Monday 28 September 2009

JOhn Toal on Saturday

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/dayslikethis/story/2008/02/john_toal.shtml

If you want to listen to it again. Down load the pod cast

Radio Ulster Saturday

Well belfast print workshop was on radio Ulster on saturday where some of the members were talking about the excerience of drawing and what it meant for them, Peter Hutchinson said he felt lost without his sketch book. Veronica Wallis spoke of how drawing brought her back to herself after having a stroke, Ben Allen talked about how his creativity links to many different things. I talked about the experience needed to complete a 30 second drawing...........over 42 years experince) hay it's almost 43 years now but dont tell anyone). Something has happened to my accent Everyone tells me I have turned all Belfast...........bout ye!!!!! wee lad.Cant see it myself.

the catherdral quater comes of age

On Friday night I can officially say that the Cathedral quarter came of age. I have never seen so many people out and about enjoying what Belfast has to offer.There was a carnival atomistic and many people had to pinch themselves to see if they were really in Belfast. Out and about I met so many people that I knew that it was hard to get around everything but it felt more like being at their Edinburgh festival or other things I have participated in on an international scale. I watched people participating in making their own exercise video with catalyst arts. Participated in watching a video of a man who made a piece of art the day after his wife left him in Ps2. What is it about wearing whiter underpants and wings and running over sand dunes that does it for men???? answers on a postcard. The print workshop had over 300 people through their doors, children were looking people were laughing and dancing and the evening went on into the early hours.
Congratulations to the organisers and I think we can say that the Cathedral quarter is finally coming of age. I mean Terry Hooley even had to do two walking tours, hows that for popularity.

Friday 25 September 2009

support for social economy business Belfast

Support available for Belfast based groups exploring social enterprise

Following our recent communication that Work West and our Social Economy Belfast partners have a new programme of support available for groups in Belfast exploring social enterprise for the first time, we’d like to invite you to one of 2 information sessions in the coming weeks.

The new pre-enterprise social economy development programme is funded by Belfast City Council and the European Regional Development Fund under the European Regional Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

It is aimed at groups and individuals at the pre-enterprise stage seeking to develop a new or existing social enterprise idea in the Belfast City Council area who have little or no experience of social economy structures and ethos.

The programme will run from September 2009 to June 2010 and will support 12 groups, via a range of support methods.



If you are interested in hearing more about the programme, the information sessions are ideal for you. Staff from the Social Economy Belfast team will be on hand to explain how the programme will run and answer your queries. We are hosting the events with support from the Social Economy Network staff and members, who can tell you more about how social enterprise can deliver long term sustainability for your organisation.



Information sessions are taking place at the following times:



Date: Tuesday 29 September

Time: 2.30pm – 4.00pm

Venue: City East, Newtownards Road, Belfast




Date: Thursday 1 October

Time: 10am – 11.30pm

Venue: Groundwork NI, 63-75 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast






Please register your attendance in advance with Lynsey Cameron at Work West on 90610826 or email l.cameron@workwest.co.uk

Culture night Belfast

So if you didnt already know it's culture night tonight in the catherdral quater where lots of different businesses and studios etc are open for you to have a nosey around. I was down in the catherdral quater earlier and there are ballons everywhere and a feeling of anticipation about the place so why not go and have a look at whats going on.........you will be amazed.

Thursday 24 September 2009

Alternative academy tonight in Derriaghy

Alternative Academy II
Studio 23 for Alternative Academy II 2009

show runs 24th till 27th only

......
Mo McDevitt Director Studio23 Artist managed work space / media / gallery Derriaghy Industrial Estate Dunmurry, Belfast. BT17 9HU
T: 02890 600413 E: askstudio23@hotmail.com W: www.myspace.com/studio23collective

culture night

belfastprintworkshopgallery

belfastprintworkshopgallery are throwing open their doors for Belfast's first ever Culture Night! Inspired by Culture Nights held annually in Copenhagen, Reykjavik, Dublin and other European cities - venues, artists studios, galleries, historic buildings, cultural organisations, churches and others, will open their doors for a magical nighttime experience and Belfast Print Workshop will be slap bang in the middle of this exciting event!

belfastprintworkshop located in Cotton Court opposite the Merchant Hotel will be open to the public from 7pm to 9pm on Friday 25th September. We will be exhibiting 'The Big Draw' an exhibition formally being shown in Victoria Square, for those of you who have been unable to get down to see this enticing exhibition now is your chance! BPW have a considerable amount of talented artists as members and they have each been asked to showcase a print along side their preliminary sketches allowing the viewer to gain a greater insight into how these gifted printmakers create such emotive artworks. This exhibition takes place in conjunction with The National Campaign For Drawing which explores the therapeutic values of drawing and encourages those who think they cant draw to have a go. It connects generations and communities, showing that drawing can be an enjoyable public activity as well as a private passion.

FREE DRAWING WORKSHOP @ BPW COTTON COURT SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER 12 - 4PM

Wierd Belfast

Just a little comment on the strangeness of living in a city under change. Yesterday i was up in NOrth Belfast one of the stormont minsters was there. He is a minister of Sinn Feins, he was protected by the police. POlice were coming in and out of the building, people were coming in and out of the building to talk to him and his team members. How emotionally do you do from seeing someone as an enemy to one that you have to protect??????

How emotionally as a professional do you deal with that?

City East drive by


Wednesday 23 September 2009

do you know any immigrants wanting to start a business?

http://www.eu-imminent.com/

On the edge opening night




Sean henry Johnstone, Giles Wilson Manager City East and Beverly from Arts and Business

Drive in Movie ? Belfast

Monday 28 September - Harold and Maude - Drive-In - Belfast Film Festival and Age Awareness Week present a special screening of the wonderfully unconventional romance between a morbid young man and a woman in her 70's.

