Category Archives: What’s On

What's On

What’s On: ‘PlayTest’ Summer Workshop at Peckover House

Summer holidays are calling and with the school term coming to a close we can be sure that you’re on the lookout for things to do in the coming weeks! We’re excited to share with you this fantastic opportunity for those aged 13-18 who are interested in arts, gaming or heritage. Common Ground is collaborating with theatre-makers Coney for a series of creative playful workshops across heritage sites in East Anglia – including Peckover House & Garden in Wisbech next week, 25-29th July 2022!

Common Ground is a Norfolk and Norwich Festival 250 Project that connects young people with their local cultural and natural heritage through the arts. This Summer, they’re inviting 13 to 18 year olds to join them for workshops in Wisbech, Peterborough, Lowestoft and King’s Lynn for a week of art, gaming and action.

The project, which is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, brings aboard young people from across the East of England as “co-creators” and helps them to discover, define and design heritage in the local area. Common Ground proudly work in partnership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, the Prince’s Trust, SHARE Museums East, Ipswich & Colchester Museum and Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Explore creating new ways to experience and use local heritage sites inspired by your own interests. The team says: “What if a park visit didn’t have to be a picnic, but a giant scavenger hunt? Could you tour a historic house through an escape room rather than with a guide? How would you like to see your local heritage used?”

Image Courtesy of Common Ground

Let your imagination run wild, how would you like to use the site? During the upcoming 5-day workshop at the National Trust’s Peckover House & Garden (Wisbech, Cambridgeshire PE13 1JR), attendees will work alongside the artist collective Coney as well as two young community artists on project PlayTest: Peckover.

PlayTest: Peckover is a free creative workshop aimed at those living in the local area and is running next week, Monday 25th to Friday 29th July from 10.30-4.30PM each day. Lunch and travel will also be covered.

Making play to spark change! Coney are a BAFTA award-winning team who will be sharing their methods of creating interactive theatre, games and immersive adventures that blend creativity and playful activism. Workshop goers can expect to learn how to use physical games, digital platforms, storytelling techniques and the Wisbech heritage around them to create new, exciting experiences that connect people to places.

Participants will learn how they can make a change and will discover and share what matters to them and what they are passionate about, which could be the environment, human rights – or even a favourite food.

Image Courtesy of Common Ground

Taking part in Common Ground is a great opportunity for young people to shape a project from start to finish, to develop some great creative skills, to build confidence and to meet other young people in their local area. They will get to connect with their community and also make a difference to their local heritage.

Whether a regular visitor to Peckover House & Garden or you’ve never heard of it, if you are aged 13-18 you can get involved – no experience required. For an insight into some of the digital games that will be created throughout this Summer’s workshops click here to try one for yourself – using codeword: Playtest!

To book a space and for more information, including accessibility, visit the website and sign-up page here.

Find out more and book a space here!

You can also head here for details about Common Ground’s other partnerships this Summer including the workshops PlayTest: Flag Fen in Peterborough running from Monday 1st to Friday 5th August, PlayTest: Carlton Marshes in Lowestoft running from Monday 8th to Friday 12th August, and PlayTest: King’s Lynn at Roydon Common running from Monday 15th to Friday 19th August 2022.

What’s more, the project’s portfolio includes Common Ground Leaders which is a community of 18–25 year olds who are interested in learning more about the arts, heritage, creating, producing and changing the world around them. Do you know someone who might be keen to join? Please share this page with them!

Check out the Common Ground website here – and be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram too.

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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Rowan’s Charity Exhibition: The Great Outdoors

We’re honoured to extend an invitation to our audience to attend Rowan’s annual art exhibition, through which all funds raised help the local charity to continue their work supporting adults with learning disabilities across Cambridgeshire to reach their creative potential whilst enabling them to live happy and independent lives. The two-day event is on this coming weekend, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th February 2022, at Long Road Sixth Form College (Cambridge CB2 8PX).

Rowan is an arts centre and forest school based in the city centre. For their third fundraising exhibition it’s time to explore The Great Outdoors with a display of works for sale from 100+ artists! As well as the artwork on show, there will be live music from local musicians, a pop-up shop of goods handmade by the centre’s skilled artisans and a silent auction featuring works that have been donated by professional artists.

One of the things we love about Rowan’s events is the involvement of the local community. They offer so much to so many by both welcoming external artists, whether amateur or professional, to contribute their creativity and inspiring the public to get creative for a good cause. The Great Outdoors is open from 11-4PM on both days and entry is free. Show your support and head over to the Facebook event here to RSVP now!

Image Courtesy of Rowan’s Artists
Image Courtesy of Rowan’s Artists

Rowan receive some income from student fees but mostly rely on fundraising to cover their costs which total over £430,000 a year. They do incredible work and are very much at the heart of the county’s creative community not only because of what they do to give disabled adults the same choices, opportunities and aspirations as others but because they also provide valuable connections for residents and businesses through their community classes, open studio events, projects and commissions.

