Fifteen Queen Street

Crafty & creative workshops here this Saturday

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:00:05 +0000

We’ve got a superb double bill of creative workshops all hosted here at 15 Queen Street this Saturday 25th February.

Embroiderers Guild

First up from 10am - 12pm is the Embroiderers Guild taking over our event space to host a open workshop (so you don’t need to be a member). This month’s theme is Ribbon Development. We can’t tell you much more than that except these workshops are all about exploring and experimenting with modern materials. Organiser Linda brings a bundle of fantastic materials for you to get stuck in with. Plus you are provided with examples and lots of ideas to inspire you.

The cost of the morning is £5 plus £1 towards the cost of materials. For more info & to RSVP visit the meetup page.

‘Finding Inspiration for Creative Writing’

Then we have a Creative Writing workshop - ‘Finding Inspiration for Creative Writing’ hosted by our new flexi member Sarah Banham at 1 - 2pm. We interviewed Sarah as part of our member showcase here. The workshop’s aim is to help unlock your imagination and get that hidden story within everyone a chance to come alive. An interactive workshops with plenty of refreshment and breaks - ensuring to give your imagination a helping hand or a gentle kick!

This workshop is £40 for 4 hours. Materials supplied. For more info & to RSVP visit the meetup page.

Both event hosts signed up as flexi members to be able to run events from the building. By creatives, for creatives. We want to make sure the building is working hard for our town. Come along this Saturday, get your creativity flowing and meet some local artists.

Creative in Colchester this Thursday

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Thursday 23rd February, 7.30pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH

Entry and Bar Free to members and designated guests, suggested donation for non members £10

Creative in Colchester is your monthly face-to-face at fifteen Queen Street.

This month’s theme is architecture with two incredible speakers lined up. First up is HAT Projects - Hana Loftus and Tom Grieve - A local architectural firm who design, build, advise and self-initiate projects and research, including the exciting Jerwood Gallery which opens 17th March 2012.

Our second speaker - Emily Turnbull (Studio Can Can) has worked in the design and architecture industry since 1999 on award-winning interior projects across the UK and internationally.

We will also have our resident DJ Cantcutcarwyn playing funk and soul throughout the night, a special performance from multi-instrumentalist Slowlife plus the usual drinks and discussions. Read a quick interview with Slowlife on what makes the Colchester based musician tick.

Whether you are an artist graphic designer, poet, tailor, milliner, musician, film maker, cook, thespian, or any other creative living in or around Colchester, come join our group, meet others like you, and become part of our burgeoning community.

PLEASE NOTE: An RSVP is essential as we now run a strict door policy.

Junk Jamboree Vintage and Craft Market

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Local crafty wonder Liz Cardy is looking for artists and local creatives who would be interested in running a stall for the upcoming Junk Jamboree Vintage and Craft Market.

We haven’t got an ‘official’ Junk Jamboree blurb as yet. But basically she would like you to email or call 07733 455245 if you would like to be considered for a stall.

Liz is looking for for craft stalls, shabby chic style, handmade stuff, sweets, but not cakes please.

The event is Saturday 5th May, 11am until 4pm at Cardinal Bourne Hall on Priory St in Colchester.

Sounds like the perfect event for Colchester! Please pass the info on to anyone you think might be interested.

Opportunities @mercurytheatre

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:00:05 +0000

Mercury theatre are currently looking for a Artistic Director & Executive Director.

The Mercury believe their place in the community is as important as the work they make for their stages. They have strong and binding relationships with local and regional audiences and relish the opportunity to develop their role as a National Portfolio Organisation.

They now seek an exceptional leadership team that will combine vision and imagination with diligence and a strong business sense.

Together, you will develop and deliver an ambitious, exciting and achievable strategy for the future, enthusing and inspiring the theatre’s staff, audiences and stakeholders.

If you can bring a proven bold, enterprising and business-like approach to expanding the reputation and reach of the Mercury Theatre, then we’d like to hear from you.

The board is willing to accept single or joint applications for these posts.

These are permanent positions, salaries circa £48,000 p.a.

Applications close 24 February, first interviews 6 or 7 March, second interviews 20 or 21 March 2012.

Please return completed application forms to Lorna Owen, Theatre Administrator, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, CO1 1PT or by email.

Creative Showcase: Slowlife

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Meet Slowlife (Dan Bowen) an indie/folk act based in Colchester. Dan is kindly coming to perform for our Creative in Colchester event on Thursday 23rd February.

