Now that 2023 is done the Alex takes a break while Steve and Chris do some of the messy work on the premises and (more exciting) start to plan for 2024. This post however is celebrating what happened in 2023. A very full year with a number of important 'first times' and lots of highlights.
So here it is. The first video of our YouTube channel
Below is more information on what features in the video, with links to extra information if you want an in depth reminder. If you are interested in commenting on your experiences of Art at the Alex in 2023 please email artatthealex@gmail.com or please complete this form. No prizes but much appreciate the help as we plan the next set of events.
This is what the Alex did this year.
Nine solo/Joint exhibitions by eleven local artists: Richard Horsman 'Headlines' (March), Eric Gaskell 'Canal Linocuts' (April). Jane Archer 'Blooms and Beyond' (May), Clare Pentlow 'Paper Magic' (June), Steve Davies 'Made at the Alex' (July), Nina French (September), Emma Town and Shiam Wilcox 'Beasts' (September), Kerrie Suteu (October), Nicky and Dee Luntley 'Between us' (October).
Group exhibitions on themes: Love love love (February), The Rugby Town (November), Salon des Refuses (December)
First large-scale exhibition - Summer Arts Show: showing 70 works by 40 local artists, including many who had not exhibited here previously. This is the only event where we were open seven straight days!
Even bigger Warwickshire Open Studios event – with 20 artists showing and demonstrating work across 8 days and a further 2 WOS artists with work on show. (In 2022 we had 14 artists and thought that was huge).(Brilliant podcasts with Artists and Makers at The Story Framer website).
Started our First Thursday early evening events – live original local music and an opportunity for writers and poets to share work. Special thanks to Ben Jennings who is bringing us such great talent each month and to Hannah Kempe for providing wonderful food for the last two months. Thank you to all the musicians who played here last year. Including the Climate Cafe event in April we had over 40 local musicians peforming here this year. More please!
12 days of Alexmas – with extra funding from the WCC councillors small grants fund* we held twelve days of different free drop-in workshops led by local artists : Magesh, Angela Dewes, Carol Wheeler, Chris Pegler, Clare Pentlow, Gemma Whitford, Jenny Ball, Jessica Hartshorn, Lee Huacker, Steve Davies, Tamsen Flack. We had extra help from a number of artist helpers too - thank you Angela Pearson, Aphrodite Kodis and Jemma Turnbull.
Worked with young artists to give experience of art work and exhibitions. With work-experience placements for two young artists from Rugby High School (October) + a youth show element of Rugby Town show (November).
Sixteen half, full and two-day workshops in topics led by six artists and maker experts teaching woodcarving, lino printing, gelli printing, eco-dyeing, acrylic painting, silk painting and candle making. (Tom Jennings has also held six carving sessions for homeschooled children in addition to his adult sessions).
Climate Community Cafe event (April) organised by Transition Towns and other local environmental groups this was a wonderful use of all the spaces.
Ten screenings of independent and locally-made film Rudy in the Old Brewery. (November)
Vintage fair (September) and Studio Sale (July) – hope to have a few more in 2024.
Monthly meeting space for local arts groups: Rugby Artists and Makers Network, Rugby Artists Group and Alchemy Arts group, and special small groups such as Art in the Park planning.
Art activities to support Rugby Town events: Bikefest (May - draw a classic motorbike), Food and Drink Festival (April - draw/paint and eat artist-led activity), Coronation Crown Trail entry (June), St Andrews Christmas Tree entry (November), Lantern making for the annual lantern parade as part of our Steampunk Saturday (December).
Throughout the year we offered for sale work by local artists - from greeting cards to large-scale artworks. (During the year you will have seen examples of work by at least 25 local artists whenever you visited.