All visitors heading to this weekend’s exhibit have the opportunity to purchase original artworks inspired by nature that have been produced by local artists. Every participant was given the same blank canvas and then asked to create a piece inspired by the theme. If you’ve been searching for affordable art for your home, office or school then you won’t want to miss this – all finished canvases will be on sale for £45 each.

Ellie Breeze, Communications & Fundraising Events Manager, says: “After so much time stuck indoors, it feels fitting to celebrate the outdoors with this exhibition.” She also adds: “I love how inclusive this event is – everyone is invited to take part and each artwork is sold for the same price. We’re always blown away by the talent on display at our exhibitions and seeing the work submitted so far, this year will be no different.”

Image Courtesy of Rowan’s Artists
Image Courtesy of Rowan’s Artists
Image Courtesy of Rowan’s Artists

You can expect a mix of musical interludes throughout – with quirky and catchy music from Karmadillo and chilled jazz and blues groove from singer-songwriter Soloman Smith alongside Chris Newman on guitar.

Whether you are able to get along in-person or not, everyone is welcome to go check out the silent auction preview here. Virtual bidding opens on Saturday at 11AM and you can get involved by texting your bids to the dedicated auction mobile number. Just text your name, bid, the artist and artwork you are bidding on.

Since 1984, Rowan have provided a safe, creative, and enriching environment where the arts are used to bring people together and to tackle social exclusion. They develop the skills and potential of their students whilst improving happiness, health and wellbeing. They also deliver respite to both families and carers. As a social enterprise they accept large and small-scale art commissions from individuals and organisations.

Be sure to check out Rowan’s website to learn more and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay informed about future events, current projects, venue hire, opportunities and community classes.

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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Shutter Hub X ARB Present: ‘Postcards From Europe’

We’re excited to be back with our first #CambsCreativeScene online post of the year introducing Shutter Hub’s latest show which is on display until Friday 25th February 2022. On 12th January, the organisation launched their largest exhibition to date – it features 1000+ photographs from across Europe, installed across four floors of the University of Cambridge’s Alison Richard Building.

Shutter Hub provide opportunities, support and networking for creative photographers worldwide. As well as the details of the current exhibit, Postcards From Europe, we are also pleased to be sharing an invitation to photographers from across the county and beyond to put forward their images for the organisation’s second printed publication. It was great to see work by members of Cambridgeshire’s creative community selected for Yearbook 2021 which is out now – get your copy here and head to the end of this post to see the call-out details for Road Trip.

Postcards From Europe has been created from a call for response and collaboration, triggered by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflecting on Shutter Hub’s earlier project Postcards From Great Britain. The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 9-7PM and is free to visit (Art at ARB, Cambridge CB3 9DT).

Image by Jayne Lloyd via Shutter Hub
Image by Jayne Lloyd via Shutter Hub

In a significant time in history this exhibition sets out to share aspects of European culture, spanning all genres of photography, and collating images which include social, political, historical, traditional, and observational responses. Karen Harvey, Shutter Hub Creative Director, says: “It’s been a pleasure to be able to work with so many photographers and share so many fascinating images. It’s been a long time coming, but we are so glad to be back in Cambridge, with Art at the ARB, showcasing this work as a real world exhibition!”

Postcards From Europe, which has been printed by Newspaper Club, marks the 20th and final exhibition in a series of pop-ups as part of a huge five year endeavour from Shutter Hub. Exhibitions were held in 19 locations across Europe, showcasing thousands of postcard-sized images and culminating in this final showcase with Art at the ARB at the University of Cambridge.

Not only is this landmark project a celebration of our everyday lives and culture, it is also the first of its kind. The show brings together a significant selection of images that represent our diverse social history – and they have been printed on reams of newspaper, creating an accessible and communicative exhibition which invites viewers to engage with them as they continue their journey through the building and exhibit.

Image by Jayne Lloyd via Shutter Hub
Image by Jayne Lloyd via Shutter Hub

CALL FOR ENTRIES: ROAD TRIP

Shutter Hub Editions plan to create a collection of beautiful printed publications, featuring themed and solo books for people who love photography to collect. You are invited to be a part of their second edition, which they want to fill with entrants’ images around the theme of Road Trip. Entries are being accepted until 5PM (GMT) on Thursday 24th February 2022.

Shutter Hub says: “There’s something wonderful about a road trip, whether it’s getting the best seat on the bus and going long distance to visit a relative, cycling cross-country up hill and down dale, or driving the backroads on a journey of freedom and exploration through an unknown place, there’s a certain sense of nostalgia and adventure that can’t be matched – but it can be photographed!”

