23/03/2016MAKE A STATEMENT: The art of writing about your work
Below is an excerpt taken from the book, ‘So you want to be an artist & still be able to eat?’ that was published by Queensland Artworkers Alliance in 2010. It’s a really good resource that was written to walk artists through how to find work and get paid, how to establish and grow their arts practice and help with business, legal and financial advice. This particular article discusses how to write artist statements, bios and curatorial statements and the differences between them. MAKE A STATEMENT The art of writing about your work Written by Jessica Whiting There is a popular perception that artists make the work and others write about it – let’s put that to rest right now. Artists are required to provide artist statements and bios when applying for almost everything, and curatorial statements when exhibiting and proposing exhibitions. Despite being so frequently demanded of them, many…
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23/02/2016Food and Art – A Match Made in Heaven
Food and Art. It really is a match made in heaven. As part of our ongoing work to strengthen the region’s economy, we’re working with local food producers to expand local awareness of amazing produce. We’re also actively involved in organising the upcoming Food Innovation Forum, which will be held in Townsville on 2 and 3 March 2016. Townsville Food & Art Fusion (2 March) As part of the Forum, Sister City Partners and Umbrella are hosting Townsville Food & Art Fusion – an evening of local food matched with local beverages and much more. Matt Merrin from JAM and the good folk at A Touch of Salt have joined forces to create 6 tasty morsels, using local produce, for us to savour. The City is also hosting a large Japanese business delegation, who are inspecting regional agribusiness opportunities. Townsville Food & Art Fusion will be held at: 5:30-7:30pm, Wednesday…
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19/02/2016Notice of 2015 AGM
Umbrella Studio Association Incorporated is a not-for-profit contemporary arts organisation, which began as a space for emerging Townsville artists, and whilst retaining this, has evolved to become an important centre for contemporary art in North Queensland. Umbrella Studio recognises the need to build on its past achievements, and to continue to provide support for contemporary artists through its annual program of exhibitions and associated activities. 2015 Annual General Meeting 6:00pm Tuesday 05 April 2016 Umbrella Studio, 482 Flinders Street, Townsville Election of 2016 Management Committee All members are invited to attend the meeting and participate in the election of the 2016 Management Committee. A list of nominees and their statements will be available below and available from Umbrella Studio office from Tuesday 08 March 2016. If you are unable to attend the Annual General Meeting, you can appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. (Nomination Statements will be available using the…
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15/02/2016Call for Artists: MagnetiCon
Umbrella Studio and Junky Comics @ MagnetiCon Callout for comics, zines, stickers, prints, posters, apparel and small objects Umbrella will be hosting a booth at the MagnetiCon pop culture convention partnering with Brisbane’s Junky Comics. We are seeking local artist-made comics, zines, prints, toys and other pop-themed stuff to sell. Magneticon will be the first dedicated pop culture convention in Townsville, with shops, artists, cosplay, wrestling, special guests and more. Umbrella will take a 30% commission of any sales, with the remainder going straight to you, the artist. No other fees apply. We’ll man the booth and sell, all you need to do is supply us with your work, and a price list for your products (taking into account the 30% commission deducted from sale price). Key Dates: Expressions of Interest Due: 5pm Friday 20 May 2016 Delivery of works/products to Umbrella Studio: 5pm Friday 3 June 2016 MagnetiCon…
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15/01/2016Job Opp: Lighthouse Stencil on Wood
Hi members, Suzie Hogue has a request for a piece of art similar to this one: This is for a large wall space so would need to be scaled up, and is for a business office: Lighthouse Financial Planning. For further details including sizing and payment, please contact Suzie on 0400 892 125.
05/12/2015Update on Arts Funding
Most of you know about $120 million unexpectedly ripped from the Australia Arts Council (by George Brandis former Minister for the arts), for a discretionary Excellence in the Arts Fund. This huge reduction in arts funding was going to impact individual artists and small to medium arts organisations, like Umbrella. In response I submitted one of the 2,719 submissions and was one of 218 representations from artists and organisations in 10 public hearings across the nation. (I want to thank Tony and Alan for their support during my stomach churning conference call to the Senate hearing being held in Cairns.) The Townsville based organisations who also gave evidence, are AFCM, Dance North, Full Throttle and Lorna Hempstead on behalf of Theatre NQ. I am very proud of what we achieved as an organisation and as a sector. Our participation highlights the important role Umbrella plays as an advocate on behalf…
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03/12/2015Farewell from Vicki Salisbury
It is with mixed emotions that I have to let you know that I have resigned as Director of Umbrella Studio. I honestly cannot believe I’ve been in the role since 2006. Umbrella has been one of the most satisfying experiences in my 30 + year career as an arts administrator. While I am excited about the new opportunities that I will be pursing, I will always remember my time as Director at Umbrella Studio with great fondness. On a more personal note, let me express my gratitude for the wonderful opportunities for professional growth and development provided through Umbrella over my time here. I have learned so much and have greatly enjoyed working with such a dynamic team of staff, board members, artists, and creative collaborators. I remain at the helm through January to ensure a smooth handover. I am looking forward to writing and performing music and spending…
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12/11/2015QAGOMA Backstage Pass Regional Internship
I was very excited to receive the opportunity to be part of the Backstage Pass Regional Internship program offered by QAGOMA. Being based in a small-medium contemporary art space in Townsville, the program allowed me to expand my knowledge in several areas and be exposed to top level Gallery standards, practices and procedures. Most importantly, it inspired and reinvigorated me to deliver high quality experiences at Umbrella Studio. In the two weeks at QAGOMA, I spent time working with several different areas such as Exhibitions Management, Education, Touring, Exhibition Design, Gallery Members, the Gallery Shop and Public Programs. All the staff were very inclusive and very generous with their time, knowledge and enthusiasm. I particularly learnt lots about touring exhibitions and management of exhibition scheduling and the process of writing educational resource material for touring exhibitions. One of my key objectives from this internship was to gain more experience in…
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29/10/2015International residency to Aber continues into 2016
The previous Umbrella Studio exhibition, Godre’r Glais illuminated for many of us the value of the Aberystwyth International Artist in Residence. The value of spending three months, working in the studio and interacting with the locals extends far beyond each individual artist who participated. What became evident from the exhibition and artist talk is the positive and expansive impact Townsville artists make on the International program at Aberystwyth. Michelle Hall is a highly respected arts practitioner and former Umbrella Studio Board Member, she is the next artist to embark on this creative Aber adventure. Vicki Salisbury, Umbrella Director asked Michelle to give us some insight on why she applied: Why did you apply for the residency and what do you hope to gain from the experience? Michelle: Residencies always give practising artists space to explore new techniques and time to refine old ones. I wanted to dedicate time and space…
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15/09/2015Sydney Contemporary wrap-up
We return to Townsville after our first foray into a major art fair successful. We were very proud to represent our North Queensland printmakers and I have to say: they punch well above their weight with original works as beautiful as any at the fair. Not only did we manage to sell some of the works, but we also got to meet with our partners like Arts Queensland and Australia Council, NAVA and Imprint Magazine, and other exhibitors. We learned how other galleries innovate to create a captivating display, and how different the art market is in Sydney as compared to Townsville. Roger Butler (NGA) paid our stand a visit and we showed him the recent works on paper from Jo Lankester, Rhonda Stevens, Laura Castell and the Murris in Ink. I managed to escape early one afternoon and visit “The other art fair” at Central Park. This was a…
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