Gates Open – 8.00pm, Screening Begins – 8.30pm
Enter the venue through the side gates to the Kings Hall Complex which is situated on the Balmoral Road. Tickets £6 and £3 - book online here.


Competition: To win tickets to Harold and Maude - Drive-In, simply name the venue in which the drive-in is being held? Email your answers along with your name to mave@belfastfilmfestival.org by 5pm on Friday 25 September.



SHOW TIMES
Friday 25 September - Culture Night Belfast - Cathedral Quarter, Belfast - FREE events from 12pm onwards!
Monday 28 September - Harold and Maude Drive-In - King's Hall Complex at 8pm

Dont forget Friday is Culture night in Belfast

www.culturenightbelfast.com

Age awareness week coming up

http://www.ageawarenessweek.com/?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=QFT+e-newsletter+-+Fri+25+September+-+Wed+1+October

Belfast Lighting Seminar this Thursday night

The Professional Lighting Designer's Association (PLDA), Light Bureau and ERCO Lighting present a lighting seminar tomorrow night at PLACE.

Venue: PLACE
Date: Thursday 24th September 2009
Time: 6 - 8pm, refreshments and snacks served

Talk 1: City lighting with emphasis on 2 case studies, Belfast & Geneva; this seminar is a contextual city presentation in order to give architects an idea of how a lighting designer thinks about the urban environment and thus design approach. Many recognisable civic and landmark buildings are used as case studies with analyses, with illustration and artwork showing what components a lighting designer considers important.

Talk 2: Lighting for the community focuses on the impact of lighting design with regards to people’s perception of an area and safety. The presentation focuses on three main case studies, including the Liverpool One development and the Castleford regeneration scheme. The case studies are linked to the communities’ opinion through interviews and on site analysis.

RSVP to damien@lightbureau.com or sstammers@pld-a.org

synchronised swimming exhibition -wierd Belfast

SYNC or SWIM
Sunday 27th September 2009
8.00pm

Queens PEC Centre
Stranmillis Embankment
Belfast

Tickets are free but must be booked in advance

TO BOOK YOUR FREE TICKETS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.queensfilmtheatre.com/films/syncorswim/

Don your water wings as Sync or Swim dives in to the newly refurbished swimming pool at Queen’s PEC.

This unique one-off event will feature a synchronised swimming exhibition by Aquabatix and a specially created presentation of memorable movie moments with an aquatic theme. Featured films will include Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Graduate, Caddy Shack, The Great Muppet Caper, Meet the Parents, The Swimmer, Rushmore, Bathing Venus and Rocky Horror Picture Show.

A life-size cinema screen will be installed in the PEC pool especially for the event. So, if you’re feeling adventurous you can watch the film and swim" all at the same time! You can also watch from the pool’s viewing gallery, while wearing sports-themed fancy dress.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE

Did you get rejected this year by the RUA?

Good to see a healthy debate going on about the state of art............

If you wish to show with Studio 23 for Alternative Academy II 2009 drop off to studio days Saturday 19th Sept...11.30 -3.30....or by arrangement Opening celebration this year will be thursday 24th At 7.30 kick off(24 hrs before RUA)we are hoping for joy and colour and more
fee per item is £20......
show runs 24th till 27th only
Encourage your associates as this year we are an "open "show....."refuses" is a mind set so break free......
Mo McDevitt Director Studio23 Artist managed work space / media / gallery Derriaghy Industrial Estate Dunmurry, Belfast. BT17 9HU
T: 02890 600413 E: askstudio23@hotmail.com W: www.myspace.com/studio23collective

Making Europe Work breakfast business seminar

Tuesday 29 September 2009
7.30am - 9.30am, The Edge, Laganbank Road, Belfast
Free event

With a population of over 490million, Europe represents one of the largest market places in the world. It has a diverse range of opportunities for businesses, across a wide range of sectors.

To help Belfast businesses maximise these opportunities, the COMET partnership, in partnership with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, is holding an exciting breakfast seminar to help businesses enter the European market. A keynote address will be given by a European Commission official based in Brussels who is coming to Belfast specifically for this event.

So why not come along to this free event and find out about:

European funding opportunities available to local businesses
new support measures put in place by the Commission to assist businesses
European legislation affecting enterprise.
If you are interested in engaging in European markets, then this event is for you!

Exhibitors from agencies involved in business support and mentoring will also be on hand to offer guidance and support.

More information
For more information about this event, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/eubusiness

You can also contact Belfast City Council's European Unit on 028 9027 0224 or email murrayf@belfastcity.gov.uk

cut business costs

Easy Ways to Reduce Costs and Increase Revenue by Making the Most of Business IT.
Free 90 minute non-technical seminars

Using new technologies and online solutions are vital to building your business. E-business services and technologies can successfully deliver your business strategy, encourage growth and increase sales but how do you find the solution for your business.
At this free 90 minute non-technical seminar, Invest NI e-business advisors will illustrate the ways of implementing low or no cost technology into your company, that will reduce the money you spend in doing business and increase your revenue opportunities.
Easy to implement technology that saves time and opportunity costs
Building customer relationships that actually deliver revenue opportunities
Using online in a way that positively impacts the perception of your business
Providing more value to your customers and partners by making your business more accessible
The real business impact of the latest technologies: Blogging; Social Networking; Twitter; YouTube
Planning and measuring your ROI & the non-cash investment required to make these technologies work.
How a local company successfully implemented their IT project - in their own words - · Using the Invest NI eSolutions Centre to help make the technology “come to life” for your business.
Using scenario based presentations and live demos, the seminar will engage non-technical business people and provide a kick start to understanding how these technologies can be applied in any business.
Calendar of Events:
28th September
Ormeau Business Park
12.00 - 13.30
To book a place:
E: info@ormeaubusinesspark.com
T: 028 9033 9906

15th October
Lisburn Enterprise Organisation
12.00 - 13.30
To book a place:
E: seonaid@lisburn-enterprise.co.uk
T: 028 9266 1160

23rd September
Townsend Enterprise Park
19.00 - 20.30
To book a place:
E: clare.savage@townsend.co.uk
T: 028 9043 5778

7th October
North City Business Centre Ltd
11.30 - 13.00
To book a place:
E: sarah.smith@north-city.co.uk
T: 028 9074 7470

22nd October
Mallusk Enterprise Park
12.00 - 13.30
To book a place
E: lorraine.moore@mallusk.org
T: 028 9083 8860

Places at these workshops are limited so ensure you book your place today by emailing or calling your local enterprise agency detailed above.