Image by Mike Sutton via Shutter Hub

Each photographer can submit up to six single images and it is free to enter. Shutter Hub are supporting the publication themselves so that the opportunity can be offered at no cost unless you wish and are able to make a contribution. All they ask is that entrants send their best work so they can make a significant publication to be pored over and treasured forever! The publication itself will be perfect bound, portrait orientation and printed on 140gsm matte paper at 148 x 210mm with a 350gsm cover.

Entrants do not have to be a Shutter Hub member to take part but if you would like to find out about all the benefits of becoming a Shutter Hub member you can do so here. Has this sparked your curiosity? Click this link to find out more, read the full brief, and apply today! Be sure to also follow for future updates on Twitter and Instagram.

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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#ShopCambridgeshire Week 2021

Calling all Cambridgeshire artists, designers, makers and independent businesses – we invite you to take part in the first #ShopCambridgeshire Week which will be running from Monday 15th to Friday 19th November 2021. Hosted by @TheTrove_Cambridge on Instagram, this community social media event includes a fun 5-day posting challenge with prompts each day.

#ShopCambridgeshire Week aims to connect local creatives and businesses with the wider local community through social media. What types of businesses are we looking to engage in this event? We welcome all small businesses based in Cambridgeshire (or just beyond the border) who are interested in taking part.

This campaign also aims to encourage and inspire residents across the county to think about where they can shop and support local this Christmas time. So, whether you are a shopper or seller – you are invited to join in by sharing to and following along on Instagram throughout next week!

To participate, take inspiration from the post prompts above and then share to your grid and/or story that day. Use the local community hashtag #ShopCambridgeshire in your posts and remember to tag us in any posts, Reels and stories so that we can share with our audience too. There’s no pressure to join in every day, just pick and choose what works for you!

It would be fantastic to see lots of businesses taking part as we enter the Christmas shopping period – so please do help spread the word by forwarding on this post. We will be sharing a round-up each evening on our grid with plenty of opportunities to be featured, make new connections and reach customers.

The response so far has been really positive and we can’t wait to virtually “see” you all there! To find out more about how to participate, or if you have any questions, please fill in the form here: Registration Form

Are you already signed up? Tell your friends, family and followers about the event by saving and sharing the Instagram story prompts template to your stories! You can also click here to edit the feature template and create your own story post to share – use an image of your choice, add your Instagram handle and then download as a .png file. Alternatively, please request a personalised copy to be sent by email.

Want to be featured in the campaign video? Take us behind the scenes, smile and wave at the camera or show you and/or your team “at work”. Please submit a 10-20 second video clip (9:16 format; no text or filters) by Friday 12th November 2021 via email to: hello@thetrovecambridge.co.uk

Be sure to follow @TheTrove_Cambridge on Instagram for further insights and ideas of what to share!

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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What’s On: Pop Up Art Cambridge

An exciting new collaboration between Denis Martin, owner of Minuteman Press, and local artist Jo Clark has seen the transformation of the printer’s Victoria Road location in central Cambridge over recent weeks into a pop-up art gallery. The reimagined indie shop, which is open now until the new year, showcases a wonderful collection of Cambridgeshire based artists’ works for sale.

Pop Up Art Cambridge (154-156 Victoria Road, Cambridge CB4 3DZ) is serving local artists a much sought after opportunity to sell their artwork and wares by occupying prime retail space in the centre of the city. Since launching earlier this month, the shop has been open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10-5PM but additional opening hours and late night shopping events will be coming very soon!

This community art project has been made possible due to the relocation of Minuteman Press to new premises. Owner Denis Martin has said: “When we relocated our printing business next to the Cambridge Science Park, we left a big, beautiful space which we knew lent itself to being used for something special. Having worked with Jo over several years she was a natural choice to approach with this concept.”

Talking of the project, he adds: “In a short space of time, we have created an oasis of art. We are particularly proud to have the opportunity to highlight the exceptional talents of the Cambridge creative community.”

Image by Pop Up Art Cambridge

Pop Up Art Cambridge is proud to be host to over 20 local artists, designers and makers. Jo Clark, who is a local artist herself and whose work is sold in all parts of the UK and beyond, says: “This was something I had been thinking about for a long time. When the opportunity arose, it was too good to miss. This big and bright space has meant that we have been able to assemble a gallery full of the best of Cambridge across a wide range of arts and crafts. The Cambridge creative community has been amazing, and many people helped to get us to this stage. We are now ready to unveil a vast array of original pieces with price points to suit all pockets.”

You can expect to find painting, illustration, ceramics, jewellery and much more from the likes of Lellibelle (@lellibellecards), Silver Spirals (@silverspirals_), Naomi Elstow Ceramics (@naomielstow), Unique Ella Jewellery (@uniqueellajewellery), Sarah Beth Hsieh (@sarahbethhsieh), Abi Stevens Art (@abistevens_art) and Mol & Stitch (@molandstitch).

