Review of Wakefield Art Walk

The walk was 5pm-9pm. We arrived at 5pm at the Cathedral but it wasn't set up yet. There was no times of the events on the leaflet. So we moved onto the next venue which was Mocca Moocho who told us they weren't doing the art walk tonight. We moved onto the Wakefield Museum which had an exhibition on and free wine. There was an interactive setup with household objects that we could re-arrange and take pictures.

This was very good the pictures you took you gave them it then it became part of the work as they were show on a TV next to this piece. The wall indented and laced with velvet with the fruit sat on it. It gave you instructions on what to do to get your picture in the work. The gold frame made it look like an old fashioned painting of fruit (still life).

As the map wasn't very accurate we asked for directions to Art of Oak which is an art shop with an exhibition space downstairs. We met the manager who explained to us that he doesn't really own the exhibition space to make a profit but uses it to bring more customers to the art shop. We were the first ones to visit this space, so he showed us round the exhibition space downstairs and gave us some free wine.

We then moved on to West Gate studios which is studio spaces where you could meet a number of artists in there studio space, exchange business cards and buy there work if you wanted to all with free wine. (But unfortunately my businesses cards I ordered hadn't come yet for this event, but will hand them out next time).

Makes neon signs. She was asked by Saga to make the sonic the hedgehog sign. Everything was hung up with pins and wires hanging down going to the sockets to have them all lit up for the art walk. Her space was amazing. Everything looked quite dangerous with wires everywhere. But it is her space but maybe taping some of the wires might have made it a bit safer with people coming round.

This piece was beautiful paper birds going down over several floors with the light hitting it it was lovely. They were hung with wire and tied at the top and bottom. The place it was put was perfect because as people was walking the staircase to see the studios they can see this all the way up and down.

We then moved to Interval Cafe at Wakefield Theatre, thankfully we knew where this was as the map was very inaccurate. There, there was free wine at the bar and painting all around and you could talk to the artists about there work, in this venue they were asking us to fill out feed back forms for this haven't.

We then went to the art house which again was a studio space we met a number of artists there was also a craft stall and free wine.

Our final stop was at the Cathedral and there was a band playing.


Overall there was a number of spaces we didn't get to and i think that the art walk may benefit from an optional tour so people can find all the venues. As the event runs from 5-9 there was too much for us to see in that time particularly with the map not been very accurate. However it is a really good night but would have benefited from more organising as the artists showing there work don't even know who organises the event or who runs the website. And maybe a should have taken a note book to jot everything down. Overall this event is good for making contacts and finding new venues.

Contacts:

Wakefield Theatre Royal - Janine Heseltine (engagement officer) (contact if your looking for an exhibition space)
01924 334 115
janine.heseltine@theatre royalwakefield.co.uk

Laura Slater (textiles designer/ maker)

www.lauraslater.co.uk
laura@lauraslater.co.uk
07929599215

Abu Jafar (visual Artist)
www.abujafar.com
01924312056

Kat Hall (visual artist)
07947 158978
k.hall@wakefield.ac.uk

Julia Peta Bickerstaff
Newworkshops.com
01924387999
info@neonworkshops.com

Glenis MA Fergus (visual artist)
07870885379
glenferdy49@blueyonder.co.uk

Rosemary Firth
firthrosemary@hotmail.com
01302 738377
www.gallery12a.com

If you want to find out more about Wakefield art walk go to www.artwalk.org.uk
(be warned the dates and day are slightly out but you can work them out )