Congrats to all the future Schwitters amongst us! Check out the magnificent creations from November's 'Second Saturdays' led by local artist Rosie Tacon Glass now hanging very proudly in The Exchange Hub alongside Rosie's work. And watch this space for a new range of Exchange products launching soon inspired by these creations and created in store by our ever amazing team of volunteers and local community. #lovemorecambe #westendbestend
In case you missed it we are handing you over to workshop participant Hazel for the inside scoop on Novembers Second Saturday instalment.
"Down at The Exchange last weekend, a day of shared collage making certainly hit the spot when it came to the feel good factor. This popular activity brought together a diverse group of people who found that playing with paper and glue in a game with no rules was a wonderfully relaxing way to spend (what turned out to be) a full day....the truth is, we were so absorbed in our work, it was difficult to pack up at the end. We'd listened to ambient music, chilled out in the friendly atmosphere, chatting, sharing ideas and materials, supped cups of tea, and indulged in the enjoyment of harmonious West End fun. What a lovely day..... Bring on the next Second Saturday!"
Take a closer look at these photos capturing some of the energy of the day....some of which with big thanks to our new photographer intern for the day Tyler, aged 10! Nice work buddie - we think you're a natural! (Click the photos to view in gallery)
Over to Rosie herself for her take on the day: 'On November 12th I was kindly invited by The Exchange Creative Community, West Street to deliver a workshop to kickstart the launch of ‘Second Saturdays’. I was also incredibly thrilled, having previously been encouraged, to be hanging my first solo exhibition, which was planned to coincide with the event.
The ethos behind the Exchange is to facilitate free accessible creative opportunities to all by connecting the community via an inspiring co-operative group moulding. I am particularly inspired by this flexible way of collective thinking, which is fully inclusive and where everyone’s ideas matter and are celebrated.
I ran the workshop, based on a Creative Collage theme, where the same primed boards and materials as used in my body of work were provided so that people could create similar pieces. As a result we decided to hang the 25 incredibly diverse pieces, created on the industrious day, on the wall opposite my collages to complete the living exhibition. The result was an overwhelming sense of personal and community pride, sparking new ideas for the images to be sublimated onto keyrings, clocks and many more products soon to be sold in the shop. I eagerly look forward to many more exciting projects to come. The infectious inspiration is relentless!
I highly recommend involvement in the Exchange. It’s been a well overdue creative opportunity for me personally and for all the talented people I’ve met there to be part of something important that helps to bind communities together. There should be more Inspirational Places for people to go like this one. We’re better together.'
There are still a couple of pieces of Rosie's work available to purchase at The Exchange. Call in store or drop us an email if you're interested or contact her yourself she would love to hear from you. Your chance to purchase an original artwork very reasonably priced at £45. Take a closer look at the individual pieces still available below. (click to view gallery) Email us at hello@theexchangecic.co.uk
And last but not least heres a closer look at the collages created in the workshop indivdually in the gallery below. Kudos to their creators: Al Alvarez, Julian Abraham, Chris Watkins, Wendy OHara, Chris Hargreaves, Oliver James, Harry James, Marie James, Tyler A, Brandon A, Hazel Leech, Beki Melrose, Jo Bambrough, Leo Bambrough, Rachel Bambrough, Chris Bambrough, Kirsty Stuart Clark, Ruri Thompson, Julia Fogelin, Anderz