Rook Lane will be open on 18th from 0100 -1700hrs for hanging and arranging. If you have forgotten what the space there looks like you can see it on the Rook Lane Arts website, or on my facebook page (Mel Sewell) in the 'Rook Lane with numbersalbum. The hanging mechanism is J-Rail, See above. Please arrive as early as possible so that we don't have a last- minute rush. Don't forget the PV is the same evening at 1800hrs.
If you haven't started to book space with me, then I suggest you do so as soon as possible. If there aren't enough applicants from Frome I will have to throw it open to a wider catchment area.
Mel
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Dates and Events starting to come together
November 18th, 1800-2100hrs
Private View
Bar
Music from Mark Abis http://serpentsounds.com/ and Saravian at http://www.myspace.com/saravian
Poetry from Helen Moore see http://www.natures-words.co.uk/
November 19th, 0100-1700hrs
Zac Greening will be giving wokshops for children "Up-cycled Art".
www.zacgreening.com
November 26th, 0100-1700hrs
Theresa Sundt - Colour Workshop
"With a 15 people class the fee is £25, all materials included. You will go home with a painted A3 rainbow plus the wonderful/healing experience of painting it, and also with a small weaving all complete and beautified to hang on their wall, as soon as you are back home! In addition to the painting and weaving you will be introduced to the healing and psychological qualities of colour as well as the colour of your personality. A very comprehensive and creativily satisfying workshop!"
www.colour-discovery.com
November 26th, 1930hrs - late
Frome FM "Live Lounge"
www.fromefm.co.uk
Private View
Bar
Music from Mark Abis http://serpentsounds.com/ and Saravian at http://www.myspace.com/saravian
Poetry from Helen Moore see http://www.natures-words.co.uk/
November 19th, 0100-1700hrs
Zac Greening will be giving wokshops for children "Up-cycled Art".
Zac's workshop - a new way to look at rubbish.
Elephants made from milk bottles, gold trees from saw dust to abstract seas from coke cans we will be making works of art from rubbish! After this class you will look at rubbish in a totally different way. Bring along your cleaned rubbish and we will discover exciting ways to turn it into something all your friends will admire.
"I usually go into primary schools where I have the support of other teachers. In this instance I would be happy to look after 12 kids on my own providing that there is parental supervision. My rate is £20 per person."
www.zacgreening.com
November 26th, 0100-1700hrs
Theresa Sundt - Colour Workshop
"With a 15 people class the fee is £25, all materials included. You will go home with a painted A3 rainbow plus the wonderful/healing experience of painting it, and also with a small weaving all complete and beautified to hang on their wall, as soon as you are back home! In addition to the painting and weaving you will be introduced to the healing and psychological qualities of colour as well as the colour of your personality. A very comprehensive and creativily satisfying workshop!"
www.colour-discovery.com
November 26th, 1930hrs - late
Frome FM "Live Lounge"
www.fromefm.co.uk
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Catchup
More exhibitors are contacting me by the day and the PROPER WEBSITE for the EXHIBITION at www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk is now begining to look healthy with yer actual images of exhibitors.
Of course it would be great if you would now all inundate me with 5 images and 4 line biog. Why? Need I remind you that times are tough. How much wok have you sold in the past 24 months? So we all know that we have to run FOUR TIMES HARDER just to keep standing still. The exhibition blogsite is being publicised to 30 publications/media over the next few months, as well as 30 London Galleries. So this is all FOR YOU.
MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
The actual opening dates/times are:
Setup 18th. From 10am. Please arrive as early as possible. there will be lots to do before the PV later.
PV on 18th at Rook Lane, 1800-2100hrs. Music from Mark Abis, Saravian, Tim Manning and poetry from Helen Moore.
Gallery open until 2 Dec but not open 20/21 and 27/28. Rook Lane have told me that they will not have the gallery open on Sundays. I think this is bonkers. If you agree please let me know and I'll see if I can twist their arm.
Sat 19th workshops with Theresa Sundt (colour discovery)
Sat 26th workshops with Zac Greening (children+art+recycled materials)
More on both those later.
Guest appearance (don't know when) from Kevin McCloud.
There will be a steward every day of the exhibition. If you are not there to see clients and take money please let me know.
Of course it would be great if you would now all inundate me with 5 images and 4 line biog. Why? Need I remind you that times are tough. How much wok have you sold in the past 24 months? So we all know that we have to run FOUR TIMES HARDER just to keep standing still. The exhibition blogsite is being publicised to 30 publications/media over the next few months, as well as 30 London Galleries. So this is all FOR YOU.
MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
The actual opening dates/times are:
Setup 18th. From 10am. Please arrive as early as possible. there will be lots to do before the PV later.
PV on 18th at Rook Lane, 1800-2100hrs. Music from Mark Abis, Saravian, Tim Manning and poetry from Helen Moore.
Gallery open until 2 Dec but not open 20/21 and 27/28. Rook Lane have told me that they will not have the gallery open on Sundays. I think this is bonkers. If you agree please let me know and I'll see if I can twist their arm.
Sat 19th workshops with Theresa Sundt (colour discovery)
Sat 26th workshops with Zac Greening (children+art+recycled materials)
More on both those later.
Guest appearance (don't know when) from Kevin McCloud.
There will be a steward every day of the exhibition. If you are not there to see clients and take money please let me know.
Monday, 1 August 2011
New Website
Hi folks,
The new website my developers have been promising for months is now up on the internet although we are now looking at the content, which is experimental. If you wish to see it at any stage please go to www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk
Ta
Mel
The new website my developers have been promising for months is now up on the internet although we are now looking at the content, which is experimental. If you wish to see it at any stage please go to www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk
Ta
Mel
Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition – where its at
Dear Participant
Before August 7th I will need to get a press release out to the monthly magazines for their November/December issues. Attached you will see my media list.
Sally Shalam (ex Guardian Travel Writer and now living in Frome) has helped me with an outline, also see attached.
If you are still interested in participating at the exhibition I would like to ‘Headline’ you, with the others in the outline, as well as send the media a collage of images , which would include a representative piece of work from you.
In addition, sometime in the next few weeks I would like to put up a band new website giving a four line outline and five images to each exhibition participant.
Please reply with utmost urgency.