It is also great to see many of our #WeAreCambsCreatives members represented – including Dario Fisher, Amy Wormald, Mela Jewellery, Karen Jinks, Alison Hullyer and Birgitte Bruun Jewellery. You can head on over to the Pop Up Art Cambridge website here to see the growing list of artists now on show!

PUAC: Dario Fisher
PUAC: Various Local Artists
PUAC: Sarah Beth Hsieh
PUAC: Jo Clark & Alison Hullyer

With the gifting season just around the corner, the timing for this new independent shopping venue has been perfect. Not only is there is a wide range of original goods available to browse and buy but Pop Up Art Cambridge are also hoping to put on a series of creative and demonstration workshops as we head towards Christmas; providing the local community with further opportunities to meet many of the local working artists in person. We can’t wait to take a trip into Cambridge to check out this new unique space!

For artist news, announcements and to find out more about Pop Up Art Cambridge be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to also give Minuteman Press (@minutemancambs) a follow if you’re looking for a reliable local design and print service. For all enquiries relating to the shop, please contact Jo and/or Denis by email to: popupartcambridge@gmail.com

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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What’s On: St Paul’s Arts Festival 2021

St Paul’s (Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JP) welcomes you to their bi-annual arts festival showcasing live music, first-rate comedy and an art exhibition alongside a programme of creative workshops and thought-provoking talks. St Paul’s Artsfest aims to bring together people from across the city and beyond for a celebration of both community and the arts. Find out more about the jam-packed programme below!

Running from Wednesday 15th through until Saturday 18th September, this event is sure to spark the curiosity of many and bring together creative minds from both the local area and further afield. You are invited to come “get your hands dirty, to sing, to listen, to see, to participate in Artsfest 2021 and to recognise and celebrate the business of being ‘us’, of being ‘we’, and above all to have fun.”

Head down for the opening show tomorrow from 7.30PM and enjoy a comedy evening, drinks and nibbles featuring Juliet Meyers, Peter Holloway and Rev. Ravi Holy. From Thursday onwards you can expect to find all day activities such as the Café Hub and Art Exhibition plus on Thursday and Friday there will be lunchtime concerts starting at 12.30PM.

St Paul’s Artsfest: Juliet Meyers
St Paul’s Artsfest: Harry Baker

Take a look at the full events programme over on the festival website here – and keep reading to find out more about the upcoming concerts and evening events as well as the creative daytime workshops being run by some of the leading lights in the creative industry!

The festival committee says: “The 2021 St Paul’s Artsfest is a new beginning as are most things in the Covid and post-lockdown age. In common with many activities at the moment, it is a re-start, a re-invention and a re-examination of something that the mind already knows.” They add: “Our Artsfests have always been a celebration of the creative power of our community in all its manifestations. They have been an attempt to show the ‘we’-ness hidden under the surface.”

DAYTIME WORKSHOPS

Book your tickets here for ‘Silk Screen Printing’ with Off The Press Collective (@offthepresscollective), ‘Bend It Like Quilters’ with Sue Calverley and Kip Gresham (@theprintstudio_cambridge), ‘Self Portraits’ with Liz Diamond, ‘Kickstart Your Creative Writing’ with Jo Browning Wroe, ‘Look & Draw’ with Steve Russell, ‘Breakdown The Elements Of Art’ with Annabel Lee and more!

Multi-award-winning dramatist, Nick Warburton will be taking participants through the creation of character, voice and narration, and structure in ‘Writing Drama’. Nick has written scripts for stage, television and radio. Alongside his many national radio dramas, Nick has written TV scripts for Doctors, Holby City, Born and Bred as well as EastEnders.

St Paul’s Artsfest: Book Workshop Tickets

‘Electronic Music’ sees Drum & Bass producers and DJs from Cambridge, Logistics & Nu:tone (@nutone), taking workshop participants through the process of writing, recording, and mixing a piece of electronic music in this four-hour workshop. Logistics and Nu:Tone are signed to Hospital Records and have been working in the music business since the early 2000s. Between them, they have released 16 albums and countless singles and remixes.

We are looking forward to joining Off The Press Collective, a printmaking collective based in Bury St Edmunds, for their printing workshop on Friday. They specialise in the production of quality prints and are passionate about keeping traditional processes alive. The workshop will be an introduction into the silk screen printing process or a refresher for those who would like to revisit it. Hope to see you there!

There will be a children’s art workshop running on Saturday from 10AM suitable for those aged 5-11. This workshop will be lead by Mary Saldanah, an experienced primary school teacher who now runs the online art project, Startle Art (@startleartroom), producing materials for primary school children. Mary has been particularly busy during the recent periods of lockdown helping parents provide quality art activities for their children.

EVENING TALKS & SHOWS

Alongside these daytime workshops, there are a series of talks tackling a wide range of topics, including political activism, contemporary feminism, the information age, religion, and poetry, which includes a reading from the world poetry slam champion, Harry Baker.

