Flax Art Studios 25th Anniversary
In 1989 a group of students graduating from the University of Ulster – MA Fine Art established a studio group and secured premises on the top floor of a 19th century flax spinning mill on the Crumlin Road in Belfast. Flax Art was born.
Twenty-five years on Flax Art Studios, now located in the city centre, is celebrating by looking to the past and planning for the future. The year long programme of events will culminate in an exhibitionin the Golden Thread Gallery which will document the early years of Flax Art and the studios relationship with the city of Belfast, the network of international artists who have participated in the international residency programme, and the work of current studio holders.
Alongside the exhibition a 25th anniversary publication will be launched.
This exhibition will coincide with a ground breaking symposium on future models for sustainable and affordable studio provision in Belfast to be held on the 6 – 7 of November at the Black Box. A programme of Flax Art Studios based artist led talks will also take place throughout the exhibition at the Golden Thread Gallery
Talks Programme
Tuesday 11th November – Alastair MacLennan
Tuesday 18th November – Ryan Moffett
Tuesday 25th November – Barbara Freeman
Thursday 27th November – Johanna Leech
Flax Art Studios Symposium:
Studio Provision in Belfast: Formation, Function and Future.
Venue: Black Box, Hill Street, Belfast
Date: Thursday 6 and Friday 7 November, 2014
Programme
Day 1: Thursday 6 November 2014
09.30am Tea/coffee on arrival
09.40am Welcome – Gail Prentice, Studio Manager, Flax Art Studios.
09.45am Flax Art Studios: 25 years – the importance of the studio, Professor Philip Napier – Co- Founder Flax Art Studios and Head of Fine Art and Sculpture at NCAD
11.00am Tea/coffee break
11.30am Belfast studios: formation, function and future– presentations from studios
1.15pm Lunch
2.00pm The WASPS Story: keynote address by David Cook, CEO WASPS Studios
3.00pm Q & A
3.15pm Self -Sustaining Studios: Laura G Dovn, Director, Block T, Dublin
4.00pm Q & A
4.15pm Live performance: Helena Hamilton ( 20 minutes )
6.00pm Flax Art Studios 25th Anniversary Exhibition with publication launch at the Golden Thread Gallery with buffet reception. All Welcome.
Day 2: Friday 7 November 2014
9.45am Tea/coffee on arrival
10.00am The State of Provision:
11.30am Tea/coffee break
11.45am Symposium Close: Round Up – David Cook
12.45pm Thanks – Dr Una Walker (Chair – Flax Art Studios)
1.00pm FIN
Supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council