Best regards
Mel SewellMel_sewell@yahoo.co.uk
M; 07423060859
W:
www.fromedecorativeartssociety.blogspot.com
Media and gallery list for press releases
| Architect's Journal | |
| Art Monthly | |
| Bath Magazine | |
| Blackmore Vale Magazine | |
| Craft and Design Magazine | |
| Crafts Magazine/Crafts Council | |
| Design | |
| Frome Creative Network website | |
| Frome Life | |
| Frome Times# | |
| Frome Town Talk | |
| Homes and Antiques | |
| London Galleries | White Cube |
| Lisson Gallery | |
| Alan Cristea Gallery | |
| Halcyon Gallery | |
| Bernard Jacobson Gallery | |
| Gagosian Gallery | |
| Victoria Miro Gallery | |
| The Hays Galleria | |
| Stuart Shave Gallery | |
| The Strand Gallery | |
| Scream | |
| Frith Strett | |
| Eleven | |
| The Future Gallery | |
| Brick Lane | |
| SW1 | |
| Michael Hoppen Gallery | |
| Contemporary Applied Arts | |
| Parasol | |
| Village Underground | |
| Idea Generation | |
| Signal Gallery | |
| Art First | |
| Stolen Space | |
| 20 Hoxton Square | |
| Rivington Place | |
| Arnolfini | |
| Jill George | |
| Fringe Arts Bath | |
| RA | |
| Rook Lane | |
| SAW website | |
| Frome FM | |
| Somerset Life | |
| Telegraph on Saturday | |
| The List | |
| The World of Interiors | |
| Wessex Muse# | |
| Western Gazette | |
| Somerset Life | |
| Evolver | |
| Furball | |
| Muse | |
| What on Mendip | |
| Somerset Arts Website | |
| Somerset County Gazette | |
| Bridgewater Mercury | |
| Chard and Ilminster News | |
| Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News | |
| Yeovil Express | |
| BANA News Page | |
| Somerset Guide | |
| Visit Somerset | |
| SAW | |
| Artists & Illustrators Magazine | |
| Somerset Standard | |
| Somerset Guardian | |
| Frome Times | |
| Fosseway | |
| Frome Schools |
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Terms and conditions, timetable and more
Forgot: Rook Lane will be asking 25% of your take.
Hanging and arranging to be 16 and 17 November. Take down 5 Dec.
As stated previously I am only asking £25 for your entry fee (I'll chase that at a later date), that will include the PV (and Rook Lane's publicity machine and printed brochure), all my pr and publicity, a PV printed invite for you to dish to friends and potential buyers, posters around the town (and maybe out of town and Bath too) and an exhibitor's brochure (A3, printed colour, both sides and room for 64 entries - more about that later).
There will be a programme of musical events, which I will also advise you about later.
And if it really does look like a good event we can also take space at Sun Street Arts.
OK, will add more as time goes by.
Hanging and arranging to be 16 and 17 November. Take down 5 Dec.
As stated previously I am only asking £25 for your entry fee (I'll chase that at a later date), that will include the PV (and Rook Lane's publicity machine and printed brochure), all my pr and publicity, a PV printed invite for you to dish to friends and potential buyers, posters around the town (and maybe out of town and Bath too) and an exhibitor's brochure (A3, printed colour, both sides and room for 64 entries - more about that later).
There will be a programme of musical events, which I will also advise you about later.
And if it really does look like a good event we can also take space at Sun Street Arts.
OK, will add more as time goes by.
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Newsletter 21/07/11
Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition
Newsletter 21/07/11
Hi everyone,
I know the dust has barely settled on the latest Open Studios (if it will ever settle!!), but I now need to get on with promoting and organising the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition.
Attached to this email you will find the latest list of those who have expressed an interest plus those I would like to see at the exhibition. The list is growing daily and it is only 4 months away. But we all know how time flies.
I have also attached the list of media and art galleries that I will be sending out press releases to, while if anyone has any additional suggestions – all welcome.
And there’s a diagram of Rook Lane so you can see what space there is and where it is. The square grey blocks are floor spaces of 4 sq metres and the wall space is indicated by the beige rectangles – all of which are a different size, so we’ll have to discuss your individual needs. But if anyone saw the Four and Twenty Artists Exhibition recently you will have a good idea of the space.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Will you now express your firm intention to participate and give me an idea of what kind of space you would like. Each entry is ONLY £25, which includes the PV, all press, publicity and posters. If I am fortunate to receive a large entry list then I think I can overflow into the newly opened Sun Street Arts. (If you haven’t seen that space - you should. Owned by Charlie Brandt at the Sun Street Chapel, Sun St)
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Get your application in asap, I’ll be asking for money later.
Notice has already been posted on the Frome Creative Network website and over the next 48 hours I will be updating the blogsite, setting up a Facebook site and looking into what the web developers are doing with the pukkha website.
Thanks
Love and Peace
Mel
PS: If you know someone I haven't approached and you think this would be of interest to them please get them to email me at mel_sewell@yahoo.co.uk
Ta
Newsletter 21/07/11
Hi everyone,
I know the dust has barely settled on the latest Open Studios (if it will ever settle!!), but I now need to get on with promoting and organising the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition.
Attached to this email you will find the latest list of those who have expressed an interest plus those I would like to see at the exhibition. The list is growing daily and it is only 4 months away. But we all know how time flies.
I have also attached the list of media and art galleries that I will be sending out press releases to, while if anyone has any additional suggestions – all welcome.
And there’s a diagram of Rook Lane so you can see what space there is and where it is. The square grey blocks are floor spaces of 4 sq metres and the wall space is indicated by the beige rectangles – all of which are a different size, so we’ll have to discuss your individual needs. But if anyone saw the Four and Twenty Artists Exhibition recently you will have a good idea of the space.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Will you now express your firm intention to participate and give me an idea of what kind of space you would like. Each entry is ONLY £25, which includes the PV, all press, publicity and posters. If I am fortunate to receive a large entry list then I think I can overflow into the newly opened Sun Street Arts. (If you haven’t seen that space - you should. Owned by Charlie Brandt at the Sun Street Chapel, Sun St)
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Get your application in asap, I’ll be asking for money later.
Notice has already been posted on the Frome Creative Network website and over the next 48 hours I will be updating the blogsite, setting up a Facebook site and looking into what the web developers are doing with the pukkha website.
Thanks
Love and Peace
Mel
PS: If you know someone I haven't approached and you think this would be of interest to them please get them to email me at mel_sewell@yahoo.co.uk
Ta
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Charleston Trust behind the Frome decorative Arts Exhibition
Yes, good news folks. Charleston Trust love what is coming with the exhibition and are to provide promo material. Go see all about the Charleston farmhouse, grounds, shop and courses at www.charleston.org.uk
Monday, 30 May 2011
Arts and Crafts
If anyone would like to read up on the Arts and Crafts movement here's the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_Movement
Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition News
Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition News21-05-11
Hi everyone.
I know I promised you a regular monthly newsletter about matters relating to the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition, but several very exciting things have happened, and I feel I want to share them with you now.
