July Creative Hub Publication
Published July 2, 2024
Welcome to your monthly update on all things creative in Exeter.
In our July edition we hear about Exeter based painter Janet Sainsbury’s upcoming solo exhibition, hear from our Green Phoenix intern about her experience of working with us, and chat to a collective of artists in Exeter working together on a group show.
The Gift of Nearness is a solo exhibition of recent paintings on canvas and paper by Exeter based painter Janet Sainsbury. Ahead of her exhibition, we found out more about Janets’ practice, which through extensive research uncovers fascinating links and connections between her subjects.
"Whilst making work for this exhibition I have been reading The Women Who Shaped Modern Art in Britain by James Scott, it is a fascinating account of how mostly unknown women supported and encouraged artists, through buying & showing their work, lending them money and inviting them into their circle of friends. It is rich with anecdotes that trigger my imagination."
Our inaugural Green Phoenix Festival happened last month on Sunday 30 June, so we asked our Wildscreen events assistant intern Devi Chatterjee to reflect back on her experience of working with us on this project.
"On my first day of work as a Wildscreen Green Phoenix Intern, as I was researching the different organisations involved in the festival, I was inspired by how every collaborator for the festival has a unique, personal connection with nature. Besides being conscious of how precious our natural resources are and dedicating elaborate efforts towards setting up energy plants and funding renewable projects on an industrial macroscopic scale, some small-scale community groups are also telling stories of how art, music, dance and poetry has the power to bring together human communities and collectively respond to the ongoing climate crisis."
Through Line brings together 14 members of CAMP (Contemporary Art Membership Platform) who live in or near Exeter in an exhibition that marks one year since the group started working together. We asked some members of the CAMP Exeter group about their experience of this first year of getting together, and the importance of collaborating and making things happen as practicing artists.
"This exhibition is a valuable opportunity for artists in the Kin Group to share and exhibit new or on-going work with their peers, and with the communities of Newton Abbot, Exeter and others in Devon. It is exciting to reveal and present the artistic life that is happening, adding a further dimension of contemporary practice to the cultural offerings in Devon."
Opportunities and Callouts
Callout for stall holders for the Come As You Are Festival art market | Deadline: Wed 31 Jul, 5pm
Come As You Are is a one-day festival, taking place on Sunday 17th November, to celebrate and support the local trans and non-binary community. The day offers a busy programme of free discussions, activities and workshops. Within this year's festival we are running a pop-up art market and craft space, welcoming trans, non-binary and gender-queer creatives to showcase their wares. Stalls would need to be open from 11am to 5pm. Applications can be made by voice note, video or email and should be sent to holly.lawrence@exeterphoenix.org.uk. Please include a line about yourself, a line about your work, and up to three images of your work or a previous stall. Links to websites/social media showing this information are also welcome. There is no charge for the stalls.
Apply to Two Short Nights 2025 | Deadline: Wed 31 Jul
Great stories shape who we are, introduce us to people we’ve never met and take us places we never knew existed. From animation to documentary, the world of short film invites you to live multiple lives and celebrate variety. Discover storytelling at its finest. The 23rd edition of Two Short Nights Film Festival will champion and promote short films and the people who make them. The festival is proud to nurture new and emerging talent through selected screenings, workshops and our famous 48 Hour Film Challenge.
Events
Phoenix Archive Project Commission Premiere | Tue 16 Jul, 6pm, FREE (booking required).
Screen Stories: Archive Sessions | Sat 13 Jul, 2pm - 4pm | FREE (Booking required)
Janet Sainsbury: The Gift of Nearness | Sat 06 Jul - Sun 01 Sep | Exeter Phoenix (Exhibition Launch: Sat 06 July, 3–5pm)
South West Dance Hub | 09, 16 & 23 Jul, 1.30-3.30pm | Exeter Phoenix
Playwrights Cafe Exeter | First Thursday of the month | Exeter Phoenix