On the edge opening



ON the Edge Artists and helpers

Golden thread on Culture night

In Gallery 1 & Gallery 2

The Visual Force

Curated by Dr Slavka Sverakova

The Golden Thread Gallery will be keeping it's doors open late on Friday the 25th of September for Culture Night 2009



In the Project Space

A DRAWING DOWN THE WALLS Project

Draw Down the Walls hopes to use the arts to encourage debate about interface walls and to reflect what matters to the people living in interface areas. Draw Down the Walls is a partnership between the Golden Thread Gallery, North Belfast Interface Network, Ardoyne Youth Club, Deanby Youth Club and the MADD Project (and is gathering more partners as we speak).


The Cathedral Quarter comes alive on Culture Night as more than fifty venues,from galleries to offices, artists studios to historic buildings throw open their doors for more than eighty free events. With music, street performers, projections, tours, talks and walks, there will be something for everybody on what promises to be a magical evening of free cultural entertainment. For further information please go to www.culturenightbelfast.com

Paddy Bloomer workshop and more

Paddy Bloomer Workshop


1pm Sunday 27th of September


£5 per person


Includes lunch and sea-searching equipment.



Prospecting for pleasure and profit


Join paddy on a Belfast prospecting expedition, tap on the rich and largely unexploited veins of semi-precious metals rare minerals and exquisite artefacts.


The team with the most interesting booty will win a special scavenger prize.


Not to be missed!


Email your name and number to reserve a place:


fixcatalyst@hotmail.com



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Curious

The Moment I Saw You I Knew I Could Love You


Friday 2nd October 5-8pm

Leslie Hill and Helen Paris will be offering up a series one to one and some to some experiences as work in progress for their new performance installation The Moment I saw you I knew I could love you. Developed with the support of a Welcome Trust Arts Award and featuring film and soundscapes made in collaboration with Andrew Kotting and Graeme Miller, the piece navigates a jagged terrain of guts and gut feelings. Curious will be premiering the work in London in November 2009, so this is a chance to see the work at an early stage of development.


6 slots starting on each half hour for 6 people (5pm, 5.30pm, 6pm etc.)


36 people in total can take part


Audience can come anytime between 5 – 8pm


Email your name and number to reserve a place:


fixcatalyst@hotmail.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Action Hero


A Western


Saturday 4th October 8pm - 9.30pm


We want to make a Western. We have a cowboy hat and some ketchup. Everyone will have a moustache. All the bad guys laugh. Dust blows across a deserted street.


Music.


Together with our audience we reclaim this chaotic half-arsed Western as our own and celebrate the failure of generic heroes, cheap whores and the all American idol.


Action Hero are Bristol-based artists making live art and performance.


www.actionhero.org.uk


Email your name and number to reserve a place:


fixcatalyst@hotmail.com


............................................................


After 10pm £5 admission CHEAP THRILL DJS


Join us to celebrate the closing of FIX09, drown your sorrows, dance the night away or continue debating the significance of contemporary performative practice - or all of the above!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



REMINDER:


DonÂ’t miss us at for Culture Night at 17 Donegall Street 25th September


We will be displaying material accumulated over our first 16 years. On display will be the residue of CatalystÂ’s history as BelfastÂ’s premier artist-led gallery space with a specially commissioned work by Barry Cullen. Cullen will be remixing and sampling CatalystÂ’s archive.


American artist collaboration Hideous Beast will deliver a fun and offbeat creative workshop for kids throughout the afternoon.


4:00pm – 10:00pm



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS


If you would like to be involved with FIX09 volunteers with get a behind the scenes look at how a live art festival is ran, meet the artists and learn new skills.


Email us at catalystarts@gmail.com or Tel: 02890313303 to take part!

Tuesday 22 September 2009

culture in bangor?

www.aspectsfestival.co.uk

lots of writers and thingame gibbers

crazy things in Belfast

http://buildconference.com/schedule/

what is the RUA ?

Someone asked me what exactly is the RUA? It's the Royal Ulster Academy www.ruaonline.com they have a list of Sunday Lectures starting 4 Oct all eductaion events are free and open to the public. However you do have to book on 02890320819.

If you have always been suspicious of the RUA why not go to the salon Resuse..........Studio 23 is having an exhibition of alot of the art that didnt get into the exhibition this year. Details to come shortly on the blog....and make up your own mind.

Sunday 20 September 2009

City East Drive by

ON the edge Artists (except Caithrin )

ON the edge opening night



Bronagh Lawson Artist in Residence with Giles Wilson, Chair of City and Kenny Rodgers ( no that that one )


City East Board members

ON the edge opening night


Debbie and Adrian and Ivan Frew


Ngaire Jackson and Ngaio Lawson

uk young visual artist award 2009

Awards


Final call for applications: UK ’s Young Visual Arts Entrepreneur 2009

Deadline: Monday 21 September 2009

Are you the UK ’s Young Visual Arts Entrepreneur 2009? This competition is a great opportunity for six finalists to undertake a tour of the visual arts industry of India , an exciting emerging economy whose potential as a market cannot be underestimated. They will visit up to three cities meeting meet key players, gain an understanding of how business is done there and have the chance to extend international business networks. The panel of judges is chaired by Matthew Slotover and as the prestige and profile of being named the UK ’s Young Interactive Entrepreneur 2009 the winner receives £5,000 for a collaborative project with India .