Field trip to Charleston Farmhouse, Berwick Church and Brighton MuseumI have in my library a book entitled “Omega and After – Bloomsbury and the decorative arts” which features the residence of the “Bloomsbury set” in the Sussex countryside, near Lewes. The book contains many images of the decorated interior painted with a background of the artist’s immersion in post-impressionism. Their style and application in ceramics, fabrics, furniture and wall murals has fascinated me for years and has partly been the force behind the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition I will be curating in November at Rook Lane Arts.
I had also discovered that my intention to go to Brighton to enjoy some of the performances in the Brighton Festival coincided with an exhibition at the Brighton Museum of some of the work of the Bloomsbury artists. So the course was set.
The Charleston Farmhouse was easy to find - off the A237 and just past the Lewes turnoff. Once packed and inside the shop crammed with many tempting items of books, lamps, paintings, and merchandise (also available on-line via their website) I was lured into the conducted tour to take place at 4. Half an hour between arrival and the tour gave me the opportunity to head for the café and grab some coffee and cake (after the long drive) and watch two videos about the artists and the farmhouse. The tour guide knew each room, each piece of art, each square inch of hand-made wallpaper, as well as the artists, their connections and their intimate lives. And was quite capable of answering many questions that the group bombarded her with. Having read my book “Omega and after” many, many times as well as scrutinised the plates I was at last in contact with the art and history itself. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time I was there. Each room displayed a delight of painted furniture, art and decoration until finally, after an hour we were brought into the studio to realise that this was probably where all the inspiration had poured into and from. Next I went on a small self-conducted tour around the gardens.
Photography was not permitted anywhere inside the building, but I was free to photograph as much as I wished outside. If you go to the new website devoted to the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition you will see many of these images, as well as a copy of this report. (And also on my Facebook entry – Mel Sewell.)
Charleston Farmhouse also provided a hundred brochures, which I have agreed to promote on their behalf - as they were kind enough to also provide me with some images for the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition website.www.charleston.org.uk
www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk
St Michael & All Angels Church, BerwickWhile at Charleston I was asked if I had been to the Berwick Church. Curiously I had a leaflet of Charleston from 1993 and someone had scribbled a note on it to see the church - so it was one of my objectives. Having only finished the farmhouse tour at 5pm I was concerned that I would miss the church, but was re-assured that ‘they stayed open to almost sunset.’ Casually I arrived at the church at a few minutes to six only to be told that it was closing at six, no exceptions. I thus had to try and view the marvellous decorations in just a few minutes. Cistine Chapel – eat your heart out!!! This work needs some serious study, but I did walk away with the leaflet and a vow to return.www.berwickchurch.org.uk
If any artists would like to take a day trip to visit Charleston Farmhouse, Berwick Church and Brighton Museum I would be quite happy to organise a mini-bus and drive you there (then I get to see everything again).Brighton Museum and Art GalleryThe exhibition “Bloomsbury – the art of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell 1905-1925”is an absolute MUST. Although the gallery space at the Museum is not big enough to contain all of the artists’ work, it was enough to give a strong flavour of the amazing talent on show. Talks and lectures are also available - on until 9 Oct 2011.www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk
Meeting Madeleine BradburyThat evening I had an appointment with Madeleine Bradbury who is a dynamic, living, present day artist, resident in Brighton and paints in the style of the Omega artists to produce furniture which is sold internationally, from her website and at the Charleston farmhouse. I had taken the opportunity of seeing her work on her website, which you can too at http://bloomsburyinteriors.wordpress.com/
After an amusing evening talking about a range of artistic and social issues Madeleine agreed to exhibit some of her beautiful work at the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition – an agreement which will expand her sales potential, but will also help link Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition, the Charleston Farmhouse and the Omega artists in a way which will be meaningful, cohesive and visible. And will help drive the awareness of the artists and the project.
Colour DiscoveryTheresa Sundt has agreed to help our cause of promoting Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition by giving a talk and then a one day workshop on colour psychology (as I reported last month).http://color-discovery.com/
MarketingMy original intention to produce the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition came about as the result of a small study I did of the artists in and around Frome and the marketing efforts that were being made.
I was very impressed with the work being carried out by fromecreativenetwork on the website and subsequently with the ‘Brown Bag Lunches’ and was similarly interested in the work carried out at Rook Lane Arts, the Black Swan and the Silk Mill, as well as that being sweated over by the artists individual promotions and exhibitions.
However I came to the conclusion that the perhaps the target audience was not fully understood and that the area in which they lived was being repeatedly spoken to, while more specifically the target audience was largely Frome and Bath.
I came to the conclusion that if Frome artists wanted to capture a wider audience they would have to look further and approach it in a different way.
So, guys and girls let me say, before I continue that I think the standard of work being produced is of a very high quality. I have looked at artists work in SAW, in the Wylye ValleyTrail, at galleries in Bath, Bristol, London, Exeter and Brighton. And I think that your work can proudly stand alongside a lot of the competition.
So what seemed to be needed was a bold step forward that looks beyond current boundaries and with a positive, confident stance, while fully understanding the target audience. (You may remember my original marketing document – if you don’t it is still posted at www.fromedecorativeartssociety.blogspot.com)
That’s where the idea of the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition came along. It is a platform, which will enable artists and craftsfolk to enter the home of potential customers heart and soul. It is a platform, which says “You like art, but can you justify it on its own? So look at arts and crafts as an integral part of you home and décor.“
The idea of generating publicity is to help move Frome artists along to a wider target audience and will include the use of a broader band of media, higher profile galleries, more savvy target audience and will even include other practitioners in decorative arts from outside Frome to generate a larger image and shove things along.
Frome CollegeIn principle they are very interested in getting students involved. Awaiting meeting to discuss with Marcus Gee.
New Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition website
Yes the new website is up and running, but only as a trial. The content is there to test useability and relevance, so please have a look and let me have your comments.www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk
Other NewsYes I did invite Kevin McCloud to come and open the exhibition, but sadly he will be away. However he did say he would try and see the exhibition!! (Maybe a chance for ‘photo-opp’ of him alongside you and your work?)
BooksIf you would like to catch up on reading about the Omega Workshop and the Bloomsbury artists there are books available on Amazon. I recently purchased a very good, second hand copy of “Bloomsbury” edited by Gillian Naylor for £12. The other worthwhile book is “Omega and after” by Isabelle Anscombe.
Anything else?If anyone has any suggestions about the website, promotion and marketing, musicians, celebrities (to open the exhibition) please e-me at mel_sewell@yahoo.co.uk.
Thanks
Mel
SORRY, SORRY, Damned web hosters still haven’t made the www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk site go live. Am bugging them as hard as I can. Will update you.
Hi everyone.
