Make it Up North - Sunday 6th of October at The Guildhall, York

Make it Up North - York

Our newest event 'Make it Up North' will take place in the centre of York in the historic Guildhall near Betty's Tea Room off St. Helen's Square.

Main Show: The wonderful Guildhall packed with selected artists and designer-makers selling their own artworks direct to the public, curated exhibition space, installations, demonstrations, Filmore & Union cafe area, Blood & Chocolate photography exhibition and live music.

Sunday 6th October 2013 10am - 4pm
Main show - plus artist talks, interactive areas 

 Brendan Hesmondhalgh one day 'Handbuilding with clay' workshop.

A unique one day course as part of Make it Up North

Brendan Hesmondhalgh is a Yorkshire based animal sculptor who works primarily in clay, wax and bronze. Capturing the dynamic nature of animals, and focusing upon structure, movement and character Hesmondhalgh creates sculptural works that encapsulate and embody a creature’s spirit in inimitable style. Using sculptural surfaces like that of a canvas, directional and textural marks are included to enhance each form.

This one day taster course is a new course for 2013 and focuses on entry level animal/figure sculpture. It does not matter if you are a complete beginner or an accomplished maker.

This is a unique opportunity to take part in Brendan's new course in the splendor of the Guildhall in York City Centre as part of Make it Up North.

Course Outline:

Sunday 6th October 2013

10am – 12:30pm

The course will start with a morning meet and greet session, with teas, coffees and biscuits provided.

There will a brief introduction, followed by a short slide show of inspirational images, giving you examples of what is possible in clay and what is being produced by some of the country’s leading professional makers.

A demonstration on animal sculpture will follow.

One hour lunch break – please bring your own packed lunch or step out into York City Centre for a wide variety of cafes & sandwich shops.

1:30pm- 4pm

The afternoon will continue with a practical workshop in clay, where everyone will have the opportunity to produce their own mini sculpture in clay, guidance will be provided.

This course is for those who would like to ‘dip there toe in the water’, and hopefully go away being inspired to have a go independently, or to attend a short course at the sculpture lounge studios in the future. Anybody attending a 1 day taster course will be given a voucher for 10% discount on booking a short course run by Brendan Hesmondhalgh and free entry toMake it Up North on the Saturday 5th October - so that you can come along and be inspired by some of the wonderful work on show.

Please note:  places for this workshop are strictly limited and booked on a first come first serve basis.  This is Brendan's last one-day taster course of 2013 at is at a very special reduced price specially for Make it Up North.

For more information on Brendan Hesmondhalgh and The Art Market event Make it Up Northvisit these links.

'My Tactile Life' an artist talk by Dionne Swift - Textile Artist Art Markets (UK) Ltd Sunday, 6 October 2013 from 11:00 to 12:00 (BST) York, United Kingdom

My Tactile Life by Dionne Swift

During her 45min talk, awarding winning Yorkshire artist, Dionne Swift, will discuss her earliest inspirations, her creative development and her route through the years to her present practise.

This is a unique opportunity to hear Dionne Swift talk about her work in the beautiful and historic surroundings of the Guildhall Council Chambers as part of Make it Up North 

Ticket price includes entry into the main show for the whole day.

“Dionne’s work is full of movement, passion and texture. She is an eloquent and interesting speaker and happy to answer questions after the talk. Dionne is taking part in the main event downstairs in the Guildhall itself and will be on her exhibition stand after the talk selling and taking commissions for her new work” said Make it Up North event organiser Victoria Robinson.

“I'll discuss important milestones in my career to date and focus on my current work which is heavily influenced by the energy and grandeur of the Yorkshire landscape.” said Dionne.

Find out more about Make it Up North and Dionne Swift and her work by clicking these links.

Details:

Sunday 6^th October @ 11am

Special offer for Dionne Swift ‘My Tactile Life’ attendees only: 10% off purchases of Dionne’s work or Dionne’s workshop bookings during Make it Up North. Just take your ticket with you to her stand.

Talk attendees have full access to the main show with their £4 ticket for the whole of Sunday 6th - so keep your ticket!