Applicants must be aged 25-35 within the following definition of visual arts: owners, curators, directors, managers and other professionals working in both commercial and public galleries; auction houses and other forms of distribution or agency; developers of visual arts publishing (magazines, books etc), communications or websites all within the visual arts sector.

For more information visit: www.creativeconomy.org.uk/ukyvae09

Friday 18 September 2009

Thursday 17 September 2009

preview today

Just back from the lunch time preview of the exhibition, great comments on the space and the quality of the work.

One lady said she had been to 4 exhibition openings that week and she wondered why on earth she had bothered. It was by far the most eclectic exhibition so far.

Come tonight to see the modern art museum of Michael Hart, the underbelly of Belfast by Paul Moore, Terry Hooley captured in all his glory by Sean Henry Johnstone, Stand on the travalger square plinth like Ngaire Jackson, imagine your in China with Cathrin Scolfield and see my nudes.

Great expereince all around, some sales whxcih is a good start and looking forward to this evenings opening.

Make it if you can 7-9 at City East.www.bronaghlawson.com detailsls on website

Tuesday 15 September 2009

pre exhibition stress

I knew it was all going too smoothly, why is it that something always comes up?

But is coming together shaping nicely and it's a very eclectic exhibition with a few surprises. We have something in the lobby and I'm just wondering if people are going to realise that it's art or not? How deep do people think?

All coming together. ................immmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Garden Gourmet

Garden Gourmet
Come along to Garden Gourmet for a weekend of vibrant and colourful fun with plenty for all the family to see and do.

The event takes place from 12.30pm - 6pm on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September in Botanic Gardens.

Activities
Flower Show
Our Autumn Flower Show, now in its 28th year, will display thousands of prize blooms, alongside exhibits of monster-size vegetables and other delights including a variety of plant and craft stalls.
Food and drink
Tasters of the finest local and international food and drink will be there to tantalize nostrils and taste buds. You will also be able to watch exciting cookery demonstrations, with local chefs sharing tips, secrets and recipes.
Tropical Ravine
Experience some of the oldest plants around in an expedition through the Tropical Ravine (entrance fee £1).
Entertainment
Garden Gourmet offers not only flowers and food but a weekend full of entertainment for the whole family including:

face painting
magic show
puppet show
live music
climbing wall
street entertainer.
Admission
It costs £3 for adults, £2 for concessions and children under 16 (accompanied by an adult) go free.

Terms and conditions of entry apply

More information
For a full list of activities, including a brochure and map, please visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events

art chirstmas is coming

Just a quickie, Tonya McMullan described having an opening as Art Christmas all the build up then a party on the night. It certainly feels that way.

All the artsits are hopping about doing this and that to get organised for Thursday when it wil be art Christmas. Art on the Peace line am I mad?

T5 field cinema

T5 field cinema


Small groups of people going to remote-ish and pertinent locations to watch films and artist videos.


This is the launch of artist Dan Shipsides’ ongoing project of informally showing artist and feature films in interesting remote locations. It utilises a T5* generation VW van, converted as a campervan to screen videos in remote locations (screen, video projector and petrol generator).


The T5 field cinema is supported by a forum which will bring together people, films and locations. Participants can use the forum to involve themselves and help initiate or propose screening events.

Please register to become involved

It’s Belfast based with potential screening locations initially within an hour or two drive of the city - but anyone can take part via the forum and potentially in person.


T5 field cinema is launched as part of FIX 09 – the 8th Catalyst Arts performance art biennial, which this year focuses on participatory aspects of contemporary live art practice. Screenings will take place during the week of the festival, which runs from from 26 September - 4 October 2009.


* T5 - the 5th generation of VW van - lineage of the cult Split and Bay window vans.





T5 field cinema forum:

http://www.danshipsides.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl


Dan Shipsides:

http://www.danshipsides.com

Friday 11 September 2009

artist talk next Friday

Lunchtime Artist Talks at OBG with multimedia artist Brian Connolly



Friday 18th September at 2 - 3pm, free admission

Every Friday during the BPW Editions exhibition, OBG will explore the techniques and methods of printmaking with a guided tour alongside the artists who are displaying their work.

Our first artist tour is with multimedia artist Brian Connolly. Brian experiments with methods of expression as well as with ideas and meanings through a diverse range of mediums such as sculpture, installation, printmaking and collaborative projects.



Brian is associate lecturer in University of Ulster and an explorative artist as he constantly seeks to redefine the parameters within which he works. For the Editions exhibition Brian will showcase his skills from various installations, install actions and performances, illustrating a complex and absorbing artistic experiment.



OBG artist talks are a great opportunity if you feel like doing something different on your lunch break or want to know more about the artists we are realizing. Admission is free so just turn up at 2 and go as you please.



For further enquiries please contact us on the details below



Ciara Hickey

Education Officer

Ormeau Baths Gallery

18a Ormeau Avenue

Belfast

BT2 8HS



02890321402



Visit our website and e-brochure on www.ormeaubaths.co.uk

Wednesday 9 September 2009

Saturday Morning programme

So some members of BPW were interviewed this morning for radio Ulster Saturday morning programme 10-12 about drawing and getting into your creative zone, you can catch it on Saturday those that were interviewed Ben Allen, Veronica Wallis,Terry Gravett, Peter Hutchinson and me. It's to talk a bit behind the big draw exhibition that we currently have on at Victoria Square where you can artists drawing skills and preparation drawings are exhibited alongside the final prints.


Cant remember what I said but .........what the heck.

new Print workshop courses

belfastprintworkshop 'edition' a new timetable of printmaking courses.
September - November 2009

A great chance to try an introduction printmaking course our why not develop your skills further with our new intermediate courses.