We got Dan to come in and create an ‘I make’ picture for our ongoing photography project capturing members and local creatives in the town. To find out what makes Slowlife tick we asked a few questions:

Tell us a bit about your journey and where you are today.
I spent the first 18 years of my life in the north Suffolk town of Lowestoft and began playing the guitar around the age of 12. I was more of a lead guitarist at first, but started writing my own songs around the age of 15/16, but didn’t really perform them for a few years after, whilst I studied, travelled and lived around a few different places. Having been in a couple of bands, last year I formed Slow Life and played a few shows around Colchester on my own for the first time. I decided that I didn’t really want to be a stereotypical acoustic performer and after an inspiring trip to see Gruff Rhys live, I went out and bought a loop pedal and a selection of instruments to perform my songs as you might hear them on record. So on stage I am accompanied by guitar, percussion and melodica and I literally build some of my songs. I’m now gigging in Colchester regularly and am focussing on performing around the country and getting my music heard.

What do you think of our membership hub and Colchester’s growing Cultural Quarter?
I think its great! I moved to Colchester two years ago with an offer of decent employment and knew very little about the town, and knew no-one who lived here! I was pleasantly surprised by the active music and arts scene, and made several friends and was able to develop my own music and get involved with events. Its a nice little community really and most people seem to be keen to help each other out, which is nice. For a town of it’s size I think Colchester punches above its own weight in a cultural sense and theres a lot of talented people here….

Give us a sneaky peak of what you are working on right now.
I have just finished recording a debut EP at Long Track Studios with producer Nathan Wacey, which is going to be called BEAR. Its being mixed at the moment, and I’m looking to release it within the next few weeks. It has six songs on it, and I have played every instrument with the exception of the drums. Its a mixed bag of songs really, theres a couple of melodic tracks, with the vocal line leading the song, a couple of reverby guitar-led tracks and also one track which is built up on a multi-guitar, percussion and vocal loop. All songs have catchy hooks and I’d like to think are easy on the ear! Inspiration for the songs comes from protest movements, cross-european adventures and socialist German football teams!

Cheers Dan. Great to hear you are inspired by socialist German football teams. All members are invited to our event on the 24th to hear Slowlife play and enjoy architecture themed talks from Hat Projects & Studio Can Can. Visit our meetup page for more.

Green Drinks

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 14:00:06 +0000

Tuesday 21 February
7.30 - 9pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH

Green Drinks, hosted by Pam Nelson, is an evening event inviting eco friendly and green minded souls to meet up for drinks and discussions. The event is every 21st of the month.

Tea and coffee is provided free of charge, or if you prefer, you are welcome to bring you own alcoholic or soft drinks. Plus you can also bring food as there’s a small kitchen and microwave.

This month they’ve invited a number of speakers to look at how to promote events and recruit new members for your campaigns:

Social Media - Ben Howard, Cool Publicity
Colchester Green Calender – Andrew Wilkinson, en-form
Digital Strategy for Colchester – Jim Leask, CBC

To RSVP please visit our meetup page. If you’d like more info please contact Pam.

Opportunity @ The Minories

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:01:05 +0000

Colchester School of Art is seeking a Manager to oversee the day to day running and management of the Minories site and staff. The Minories building is home to the School’s postgraduate provision and the public galleries and shop.

Minories Manager Ref: 11-074
Circa £31,300 - £34,300 per annum

Job Description:
You will lead the Minories on a number of levels, such as income generation, activities, student/public events and ensuring safe working practices are adhered to. The successful candidate will liaise closely with other organisations both locally and nationally as part of the development of the creative and cultural provision within Colchester. The galleries are currently open to the public 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday, and we would expect the postholder to work Saturdays on a rota basis.

With previous experience of project management and knowledge of working in an Arts context, you should be an innovator with a proven track record of entrepreneurship. You will hold a degree, or the equivalent, and be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively manage and motivate staff. You will be expected to work independently therefore you should be self-motivated and able to efficiently plan and prioritise your workload. Excellent communication and negotiation skills are essential for this role.

Applications received by 27 February 2012 will receive first consideration. However, applications received after this date may be considered.

A job description and application pack can be obtained from The Colchester Institute website. Applications, by CV if preferred, should be emailed.

Sumi Ink Club is here on Friday 24th February. 7pm til...

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Sumi Ink Club is here on Friday 24th February.

7pm til late.

Grab a brush, pour some ink. Visit our meetup page for more info & to RSVP.

The Pigeon-hole Project

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:06:00 +0000

In the new Slack Space ‘Long Gallery’ near the Post Room, there is a bank of delightful old wooden pigeon-holes.

As part of their 3rd Birthday celebrations Slack Space are inviting artists to make a piece of 3D art/sculpture to fit into these boxes on a semi-permanent basis.

Each box measures approximately: 35cm wide x 25cm high x 38cm deep.