St Paul’s Artsfest: Tim Boniface
St Paul’s Artsfest: Tony Kofi

Other performances include music from Martyn Joseph, jazz with award-winning British saxophonist Tony Kofi and multi-instrumentalist Tim Boniface, and songs from well known musicals with the ‘Scratch Choir’. Head down to rehearse and perform songs with local music teacher and musical theatre composer Simon Humphreys, who will lead the choir, and lecturer in music and tenor Larry Zazzo, who will perform some beautiful counter tenor solos.

Book your tickets for the talks, workshops and performances here and follow Artsfest on Twitter and Facebook. St Paul’s Cambridge is a part of the Church of England in the diocese of Ely. The church and their staff are dedicated to providing a thriving community space open to all. They provide opportunities for local, national and international organisations and rooms for hire for meetings, special occasions and celebrations.

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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The Lazy Susans Present: ‘Our Dahlia Allowance’

In equal measures, it is both exciting and intriguing to stumble upon a new creative collective who bring something a little different to the table. The Lazy Susans are a new curatorial collective consisting of three friends, creatives and side-hustle connoisseurs. They opened their inaugural exhibition ‘Our Dahlia Allowance’ this week, an installation at The Flower Project in Cambridge – which serves as an introduction to the trio’s shared practice!

Holly Pines, Kaia Goodenough and Mala Yamey’s aim is to share culture in a “rotating style”. We would encourage you to take a look through the courses of their website “menu” here for a taste of what’s to come. For starters, you can expect “all dietary requirements met” through the promotion of inclusivity, the championing of living artists and the activation of those underappreciated; and if you stick around for the cheese course, you will learn that they’re hungry to serve up work they love with people that they can share a pint with.

‘Our Dahlia Allowance’ is The Lazy Susans’ first ever curatorial project featuring the work of artists Enya Lachman-Curl and Ramona Zoladek. There is still time to pop down to The Flower Project on Mill Road (Cambridge, CB1 3LP) tomorrow Saturday 21st August 2021 to see the final day, open from 9-5PM.

Visit The Lazy Susans’ website!

The Lazy Susans say: “The dahlia has been associated with the slaughter of women in popular culture since the infamous ‘Black Dahlia’ case of the 1940s, glamorised in Hollywood. Loaded with this treacherous symbolism, it mirrors capitalism’s violence against nature and the earth; we want to reclaim the dahlia and it’s August seasonality, using it as a tool of re-connection. We must bring the natural world into our communities, respect the seasons, share, appreciate and allow nature to take over our industries leading us forward. Remove the baggage, remove the stereotypes and facilitate ‘Our Dahlia Allowance’ of nature. Be open to those around you. Entangle them within your re-wilding. Surpass the allowance.”

Image by The Lazy Susans
Image by The Lazy Susans

In relation to the venue, they add: “Working with The Flower Project, we share the same values of sustainability and eco-friendly practice. Exhibiting our artists in a multi-sensorial living shop, surrounded by flowers and plants, we are denying the deadened white wall aesthetic of the traditional gallery space to reveal an uncanny experience of art where you may least expect it.”

Enya Lachman-Curl transforms traditional painting practice, creating pieces that straddle static and fluid states. Working and living in Bristol, she is the current commissioned way-finding artist for The Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals. Enya describes herself as “a gardener or an obsessed lover”. Crafting an intimacy with her medium, she captures the transience and ephemerality of nature.

Enya is exhibiting three new lace work paintings, painted in tones reminiscent of the dahlia. Also on show is a limited edition print, available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to local charity, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre, who work towards combating violence against women.

Image by The Lazy Susans
Image by The Lazy Susans

Cambridge local, Ramona Zoladek is currently pursuing an MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art in London. Ramona combines organic and construction materials to create, in her words, “fragile and unexpected outcomes.” Working through processes of growth, decay, shrinking and expanding, her pieces create a tension between the strength traditionally associated with industrial materials and the fragility of nature. Building on sustainability in her practice, Ramona has created new site specific sculptures using her signature plaster, chickpea seeds and the occasional dahlia.

Image by The Lazy Susans


It is great to see this collaboration with local indie The Flower Project who opened their shop in October 2020. They are an eco-friendly, independent florist selling bouquets and plants. They add really personal touches to their local deliveries, handwriting gift cards and cycling their creations around Cambridge to recipients and customers.

We very much look forward to seeing what’s up next from The Lazy Susans – to find out more about the collective’s work and upcoming events you can visit their website and follow along over on Instagram too!

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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What’s On: Open Studios Back for 2021

Local artists are able to safely come together once again to open their studios for 2021, with more than 385 participants combined taking part in both the Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios (PAOS) and Cambridge Open Studios (COS) events. After cancellations in 2020, artists all across the county are eager and excited to be able to welcome visitors to view their works and workspaces this July!

