Update for Studio Artists

Hi Everyone,

Hope all is going well with everybody. We've begun scheduling exhibition proposals, and now have upcoming shows by Sarah Mortlock (studio 3), Aaron Beck (young local photographer), Gabby O'Conner (studio 23), Kristelle Plimmer (local jewellery maker/metalsmith), Lynn Baird (studio 12), Amanda Johnson (Cuba People, studio 1), Michael Hawkins (studio 2), and a WOW-related exhibition in September. Please see me or Seamus if you are interested in proposing an exhibition for beyond that time. And now to the creative matters at hand...


SARAH MORTLOCK NEW WORKS and GALLERY EXHIBITIONS
Sarah Mortlock has a new series of abstract and graphical paintings that will be on view in the arts centre gallery from Friday 17 June to Tuesday 28 June. We would like to have a small reception on Friday 24 June from 5 to 6 pm, possibly followed by an "Open Studio" walk/crawl for guests, local art patrons, gallery owners, et al. I have secured beer sponsorship from Mac's, and expect that they will be able to provide a nice supply of Mac's products for future arts centre openings. Before planning the 24 June events, I would like to hear back from all of you about…

OPEN STUDIO CRAWL
The Open Studio Crawl would follow the above drinks and finger foods in the gallery, from 6 to 8pm. Ideally, we should have artists in their studios or the studios open for those making the crawl. It would be good to have recent work on display for folks to see, as well as your CV, price list, etc available in the studio. If you are not able to be on site that evening, you could have someone else sit to greet studio crawlers, or just leave the studio open for the two hours (and we will close up at end of the event). If a majority of you like this idea, I would then (quickly) invite dealers, local artists, patrons, creative/advertising people, arts organisations, other arts centre groups, and people who might support your work to an open studio crawl on 24 June.

THE NO.8 WIRE
This is my weekly/fortnightly email newsletter. If you are not receiving this in your in-box, and would like to (or know anyone who would want to start getting it), please let me know. Also, I am happy to include items relating to your work, projects, collaborations, etc. Again, just let me know (send an email with the details my way). For past issues, see
www.arts.blogspot.com

THE ART-O-MAT
My friend in North Carolina, Clark Whittington, started this project with one vending machine, and now has redesigned over 60 former cigarette machines to serve as vending spots. He has a network of artists from all over the world, who create and get paid for sedning in small packages for the coin-operated machines. The Art-o-mats are placed in museum shops, hospitals, health food stores, and cultural centres throughout North America. I have been working with Clark to commission one or two Art-o-mat machines for New Zealand (the first in the Southern Hemisphere). If you are interested in making a prototype and getting into his network, please let me know. And see his website, machines, art, and guidelines here
http://www.artomat.org/

GRANT MONEY
WCC grants (Creative Communities Scheme and Arts & Culture Funding) will be due in September, in case anyone has any projects that could tap into grant-funding. If so, I'm here to advise. For guidelines, see
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/grants/index.html

GMAIL
If you would like a free gmail account (web-based email account with 1GB storage), please let me know. I can give them away from my existing gmail account. You then register and access it by way of www.gmail.com


Warmest regards,
Eric