Educated at Fishbone

Kate from Depict Photography held her first (of many!) digital camera classes this evening. With around 8 people attending it was a success. Checking with Kate after the session all those attended were happy and went away with more info' on which buttons to press for what effect. The great thing is the more of these types of events we have the more people are made aware of our existence., not to mention more people see the work on display.

Kate is also planning to put on some photography 'crit' sessions. These will be regular slots where people either studying or working in the field or even keen amateurs will have the opportunity to show & discuss their work to like minded people. After talking to numerous people over the last couple of months it seems there is a need for both photographic and artistic crit sessions, Jeff will be looking at arranging a similar event for artists soon. Once the date is known I'll publish it on the web. The provisional date for the first photography session will be the 17th February - times to be advised. Well....I say the 17th this may change as this date is Kate's birthday...so if it is confirmed, all those attending are obligated to bring 'oodles' of cakes.

Jon popped in to class today to drop over a dvd of photos taken at the last private view and also during the film event on Saturday. They'll be linked to the fishbone site soon.

The idea of flim nights at the Fishbone is gaining momentum...I reckon all it will take is a meeting in the Greyhound, couple of pints and bag of smokey bacon crisps and the plan will be set.

We've had some great response to the premiere on Saturday night - hey we even had a red carpet to greet the guests - how good is that!!? Mind you, my lounge floor feels rather chilly without the rug. ('lounge' sounds rather grand btw -it's more like a postage stamp!) The photos are great - they'll be up on our web very soon, but if you just can't wait check out Kates blog - see above.

TTFN

Judy

Film night success

Last night (24th) we had the first view of the short film by Jon Randle and Hugh Robinson. Once again another great night at Fishbone...The dark gallery was set up as a mini cinema and upstairs as before became the social area. It was a great opportunity for Corinna and Kev to have yet another mass of people seeing their work. Corinna came along, which was great, Kev couldn't make it up from London which was a shame as he would have loved the three (4 if also count 'CatKong') films shown. It was decided to have two showings as the first view was so packed with people - great if your 6ft8! - not so much if you a bit smaller. Having the two showings was a good idea as the second, shown a few hours later was less manic and enabled late arrivals a chance to see all the films

Hugh brought along his kids which made for a family feel - although his young son complained about having to watch the film again - 'not again - didn't like last time' kids are the greatest of critics!!...having the kids there gave Jeff and I a seed of an idea, which once we've investigated will tell more of. I do now know, however that the success of the evening will make for a regular slot of movie nights - short original films - possibly every month. So keep an eye on the news to see what is going on.

The films shown last night were:'Mid-table Mediocrity'(Mind Riot Productions), 'EGG' written by Brian Harley and featuring Alan Wales, and 'Invasion' by Neil Westwood (Nebula Films@dsl.pipex.com). Nebula also showed a sneak preview of 'CatKong'

Judy

A visit and future project

Thursday - nearly weekend - yea!
Had a visit this evening to the gallery of two dance students from Coventry Uni' they'd been advised by their tutor to visit the gallery with the view to using the space for their final project. Dance is something we'd never contemplated - as I said to the visitors - putting dance work into the gallery would be a challenge. They didn't shirk from this and seemed to relish the idea...so dance may be coming to Fishbone...

We are also in discussion with a local musician...yet another connection made at the private view. Jeff is a Bach freak, as am I but in much smaller doses. Jeff's fav is the violin concertos, which he's been learning on the guitar for, what seems forever...he did buy a violin but I nicked the strings before he had chance to start his conversion. I on the other hand find the Brandenburg concertos ( or as I call them Battenburg concertos) tummy turning - great stuff indeed. Anyhow what has this to do with the gallery? you might well ask, Jane (the musical person) plays with numerous classical ensembles, we've asked if she might come along to play hopefully in the church (St Thomas - Longford) or in the gallery. We hoping to tie this in with the Coventry Arts Fair which is taking place in the middle of March. So, even though I might waffle on a little, every thing in the end is connected to the promotion of arts in Coventry and in particular Longford.