I know I promised you a regular monthly newsletter about matters relating to the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition, but several very exciting things have happened, and I feel I want to share them with you now.
Field trip to Charleston Farmhouse, Berwick Church and Brighton MuseumI have in my library a book entitled “Omega and After – Bloomsbury and the decorative arts” which features the residence of the “Bloomsbury set” in the Sussex countryside, near Lewes. The book contains many images of the decorated interior painted with a background of the artist’s immersion in post-impressionism. Their style and application in ceramics, fabrics, furniture and wall murals has fascinated me for years and has partly been the force behind the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition I will be curating in November at Rook Lane Arts.
I had also discovered that my intention to go to Brighton to enjoy some of the performances in the Brighton Festival coincided with an exhibition at the Brighton Museum of some of the work of the Bloomsbury artists. So the course was set.
The Charleston Farmhouse was easy to find - off the A237 and just past the Lewes turnoff. Once packed and inside the shop crammed with many tempting items of books, lamps, paintings, and merchandise (also available on-line via their website) I was lured into the conducted tour to take place at 4. Half an hour between arrival and the tour gave me the opportunity to head for the café and grab some coffee and cake (after the long drive) and watch two videos about the artists and the farmhouse. The tour guide knew each room, each piece of art, each square inch of hand-made wallpaper, as well as the artists, their connections and their intimate lives. And was quite capable of answering many questions that the group bombarded her with. Having read my book “Omega and after” many, many times as well as scrutinised the plates I was at last in contact with the art and history itself. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time I was there. Each room displayed a delight of painted furniture, art and decoration until finally, after an hour we were brought into the studio to realise that this was probably where all the inspiration had poured into and from. Next I went on a small self-conducted tour around the gardens.
Photography was not permitted anywhere inside the building, but I was free to photograph as much as I wished outside. If you go to the new website devoted to the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition you will see many of these images, as well as a copy of this report. (And also on my Facebook entry – Mel Sewell.)
Charleston Farmhouse also provided a hundred brochures, which I have agreed to promote on their behalf - as they were kind enough to also provide me with some images for the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition website.www.charleston.org.uk
www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk
St Michael & All Angels Church, BerwickWhile at Charleston I was asked if I had been to the Berwick Church. Curiously I had a leaflet of Charleston from 1993 and someone had scribbled a note on it to see the church - so it was one of my objectives. Having only finished the farmhouse tour at 5pm I was concerned that I would miss the church, but was re-assured that ‘they stayed open to almost sunset.’ Casually I arrived at the church at a few minutes to six only to be told that it was closing at six, no exceptions. I thus had to try and view the marvellous decorations in just a few minutes. Cistine Chapel – eat your heart out!!! This work needs some serious study, but I did walk away with the leaflet and a vow to return.www.berwickchurch.org.uk
If any artists would like to take a day trip to visit Charleston Farmhouse, Berwick Church and Brighton Museum I would be quite happy to organise a mini-bus and drive you there (then I get to see everything again).Brighton Museum and Art GalleryThe exhibition “Bloomsbury – the art of Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell 1905-1925”is an absolute MUST. Although the gallery space at the Museum is not big enough to contain all of the artists’ work, it was enough to give a strong flavour of the amazing talent on show. Talks and lectures are also available - on until 9 Oct 2011.www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk
Meeting Madeleine BradburyThat evening I had an appointment with Madeleine Bradbury who is a dynamic, living, present day artist, resident in Brighton and paints in the style of the Omega artists to produce furniture which is sold internationally, from her website and at the Charleston farmhouse. I had taken the opportunity of seeing her work on her website, which you can too at http://bloomsburyinteriors.wordpress.com/
After an amusing evening talking about a range of artistic and social issues Madeleine agreed to exhibit some of her beautiful work at the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition – an agreement which will expand her sales potential, but will also help link Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition, the Charleston Farmhouse and the Omega artists in a way which will be meaningful, cohesive and visible. And will help drive the awareness of the artists and the project.
Colour DiscoveryTheresa Sundt has agreed to help our cause of promoting Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition by giving a talk and then a one day workshop on colour psychology (as I reported last month).http://color-discovery.com/
MarketingMy original intention to produce the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition came about as the result of a small study I did of the artists in and around Frome and the marketing efforts that were being made.
I was very impressed with the work being carried out by fromecreativenetwork on the website and subsequently with the ‘Brown Bag Lunches’ and was similarly interested in the work carried out at Rook Lane Arts, the Black Swan and the Silk Mill, as well as that being sweated over by the artists individual promotions and exhibitions.
However I came to the conclusion that the perhaps the target audience was not fully understood and that the area in which they lived was being repeatedly spoken to, while more specifically the target audience was largely Frome and Bath.
I came to the conclusion that if Frome artists wanted to capture a wider audience they would have to look further and approach it in a different way.
So, guys and girls let me say, before I continue that I think the standard of work being produced is of a very high quality. I have looked at artists work in SAW, in the Wylye ValleyTrail, at galleries in Bath, Bristol, London, Exeter and Brighton. And I think that your work can proudly stand alongside a lot of the competition.
So what seemed to be needed was a bold step forward that looks beyond current boundaries and with a positive, confident stance, while fully understanding the target audience. (You may remember my original marketing document – if you don’t it is still posted at www.fromedecorativeartssociety.blogspot.com)
That’s where the idea of the Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition came along. It is a platform, which will enable artists and craftsfolk to enter the home of potential customers heart and soul. It is a platform, which says “You like art, but can you justify it on its own? So look at arts and crafts as an integral part of you home and décor.“
The idea of generating publicity is to help move Frome artists along to a wider target audience and will include the use of a broader band of media, higher profile galleries, more savvy target audience and will even include other practitioners in decorative arts from outside Frome to generate a larger image and shove things along.
Frome CollegeIn principle they are very interested in getting students involved. Awaiting meeting to discuss with Marcus Gee.
New Frome Decorative Arts Exhibition website
Yes the new website is up and running, but only as a trial. The content is there to test useability and relevance, so please have a look and let me have your comments.www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk
Other NewsYes I did invite Kevin McCloud to come and open the exhibition, but sadly he will be away. However he did say he would try and see the exhibition!! (Maybe a chance for ‘photo-opp’ of him alongside you and your work?)
BooksIf you would like to catch up on reading about the Omega Workshop and the Bloomsbury artists there are books available on Amazon. I recently purchased a very good, second hand copy of “Bloomsbury” edited by Gillian Naylor for £12. The other worthwhile book is “Omega and after” by Isabelle Anscombe.
Anything else?If anyone has any suggestions about the website, promotion and marketing, musicians, celebrities (to open the exhibition) please e-me at mel_sewell@yahoo.co.uk.