Paula MacGregor is the lead artist for this project, please address any questions to her via email labelled ‘Pigeon-hole project’

A very exciting project indeed. We look forward to seeing a sea of work from local artists displayed here.

Call for artists!

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:47:37 +0000

Colchester & Ipswich Museums are looking for new creative leaders – with ambitious and innovative ideas – to run workshops for the ‘Young People’s Saturday Art Club’, hosted at Ipswich Art School.

The Young People’s Saturday Art Club has been running at Ipswich Art School since autumn 2010 supporting young people in develop their own creative skills while exploring and being inspired by exhibitions at IAS.

Sessions are held fortnightly during term-time for age groups 7 -11 and 11-16. Professional artists connect with the young learners through alternative learning processes to those experienced at school. Their work reflects the themes and practices displayed in the exhibition programme, while maintaining awareness of the building’s former use as an ‘art school’. Sessions have been themed around our exhibitions with recent workshops including drawing, printmaking, paper sculpture and typography.

They are looking for new artists and designers to lead our sessions in the up-coming term. If you would like to express interest please email Lizzy or Julia for further information.

La Tertulia Thursday 16th February7.30 - 9.30pm15 Queen Street,...

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:00:05 +0000

La Tertulia

Thursday 16th February
7.30 - 9.30pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH

RSVP here.

This week @ Script Writers

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Tuesday 14th February
7.30 - 9.30pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH

The Script Writers meetings are designed so you can share your scripts, treatments and ideas. The group aims to offer and receive constructive feedback and all advice will be to improve your work.

As the group develops this will become a network of writers and an excellent resource for all writers in the region.

If you have a script or treatment you would like us to provide feedback on please email.

Visit the Colchester Writers Facebook Page and RSVP via our meetup page.

Member Showcase: Sarah Banham

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Flexi Member
Sarah Banham
For The Love Of Books

Meet our latest flexi member Sarah. She’s signed up to the building to host Creative Writing Workshops here every fourth Saturday of the month. The workshop: ‘Finding Inspiration for Creative Writing’ will be here on Saturday 25th February, 1 - 4pm.

To get to know Sarah a bit better we got her to pop in and ask a few questions for us:

How are you a part of, and use 15 Queen Street?
I am a ‘creative professional’ whereby I use the space at 15 Queen Street to prepare my workshops and work on my clients’ projects.

Tell us a bit about your journey and where you are today.
Over the past 25 years I’ve become passionate about creative writing and since have published several novels. I turned self employed last year and broke down my skills into bite sized services which I offer the public. These are ghost writing, proofreading and creative writing coaching. With recycling in mind, I also sell pre-loved titles for a fraction of the original cost. I also run workshops on ‘Finding Inspiration to Creatively Write’,’ making books, book covers, book marks and other paper crafts.

What do you think of our membership hub and Colchester’s growing Cultural Quarter?
I think it’s pretty fantastic!

Give us a sneaky peak of what you are working on right now.
I am an author first and foremost so I often have my own literary projects on the go. Currently it is a WIP (Work In Progress) entitled Heart and Soul. The prelude to the novel is a short story which was published in an anthology entitled PROJECT:HERO which was in aid of Help for Heroes.

Thanks Sarah! We look forward to your first workshop here on the 25th.

Call for actors!

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:14:00 +0000

Film Colchester are looking for actors to appear in an upcoming short they are filming here in Colchester in March.

They are holding auditions here at fifteen Queen Street on Sunday the 19th February.

For information on the roles and how to apply please visit their StarNow page.

If you are keen and able to attend auditions please drop them an email. Film Colchester can give you more information and book you a slot.

Break a leg! Can’t say good luck now can you…

Toby Roberts, is a local film director who presented our Lunch...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Toby Roberts, is a local film director who presented our Lunch Time Show Off! back in 2011. He sent us this link for his short film SPOILT BROTH.

A naive, desperate man and a ruthless criminal attempt to rob a post office at the same time.

The film is current being showcased on the 180 Microcinema Festival site and Toby is asking y’all to view it, like it, tweet and vote for it online.

The 180 Microcinema Festival celebrates the range and diversity of filmmakers in an online and connected world. Harnessing digital mediums they are transmitting 180-second entries to screens worldwide.

This online international festival encourages, empowers, and promotes creative expression and web-based work by showcasing original voices to foster a dynamic online filmmaking culture.

There are loads of films on the site and we encourage you to view and support the brilliant talent. Winning filmmakers will be awarded production funds of £30,000 to collaborate on 180-second films as pitches for a Transmedia Development Deal. Plus they will receive significant exposure to international film industry leaders, and be flown in to attend the Awards ceremony at the Power Plant Cinema of the Rockwell Center in the heart of Metro Manila, Philippines. Oh yes.

