The concrete commission has landed

If you happen to walk past 15 Queen Street on the way to firstsite today. Stop and have a look at the new artwork now displayed on our outside wall.

We’ve acquired three concrete panels made by Joyce Pallot and Henry Collins. The work was originally made for Colchester’s BHS frontage in 1976. These panels were removed during redevelopment of the Lion Walk Shopping Centre in 2009. firstsite took this opportunity to restore the panels and locate a new home for them, here, at 15 Queen Street.

Pallot and Collins met at Colchester Art School in 1932. They began working together on public art commissions in 1948, and completed over 60 in the UK. Their pioneering partnership lasted over 62 years. The technical drawing skills of Collins, and Pallot’s rigorous research into each site and commission, combined to form a unique talent.  

In their hometown of Colchester, examples of their work can still be seen in the underpasses along Southway, and the 1969 work made for the central Sainsbury’s store frontage. This was the first in a long series of murals for the firm, and led the way for commissions by other companies including BHS. The Sainsbury’s mural is unique in its creation through collaboration because the artists worked with two Colchester companies, architectural practice Stanley Bragg and building firm Huttons.

For each new commission the couple would extensively research into the history of each place, incorporating events and figures of local significance into their designs; a sun symbol was designed and used exclusively in all the murals for Sainsbury’s and a basket of produce for BHS.

Skillington Workshop were commissioned by firstsite to restore the panels now on display. We’d like to thank Simon Nadin and Paul Wooles for the sterling job! They took about a week, cleaning and performing minor repairs to the concrete. We heard them tapping and drilling away to fix the angle iron frames to the outer wall.

So grab an umbrella and come have a look!

If you are free on Thursday 3 May evening, 7 - 8.30pm, there is a talk at firstsite all about these artworks: ‘Concrete and Colchester’. Architectural historian Dr Lynn Pearson will discuss the work of Pallot and Collins, putting their practice into the wider context of postwar murals. Pearson will chart their extraordinary popularity which grew considerably after their commission for the 1951 Festival of Britain. £5; £3 concs. Booking essential on 01206 577 067 or email.

This week’s guest events @15queenstreet

Get the low down on our guest events this week. Run by our members for the creative community.

Colchester Poetry  -  Tuesday 1 May
7.30 - 9.30pm
Now hosted by our new member James Sarek. Be part of a growing community of Colchester poets. Use the evening to share word, develop ideas and meet like minded locals.
Read more & RSVP

Film Colchester  -  Wednesday 2 May
7.30 - 9.30pm
Meet local film makers, actors and script writers in the Colchester based film network - Film Colchester. Open to all. The group meet twice a month to collaborate on shorts, watch others films and bounce of like minded locals.
Read more & RSVP

Photography Club  -  Thursday 3 May
7 - 9pm
Photographer Sally Parkinson runs a club every first Thursday of the month for local snappers to gather together to share their work and discuss techniques. Sally will also set competitions and allow entrants to ‘Show & Tell’ their submissions.
Read more & RSVP

Colchester Philosophy Group  -  Friday 4 May
7.30 - 9.30pm
Run by Erin, join the group to meet like minded creatives, bounce off ideas and explore the question; “why does philosophy matter?” The group is a monthly study session open to all - no previous philosophical experience required. Discover, share and learn about world philosophy.
Read more & RSVP

Creative in Colchester this Thursday

Thursday 23 April
7.30 - 9.30pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH

Read more & RSVP
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.

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.

This month’s theme is music.

We have invited two speakers to join us his evening. Fiona Mason from Sound Exchange & Music Works, and Tom Donovan, a local sound engineer and producer.

Our first speaker is Fiona has recently stepped down as the Director for Sound Exchange, an independent music development agency for Essex. Together with interim Director Lyndall Rosewarne they will explain the organisation and showcase their new developments as  now based here at fifteen Queen Street.

Fiona is also the Co-Director and tutor for Music Works, an organisation providing high quality and industry relevant music education events, products and services. We’ll also hear more about some of her new creative projects.

Tom Donovan is a second speaker. A local music producer, mixer, director and promoter who just oversaw the completion of the new Animal Noise album. He’ll be telling us a bit more about Camp Kuru - his recording studio based just our of Colchester also used as a base for his band Kuru Smile. Tom will be explaining a bit more behind the art of recording albums from his converted chicken shed.

We will also have two special performances from Animal Noise.

Our resident DJ Cantcutcarwyn playing funk and soul throughout the night, plus the usual drinks and discussions.

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

(Photos: Jason Cobb)
(Photos are from our previous Creative in Colchester events. View our tagged flickr page for more)

This week’s guest events @15queenstreet

We’ve got a whole host of quest events on this week for you to enjoy. All our guest events are run by our members for the creative community.

WriteNight -  Monday 23
7.30 - 9.30pm
Calling all writers! This is the event for you. Come along to share your work, meet like minded locals and also participate in a written exercise or two. Don’t forget the all important coffee break. Run by reading recovery teacher Emma Kittle.
Read more & RSVP

Screen Writers  -  Tuesday 24
7.30 - 9.30pm
This event is linked in with the ever-growing network of film makers, writers and actors Film Colchester. Every first and second Tuesday of the month script, screen and treatment writers meet in the evening to provide feedback on each others work.
Read more & RSVP

Sumi Ink Club  -  Friday 27
7.30pm
Illustrator Rob Lock hosts this collaborative drawing workshop once a month. Using Japanese ‘sumi’ ink we paste up a huge roll of paper and invite you to grab a brush and pour some ink. Draw quickly, draw hard. But most of all, have fun. This month the work produced will be showcased on This One Wall.
Read more & RSVP

Embroiderers’ Guild  -  Saturday 28
10am - 12pm
£5
The Guild meet on the fourth Saturday of the month to host a experimental craft workshop on Saturday mornings. Try new things and experience new materials. They don’t encourage embroidery, the class is more about creating things to embroider into later on!
Read more & RSVP

Finding Inspiration for Creative Writing  -  Saturday 24th 
1 - 4pm
£30/£20 concession
Sarah Banham is hosting an evening workshops designed for writers who are are looking to boost their imagination.
Read more & RSVP

Accordions in an hour with @bdaccordions

Thursday 19 April
1 - 2pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH

Hailing from Mersea, independent business Black Diamond Accordions will be hosting our lunch time talk and workshop this Thursday.