A full list of courses are available below:

Introduction Weekend Courses

Collagraph £60 Sat & Sun 10am - 3pm 3rd & 4th Oct 2009

Mono Printing £60 Sat & Sun 10am - 3pm 10th & 11th Oct 2009

Photo Etching £60 Sat & Sun 10am - 3pm 17th & 18th Oct 2009

Relief Printing £70 Sat & Sun 10am - 3pm 24th & 25th Oct 2009




Introduction Evening Courses

Screen Printing £70 Mondays 28th Sept - 19th Oct 2009 7-9pm

Photo Intaglio £60 Tuesday 29th Sept - 20th Oct 2009 7-9pm

Etching £60 Wednesday 130th Sept - 21st Oct 2009 7-9pm




Intermediate Evening Courses

Photo Intaglio £70 Mondays 26th Oct - 16th Nov 2009 7-9pm
Screen Printing £60 Tuesday 27th Oct - 17th Nov 2009 7-9pm

Etching £60 Wednesday 28th Oct - 18th Nov 2009 7-9pm

HOW TO BOOK.
To make a booking please contact Workshop info@belfastprintworkshop.org.uk

Further Information available at http://www.belfastprintworkshop.org.uk/html/course.html

Tuesday 8 September 2009

Dont forget Thursday night

ormeau baths Thursday night.

7pm

National minimum wage increase

Increase in national minimum wage rate
Businesses in Northern Ireland should prepare for the increase in the national minimum wage rate on 1 October 2009
From 1 October 2009, new national minimum wage (NMW) rates will come into force across the UK including Northern Ireland. The NMW applies to nearly all workers and sets hourly rates below which you must not allow pay to fall.

New NMW rates
For pay reference periods beginning on or after 1 October 2009, you will have to pay all eligible workers the following:

£5.80 an hour to workers aged 22 and above
£4.83 an hour to workers aged 18-21
£3.57 an hour to workers aged below 18 who are no longer of compulsory school age
The daily accommodation offset
You will be able to offset from the NMW an amount of £4.51 per day for each day that you provide a worker with living accommodation.

For further advice employers can contact the National Minimum Wage helpline - Northern Ireland Tel 0845 650 0207.

Also on this site

National minimum wage law
Regulation update - increase in the national minimum wage rate

Introduction to management pratice

IMP October 2009 to November 2010


Applications should be marked for the attention of:

Steve Pollard
Introduction to Management Practice
2D20
Business Institute
Shore Road
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim BT37 0QB


Please do not send your applications to Registry.







The Introduction to Management Practice Programme provides a broad based, practical introduction to the key ideas, techniques and overall competencies needed to manage effectively and productively.


The programme is specifically geared towards Northern Ireland managers who, as part of their personal development, are keen to pursue a management qualification as well as benefit from a practically orientated management programme. The programme is relevant for those who work in the private, public and community and voluntary sectors. Typical programme participants include:


• Those who do not have a specific academic background in management and would like to gain a qualification to underpin their experience gained to date.
• Those who are new to management
• Those who require wider managerial understanding of management practice


The programme runs from October 2009 to November 2010. Workshops will be held in the Jordanstown Campus on a part-time basis (2 days per month) and will involve elements of theory, case studies, benchmarking, as well as a high degree of class participation and interaction. Classes start at 09.30 and finish around 16.30.


The programme is structured around six modules:

(1) Personal Effectiveness
(2) Managing People: Leadership, Managing People & Teams
(3) Finance
(4) Marketing & World Class Customer Satisfaction
(5) Performance Improvement/Business Excellence
(6) Managing Strategy & Change


The programme does not have exams, but you are required to complete six work based assignments of approximately 1500 – 2000 words.


Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of the Advanced Diploma in Management Practice. The qualification carries 120 CATS points at undergraduate level.


The total time commitment is therefore 12 days in Jordanstown, together with independent study time.


Programme Cost

The cost of the Introduction to Management Practice programme is £1375. This includes the overnight induction at a residential retreat, as well as graduation. Payment is required prior to commencement of the programme. No bursary support is available for this programme.

Newtownabbey concert

The funds raised go to a very worthy cause (http://projectsierra.org/) which is being supported for four years by Soroptimist International. The scheme strives to equip young women, many of whom have been brutalised and abandoned, to raise their children with dignity, learn vital skills, gain employment and re-intergrate with both their families and society; it also re-unites children taken from their families during the civil war in Sierra Leone. http://projectsierra.org/si_activity.html

edition exhibition this Thursday 7pm OBG

belfastprintworkshopgallery

Belfast Print Workshop have a new exhibition opening at the Ormeau Baths Gallery this Thursday!

‘Editions’ Exhibition

Opening Night Thursday 10th September

Exhibition Continues Until Saturday 3rd October

Ormeau Baths Gallery (OBG) in conjunction with Belfast Print Workshop (BPW) are hosting what promises to be an exciting and inherently emotive art exhibition. BPW have a long standing artist in residence programme whereby they encourage artists who originate from various artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture, as well as printmaking and even performance art, to develop their knowledge and ability in the specialist field of printmaking. Their artists in residence programmes have been running since 1977 and over the years some truly gifted artists have managed to create some fascinating works of art. The ‘Editions’ exhibition will contain a range of prints from ten selected artists that have had the opportunity to use the facilities and the expertise of the staff at BPW since 2003; these ten artists will also exhibit artworks from their own specialist practice. Viewers of this exhibition will be shocked as to the quality and complexity of the prints produced by some of the artists who had little experience in printmaking prior to their residency with BPW, not to mention the outstanding works created in their own field. Conversely some of the artists exhibiting originate from a printmaking background, which will make for an interesting comparison of the works on display.