Kate is starting her photography classes next Tuesday - she's had a fair response, the group formed should prove productive.
All the info' is on the website as are links to Kate's website.

All for now for today - Judy

Mid-Table Mediocrity - Short film premiere on Saturday night

Wednesday... already where do the days go? - we at Fishbone are looking forward to the weekend when Hugh and Jon (two media lecturers at Henley College) are showing their short film 'Mid-table Mediocrity" If you read this and fancy coming along check out our website for all the info'. I've spent some time with Jon as he's kindly helped me edit a short film for college - well I say help he's done it all really - I arrived in the class armed with jaffa cakes and coffee and basically said yes and no in the appropriate places.   
Corinna sent over some pictures from the last private view, which are great.  
Kevin who is showing his work in the dark gallery at the moment also rang us this evening - it took him a few days to recover from the show, he travelled down to London last Friday after spending the day with Jeff and John fishing on the Avon.  I'm not sure what he enjoyed the most the fishing or showing his work - I think the former was the least stressful.  Anyway, after giving himself  a few days off he's now back to painting, so we await the second chapter - as you have to wait for the next news - until then... Judy

Monday morning blues....

Heard on the radio today that this Monday of all those in the year is the most depressing of all... failed New Year resolutions, cold weather and lack of funds.  I can't believe it, I'm still on a high from the private view and on a roll with all there is to do.  Kate from Depict Photography sent some photos over, one of which is very incriminating (Jeff, I'm speaking to you here!) Two photos have gone over to the Coventry Telegraph for the arts page, look out for Corinna and Kev in all their glory.  See the great picture of our gallery mutt Molly - wet after a post view walk to the pub.

Today we've had interest from a dance group, who are looking for a space - Core Fusion (Cov' Uni') may be strutting their stuff one evening soon...and last note is for Kate from Depict Photography - Kate's classes for new digital camera owners (and those who need a refresh) are starting on the 27th January at 6pm - informal classes on getting the best from your camera and achieving the photo's you really want - posh biccies, tea and cake provided courtesy of Fishbone (& M&S!) Contact Kate on 07733226439 to book your place. 

See you there... all for now....Judy 

Fishbone Gone Blog

We at Fishbone have been open since the last week of November - however we've been updating our news much too slowly and so have decided to embed our new blog in the website (code on application!) simply because it works far more efficiently than what we had before. 

As it stands today we've had our second private view to launch...well our second exhibition!! Corrina Spencer and Kevin Nunn are showing some excellent work - the PV went well & we've made some good contacts through it.  This post is being written on the following Sunday, since the open we've had a good number of people through the door...Jeff and I had to visit London yesterday & we left Ben & Emma in charge - they did, as ever, a great job. 

 

During our visit we met up with John Parker - a life long friend of Jeff and an established sign writer (he did our signage on the gallery door) and gilder.  John took us into the British Museum where he showed us some paint work he'd done on the staircase - great work John - couldn't even see the joints!!... we then wandered over to Cork Street to "check out the competition" - a great opportunity came our way when we were invited into a gallery which although closed had the owners still in the process of finishing a hang for a show due to commence next week.  

They wanted our opinions on the hang - John was 'chuffed' when he was automatically viewed as an 'arty' type - Jeff and I were obviously too smartly dressed!!  We walked into a space with over 50 Rodin sculptures - Jeff (as did I) thought the numbers present must have meant they were copies, but no....wow!!   My business head came in gear and began to calculate the insurance costs..but then gave up.  

Also on show was lovely work from a Russian artist - alas we left without getting the name of the gallery - they had no cards printed ...I did however waste no time in handing out my contact details - plying them for info on shows not yet taken in the midlands... the gallery owner was also very interested in Kev's work which was great.  John managed to wag an invite to PV for the Friday! so he was like a cat with cream...with this we wandered over to the 'Stockpot' for food - liver, bacon & mash - bliss! 

Am waiting for pictures of the private view last week but will post them as soon as I have them. It was a great success, obviously not as busy as the previous view but with around 70 people through the door it could be counted as a "pat on the back" and four of pieces of Corinna's work sold. 

Come along - it's a good 'un'....tis all for now....