Creative bubble a burst of news

A Burst of News

Issue 1

Hello

Creative Bubble was set up in 2013 by UWTSD and Swansea BID to get some creative stuff happening in Swansea’s City Centre. It’s based in an empty shop at 13 Cradock Street - students can hire it (for free) to try out their ideas. Since launch, we have had pop-up shops, mixed media exhibitions, performances, social gatherings, workshops, meetings, film premieres and so much more.

The friendly Bubble team are on-hand for advice but it’s very much down to the students (they borrow the key and are responsible for the space).

This project has given the students confidence in what they can achieve, increased employability (including working for yourself) and encouraged networking across disciplines.

Many students who have attended some of the networking evenings have had paid work with businesses in Swansea.

Bubble also goes into the Community – find out how you can get involved.

Students from all disciplines are welcome to use the shop - so start putting those ideas into action! To find out more, please email lucy.beddall@uwtsd.ac.uk

SwanseaCreativeBubble @CBSwansea

A Year of Creative Bubble Data

• 400 students directly involved in running their own shop based enterprises.

• 55 different initiatives.

• 165 days of activity.

• 4000 people (students and general public) visiting the shop.

This data was collected throughout 2015 and is based purely on what happens in the shop - it does not include all the community and street activity we get involved with.....

Creative Bubble is managed by Research Innovation & Enterprise Services at UWTSD. Photos by Keeley Murphy, Shelly Hopkins & Glyn Rainer.

The Shop

Performing Arts Graduate Derek Palmer showcasing his writing work with an evening of performance.

There’s always something going on in the shop. Here are some of the fantastic projects that have taken place recently.

Foundation Art students and their exhibition celebrating International Women’s Day.

Surface Pattern Design students hosting an open evening event to celebrate Swansea’s Purple Flag status.

Many students sell their work in pop-up shops to raise money for Degree shows and charities.

Surface Pattern Design student Alaina Banfield showing her artwork in a solo exhibition.

Pizza with a Pro

Come along to one of our talks or workshops with an entrepreneur (with free pizza).

Famous singer Mark Llewelyn Evans eating pizza and sharing presenting skills with students in Carmarthen.

‘Networking for Introverts’ with Xpedient Print Owner Andy Rogers.

Creative Bubble Summer Stage

Creative Bubble’s Summer Stage runs throughout the Summer in the City Centre.

Managed by UWTSD students and graduates. All students are invited to share their talents and entertain shoppers.

Swansea BID promoting Swansea’s City Centre

Graduates working on the Big Heart of Swansea’s Christmas initiative - Santa’s Post Office.

VIP Starship Award

Ceremony

Creative Bubble hosted the first Starship Award Ceremony (sponsored

by Swansea Bay Business Club). Student entrepreneurs were awarded prizes for their fabulous business ideas. They have also been invited to a prestigious lunch at Swansea Bay Business Club later in the year.

Out in the Community: Poets On The Hill

Poets On The Hill are a poetry collective that started life as a BBC Wales documentary about Townhill and dub-poet Benjamin Zephaniah. UWTSD and Communities First have been working with the group to keep it going. They meet weekly and perform regularly on the poetry circuit.

Poets On The Hill at their first book launch.

Poets On The Hill visiting the Lampeter Campus for a tour, a visit to the Special Archives, and a workshop with the Head of the Creative Writing Programme - Paul Wright.

Out in the Community: St

Thomas Community Primary School

Performing Arts and Film graduates ran a successful film project in St Thomas Community Primary School (close to where the new SA1 campus is being built). This culminated in a premiere and visits to both the Swansea and Carmarthen campuses.

The team are in Danygraig Primary School at the moment.

Out in the Community #LikeABoss with Communities First in Bonymaen (SA1)

Working alongside students to run craft, confidence and enterprise sessions with women and girls in Communities First areas.

They seek to inspire and help people who often face quite challenging lives. The sessions also break down barriers to Higher Education and ensure that the new SA1 campus will be accessible to all.

Out in the Community: Phoenix Fun Day

On Sunday May 22nd UWTSD will be supporting the Phoenix Fun Day in Townhill.

We will be having two marquees, one for bands, singers and performers and the other will host workshops for the community. The Marketing Team and Student Ambassadors will be on-site to advise people about courses and to promote the University’s community engagement activities.

If you could like to perform or run workshops (or help us to blow up balloons!), please get in contact with us.

Supported by:

FREE Entry

CONTACT US For stuff in the shop please contact: lucy.beddall@uwtsd.ac.uk and amanda.hughes@uwtsd.ac.uk For our community work please contact: zoe.murphy@uwtsd.ac.uk SwanseaCreativeBubble @CBSwansea