BPW are also hosting a variety of educational workshops at OBG throughout the exhibition, these courses are being held on Thursdays during the three-week exhibition by printmaker, OBG and BPW art tutor Anu Sundaralingam, no experience is necessary and materials will be provided. There will also be school workshops that provide an introduction to printmaking, suitable for GCSE to A-Level students, booking is essential, 2 weeks in advance. The BPW Editions exhibition hopes to encourage people to feel inspired to try new forms of printmaking for themselves or attempt to work in the practice for the very first time.


I would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that BPW also have 'The Big Draw' exhibition running in their gallery space in Victoria Square, there will be late night opening on Friday 25th to tie in with The Cathedral Quarter Culture Night, the exhibition will be running until October 10th and on the last day of the exhibition BPW are hosting a free drawing workshop from 12pm-4pm in the workshop at Cotton Court which is open to the public.


Tomas Bamford
Gallery/Sales Manager


belfastprintworkshopgallery
gallery@belfastprintworkshop.org.uk
www.belfastprintworkshop.org.uk


Cotton Court
30-42 Waring Street
Belfast BT1 2ED
T: 028 90230323


corporate art service:
www.printcircular.com

Monday 7 September 2009

On the edge exhibition

On The Edge Selected exhibition, curated by Bronagh Lawson, including painting, print, installation, drawing, video and photography, showing an eclectic snap shot of Belfast contemporary art practice. Bronagh Lawson is currently Artist in residence at City East* where she is working on a new body of work, some selected pieces will start the City East Art collection. Bronagh keeps a blog commenting on the changing Belfast art scene. http://belfastmutterings.blogspot.com/ During her residency she will work on a number of projects the first of which is “On the edge” a selected show of artists who are currently working in the Belfast area. Bronagh was attracted to the residency opportunity as it links together her artist practice and 13 years consultancy experience working on development projects mainly in interface areas. Bronagh has selected the artists showing in the “on the edge” exhibition as she has admired their creative spirit and artistic output often in the face of adversity in a difficult economic and artistic environment. Between them they have an impressive list of experience from exhibitions, commissions, community festivals, public sculpture, photography assignments, artist’s talks, workshops and interventions. The artists would like to thank the board of City East for their vision of having their first artist in residence. *City East is an enterprise centre based in East Belfast www.eastbelfast.org
www.bronaghlawson.com

Bronagh Lawson "On the edge artist"


BRONAGH LAWSON Bronagh is the artist in residence at City East. She completed a foundation in Art and design in Bristol and achieved a first class degree in Textiles and Fashion at Winchester Collage of Art and as a recipient of the Calvin Klein, Harvey Nichols, Fulbright award spent time At Parsons school of Art, New York. Chair of Belfast Print workshop last year Bronagh was involved in a series of events. One was a trip to China, how did it affect her work on return? Bronagh will show a body of work inspired by the chinese trip and the experience.

Michael Hart "On the edge" artist

MICHAEL HART Michael Hart is a multi - disciplinary artist, working within printmaking, painting, photography and installation art. Since graduating from the University of Ulster in 2001, he has based himself at Belfast Print workshop, and Creative Exchange studios. Michaels artistic practice extends his investigation of what exists, through his experiments, in print, paint, into the visualisation of the movement of gravity between the horizontal and vertical axis.

Cathrin Schofield "On the edge" artist

CATHRIN SCHOFIELD

Cathrin had an extensive career as an art teacher before changing her visual environment by completing an MA at University of Ulster which included a term at The National Academy of Art in HangZhou China. The experience has given her a love of all things Chinese. Cathrin says “when I first went to China, I knew virtually nothing of the country the people and their culture, Westerners were unusual in many places and I knew no Chinese It was a challenge and a tremendous culture shock “ Later she had the opportunity to travel extensively around the country and the effect on her work was immediate. Cathrin has since gone back to China five times and is a strong advocate in encouraging other artists to explore the rich and varied culture. She is currently planning her next trip.

Paul Moore " on the edge " artist

PAUL MOORE “The king of Belfast’s under belly” Paul started his art education at BIFHE then completed his foundation at Armagh technical college next it was Wales were he did a BA in multi media and postgraduate certificate in fine art at Newport University. Paul is attracted to the ‘transient’ presence of people and spaces. For the last two years he has been capturing Belfast as it has been transforming into a vibrant city. With a distain of the ‘posed’ shot, Paul captures the essence of Belfast unawares and enjoying itself.

Tonya McMullan "on the edge" artist

TONYA MCMULLAN Recently returned to Northern Ireland Tonya completed her foundation in art and design at UWE Bristol and studied sculpture at Edinburgh college of Art. Tonya participated in a one month residency at Can Serrat In Barcelona this year and is moving into a studio space with Ad Hoc in Belfast. Tonya has made new work for the exhibition based on her research into the building, it’s surroundings and from time spent working alongside City Easts front house manager Lucy Barfoot.

www.Tonyamcmullan.com

Sean henry Johnstone on the edge artist

SEAN HENRY JOHNSTONE

Sean Johnstone is living proof that travel does indeed broaden your horizons. Originally from Maghera. Sean set off on a world tour and returned to the province with new eyes. Sean received his art education from the school of life and is currently a member of Belfast Print workshop and planning to go back to Melbourne and Bali soon. Sean’s work is in many local private collections and he is preparing for an exhibition in 2010, in Melbourne, called ‘Absinth in Helsinki’ with New Zealand artist Samara Joy Owens.

Ngaire Jackson on the edge artist

NGAIRE A JACKSON Ngaire studied fine art BA (first class hons) and MA at the University of Ulster.