From Market Deeping just north of Peterborough down to Little Sampford near Saffron Walden and from Fordham in the East across to Yelling in the West, residents of and visitors to the region will be able to find an open studios not far around the corner with outdoor and indoor showcases planned in accordance with latest COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Open Studios are a really great example of social collaboration, bringing together the creative community through organised events and providing an opportunity for the wider community to meet the artists face-to-face, buy directly from the creator and even catch a demonstration or two in working studios. Whether you plan a self-guided tour or just drop by on spontaneous visits – make sure to keep an eye out for the distinctive red and yellow flags when you are out and about!

What takes your fancy? Be it woodwork, pottery, jewellery, photography, sculpture, embroidery, painting, glasswork, printmaking, sketching, fibre art, mixed media, digital art or textiles – there’s an abundance of creativity to be discovered.

PETERBOROUGH ARTISTS’ OPEN STUDIOS

PAOS 2021 kicked off this last weekend and is also running across the weekends of 3-4 and 10-11 July. The organisation is celebrating its 21st anniversary year, with 85 out of their 127 members participating at a range of venues across the PE postcode area and lots of artists taking part for the first time.

Jackie Hall, PAOS Chair, has said: “It’s great to be back as many people missed their Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios visits last year, meeting and chatting to the very talented makers and creators based around the Greater Peterborough area.”

It is advised that you do plan your visits ahead of time, as some of the artists are not open every weekend, and check each artist’s webpage before travelling in case they have had to change their plans last minute due to the current situation. Find out opening times, see examples of works and search the artists here.

PAOS Artists: Tony, Josie, Stacey-Ann & Muni

Download the programmes for Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios and Cambridge Open Studios here:

Download the PAOS 2021 e-Brochure here!
Download the COS 2021 e-Guide here!

CAMBRIDGE OPEN STUDIOS 2021

COS 2021 is a popular month-long event running across the weekends of 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25 July. The organisation has announced that over 300 artists are participating this year at a selection of locations in the city and surrounding areas with 40 new members taking part.

In addition to home studios, there are nine art galleries hosting resident artists and some members have opted for window displays similar to last year’s Cambridge Open Windows. COS have also partnered with The Pitt Building (Trumpington Street, Cambridge) where a wide range of artists will be exhibiting.

The iOS digital app is available to download here and is an easy way to access information with options to search by medium, location, weekend and artist name. Studios are free to visit, open from 11-6PM and visitors are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome with absolutely no pressure whatsoever to buy. If you do not have access to the app, you can find everything you need here.

Please note that for both events some artists will be opening by appointment only.

Lookout for the event flags flying!
COS Artist: Emma Bennett (Header)

PARTICIPATING MEMBERS

There are 21 #WeAreCambsCreatives members taking part this year – find all the details below.

PAOS 2021:

Stacey-Ann Cole

Figurative and abstract paintings; 3-4 & 10-11 July at Norman Cross Gallery, Peterborough PE7 3TB

Margaret Mallows

Printmaking; 3-4 & 10-11 July at 12 Front Road, Wisbech PE13 4HU

PAOS Artist: Stacey-Ann Cole
COS Artist: Ruth Fairhead

COS 2021:

Maree Allitt

Handcrafted ceramics; 3-4 & 10-11 July at St Barnabas Press, Cambridge CB1 3EW

Cheryl Bird & Linda Bartlett

Handcrafted jewellery; 10-11 & 17-18 July at The Garden Studio, Milton CB24 6AW

Birgitte Bruun

Silver and gold jewellery; 3-4 & 10-11 July at 28 Radegund Road, Cambridge CB1 3RS

Bex Burston & Ruth Fairhead

Fused glass and ceramics; 3-4, 10-11 & 17-18 July at 1 Mustills Lane, Over CB24 5PW

Laura Chaplin

Fine-art printmaking; 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 & 24-25 July at The Orchard, Caxton CB23 3PQ

Naomi Davies

Pen and watercolour paintings; 3-4 & 10-11 July at 151 Hobart Road, Cambridge CB1 3PS

Clive Dawson

Acrylic paintings; 3-4, 10-11 & 17-18 July at 7 Narrow Close, Histon CB24 9XX

Richard Heeps

Photography; 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 & 24-25 July at 2 Springfield Road, Cambridge CB4 1AD

COS Artist: Emma Malfroy

Alison Hullyer

Illustration and printmaking; 3-4, 10-11 & 17-18 July at Smallstone, Milton CB24 6AQ

Cheryl Liston

Oil paintings; 3-4 & 10-11 July at The Pitt Building, Cambridge CB2 1RP

Maureen Mace

Painting and urban sketching; 24-25 July at 309 Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XQ

