Welcome to Why Art Man? Festival 2015 – Week commencing Monday 19thOctober until Saturday 24th October

 

What's happening?

 

If recent austerity measures have left you feeling glum, then allow Why Art Man? Festival to raise your spirits and inspire your creativity. 

 

Forget the Autumn rain and come down to Castle Dean Shopping Centre, Peterlee where Now East Durham, in association with The Mad Natters art group, are staging a mixed arts festival using the empty shops as a blank canvas to host exhibitions throughout the week.

 

Plenty to see, hear and experience..

 

With a wide range of the arts to see, hear and experience, the festival promises a full programme of fun exhibitions encouraging public engagement throughout the week.  Exhibitions from the 34 artists involved will include paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass, music and perhaps some unexpected gems too.

 

Exhibiting Artists

 

Exhibiting artists confirmed include Dr Maggie Parker; Dawn Douglas, glass sculpture; Ian Horn, performance poetry; Barrie West, paintings; Laura Joy Smith, children's stories and Alan Sill, photography.

 

Why?

 

East Durham has an overall population of 93, 000 but surprisingly we have one of the lowest engagements in the arts across the UK at only 20%.  Our aim is to build on the tradition of artist involvement within the area and encourage the public to get involved in the arts.  If Why Art Man? Inspires people in the community then we have achieved something that is a legacy for the East Durham area.

 

This area already has some inspiring works of art which are accessible to all, notably Victor Pasmore's Apollo Pavillion in Peterlee and Ray Lonsdale's 'Tommy' sculpture in Seaham.  Throughout the week we are asking the question, simply “Why art?”  Hopefully we will uncover some answers that are relevant to our region and our residents.

 

Who's involved?

 

As well as the 34 local artists and performers exhibiting, local school The Academy at Shotton Hall will be displaying their artwork and providing some unusual musical performances.  The event is being organised jointly by Now East Durham and The Mad Natters.

 

Now East Durham

 

Now East Durham reports on local issues through an online magazine, social media, a print magazine and an internet radio station, NOW FM.  Based in Peterlee, Now East Durham was founded by Alan Sill in March 2014.

 

Now East Durham's primary aim is to involve the 18-24 year old job seeking demographic, enabling their personal development and improving their interpersonal skills and overall employment prospects.  Since its creation in 2014, Now East Durham has helped over 80 job seekers gain skills and employment.

 

Now East Durham and Now FM are based on the 4th floor of Lee House in Peterlee.

 

The Mad Natters

 

The Mad Natters, founded in June 2014 by Bill Harris, are a group of creativies operating from the 'south of the Tyne' to the 'north of the Tees' who aim to host creative networking events throughout the region.

 

Further Contact:

 

For further information about the event, please contact:

 

Alan Sill

 

Telephone:  07977 141 809

Email:  alan@noweastdurham.co.uk

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