Please note: unfortuntely this event does not have wheelchair access.  Visitors with mobility issues are recommended to speak to Dionne on Saturday 5th October 10am - 6pm and/or Sunday 6th October from 12noon on her exhibition stand in the main hall.

'We all cast shadows' a conversation with artist Gillian Lee Smith

Gillian Lee Smith is an artist who uses painting and drawing as her main medium. Gillian is currently working on a new collection of paintings for a solo show in the autumn of 2014, inspired by tales of communities of women bound together by uncertain times, stories that move the soul.

This work has been swimming around Gillian's imagination for a number of years and is finally being brought to the canvas and the discussion will focus on these inspirations and the development of the ideas of the artist.

Tickets to this talk include entry into the main show for the whole of Sunday 6^th October.

'We all cast shadows' a conversation with artist Gillian Lee Smith

Art Markets (UK) Ltd

Sunday, 6 October 2013 from 14:00 to 15:00 (BST)

York, United Kingdom

Gillian Lee Smith will be in conversation with Victoria Robinson  Make it Up North event organiser.

“My paintings and drawings are influenced by my fascination with history, storytelling, fairy tales and the human condition. I paint characters that are rooted in my imagination, with heart, and emotion: Women walking the coast searching for long lost souls, those with flaws of body and mind and characters who carry with them a memory or a story of times gone by. The expressive figures hint at those emotions and characteristics that we attempt to hide away when we are wearing a mask and protecting our emotions but the melancholic nature and the memories we carry portray that which we cannot help but reveal.” said Gillian Lee Smith

“I am really looking forwards to talking with Gillian, her work moves me deeply and I have a longing to know about the inspiration behind her work and also the desire she has to create it in the first place.” said Victoria Robinson.

Questions from the visitors will be warmly welcomed.

Sunday 6^th October 2pm – 3pm (latest finish time)

A conversation with Gillian Lee Smith is part of a series of artist talks for the pilot event Make it Up North which aims to bring art, design and contemporary craft for sale and commission, installations, demonstrations, workshops and live music to the city of York. To find out more – click the links.

Special offer to visitors attending ‘We all cast shadows’:

Anyone attending the talk can receive 20% discount on cards and prints on Gillian’s stand (not originals) in the main hall and in invite to the preview of the solo exhibition spoken of in the talk taking place in Hebden Bridge Oct 2014.

£4 entry on the door or book for an artist talk and get free entry with that ticket for the day.

Workshops, artist talks and demonstrations.

http://www.artmarkets.co.uk

Emily Stubbs - Ceramics

What inspires you in your art?

Contrast plays a massive part in my work at the moment. I think it always has been important to me but I have only recently really started to develop these ideas further. With my new pieces I have been constantly investigating the contrast between different elements within each piece. From glazed to unglazed surfaces, colourful slips against stark white clay, smooth surfaces next to rough texture. That boundary where two elements meet fascinates me. I’m not sure why I find it so satisfying!

What medium do you work in?

I work in ceramics. I hand build each piece out of white stoneware clay adding texture by pressing objects into the clay surface or scratching the surface of the clay with various tools. I decorate each piece by layering up coloured slips, glazes, decals and gold lustre. Each piece is fired in the kiln 3 times before it is ready to display. Ceramics is very versatile, making it a fantastic medium to work in and achieve completely different effects which can sit side by side in contrast with each other.

What are you looking forward to at Make it Up North?

As a one of the organisers of Make it Up North I am really looking forward to the event as a whole! I really hope that Make it Up North is successful and can then grow to become a major art event in the North. I am really looking forward to seeing our fantastic installation artists and how the Guildhall will be transformed for the weekend!

What work are you showing at the event?

I will be showing some of my new work at Make it Up North, which I have been working on for the last few months. I have had quite a tough year, with my mum passing away from breast cancer last year at the age of 57 and this has made me really re-assess all aspects of my life and to focus on exactly what I want to be doing with my work. It’s good to take a step back every now and again anyway as an artist and see the bigger picture, but a life changing event like this forces you to do so. So I have gone fully self-employed to be able to focus on developing my ceramics and organising The Art Market and Make it Up North events.

