New Gallery looking for quality work

A new independent contemporary gallery will be opening at Wistow Rural Centre, just east of Leicester, at the end of March. Owner Kate Foster is looking for high-quality locally-made contemporary ceramics, prints & paintings, jewellery, textiles, small furniture/accessories. Space is limited as it's not a huge unit, but please email Kate with examples of your work if you are interested in selling there. e: wistowgallery@gmail.com

Congratulations Ruth Singer

Textile designer, author & tutor Ruth Singer, has won the Haymarket Shopping Centre's Big Idea competition to kick start her creative business. Her mission is to get Leicester sewing & making by opening a studio and running sewing and craft workshops.

To get to this stage, Ruth had to submit a proposal, get past the Dragon's Den style panel of experts and win the public vote. Ruth has won a month's rent-free shop unit in Leicester's Haymarket Shopping Centre and a cash prize of £1000 to spend on the business.

Ruth's Big Idea is to run a craft & design studio where anyone can learn new practical skills. Ruth will use this opportunity in Leicester city centre to run a month of taster workshops and activities for all ages to raise the profile of her studio in the run up to opening in its permanent home later in 2012.

The studio opens in the Haymarket Shopping Centre on 29^th March for a month which will include the following:

Free regular Learn to Sew taster workshops

Easter holiday activities for children 5^th April

A day of activities for local schools 25^th April

Customising clothes workshop tbc

Dressmaking classes 15^th April

Lampshade restyle workshop 1^st April

Fabric manipulation Masterclass 14^th April

Coffee & Craft Mornings

Open studio & Craft Cafe 8^th April

After school activities 18^th April

Handbag making workshop 22^nd April

Sewing machine hire by the hour

Private hire for groups

Full programme will be available online in March

There will be a small retail area with Ruth's own kits & patterns, vintage fabrics, sewing patterns, haberdashery and lots of books including Ruth's own Sew It Up and Sew Eco. Visitors to the studio will also be able to see and buy Ruth's work  including wall panels, customised clothes and small gifts. 

Creative Leicestershire January ebulletin

The Creative Leicestershire January ebulletin is out now!

There is lot's of information and opportunities for those working in the arts, design and media sectors including:

• Jobs with Arts Council England
• Call out for artists for the Rutland Open
• Events from Creative Leicestershire's event programme

You can see a copy of this months edition here but make sure to register now and receive the ebulletin straight to your inbox

Setting up a dance company

Many thanks to Liz Clark and Chris Moore - both based in Leicestershire - for sharing their experiences of setting up a new dance company at our seminar at Curve on 8 December.

Liz has co-created 'Turned on its Head' which has a new interactive approach to work for and with under 5s and their parents. http://lizclark.net.

Chris has set up a mid-scale touring ballet company of 14 dancers which has 70 odd touring dates in the UK this year. http://ballettheatre-uk.com

Their approaches to research and development of their 'products', raising & managing finances, pitching to venues were really interesting.

Drinks with a difference

The Alternative Bar Crawl is on tonight (Friday 16th Dec) starting at 5.30pm at the LCB Depot, Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE. It promises drinks and creative entertainment & shopping for all with a retro 1950s feel this time. Well done all those artists who organise it. Our Christmas sweaters are already out.

Desk Space available @ £70 a month

Desk Space available at the Likeminded Building ( 1 Wellington Street, Leicester, LE1 6HH ). I am a Graphic / animation designer currently renting a room from the owner suitable for two people. I am looking for another creative designer to share the space. There is also potential to collaborate on certain projects for the right type of designer, especially anyone 3D based, although willing to share with other likeminded creatives.

The Likeminded building is a friendly place with good facilities ( Internet, meeting room, kitchen etc ) and houses a range creative people.

Feel free to email for more details

ben@graphikboutique.com

www.graphikboutique.com

t: 07896 633934

Creative Leicestershire December ebulletin

Click here to view the December edition of our ebulletin.

This edition has lots of training, networking and funding opportunities including information on:

• Curve's Young Arts Entrepreneur Programme
• A Competition to win workspace for a business or activity in Fearon Hall, Loughborough
• Artist Commissions for a housing development and Belgrave Health Centre

To make sure you receive this information straight to your mailbox every month, subscribe here