This summer an extraordinary event took place as part of Antony Gormley’s Fourth Plinth Project. Every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days without a break, a different person occupied the Plinth in Trafalgar Square , London . 2,400 participants from all corners of the UK , created an astonishing living portrait of the UK in 2009. The event was seen all round the world via a 24 hour relay on the event website developed in partnership with Sky Arts. Ngaire was one of a lucky 2400 who had a chance to spend an hour on the plinth. What to do for an hour on the Plinth? The idea was very simple. I stood on the plinth, drew around my feet and took a rubbing 13ft 8 by 4ft 11 of the top of the plinth. The spaces created on the rubbing by the outline of my feet provide the viewer with the necessary visual and mental space required to place themselves on the Plinth; to put themselves in the spotlight. Through visually and or mentally placing ourselves on the Plinth, our bodies become a metaphor, a symbol. This ‘elevation’ of ourselves to a position formerly occupied by monumental art allow us to reflect on our own differences, vulnerability and individuality, in contemporary society.’

The exhibition space in City East with floor to ceiling framed views of the streets of Belfast (right on the Peace Line) can be seen to provide a living portrait of Belfast in 2009.'

On the edge invite

face book page for on the edge

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=144497441976&ref=nf

Sunday 6 September 2009

Belfast Print workshop editions OBG 7pm

So the biggey this week is the OBG opening

belfastprintworkshop is having an exhibition based on the artists in residence it has had over the last five years, it's an interesting bunch of artists who have come to the workshop and worked on editioning a series of Prints. Including David Mach Neil Shawcross, Claire Morgan it will be nice to see it in that enviornment.

I'm madly putting together the On the Edge exhibition but thought I'd say a few words about my blog. Someone told me that one gallery that I mention sends out a little cheer every time they get a mention on it. While another organisation I know takes the micky out of it. I suppose that tells you a little bit about each organisation I've always found that people with low self esteem like to be cruel about and take the micky out of things. It's a pity there are so many people in Northern Ireland like that but hay it pays to be positive................honestly it does.

There were not as many people at Late night art last week I think what with it being the beginning of the school season some people's minds were on other things.But there was still plently going on loved the performance at the Golden thread, the selection of members work at Queens Street studios and the big draw exhibition at Victoria square. I brought someone who had not been around the galleries that had not been before and they were amazed at what was going on it Belfast.........it's great to see it evolving. Have you heard about culture night?? you will, oh you will.

Saturday 5 September 2009

tax...yum yum

The HMRC Advice Team have now announced dates for their popular "becoming self –employed” workshops. These sessions are especially useful to those who are currently partcipating, have recently attended and intend to take part in the current "Go for It" training programme.

Sessions are as follows:

8TH SEPTEMBER MAGHERAFELT
10TH SEPTEMBER NEWTOWNARDS
9TH SEPT KILPATRICK HOUSE
BALLYMENA
15TH SEPTEMBER
LISBURN ENTERPRISE AGENCY
17TH SEPTEMBER FOYLE HOUSE LONDONDERRY
24TH SEPTEMBER CUSTOMS HOUSE BELFAST
8TH OCTOBER NORTH DOWN DEVELOPMENT BANGOR
8TH OCTOBER FERN HOUSE
COLERAINE
14TH OCTOBER ENNISKILLEN
ENTERPRISE CENTRE
15TH OCTOBER CUSTOMS HOUSE
BELFAST
28TH OCTOBER BANBRIDGE
ENTERPRISE AGENCY
The team has a centralised booking system - call them on 08456 032 691

Precise details of where the event will be held in the areas indicated will be advised to those wishing to attend. A confirmation letter is sent out and the person is asked to confirm their attendance normally with about a week to go before the event.

Additionally the presenter running the event will normally phone the attendees a few days before the workshop to confirm that it is still going ahead and again to confirm their attendance.

Do not forget the events are FREE of charge.
Hope this helps;
From the HMRC ADVICE TEAM

Editions at BPW next thursday 7pm

Opening next thursday of BPW at OBG Editions
where over the last five years artists in residence at BPW mostly who's first medium is not printmaking have been editioning work.
The exhibition highlights the new editioning service run by BPW where artists can get there work editioned.

In conjunction the gallery will run a series of events :



Events at OBG this month during BPW Editions



Artist Talks

Fridays at 2pm until 2nd October

Free admission, no booking required

Each Friday during the exhibition at 2pm, one of the artists will discuss their work in the gallery. There will be opportunity for questions and discussion. These talks are particularly suitable for school and student groups.



Explore Print at OBG – Booking up fast!!

Next week BPW will open there new exhibition at Ormeau baths gallery editions where for the last five years different artists in residence who are not printmakers work in the print medium. I have had a sneak preview last week when installing and it really looks great but then that just me.

Thuursdays – 17th, 24th September and 1st October

7pm – 9pm

£3 per class or £7 for all three classes

Each Thursday evening of the exhibition, explore a different printing technique with printmaker Anu Sundaralingam.

No experience is necessary and we supply all the materials.

Please contact Ciara on chickey@ormeaubaths.co.uk or 02890 321402 to register for the course.

Thursday 3 September 2009

ON the edge 17TH sEPTEMBER

ok so I asked you to keep the 17 September in your diary and now I'll tell you why I am opening an exhibition at City East where I am artist in residence. I have painting ,sculpture,installation,print,video, photography etc etc etc all completed by artists based in the Belfast AREA there are seven artists in total and over the next wee while I'll tell you who they are and why I picked them. City East are sponsoring the event by giving me 5 fantastic high speck rooms with large windows to show the artwork as well as putting up work around the building. It's all a bit hectic with that being organised as well as Victoria square tonight and then next Thursday BPW opening in the Ormeau baths as well so its all go go go go but hay what else would I be doing watching TV????..............dont even have one.;-)

oh yes Im also getting building work completed in my house so there must be change in the air....................odd thing happened on the way into City East today a bus load of tourists from the republic of Ireland stopped off at the murals at freedom corner just up from City East and were taking photographs??? strange but true. Odd what happens when the Peace process comes along.

dont forget tonight its late night art

7pm BPW at Victoria Square and all and all and all www.belfastgalleries.com

Wednesday 2 September 2009

Thursday night opening

So it's late night art again where the biggest and the best of the Belfast galleries are open for business Belfast print workshop has linked it's self to the big draw and as we speak an exhibition of drawings that consisted of the preliminarys of the prints are being hung.