My new work is much bigger and bolder than work I have shown before and is definitely a step towards realizing what I want to achieve.

Have you any exciting news to share?

I am currently working on my new website showcasing my new work, with an online gallery and shop. This will be launched within the next two weeks so keep an eye out!

If you could sit in a room with any artist….who would it be and what would you ask them?

Hmmm, there are so many artists I would have loved to meet! I think that Picasso would be number one on my list as his work inspired me from such an early age. I would love to just sit quietly and watch him draw and paint! On a ceramist front I have always loved Gordon Baldwins organic forms with gridwork patterns and bold monochrome contrasts.

Name your favourite quote/or philosophy to life?

“Imagination is the highest kite one can fly”

Lauren Bacall (American motion-picture and stage Actress, b.1924)

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”   Aristotle Onassis 

If money was no object what piece of work would you create? 

I would love to build an entire house out of clay! Everything from the walls and roof, down to the objects inside such as tables and chairs and mop buckets! I have made a series of ceramic irons and spray bottles in the past, and I loved the elevated sense of worth they were given when made in clay. Everyday objects suddenly became cherished ornaments!

Artists Talks at Make it Up North

Harry Potter illustrator Cliff Wright – Artist talk

An artist talk with Harry Potter illustrator Cliff Wright

Art Markets (UK) Ltd

Friday, 4 October 2013 from 16:00 to 17:00 (BST)

York, United Kingdom

This informal talk will be divided into two halves.  Firstly, Cliff will chat about his work, including the illustrations made for two of the Harry Potter book covers, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.  The second part will focus on discoveries on the creative potential within us all, found through many years of teaching drawing on his well known Nature of Seeing workshops and courses.

Image: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - © Cliff Wright. Published by Bloomsbury

'Precious' an artist talk by jeweller Jennie Gill

Art Markets (UK) Ltd

Saturday, 5 October 2013 from 10:30 to 11:30 (BST)

York, United Kingdom

‘Precious' - an artist talk by jeweller Jenny Gill

Jennie Gill has been in business as a professional jeweller for 20 years.  She makes jewellery in precious metals set with rough, antique, natural and brilliant diamonds as well as semi-precious stones and enamels.

Forms are a combination of organic and man-made. Most pieces are one offs, brushed and burnished, to give a sense of history and depth.

Her artist talk will go through her training, her studios and connections to Sheffield and York, whilst also discussing the design and technique development within her work and how the whole business has developed and taken different routes through the past 20 years.

This ticket allows entry into the main show for the whole of Saturday 5th October.

“Jennie Gill’s jewellery is beautiful.  She uses rough cut diamonds, gold and silver to create organically magical jewellery that is truly wearable and something to treasure.  I see her rings as family heirlooms of the future. Her talk will be enlightening and informative about the realities of Making it Up North”said event organizer Victoria Robinson.

Jennie Gill's Artist Talk is part of a series of artist talks within Make it Up North – a pilot event for York bringing art, design and contemporary craft for sale and commission, workshops, demonstrations, installations and live music.  For full information click the links.

Saturday 5th October 10:30am – 11:30am (latest finish time) – includes Q&A.

This ticket allows one person to attend Jennie’s talk and access to the main show for the rest of the day.

A Fine Line by Cathy Miles.

A Fine Line' an artist talk by Cathy Miles - wirework sculptor

Art Markets (UK) Ltd

Saturday, 5 October 2013 from 14:00 to 15:00 (BST)

York, United Kingdom

A wonderful opportunity to hear wire work sculptor Cathy Miles talk about her work in the beautiful and historic surroundings of the Guildhall Council Chambers as part of Make it Up North 

Ticket price includes entry into the main show for the whole day.

Cathy Miles has been bending, welding and soldering wire for the last ten years. She is known for her 'Bird life' series and her large scale installations. Her talk will reveal some of the stories and techniques behind her work and how she has morphed and changed since training in Silversmithing and Jewellery back in 2003.

 "Cathy creates amazing pieces of work and I know this talk will be facinating - I have her book!" said Make it Up North organiser Victoria Robinson.

Find out more about Make it Up North and the artists taking part.

