venue is a small community venue with a capacity of around 120. For small music nights seating is cabaret-style; for all other performances it is theatre-style and seating is not numbered.

Please ensure that you arrive in good time if you wish to be seated together. There is a fully licenced bar at all performances. Doors open half an hour before the start of performances.

How To Book

Tickets are available: In Person at The Ropewalk. Open 7 days a week 10am - 5pm (4pm Sundays).

By Telephone. Reserve your tickets for 5 days before collection or pay by credit or debit card.

(An additional charge of £1 is applied) Online at www.roperyhall.co.uk

The Ropewalk•Maltkiln Road•Barton upon Humber.•North Lincolnshire•DN18 5JT t: 01652 660380•f: 01652 637495•e: info@the-ropewalk.co.uk•www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

The Ropewalk is the trading name for the Waterside Artists’ Co-operative Limited reg no 3820744