Lunch Time Show Off!

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:50:14 +0000

Thursday 16th February
1 - 2pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH

This month we have invited local textile artist Clare Sams to be our speaker.

Trained in women’s tailoring at the London School of Fashion, Clare is a practicing textile artist using hand knitting to create visual narratives of people and places in society. Clare also runs workshops sessions to help make art and craft more accessible to the wider community.

Based in Colchester, Clare is organising a collaborative exhibition with her husband at Borne Mill this year. Originally a textile mill they intend to showcase the history, promote the area and involve the community.

Join us this Thursday to hear more about her project, her work and the creative process behind knitting and textile art.

Please bring a sandwich or whatever tickles your fancy, pull up a chair and discover the wonderful world of textile art. Level Best Art Cafe will also be here with affordable sandwiches for sale. So you don’t even need to make your own sandwich.

All our speakers share two things in common: 1) their location and 2) an incredible, infectious passion for their craft. So why not pop along in your lunch break, bring a sandwich or whatever tickles your fancy, and pull up a chair.

Don’t forget to RSVP via our meetup page.

Plus we interview Clare and it features in Colchester Circle magazine. Read online here ( page 20).

Call for artists!

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Local artist Paula MacGregor is looking for artists who would like to run a creative workshop for Slack Space.

They cannot offer any payment but may be able to help with the materials. Artists are invited to host three hour workshops for adults during the daytime, evening, or at the weekend. Whatever suits you.

Paula is the workshop co-ordinator and can help and advise you. If you have a craft skill but have not run a workshop before, this could be the perfect place to start. Paula will support you as much as you need it!

Contact Paula via email if you can offer anything. Some requests and suggestions are: batik, carving, printing, scrapbooking…. or maybe you can do something they haven’t thought of!

To see what workshops have been offered recently and what we have got booked already take a look here.

February @ 15 Queen Street

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:41:04 +0000

February @ 15 Queen Street:

So here we are, its already the second month in 2012 and things are picking up pace.

If January teaches us anything, it is that the year is going to fly by for the ‘UK’s hardest Drinking Town’ ;-)

Click through to read our latest newsletter featuring our current news and upcoming events.

Transforming Spaces @firstsite

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:07:00 +0000

Saturday 17 March, 9.30am – 5.15pm
firstsite, Lewis Gardens, CO1 1JH

£32.40 incl. VAT, lunch and two refreshment breaks.

A great event hitting Colchester in March. Slack Space in partnership with firstsite are hosting a regional conference on the use and transformation of empty shops and disused spaces. The event will look at the current spaces and combine an interactive focus on case studies and success stories with practical advice and contextual understanding.

This event is suitable for artists, community groups, arts and regeneration professional as well as landlords and developers.

Partner Profiles

Slack Space is one of the premier ‘empty shop’ organisations in the UK and has been successfully putting art and performance into empty shops for over two and a half years.

firstsite is a contemporary visual arts organisation based in Colchester with a mission to make contemporary art relevant to everyone.

Artside is a CoExist project featuring two weeks of art and interventions in Southend High Street. Artists work directly with venues to create site-led work.

TAP is housed in a converted waterworks. Currently, it houses CoExist Galleries and Studios, The White Bus, MEET, Solug and Open Arts.

We are Bedford is a community collective. The group put on the Castle Quay Weekender in March 2011, an arts festival in seven empty shops, and run various other successful community events.

Meanwhile Space is led by the Development Trusts Association as part of the Advancing Assets programme, with support from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Empty Shops Network is the national network for organisations and individuals working in empty shops and other disused spaces.

3Space offers a brokerage service between landlords / developers with empty space and charities or other organisations wishing to use that space.

There are 50 spaces free available. To apply please download the booking form here and return to firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester CO1 1JH or email.

Deadline date to apply for a free space is Wednesday 15th February.

For more information and outline of the day visit the firstsite website.

Tickets can be collected from firstsite or posted for a £1 fee. The Box Office for this event will close on Thursday 8 March 2012.

Writing classes in Thorpe-Le-Soken

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:00:05 +0000

Local writer Jenni Chante is setting up some Creative Writing classes in Thorpe-le-Soken. We thought we would pass the info around to all you Colchester writers. If any of you are interested Jenni may run some classes based here too.

The price will be £3 per one hour class, and it’ll be tailored for beginners who aren’t quite sure where to start, or who might know what they want to do but don’t have the confidence to make the leap.

I’m thinking we could meet up at a cafe or something, and just have a relaxed but structured discussion on topics such as how to set a scene, developing characters, creating dialogue, how to edit your work, what to avoid, etc. If anyone is interested in this, please do get in touch.

For more info please email her or call 07904605386.