Networking - First Steps

Perhaps my first and most obvious network that I have is that provided by my fellow OCA students who have provided feedback for me since I attended a residential study visit at Barnsley in 2015. However, I now need to extend my network to artists, curators and galleries who are working in the field.  I am fortunate that my wife is a post graduate fine artist who is part of several exhibiting groups.  Through this connection I have many contacts with local artists and photographers who regularly exhibit locally, nationally and internationally as well as curators and gallery owners.

I have already approached East Coast 7, a post graduate fine art group coordinated by fine art lecturer Julie Gough, and asked if they would critique my work and provide feedback when I have my body of work developed to that stage.  They have readily agreed.  I have also approached Arts Meridian, led by Curator and artist  Linda Ingham   and photographer Lee Gilby and based at Cleethorpes Discovery Centre.  This group are providers of arts activities and exhibitions in North East Lincolnshire. Working also with partners across the wider Lincolnshire Area, Arts Meridian has a full programme of workshops, artists talks, shows and creative industries professional development opportunities running into 2018.  They are also happy to critique my work when I am ready.  I have also signed up to attend their ArtSpeak ArtWork Professional Development programme.  I hope in the future that I may be invited to exhibit as part of the group.

Through my contact with East Coast 7 I have connections with the Steel Rooms Gallery in the Lincolnshire Market Town of Brigg.  The gallery is in an old riverside warehouse and it may be possible to have a solo exhibition here.  I have already given their Photo Hub group a talk on my photography and I am optimistic that the gallery owner will  be amenable to giving me feedback on my work.

Finally I have approached Cleethorpes Library and Grimsby's Fishing Heritage Centre about the possibilty of mounting a solo exhibition.