Once a year, here on the Isle of Wight we’re treated to Open Studios weekend. It’s opportunity to visit artists’ studios, see their work, and meet the artist.
A new project, which also seeks to exploit empty shops as temporary studios spaces, hopes to bring the artist to you on a more regular basis.
Islander Lauren Fry, who you may remember from HomeGrown and Homegrown II exhibitions, has been working for some time to find a suitable space for artists to display their work and collaborate on an exciting new project, Cuckoo.
Four outstanding artists
Taking part in the project, Steven Sales, Rachael Berry, Mark Dickson and David Knight will all be producing works of art inspired by the West Wight, its landscape, its inhabitants, its past and its future.
Their base, formerly Simpson Carpets on Avenue Road, Freshwater, provides an open invitation for members of the public to pop in, watch the work in progress and engage with this artistic invasion.
Lauren tells us that “community involvement is at the centre of what Cuckoo hopes to achieve through facilitating a project that will document the development of the West Wight through imagery, written words and recorded messages by the public. This activity will form an invaluable legacy and archive of local history.”
“However, we can’t do it alone. We need you to come down to the shop, show us your old photos, have a chat over a cuppa and even record your hopes for the future of your area.”
Change of plan, new premises sought
The residency was supposed to be for three months at the current location, however Lauren tells us that their despite best efforts, they only have until the end of the month on Avenue Road.
If you know of an empty shop where the artists could move to, please get in touch with Lauren on (01983) 812257 or email her on [email protected]
In the meantime you can visit the space by appointment between 11am – 4pm on Wednesday to Fridays.
Cuckoo can be found at 7 Avenue Road, Freshwater, PO40 9UT.
Click on the images for larger versions
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