Juliet Doyle and Greg Dunn have a strong passion for the squeezebox and want to showcase how fun and accessible the instrument really is. They set up the business towards the end of 2011.

Greg explains: “Black Diamond Accordions are affordable instruments, made in the oldest-established accordion factory in China, but using high-quality hand-made Italian reeds.”

Juliet and Greg are on a mission to change perceptions about the accordion and will be showcasing the different sounds, tunes, and how the instruments work. They will also be providing a brief history behind the instrument’s culturally rich heritage and will be happy to answer any questions.

They will provide various models for people to get their hands on, as well as the change to try Greg’s ‘lesson in an hour‘. “We want to showcase what a fantastic instrument the accordion is. It’s a really versatile instrument. We don’t care whose accordion you buy. We just want to help change people’s perception of it,” they said about the event.

The talk is open to all! Just drop in.

This week’s guest events @15queenstreet

We’re hosting nine guest events here this week. The events are run by our flexible members for the creative community. Pick a meetup, session or workshop and get stuck in!

Yoga 
Monday 16 
6 - 7pm
£6, members £5
Clare James run various yoga classes around the town. She is now hosting yoga classes straight after work on Monday evenings. 15 Queen Street members receive a discount. Complete beginners and advanced students all welcome, this is an open class where each exercise is adaptable to suit you.
Read more & RSVP.

Bookbinding Mini (2) 
Monday 16 
7pm
£22.50
The perfect workshop for beginner book makers, creative writers and keen book artists alike. Join Book Artists Mary Pullen and make two book arts structures using paper engineering techniques and one hand bound book using a traditional stitch method.
Read more & RSVP


Food Exchange
Monday 16 
7.30pm
Join the growing collection of local foodies cooking up a storm and exchanging their creations at this monthly event. Host Toby has set a theme of Stews & Casseroles this month. Plus there are three food themed speakers!
Read more & RSVP

Stitch & Bitch 
Tuesday 17 
7.30pm
This month host Alex has teamed up with local textile artist Clare Sams to run a workshop creating pieces for an upcoming collaborative exhibition at Bourne Mill. This month we’re making flora and fauna using various crafty techniques.
Read more & RSVP

Photography Taster Sessions
Wednesday 18 
7pm
£20
Local photographer Sally Parkinson is running a very relaxed informal evening allowing you to pick up some tips, chat about photography see if it really is for you.
Read more & RSVP

Film Colchester 
Wednesday 18 
7.30pm
Meet local film makers, actors and script writers in the Colchester based film network - Film Colchester. Open to all. The group meet twice a month to collaborate on shorts, watch others films and bounce of like minded locals. This month is their first AGM meeting. This is open to all members and a chance for you to have your input and share your ideas into how we run the group and what sort of things we should aim for in our second year.
Read more & RSVP

La Tertulia 
Thursday 19
7.30pm
£5
This night is an informal meetup for all Spanish speakers (native and non-native) and Hispanic culture lovers. Join local artist Mary Pullen for a night of exploring and learning through discussion, debate, language games, creative writing activities, film, literature and more….
Read more & RSVP

Getting To Know Your Characters 
Friday 20 
7pm
£30
Sarah Banham is hosting an evening workshop designed for writers who are are looking to learn who their characters are through discussion and a visualisation. Find out more about Sarah in our member showcase.
Read more & RSVP.

Green Drinks 
Saturday 21 
12 noon
Pam Nelson hosts Green Drinks every 21st of the month. This group isn’t about enjoying green drinks, but aimed at green minded people getting together for a drink. The group includes people who are passionate about permaculture, horticulture, allotments, veganism, cooking and enjoying food.
Read more & RSVP

Food Exchange

Monday 16th April
7.30 - 9.30pm
15 Queen Street, CO1 2PH
RSVP here.

The Food Exchange is all about sharing your passion for food and cooking - exchanging your dishes with other members of the group at the meetups and tasting other people’s culinary delights. After all, it always feels better cooking for someone else and also eating something that was cooked for you!

This month’s theme is Casseroles & Stews, so make the most of the last of this chilly weather and make a nice heart warming dish to share!

Host and flexible member Toby Long has also invited three speakers for the event:

Cindy Rowland from Poppy Farm, a small holding in Lawford, will talking about the Pies and Pasties she makes and sells at local farmers markets and food events. Toby met Cindy at Colchester Farmer’s Market and discovered she is more than happy to get involved and fill the group in on the best recipes.

We will have a talk from Danny Brooks-Steele about a new Community Supported Agriculture project he is starting at Bennison Farm - a very exciting prospect anyone can get involved in and support. Danny has spoken at a couple of other local events recently and gained a lot of interest so should be a good one to hear.

And finally, we’ve got Sally from the Colchester Allotment Association doing out vegetable patch updates. The association will be doing the updates every month from now on so at the group you will be able to get some good consistent advice throughout the year.

Professional food lovers to real beginners are welcome. Toby invites you to an evening of tasting new food, discovering new recipes and meeting other like minded locals. Get cooking this weekend and see you here on Monday.