Stories from the Seaside: UKNA Weekenders
Artists with Chiara Dellerba and Laura (UKYA) at the North Sea Observatory, Skegness. © Chiara Dellerba
UKNA reflects on our Weekender programme since 2017 and shares some thoughts from participating artists about the impact of the experiences. From Blackpool to St Ives to Skegness, we share stories from the seaside and reminisce on these amazing weekends.
Background
UKNA’s micro-residency ‘Weekenders’ offer artists the chance to relax and reflect by the sea; to come together for creative dialogue and collaboration. We seek to create a space that is open; supportive; investigative and places no pressure to get it right all of the time. Artists come from a range of art forms, from dance to architecture; music to photography; poetry to sculpture - but are not defined by this. You are welcome to leave your practice at the door and explore your ideas and creativity in unfamiliar ways. There is little expectation beyond being curious and having time to think and to learn and share with others. The Weekenders are conceptualised and delivered by creative practitioners, in partnership with UKNA.
Funny Girls, Blackpool. Image © UK New Artists
UKNA Weekender #1 - Blackpool
Our inaugural Weekender in Blackpool was developed by Garth Gratrix, artist, curator and co-founder of Abingdon Studios, our creative home for the weekend. The aims of the Weekender were to create a space where artists across all art forms could come together to reflect and respond to the idea of ‘popular culture’, critically exploring the boundaries and possibilities of this still pleasure palace of the North; considering what it is to be isolated yet immersed, popular but forgotten. The ‘Artistic Dozen’ (as dubbed by the local press) put on a pop up exhibition featuring lots of Blackpool rock, took a trip to ‘Funny Girls’ drag show, went up the Blackpool Tower, enjoyed some dance in the ballroom, had workshops from artists Andrew Gannon and Thomas Small, and explored the sights and tastes of Blackpool.
Artists at Blackpool Tower Ballroom. © UK Young Artists
Artists and UKYA team at the top of Blackpool Tower. © UK Young Artists
“These opportunities are the most important. It’s not often you find an opportunity so focused on playing, making and connecting. It’s what art education should be, and often isn’t and I think UKYA was integral in curating the artists both attendees and workshop leaders, and also facilitating in a way which made everyone comfortable and calm and in the right headspace to create stuff. ”
“Having so many characters and differing creative inputs feeding into the weekend enriched the overall experience. The discussions, interactions and intense outputs that were generated have sparked ideas and a new understanding of the benefits of working with others, or simply having more focused time and dialogue surrounding themes, challenges and ideas. The experience has made me more confident, to work with others, to use performance and to use myself more as a tool within my practice. I also feel more confident in producing work, going with a gut instinct and rolling with an idea in a more instinctual way, rather than being overly concerned with questioning its value or outcomes.”
Artists meeting Veronica Ryan at Porthmeor Studios. © Garth Gratrix
UKNA Weekender #2 - St Ives
The second Weekender was developed by Curator, Claudio Zecchi and took place in St Ives, Cornwall at the stunning Porthmeor Studios. Artists embarked on a three day investigation of St. Ives; its rich artistic history and community through dialogues, activities and some lovely beach walks. In partners, we played ‘Caderno de Campo’ – which aims to map, but above all to experience a place through the senses, by exploring the town blindfolded. With artist and curator Chiara Dellerba, artists took part in the workshop ‘Here is always somewhere else (following their mysterious disappearance at the sea)’, based on recreating a geographical and historical utopian narrative of the fishermen community, recently disappeared in the sea. In collaboration, artists used fiction to reconstruct what happened to them, generating ideas on possible and impossible scenarios, truths, possibilities and community failures. We invited the locals to join us for pizza at Porthmeor Studios, where the artists discussed and shared some of their explorations and interpretations.
Artists with Chiara Dellerba at Porthmeor Studios. © UK New Artists
“I felt the most fluid in a long time without having to rely on moving my body, through dance or exercise. I enjoyed being posed with limitations. At first I felt very concerned with what was going to be produced visually, but by the end of the weekend I had been able to shake that element of thinking, and was able to enjoy the little moments of ‘eureka’ which present themselves when you are not thinking two steps ahead. I hadn’t realised quite how much I do that. I felt I was able to fully articulate for the first time in a while an area I am really interested in NOW and not what I have been interested in over the past few years.”
Garth Gratrix with Isobel Adderley doing a blindfolded walk around St Ives. © UK New Artists
“...It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. The experience will no doubt influence my practice in many ways to come, and I feel inspired in all aspects of my life. Thank you for your support, kindness, and generosity.”
Artists creating a utopian community at Chapel St Leonards, Skegness. © UK New Artists
UKNA Weekender #3 - Skegness
The third UKNA Weekender (2019) took place in Skegness, Lincolnshire. Developed by Chiara Dellerba and titled ‘Terrain Vague’, the residency investigated how we can regenerate a place by exploring its leftovers and its use of public spaces. Artists were called to map, re-imagine and influence Skegness, transforming their surroundings to reflect and enact the utopia of our dreams. Artist and educator Joanne Lee led activities through Skegness town centre and promenade; performance artist Leo Kay took the group to explore and create at Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve; and on the final day, Chiara and the artists descended on the beautiful North Sea Observatory at Chapel St Leonards for ‘The Birthday of the World’. They founded a utopian community, investigating fundamental questions about how community is organised, sustainability, ecology, and climate change; unveiling their manifesto and flag on the beach in the sunshine.
Artists with Joanne Lee in Skegness. © Lamar Francois
“I had a really incredible time being part of the weekender. It helped me grow as an artist, develop my personal and facilitative practice. I met new friends and exciting young artists and connected with nature and actually this country! It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.”
Lorena Pritchard and Ryan Boultbee at Skegness Pier. © Lamar Francois
“The weekend was busy, fun and the workshops were interesting and rewarding… I liked that the weekender was based on process rather than a specific outcome. My expectations were that the weekender would be more outcome based but working without a specific outcome in mind was more suited to the overall theme of the residency. I felt inspired and reconnected to my work, nature and the spaces around us after the weekend. I am sure everyone in the group felt the same way. I am also happy I was able to make connections with artists around the country.”
“Last year we were lucky enough to be part of the UKYA Skegness residency and so can vouch it’s one of the best weekends of the year. Get yer applications in!”
“UK Young Artists weekender was the perfect impetus for reflection, revival and renewal last year. It reinforced my thinking and working methods and informed a year of making and working like no other. And led me to meet a group of inspiring and bloody brill artists.”