Emma Malfroy

Collage and paintings; 3-4 & 17-18 July at 11A Oakington Road, Cottenham CB24 8TW

Sara Rawlinson

Photography; 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 & 24-25 July at 58 Beche Road, Cambridge CB5 8HU

Caroline Forward

Oil and cold wax medium paintings; 17-18 & 24-25 July at Riverside Arts, Little Ouse CB7 4TG

Sarah McGonigle & Hannah McGonigle

Paintings and fine-line drawing; 10-11 & 17-18 July at TRIA, Oakington CB24 3DQ

Susan Widlake

Millinery and textiles; 3-4 & 10-11 July at Grantchester Village Hall, Grantchester CB3 9NG

COS Artist: Susan Widlake
COS Artist: Sara Rawlinson

Do head on over to #PAOS2021 and #COSArt2021 on Instagram to see more posts from the participating artists – we have really enjoyed following along with the build up to both events during recent weeks. As we noted last year too, if you are unable to get out at the moment then this is also a great way of accessing the events virtually and getting to know your local artists online!

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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What's On

What’s On: Cows About Cambridge Art Trail

Moo-ving on up, moo-ving on out… nothing is stopping the #CowsAboutCambridge from taking over the city this Summer and we are udderly excited! Cows About Cambridge is a unique arts event and those taking part include local artists, businesses, schools and community groups from across the region. The sculpture trail launches on Monday 28th June and the cows will be on display until Saturday 4th September 2021.

This innovative project will be one of the largest mass-participation art events to be held in Cambridge. It has been described as a world-class art trail and is available for everyone to enjoy for free. The 44 Cow Sculptures and 46 Mini Moos have been lovingly hand-decorated and will be installed in COVID-friendly locations in the open air or within public spaces indoors.

Covering 10 miles, the entire trail can be walked during a fun day out but you can also choose to visit as many or as few of the installations as you wish with several to be found near hospitality venues and ideal picnic spots. Printed trail maps showing all the locations can be collected in shopping centres or from the city’s Cambridge BID Ambassadors. You can also download it from the website here.

There will be an app available to help geo-locate the cows, unlock rewards and track your trail progress – get interactive by voting for your favourite cow and uploading your selfies to the online gallery!

Image by Mark Bullimore Photography: Call For Artists in 2019

The 10-week long sculpture trail is delivered by creative producers Wild In Art in partnership with local children’s charity Break and is supported by inaugural sponsor and principal partner Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID).

Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director/Co-founder of Wild In Art, said: “…The contribution from communities, schools, artists and sponsors is at the very core of the success of Cows About Cambridge, and for that we are immensely grateful…” and “…not only will these beautiful bovines bring a smile to your face, but they also have a serious role to play in encouraging conversations about the climate and how we look after our world.”

After the trail ends, all the cows will be herded together for a final farewell weekend, then the large cow sculptures will be auctioned off to raise vital funds for Break while the mini moos will find forever homes with the schools and community groups that created them. Rachel Cowdry, CEO of Break charity said: “The auction in September will raise vital funds for our services across Cambridgeshire, giving young people in care, on the edge of care or leaving care stability, a home and the life-long support they need to enjoy a bright and successful future.”

Image by RMG Photography: ‘May-Belle’ by Artist Dario Fisher
Image by RMG Photography: ‘May-Belle’ at The Museum of Zoology

Local Artist and #WeAreCambsCreatives member Dario Fisher created ‘May-Belle’ who, as seen above, was spotted back when the project launched bravely punting on the River Cam. Dario’s design ‘portrays two immediately recognisable landmarks as simple and striking sunset scenes’. You will be able to find ‘May-Belle’ grazing on Christ’s Pieces, ‘the city’s iconic green spaces gives Cambridge a unique, peaceful sense of being out in the country’.

Another Cambridge favourite, the artist duo known as Dinky Doors are also participating with ‘MooMoo-o-Tron III’. Dinky Doors are street artists who remain anonymous and who are on a mission to save the world from ‘relentlessly terrible news and wanton drudgery’.

They say on their blog that that it “…was a huge uddertaking for us, when we’re used to working at a slightly more dinky scale, but we’re pretty happy with the result…” – you can read their full blog here and watch the video below for the story behind this a-moosing creation!

MooMoo-o-Tron III
Download the Dinky Doors colouring pages here!

Two of our favourite cows that we are hoping to see are ‘ButterCup’ and ‘Sir Isaac Mooton’. ‘ButterCup’ by sculptor Sally Adams will be on Midsummer Common. The artist was inspired by classic cow names and is known for manipulating the initial form – which can be seen here with the addition of the petal-face.

‘Sir Isaac Mooton’ by Donna Newman celebrates the achievements of Sir Isaac Newton. Donna’s design is playful and features symbols of the famous figure’s discoveries – can you spot the ‘reflecting telescope, Newton’s cannon, light refraction and the much-debated cat flap’ on your visit?

