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!

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.”

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.

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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.

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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).

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.

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!”

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.

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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