Thanks
Mel
SORRY, SORRY, Damned web hosters still haven’t made the www.fromedecorativeartsexhibition.co.uk site go live. Am bugging them as hard as I can. Will update you.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
See the fantastic Charleston Farmhouse
Yes folks this is a trip.
The Charleston Farmhouse is where many of the Omega Workshop artists spent time and also contributed to the interior design of the dwelling with their art. Today you can take a walk around the house and its gardens, or you can partake in one of the courses available.
http://www.charleston.org.uk/
The Charleston Farmhouse is where many of the Omega Workshop artists spent time and also contributed to the interior design of the dwelling with their art. Today you can take a walk around the house and its gardens, or you can partake in one of the courses available.
http://www.charleston.org.uk/
Friday, 29 April 2011
Rook Lane Arts commission
Oh, guys, yes, I forgot Rook Lane will charge 25% COMMISSION ON ALL WORK SOLD, which I think is very light.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Progress report 26-04-11
I expect some of you may be wondering what progress has been made for this event, so without further ado:
- The space at Rook Lane is now booked and the deposit paid. I have had lengthy discussions with Annie Davies (who has taken over from Jo - in case you didn’t know). It has been agreed that Rook Lane will handle the bar for the private view and that I will be providing the snacks. The event will be open from Sat 19 Nov to Sat 3 Dec, but the space will be closed on 20/21 and 27/28. The private view will be on the evening of 18th, while hanging may commence on 17th. Takedown will be Sat 3rd Dec. Rook Lane will be sending out their email newsletter to guests, artists and the media and will include the event in their new, monthly brochure. I have provisionally booked three musicians to play at the private view and various times throughout the event. (If you have anyone you would like to suggest – all suggestions welcome).
- I haven’t been pushing for confirmation of entries, as it is still early days, but will be asking for numbers after the Frome Festival has quietened down.
- A poster, invite card and postcard have been designed and are just waiting confirmation of names.
- The website is almost complete and uses the same fab software that I used for my own website at http://www.takescantalk.co.uk/
- Once this is complete I will post it and then all participants are free to take a look and verify content.
- So that we can generate a wider awareness of the event, beyond the local area the media list is now fleshing out; Frome Times, Craft and Design Magazine, Homes and Antiques, Arts Council, Crafts Council, Wessex Muse, Architect, The World of Interiors, Design, Somerset Life, Blackmore Vale Magazine, Somerset Arts Website, Bath Magazine, Frome Creative Network website, Mendip Times, Western Gazette, SAW website, London Galleries (tba), Frome FM, The List (two ads booked for Sep and Oct), Frome Life, Telegraph on Saturday. Any other suggestions gratefully accepted.
- Theresa Sundt, the fab colour therapist will be giving a talk and a day course in colour therapy "Colour Discovery explores the nature of colour through science, art and research, focusing deeply on ways in which colour can heal us and improve our lives. Theresa Sundt spreads colour knowledge through a variety of courses and events, seeking to develop the use of colour as one of the best tools for self-awareness and well being." I’m not suggesting anyone who comes to the exhibition, or even to Theresa’s events is unwell J but the understanding and application of colour is a useful tool in decoration and design.
http://www.colour-discovery.com/index.html- Roger Barnes and I will be giving a talk on the Omega Workshop and we are currently collating info on this (any help gratefully accepted).
- Zac Greening will be exhibiting and will also be holding a workshop for kids on creating art using recycled materials. You can see Zacs fab work at
- OK that’s it for now.
- Best regards
- Mel
How to prepare furniture for decoration
Instructions
things you'll need:
- Light-grit sandpaper
- Water-based primers
- Portable vacuums
- Water-based paints
- Paint sprayers
- Tack cloths
- Small and large brushes
- Newspapers Or drop cloths
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
Tips & Warnings
- Wash paintbrushes well immediately after use. Rinse under fast-running water until the water runs clear from the bristles.
- When working with latex paint use brushes with synthetic bristles. Natural bristles work best for oil or alkyd based paints
- When using spray paint, cover a wide area with newspaper to protect adjacent surfaces.
- Always work in a well-ventilated area.
Read more: How to Paint Wood Furniture | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_121_paint-wood-furniture.html#ixzz1HoJIkvIv
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture
Yes the Decorative Arts are alive and well and thriving all around us.
The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture has a fantastic website which you should really be inspired by. There is everything there from painting patterns, to textiles, interior design, lectures, children's workshops, contemporary design, art and issues related to the domestic environment. Check it out at www.moda.mdx.ac.uk
The Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture has a fantastic website which you should really be inspired by. There is everything there from painting patterns, to textiles, interior design, lectures, children's workshops, contemporary design, art and issues related to the domestic environment. Check it out at www.moda.mdx.ac.uk
Monday, 27 December 2010
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert is the greatest decorative-arts museum in the world.
Read more:
Or go see at the V&A website at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/
CERAMICS
Four years of refurbishment are now complete. Rooms
140 - 145 offer a comprehensive introduction to the world
of ceramics, featuring about 3,000 of the museum's finest
pieces. The remaining rooms display the rest of the
collection - around 26,000 pieces - as a study resource"
FURNITURE"The collection at the Victoria and Albert
Museum consists of more than 14,000
pieces from Britain, Europe and America,
dating from the Middle Ages to the present
day. It is predominantly of furniture but also
includes related objects such as architectural
and decorative woodwork, musical instruments,
leatherwork, treen and clocks. The collection
also includes complete rooms, some of which
are on display in the British Galleries."
Fashion, Jewellery & Accessories"The Victoria and Albert Museum has collected
dress since its earliest days.
The collection covers fashionable dress
from the 17th century to the present day,
with the emphasis on progressive and
influential designs from the major fashion
centres of Europe. The V&A collections
also include accessories such as jewellery,
gloves and handbags."
Wouldn't it be lovely if Frome had its own permanent Museum of Decorative Arts?
Does anyone out there know anyone who would like to donate a building to this cause?
"The V&A houses the greatest and most comprehensive
collection of Ceramics in the world. For the first time in
100 years, we are redisplaying this vast collection which
spans from 3500 BC to the present day. The collection
is particularly rich in Ceramics from Asia, the Middle
East and Europe. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/london/A24116.html#ixzz19KVJInGx
Read more:
Or go see at the V&A website at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/
CERAMICS
Four years of refurbishment are now complete. Rooms
140 - 145 offer a comprehensive introduction to the world
of ceramics, featuring about 3,000 of the museum's finest
pieces. The remaining rooms display the rest of the
collection - around 26,000 pieces - as a study resource"
FURNITURE"The collection at the Victoria and Albert
Museum consists of more than 14,000
pieces from Britain, Europe and America,
dating from the Middle Ages to the present
day. It is predominantly of furniture but also
includes related objects such as architectural
and decorative woodwork, musical instruments,
leatherwork, treen and clocks. The collection
also includes complete rooms, some of which
are on display in the British Galleries."