ButterCup
Follow @ButterCup_Cow on Twitter!
Sir Isaac Mooton

It has recently been reported that the mini moos escaped their lockdown to go shopping in Cambridge and have been spotted in shops, museums, libraries, galleries and leisure venues across the city centre this last week. The smaller cow sculptures have been individually decorated by schools, colleges and community groups involved in the Cows About Cambridge Learning Programme.

Each sculpture has a unique and colourful story to tell, with themes ranging from kindness and comedy to favourite books and school subjects. The learning programme has provided resources and lesson plans to encourage classroom creativity as well as cross-curricular conversations about a range of relevant topics, from climate change to construction. Read more about the escaping mini moos, print the colouring-in sheets and download the trail app here:

Mini Moos Escape Lockdown to go Shopping in Cambridge
Check out all the mini moos here!
Get Creative!
App

Don’t forget that you can also search for the trail on social media using #CowsAboutCambridge – we would love to see your discoveries, be sure to tag @TheTrove_Cambridge in your posts on Instagram so that we can share and use the community tag #CambsCreativeTreasures! The trail app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play from Monday 28th June at a cost of £1.99 with 25% of the net profit from each purchase being donated to the Break charity.

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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What's On

Cambridge Social Media Day 2020 – #CSMDay2020

We are really pleased to announce our new community partnership with Cambridge Social Media ahead of their two-day virtual conference taking place next month on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th November 2020. If you are a freelancer, small business owner or charity looking to learn how to make the most of digital marketing then you will not want to miss #CSMDay2020!

Cambridge Social Media Day has been held in Cambridge for the past two years, attracting hundreds of attendees. This year the organisers have made it a virtual event that will focus on helping people to make the most of building their businesses online.

Since the start of lockdown founder Lenka Koppová has been hosting free training sessions on a range of social media topics over in the Cambridge Social Media Facebook group. Lenka says: “Even though it’s an online conference, we’re really trying to make sure that we maintain the things that people really love about our past in-person events, which is a lot focus on the personal connections with people networking, connecting with your fellow entrepreneurs and business owners who are on a similar journey to yours.”

Get your #CSMDay2020 ticket here!

This year’s event is being held in partnership with business community Shifties founded by Alex Hughes. Alex says: “Our emphasis is on a holistic approach to business building, where personal growth is as important as scaling business opportunities. Shifties are very proud to be able to support Cambridge Social Media with the Cambridge Social Media Day 2020 online event. Social media platforms are incredible tools for connecting small businesses with their customers and business owners with a wide support network.”

#CSMDay2020 will involve a day of talks from expert speakers and a day of workshops where people can learn skills to help them grow their business. The first day event programme kicks off at 11am with an informal networking session and welcome from Lenka and Alex!

Image by Cambridge Social Media

You can then expect a series of keynote speakers throughout the day including ‘The Social Media Changes That You Need to Know’ by Andy Lambert and ‘How to Use Social Media to get Oversubscribed’ by special guest Daniel Priestley who is a world-renowned entrepreneur and business growth expert.

Tuesday’s programme will close with a discussion panel honing in on ‘The Power of Communities on Social Media’. There will be further opportunity for informal networking at the end of the day and attendees are invited to stay connected afterwards for drinks and entertainment from 7-9pm!

Get your #CSMDay2020 ticket here!

On Wednesday there will be a selection of workshops and hands-on interactive Q&A sessions running simultaneously. Your ticket to the two-day online event gives you access to any of the content from the two days as downloadable files for future reference or in case you miss anything on the days – so you will be able to pick a few to join in real-time and re-watch all the rest afterwards.

The line-up so far looks incredible and includes Pippa Akram’s ‘Instagram 101: A Definitive Guide’, Carly Stringer’s ‘How to use Facebook ads to grow your online store’, Georgina White’s ‘The Power of Pinterest’ and Dan Holloway’s ‘Is YouTube the best rabbit hole for your Business? How to start, grow and scale with YouTube!’

Image by Cambridge Social Media

We have our ticket – have you got yours? You can still grab an Early Bird ticket for just £40 + VAT and full price tickets will become available once the sale has ended.

Through our community partnership scheme members of the #WeAreCambsCreatives collective have access to an exclusive discount code to use towards their ticket. You can find it by logging into the members area or over in the closed group account here!

Be sure to give Cambridge Social Media a follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and you can also join their Facebook group to find out more! If you are interested in becoming a member of #WeAreCambsCreatives you can join today here.

Keep up-to-date with what is happening across Cambridgeshire’s creative scene by subscribing to receive our latest news posts via email – and follow our #CambsCreativeScene tag on Instagram.

If you enjoy content from The Trove Cambridge then please consider supporting what we do by buying us a “coffee” at: ko-fi.com/thetrovecambridge

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