Details:

Saturday 5th October @ 2pm. Talk 30mins approx.  Q&A afterwards.

Cathy Miles will have copies of her book for sale at the end of the talk and you can visit her on her exhibition stand in the main hall to see her new work.

Talk attendees have full access to the main show with their £4 ticket for the whole of Sunday 6th - so keep your ticket!

'My Tactile Life' an artist talk by Dionne Swift - Textile Artist Art Markets (UK) Ltd Sunday, 6 October 2013 from 11:00 to 12:00 (BST) York, United Kingdom

My Tactile Life by Dionne Swift

During her 45min talk, awarding winning Yorkshire artist, Dionne Swift, will discuss her earliest inspirations, her creative development and her route through the years to her present practise.

This is a unique opportunity to hear Dionne Swift talk about her work in the beautiful and historic surroundings of the Guildhall Council Chambers as part of Make it Up North 

Ticket price includes entry into the main show for the whole day.

“Dionne’s work is full of movement, passion and texture. She is an eloquent and interesting speaker and happy to answer questions after the talk. Dionne is taking part in the main event downstairs in the Guildhall itself and will be on her exhibition stand after the talk selling and taking commissions for her new work” said Make it Up North event organiser Victoria Robinson.

“I'll discuss important milestones in my career to date and focus on my current work which is heavily influenced by the energy and grandeur of the Yorkshire landscape.” said Dionne.

Find out more about Make it Up North and Dionne Swift and her work by clicking these links.

Details:

Sunday 6^th October @ 11am

Special offer for Dionne Swift ‘My Tactile Life’ attendees only: 10% off purchases of Dionne’s work or Dionne’s workshop bookings during Make it Up North. Just take your ticket with you to her stand.

Talk attendees have full access to the main show with their £4 ticket for the whole of Sunday 6th - so keep your ticket!

Please note: unfortuntely this event does not have wheelchair access.  Visitors with mobility issues are recommended to speak to Dionne on Saturday 5th October 10am - 6pm and/or Sunday 6th October from 12noon on her exhibition stand in the main hall.

'We all cast shadows' a conversation with artist Gillian Lee Smith

Gillian Lee Smith is an artist who uses painting and drawing as her main medium. Gillian is currently working on a new collection of paintings for a solo show in the autumn of 2014, inspired by tales of communities of women bound together by uncertain times, stories that move the soul.

This work has been swimming around Gillian's imagination for a number of years and is finally being brought to the canvas and the discussion will focus on these inspirations and the development of the ideas of the artist.

Tickets to this talk include entry into the main show for the whole of Sunday 6^th October.

'We all cast shadows' a conversation with artist Gillian Lee Smith

Art Markets (UK) Ltd

Sunday, 6 October 2013 from 14:00 to 15:00 (BST)

York, United Kingdom

Gillian Lee Smith will be in conversation with Victoria Robinson  Make it Up North event organiser.

“My paintings and drawings are influenced by my fascination with history, storytelling, fairy tales and the human condition. I paint characters that are rooted in my imagination, with heart, and emotion: Women walking the coast searching for long lost souls, those with flaws of body and mind and characters who carry with them a memory or a story of times gone by. The expressive figures hint at those emotions and characteristics that we attempt to hide away when we are wearing a mask and protecting our emotions but the melancholic nature and the memories we carry portray that which we cannot help but reveal.” said Gillian Lee Smith

“I am really looking forwards to talking with Gillian, her work moves me deeply and I have a longing to know about the inspiration behind her work and also the desire she has to create it in the first place.” said Victoria Robinson.

Questions from the visitors will be warmly welcomed.

Sunday 6^th October 2pm – 3pm (latest finish time)

A conversation with Gillian Lee Smith is part of a series of artist talks for the pilot event Make it Up North which aims to bring art, design and contemporary craft for sale and commission, installations, demonstrations, workshops and live music to the city of York. To find out more – click the links.

Special offer to visitors attending ‘We all cast shadows’:

Anyone attending the talk can receive 20% discount on cards and prints on Gillian’s stand (not originals) in the main hall and in invite to the preview of the solo exhibition spoken of in the talk taking place in Hebden Bridge Oct 2014.