Fashion, Jewellery & Accessories"The Victoria and Albert Museum has collected
dress since its earliest days.
The collection covers fashionable dress
from the 17th century to the present day,
with the emphasis on progressive and
influential designs from the major fashion
centres of Europe. The V&A collections
also include accessories such as jewellery,
gloves and handbags."
Wouldn't it be lovely if Frome had its own permanent Museum of Decorative Arts?
Does anyone out there know anyone who would like to donate a building to this cause?
"The V&A houses the greatest and most comprehensive
collection of Ceramics in the world. For the first time in
100 years, we are redisplaying this vast collection which
spans from 3500 BC to the present day. The collection
is particularly rich in Ceramics from Asia, the Middle
East and Europe. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/london/A24116.html#ixzz19KVJInGx
Monday, 29 November 2010
More interesting links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decorative_arts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_CraftsMovement
www.decorativearts.net
www.Decorativeart.co.uk
www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections?1700today?Decorative-arts.htm
www.decorativearts.com
www.decorativeartssociety.org.uk
www.poikilia.co.uk
www.sothebysinstitute.com/decorative-arts.html
www.sylviapowell.com
www.museum-sheffield.org.uk/coresite/html/decorative.asp
www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=17
www.decorativefair.com
www.nadfas.org.uk
www.ldfas.org.uk
www.ashridgedfas.org.uk
www.northantsdfas.org.uk
www.exedfas.org.uk
www.alton-dfas.hampshire.org.uk
www.rlsdfa.org.uk
www.pooledfas.org
www.esdfa.co.uk
http://www.decoware.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_CraftsMovement
www.decorativearts.net
www.Decorativeart.co.uk
www.museumoflondon.org.uk/English/Collections?1700today?Decorative-arts.htm
www.decorativearts.com
www.decorativeartssociety.org.uk
www.poikilia.co.uk
www.sothebysinstitute.com/decorative-arts.html
www.sylviapowell.com
www.museum-sheffield.org.uk/coresite/html/decorative.asp
www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=17
www.decorativefair.com
www.nadfas.org.uk
www.ldfas.org.uk
www.ashridgedfas.org.uk
www.northantsdfas.org.uk
www.exedfas.org.uk
www.alton-dfas.hampshire.org.uk
www.rlsdfa.org.uk
www.pooledfas.org
www.esdfa.co.uk
http://www.decoware.co.uk/
Thursday, 25 November 2010
WIP
Here is a copy of the original document setting out the idea of the exhibition, some background to decorative arts (Omega Workshop) and a list of those expressing an interest so far.
Of course there is a breadth of time before the actual exhibition date so there is going to be some movement of those who express an interest and those who finally participate.
Decorative Arts Exhibition Frome
Objective: To hold an exhibition of work by various artists and craftsfolk from the Frome area which will reflect the application of design to household (and office) interiors. This would be the first of its kind with further annual exhibitions to promote new work and artists, as well as special features.
Artists will not be restricted in their style, nor choice of object and medium.
The concept of Decorative Arts is to take art, crafts and household items and bring them all together to create added value.
The items could be as wide ranging as:
Wallpaper, Carpeting, Fabrics and soft furnishings, Curtains, Pillows
Tables, Chairs, Magazine racks, Chests, Storage units, Chalkboards
Key holders, Doors, Fireplaces, Laptops, Garage doors, Lamps
Umbrella stands, Crockery, Tableware, Toys etc etc.
A new category would be video projection and electronic media as a new form of decorative art.
Publication and marketing of a book of each exhibiting artist and their work at Blurb.com
Background: The average person who under normal circumstances would take great pleasure from purchasing art or crafts is now coming under pressure to question where the household budget is going to be spent. This may not be the best time to ask people to INVEST in art, but if they can be persuaded that their hard earned cash can go into making their home arty, crafty, more enjoyable and practical then they may be able to make an easier justification. In short decorative arts must aim to make the item enjoyable and pleasurable to have in the home.
Target Audience:
1. AB socio economic, 45-65, professional, qualified, knowledgeable, town and country.
2. AB socio economic, 35-44, professional, qualified, adventurous, town.
3. Professional architect/ interior designer, design/art/crafts media.
Structure: Like all good events the exhibition of items is only an integral part of what makes the event a success. The event could take place over one week + two weekends.
Community: A lecture on decorative arts and the Omega Workshop; a discussion about what people expect from arts and crafts in the home; a handout to be made available to artists which gives them further contacts and inspiration for creating their own decorative arts; a demonstration of how to prepare furniture for art application, the launch of a new decorative arts centred resource website; a workshop on how to produce decorative arts with some hands-on experience for both adults and children.
Public questionnaire about the arts and decorative art with prize for participation.
Venue: Somewhere with an evocative atmosphere and with a reputation for holding similar events with a mailing list of its own.
+ Launch evening + closing party (and auction?)
Media: Good forward media coverage in local, national, specialist, broadcast and electronic media.
A leaflet to be available to the public.
Support: Sam West
Interest so far (17-11-10):
Kate Cochrane
Roger Roving
Annette Burkett #
Ingrid Gammage
Stina Harris
Gladys Paulus #
Kate Raffray
Ellen Tovey
Helga Watkins Baker +4
Sarah Simpson
Bha Phardy
Caroline Walsh Waring #
Anny Colgan
Barbara Huxley
Barbara Clark
Lyn Truscot
Mel Day
Adam Harvey & Emma Wells
Claudia Phipps #
Helen Langford #
Emma Wells & Adam Harvey
Mel Sewell #
Jason at Frome Times
# confirmed.
Copyright Mel Sewell 10-11-10
Addendum
About Omega Workshop
The Omega Workshops was a design enterprise founded by members of the Bloomsbury group and established in 1913. It was located at 33 Fitzroy Square in London.
Beginnings
In forming the company, critic Roger Fry aimed to remove what he considered to be the false divisions between the decorative and fine arts, and give his artist friends an additional income opportunity designing furniture, textiles and other household accessories. Fry was keen to encourage a Post-Impressionist influence in designs produced for Omega. However, Cubist and Fauvist influences are also apparent, particularly in many of the textile designs.
To ensure items were only bought for the quality of the work, and not the reputation of the artist, Fry insisted works be shown anonymously, marked only with the letter omega. The products were in general expensive, and aimed at an exclusive market.