There is a really nice selection of the work that Jan Sanger did with Michael Hart when she was artist in residence with lots of movement. But then you would expect that from an animator .........love the bright screen print dancing across the page. there is an etching and you would almost swear it was made out of plasterscene.............lovely. Interesting to see the photec layers used for the screen print..

Why is drawing so nice??? well as soon as you can hold an impliment in your hand you can use it to make marks on something and thats exactly what I have always been encouraged to do by my family. As a teenage it became an obcession a way of escaping the reality of life around me as soon as I knew that you could go to a place that you could draw and make all day ie art collage I wanted to go. Even when I was working as a training and business consultant i always kept up my sketch books and have loads from all of the travels I have been on. I remember one time in Prague I was sitting at a square drawing on the side of the pavement, some young people came over and asked me whay not just take a picture instead..and I considered why??? but in that hour that I sat on that square I connected with the place drawings like no photograph could ever do, it grounded me on the spot forced me to look at the energy around me and as a result something came out .........................another drawing for my sketch book.

I was just trying to think of another time I got a reaction with my drawing. I went to a charity diner ......I was a bit bored and wondered how I was going to get through the night. I decided to draw people on the back of the bingo sheets that were being given out. I picked out diffeent people for their characters and challanged myself to a drawing of them using one line..................when I gave them the drawing it was interesting to see the reaction. One women screemed.but then she was just a cleevage and necklace. How many women are ? One guy was a shirt and a big watch.but hay it's seemed to fit his personality............
oh better stop there.

and give the workers a hand in Victoria square ........................ maybe see you at the opening.


Anyway it should be a good exhibition. there is a free drawing workshop on sat 10th in Victoria square as well after all it's good to draw it really is.

carzy at Ps2 again.cool

happenstance…’- 7 ½ hour performance/installation by Shaun Caton.

Sunday, 6 September 2009, 2-9.30pm


'happenstance…’ is a unique, site specific, performance by Shaun Caton.
Using organic elements such as clay, sticks, twine and genuine prehistoric artefacts as psychic triggers, the artist constructs and interacts with an enclave that exists outside of our time and space.
Caton’s performances are multi-layered and resonate with great psychological intensity. He presents the viewer with an enigmatic situation, in which drawings are made over extended time periods onto the walls of the space.
Much of his work is inspired by imagery of prehistoric cultures and their rituals. He seldom gives interpretations to his work, only acknowledging that it originates from an entered ‘trance state’.
Typically, Shaun Caton will only make 2 or 3 live works a year and spends a lot of time in mental preparation, making hundreds of drawings and evolving into the performance psyche beforehand.

For more information see: www.shauncaton.com or visit www.pssquared.org/Shaun.php

Contact: pssquared@btconnect.com ; 07733457772

Late night art Thursday

Dont gorget
www.belfastgalleries.com come and see what all the fuss is about.

BPW opens the big draw at Victoria square

Place

WEDNESDAY NIGHT, 5.30PM
Architecture in Recession - lessons from the past and elsewhere

PLACE presents a special panel discussion on Architecture in Recession – lessons from the past and elsewhere taking place this Wednesday 2nd September at 5.30pm at the Black Box, Hill Street, Belfast.

On the panel are Paul Hyett (Past President of RIBA), John Graby (Director RIAI), Barrie Todd (Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group & Past President, RSUA) and Mervyn Black (Past President, RSUA). Questions for speakers are welcome in advance and should be addressed to michael@place.uk.net

The main issues to be addressed will most likely be the impact of the recession on architects, practice and architecture.

Admission is free but booking in advance is advised – to book please call us at PLACE on (028) 9023 2524 or email info@place.uk.net with your name, number of places required and contact phone number/email address.

Architecture in Recession - Lessons from the past and elsewhere
Venue: The Black Box, Hill Street, Belfast
Admission: Free
Booking: info@place.uk.net or (028) 9023 2524

THURSDAY NIGHT 6-9PM
Late Night Art exhibition launches: James Hughes & the UAHS

MAIN GALLERY: JAMES HUGHES - SPECTRES OF PLACE

PLACE is proud to present Spectres of Place: Three Decades of Ulster Interiors by Ballymena-based photographer James Hughes, a selection of Hughes’ 30 years of photographing Ulster interiors. The launch takes place this Thursday 3rd September from 6-9pm and the show continues from Fri 4th - Sat 26th September 2009. Also on Saturday 12th September @ 2pm James introduces his work in a special artist’s talk. Admission is free but booking is advised – email info@place.uk.net or phone (028) 9023 2524.

More info on this exhibition from the PLACE website: click here

Tuesday 1 September 2009

ad hoc request

ad hoc call for collective members

ad hoc is a dynamic new arts venture that strives to bring together artists from all disciplines and at different stages of their career. ad hoc is dedicated to creative exchange and practise through profiling and collaborative projects.

ad hoc will feature artist studios, event space, gallery and a social area that will be programmed by creative direction of the collective.


Available position

Collective Member

Position Description

The collective is envisioned as a muti-disciplined creative and curatorial team that will take responsibility for ad hoc programming. The members of the collective will promote exhibitions/events relevant to their field of expertise.

This will be a voluntary post with potential of initiating and collaborating on commercial arts projects.

Members of the collective will be entitled a workspace and use of the facilities in ad hoc.

Criteria

Proven track record of experience in your area of practise.
Detailed knowledge of relevant contemporary culture.
Available for quarterly collective meetings, AGM ad fulfill contractual obligations.

Submission details
Current CV
Short artist statement (max. 100 words)
Short synopsis of a project proposal (max. 250 words)

Deadline
18th September 2009

Submit by email to adhocbelfast@gmail.com

--
Colm Clarke, James Hepburn
Founding Members
ADHOC