Designers and Manufacturers
In addition to offering a wide range of individual products, such as painted furniture, painted murals, mosaics, stained glass, and textiles, Omega Workshops Ltd offered interior design themes for various living spaces. A commission was taken to decorate a room for the 1913 Ideal Home Exhibition, and an illustrated catalogue, including text written by Fry, was published in autumn 1914.
Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant produced designs for Omega, and Wyndham Lewis was initially part of the operation. Lewis however split off at an early stage, taking with him several other participants to start the rival decorative workshop Rebel Art Centre after accusing Fry of misappropriating a commission to decorate a room at the Ideal Home Exhibition in the autumn of 1913. In October 1913, Wyndham Lewis, Frederick Etchells, Edward Wadsworth and Cuthbert Hamilton announced their resignation from Omega in a letter, known as the 'Round Robin', to its shareholders and patrons. This letter contained accusations particularly against Fry, criticising the workshops products and ideology. This split not only led to the formation of the Rebel Art Centre, but also the Vorticist movement.
Most manufacturing for Omega was outsourced to professional craftsmen, such as J. Kallenborn & Sons of Stanhope Street, London for marquetry furniture; Dryad Ltd of Leicester for tall cane seat chairs and a company in France was used to manufacture early printed linens.
In the autumn of 1913 Fry, who also created the designs for Omegas tall cane seat chairs, started designing and making pottery. After he considered book design and publishing in July 1915, the Superintendent of printing at Central School of Arts and Crafts collaborated with Omega in designing four books that were later outsourced for printing.
The range of products continued to increase throughout Omega Workshops six year existence, and in April 1915 Vanessa Bell began using Omega fabrics in dress design, from which dressmaking became a successful part of the business.
In January 1918, Omega were commissioned to design sets and costumes in the Israel Zangwill play ‘Too Much Money’.
Closure and Legacy
Omega closed in 1919, and was officially liquidated on 24 July 1920. Media coverage of the workshop had always been mediocre, and it had relied heavily on the patronage of wealthy London society within artistic and literary circles. A series of poor financial decisions and internal conflicts all contributed to its decline. At the time of its closure, Fry was the only remaining original member working regularly at the workshop. Despite this, Omega became influential in interior design in the 1920s.
Edward Wolfe worked at the Omega Workshops, handpainting candle-shades, trays and decorating furniture. Wolfe, who died in 1982, was one of the last of the Bloomsbury painters.
A revival of interest in Omega designs in the 1980s led to a reassessment of the place of the Bloomsbury group in visual arts.
In July 1913 Omega Workshops Ltd opened to the public at 33 Fitzroy Square in the heart of London's Bloomsbury. The workshops incorporated public showrooms as well as studios, and were staffed by a business manager, caretaker and a group of artist assistants. Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and Roger Fry were named as Directors.
Roger Fry founded and was the driving force behind the Omega Workshops. Unlike his most obvious predecessors William Morris and the designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement, Fry was not concerned with social reform or protesting against contemporary machine manufacture, but wanted to remove what he saw as the false division between the fine and decorative arts. He was keen to see some of the key ideas of Post-Impressionism, such as bright colours and bold, simplified forms, applied to design, as in these candle shades designed by Wyndham Lewis.
Fry also wanted to help his artist friends by providing them with the chance to make a living designing and decorating furniture, textiles and other household accessories, alongside their artistic careers.
Fry felt that objects and furniture should be bought for their aesthetic qualities rather than the reputation of the artist, so he insisted that all work was produced anonymously. Designs were unsigned and marked only with the symbol Ω, the Greek letter 'Omega'. 'Omega' is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, and in the late nineteenth century it was used to mean the 'last word' on a subject.
Of course there is a breadth of time before the actual exhibition date so there is going to be some movement of those who express an interest and those who finally participate.
Decorative Arts Exhibition Frome
Objective: To hold an exhibition of work by various artists and craftsfolk from the Frome area which will reflect the application of design to household (and office) interiors. This would be the first of its kind with further annual exhibitions to promote new work and artists, as well as special features.
Artists will not be restricted in their style, nor choice of object and medium.
The concept of Decorative Arts is to take art, crafts and household items and bring them all together to create added value.
The items could be as wide ranging as:
Wallpaper, Carpeting, Fabrics and soft furnishings, Curtains, Pillows
Tables, Chairs, Magazine racks, Chests, Storage units, Chalkboards
Key holders, Doors, Fireplaces, Laptops, Garage doors, Lamps
Umbrella stands, Crockery, Tableware, Toys etc etc.
A new category would be video projection and electronic media as a new form of decorative art.
Publication and marketing of a book of each exhibiting artist and their work at Blurb.com
Background: The average person who under normal circumstances would take great pleasure from purchasing art or crafts is now coming under pressure to question where the household budget is going to be spent. This may not be the best time to ask people to INVEST in art, but if they can be persuaded that their hard earned cash can go into making their home arty, crafty, more enjoyable and practical then they may be able to make an easier justification. In short decorative arts must aim to make the item enjoyable and pleasurable to have in the home.
Target Audience:
1. AB socio economic, 45-65, professional, qualified, knowledgeable, town and country.
2. AB socio economic, 35-44, professional, qualified, adventurous, town.
3. Professional architect/ interior designer, design/art/crafts media.
Structure: Like all good events the exhibition of items is only an integral part of what makes the event a success. The event could take place over one week + two weekends.
Community: A lecture on decorative arts and the Omega Workshop; a discussion about what people expect from arts and crafts in the home; a handout to be made available to artists which gives them further contacts and inspiration for creating their own decorative arts; a demonstration of how to prepare furniture for art application, the launch of a new decorative arts centred resource website; a workshop on how to produce decorative arts with some hands-on experience for both adults and children.
Public questionnaire about the arts and decorative art with prize for participation.
Venue: Somewhere with an evocative atmosphere and with a reputation for holding similar events with a mailing list of its own.
+ Launch evening + closing party (and auction?)
Media: Good forward media coverage in local, national, specialist, broadcast and electronic media.
A leaflet to be available to the public.
Support: Sam West
Interest so far (17-11-10):
Kate Cochrane
Roger Roving
Annette Burkett #
Ingrid Gammage
Stina Harris
Gladys Paulus #
Kate Raffray
Ellen Tovey
Helga Watkins Baker +4
Sarah Simpson
Bha Phardy
Caroline Walsh Waring #
Anny Colgan
Barbara Huxley
Barbara Clark
Lyn Truscot
Mel Day
Adam Harvey & Emma Wells
Claudia Phipps #
Helen Langford #
Emma Wells & Adam Harvey
Mel Sewell #
Jason at Frome Times
# confirmed.
Copyright Mel Sewell 10-11-10
Addendum
About Omega Workshop
The Omega Workshops was a design enterprise founded by members of the Bloomsbury group and established in 1913. It was located at 33 Fitzroy Square in London.
Beginnings
In forming the company, critic Roger Fry aimed to remove what he considered to be the false divisions between the decorative and fine arts, and give his artist friends an additional income opportunity designing furniture, textiles and other household accessories. Fry was keen to encourage a Post-Impressionist influence in designs produced for Omega. However, Cubist and Fauvist influences are also apparent, particularly in many of the textile designs.
To ensure items were only bought for the quality of the work, and not the reputation of the artist, Fry insisted works be shown anonymously, marked only with the letter omega. The products were in general expensive, and aimed at an exclusive market.
Designers and Manufacturers
In addition to offering a wide range of individual products, such as painted furniture, painted murals, mosaics, stained glass, and textiles, Omega Workshops Ltd offered interior design themes for various living spaces. A commission was taken to decorate a room for the 1913 Ideal Home Exhibition, and an illustrated catalogue, including text written by Fry, was published in autumn 1914.
Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant produced designs for Omega, and Wyndham Lewis was initially part of the operation. Lewis however split off at an early stage, taking with him several other participants to start the rival decorative workshop Rebel Art Centre after accusing Fry of misappropriating a commission to decorate a room at the Ideal Home Exhibition in the autumn of 1913. In October 1913, Wyndham Lewis, Frederick Etchells, Edward Wadsworth and Cuthbert Hamilton announced their resignation from Omega in a letter, known as the 'Round Robin', to its shareholders and patrons. This letter contained accusations particularly against Fry, criticising the workshops products and ideology. This split not only led to the formation of the Rebel Art Centre, but also the Vorticist movement.
Most manufacturing for Omega was outsourced to professional craftsmen, such as J. Kallenborn & Sons of Stanhope Street, London for marquetry furniture; Dryad Ltd of Leicester for tall cane seat chairs and a company in France was used to manufacture early printed linens.
In the autumn of 1913 Fry, who also created the designs for Omegas tall cane seat chairs, started designing and making pottery. After he considered book design and publishing in July 1915, the Superintendent of printing at Central School of Arts and Crafts collaborated with Omega in designing four books that were later outsourced for printing.
The range of products continued to increase throughout Omega Workshops six year existence, and in April 1915 Vanessa Bell began using Omega fabrics in dress design, from which dressmaking became a successful part of the business.
In January 1918, Omega were commissioned to design sets and costumes in the Israel Zangwill play ‘Too Much Money’.
Closure and Legacy
Omega closed in 1919, and was officially liquidated on 24 July 1920. Media coverage of the workshop had always been mediocre, and it had relied heavily on the patronage of wealthy London society within artistic and literary circles. A series of poor financial decisions and internal conflicts all contributed to its decline. At the time of its closure, Fry was the only remaining original member working regularly at the workshop. Despite this, Omega became influential in interior design in the 1920s.
Edward Wolfe worked at the Omega Workshops, handpainting candle-shades, trays and decorating furniture. Wolfe, who died in 1982, was one of the last of the Bloomsbury painters.
A revival of interest in Omega designs in the 1980s led to a reassessment of the place of the Bloomsbury group in visual arts.
In July 1913 Omega Workshops Ltd opened to the public at 33 Fitzroy Square in the heart of London's Bloomsbury. The workshops incorporated public showrooms as well as studios, and were staffed by a business manager, caretaker and a group of artist assistants. Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant and Roger Fry were named as Directors.
Roger Fry founded and was the driving force behind the Omega Workshops. Unlike his most obvious predecessors William Morris and the designers of the Arts and Crafts Movement, Fry was not concerned with social reform or protesting against contemporary machine manufacture, but wanted to remove what he saw as the false division between the fine and decorative arts. He was keen to see some of the key ideas of Post-Impressionism, such as bright colours and bold, simplified forms, applied to design, as in these candle shades designed by Wyndham Lewis.
Fry also wanted to help his artist friends by providing them with the chance to make a living designing and decorating furniture, textiles and other household accessories, alongside their artistic careers.
Fry felt that objects and furniture should be bought for their aesthetic qualities rather than the reputation of the artist, so he insisted that all work was produced anonymously. Designs were unsigned and marked only with the symbol Ω, the Greek letter 'Omega'. 'Omega' is the last letter of the Greek alphabet, and in the late nineteenth century it was used to mean the 'last word' on a subject.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
In The Beginning
Decorative Arts Exhibition
Rook Lane Chapel, Frome
Nov 19 - 3 Dec 2011
Objective: To hold an exhibition of work by various artists and craftsfolk from the Frome area which will reflect the application of design to household (and office) interiors. This would be the first of its kind with further annual exhibitions to promote new work and artists, as well as special features.
Artists will not be restricted in their style, nor choice of object and medium.
The concept of Decorative Arts is to take art, crafts and household items and bring them all together to create added value.
The items could be as wide ranging as:
Wallpaper, Carpeting, Fabrics and soft furnishings, Curtains, Pillows
Tables, Chairs, Magazine racks, Chests, Storage units, Chalkboards
Key holders, Doors, Fireplaces, Laptops, Garage doors, Lamps
Umbrella stands, Crockery, Tableware, Toys etc etc.
A new category would be video projection and electronic media as a new form of decorative art.
Publication and marketing of a book of each exhibiting artist and their work at Blurb.com
Please help to make this a value-added exhibition and one which will help establish Frome as a centre of creative excellence.
Mel Sewell
(In case it isn't obvious I shall be curating, as well as exhibiting)
Rook Lane Chapel, Frome
Nov 19 - 3 Dec 2011
Objective: To hold an exhibition of work by various artists and craftsfolk from the Frome area which will reflect the application of design to household (and office) interiors. This would be the first of its kind with further annual exhibitions to promote new work and artists, as well as special features.
Artists will not be restricted in their style, nor choice of object and medium.
The concept of Decorative Arts is to take art, crafts and household items and bring them all together to create added value.
The items could be as wide ranging as:
Wallpaper, Carpeting, Fabrics and soft furnishings, Curtains, Pillows
Tables, Chairs, Magazine racks, Chests, Storage units, Chalkboards
Key holders, Doors, Fireplaces, Laptops, Garage doors, Lamps
Umbrella stands, Crockery, Tableware, Toys etc etc.
A new category would be video projection and electronic media as a new form of decorative art.
Publication and marketing of a book of each exhibiting artist and their work at Blurb.com
Please help to make this a value-added exhibition and one which will help establish Frome as a centre of creative excellence.
Mel Sewell
(In case it isn't obvious I shall be curating, as well as exhibiting)
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