Nithraid - All Hands on Deck!

Last year we were blown away by the response to Nithraid, and this year we have grabbed the opportunity to expand and grow the event for a second year, taking place on Saturday the 13th September. The Nithraid team has once again grown, to include musicians, rollerskaters, performers, and stall holders. There has been lots of work going on behind the scenes, but now that we come into the final stretch - the last four weeks before Nithraid - we would like to ask those interested in volunteering for the event to get in touch.

We plan to run in a similar manner to the Guid Nychburris event earlier in the summer, setting up a temporary 'workshop' in the week running up to Nithraid where there will be hands-on opportunities, preparing flags and pennants, dressing the ceremonial salty cow, and much else besides! 

On the day itself things we need help with are: joining the procession through the town, erecting marquees, general stewarding, helping around the marketplace on the Whitesands there are all sorts of things we would love a little extra help with. There will be a celebratory party held on the Saturday evening to which all volunteers, race go-ers, and crews will be invited. 

One wee special job we need a couple of cyclists for...this year we will be tracking the progress of the race for people waiting on the Whitesands. We need a couple of cyclists to be following progress a long the river and phoning in updates to the team on the Sands.

If you would like to help out please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you! Just send a quick email with your availability, even for an afternoon, before the 3rd of September to katie@thestove.org. 

Nithraid 2014 - Get Your Applications in Now!

The Nithraid is a dangerous dinghy race, challenging up to fifty boats to sail from Carsethorn up the river Nith to the caul at the Whitesands in the centre of Dumfries. Competitors are required to navigate the sands, tides and three bridges - all without motors. 

Competitors from last years Nithraid mustered in Carsethorn before making the trip up river into the heart of Dumfries

The inaugral Nithraid took place last year with thirteen boats made the trip up the Caul - with first place being awarded to Piella, skippered by Adam Booth with a time of 2 hours and 6 minutes. 

This year's Nithraid is just five weeks away, taking place on Saturday 13th of September. If you are interested in taking part in this year's race please get you applications in now!

Full details on how to apply are available via the new Nithraid website here 

The Stove's Herald!

A while back we put out an opportunity for something called a 'Public Communicator and Herald' - We had a strong sense of the spirit of the role...but found it very hard to describe exactly...so the selection process was a very 2-way process....after much conversation and inspiration from all involved in the process...Ladies and Gentlemen we are very proud to announce that our Herald is Moxie DePaulitte: 

Hello there, I’m Moxie and I’m delighted to be able to introduce myself as The Stove’s newly appointed Public Communicator and Herald which, at the risk of sounding like a Valley Girl, is just like, totally, you know, the coolest job title ev-ah.
I’ve been asked to write a short post introducing myself but, although I’m really good at talking about other things, I’m really don’t excel at saying things about myself so I enlisted the help of my four year old. This is what she said:
“She is nice and cuddly and warm. And she has a really nice job. She do some importment stuff and she always loves me and she always does nice stuff for us. And she uses all her money up for food for us. Her name is Moxie she does some pretty good stuff. Can I go back in the paddling pool now, please?”
So there you have it; a definitive guide to me, my work and my new role. 

Moxie DePaulitte - Stove Herald

I think she’s pretty much covered everything but, just in case any of you aren’t fluent in Preschooleeze, I’ll translate...I’ve been involved in the arts for as long as I can remember and love the passion, power and opportunities the creative process stirs up. Sadly, however, art works are frequently just presented to us and the glory and excitement of this process is missed because we don’t know the why, the what, and the wow.
A lot goes on behind the scenes and, when a group is so absorbed in a project, it’s easy to forget that not everyone knows the back story; the reasons and the nuances behind a piece. It’s not transparent. So, this is where I come in: Part of my role is to help more people become aware of and involved in that very process; to make sure everyone understands what’s going on and that the cogs are visible as they’re turning.
The lovely people at The Stove know it can often feel like events go on around us and happen to us rather than with us and for us and they would very much like that to change.

On funding bids they probably call it ‘Building Stronger Community Relationships’ but, luckily for me, that translates as ‘meeting up with people for a cup of tea, chin wag and a biscuit’, so get in touch! Share with me your ideas and questions; I’ll be delighted to talk them through with you. Let’s see how we can get you involved.

email me info@thestove.org and I’ll get back to you.

Be part of something brilliant. You really can help shape Dumfries into the town you know it can be.

Diaries Oot

Our year-long programme of events got off to a fine start with Dumfries Charter14 at the end of June…..but there is plenty more to come. Here are the dates we have at the moment – get ‘em in the diary!
(Many more details to be announced – but we thought we should give you the basic dates asap)

Last year's Nithraid poster

1.Nithraid
Nithraid 2015 will take place on Saturday 13th September on and around the River Nith in Dumfries

Following on from last years triumphant inaugural Nithraid – it is back for 2015….more boats in the race…an arty market by the Nith…musical procession…and artworks of every stripe.

Nithraid will be one of our biggest events this year – there are lots of ways that you can get involved:

• Help sewing flags and pennants for the event
• Join the Nithraid Street Band (led by musicians Ruth Morris and Gavin Marwick)
• Run a stall at the Nithraid Street Market
• Take part in the Sailing Race itself

2.Trading Journeys
Trading Journeys will take place on Saturday 27th October at multiple locations in Wigtown – culminating outside the County Buildings from 4pm
 
The Stove Network has been commissioned to create a live artwork for the Wigtown Book Festival. Trading Journeys is an ambitious event with ways for festival-goers to get hands-on. The project is based around Wigtown’s role as a market town and the different routes that people and goods took to get there. Trading Journeys will involve crossings of the Cree Estuary, horse drawn transport and a procession with everything coming together around a portable foundry making spoons (sounds fairly Stoveish – right)


 
3.Parking Space
Parking Space will take place on 17th and 18th October
 
A two-day event that creatively inhabits unexpected urban spaces. Parking Space will ask searching questions about the urban environment in Dumfries …and be a lot of fun. One of the elements of Parking Space will be The Stove Network AGM…unlike any boring old meeting you have ever experienced our AGM will be an artwork in itself and chance for the everyone to get together.

Last years DMC poster

4.Dumfries Music Conference
Provisional Dates for DMC are 27-29th November
 
Now in its third year DMC is going from strength to strength as learning space and showcase event for the independent music scene. 

The Stove Network Project Manager

You know how names for things at The Stove can be a real challenge (err opportunity?) ….never more so in the case of our new Project Manager! The job title went through unimaginable twists and turns (you might remember it was advertised as ‘Organisational Manager/Projects Coordinator’). Anyways we are delighted to announce that Stove member Ailsa Watson was offered and accepted the role –the first task Ailsa tackled was the job title – ‘Project Manager’ it is!!
Those paying attention will remember that Ailsa joined us in April initially as our Finance Administrator.

A rare photo of Ailsa

Ailsa says she is  'not really be from anywhere’ – she was born in Paisley and grew up on the West Coast before a globetrotting existence led her back to Glasgow where she met and married a dashing Doonhamer. She is an Art Graduate who has followed an amazingly impressive career path through a mixture of high profile arts jobs and working within the commercial digital sector. Naturally one of the most impressive things on Ailsa’s CV is her role as a producer on The Stove’s ‘First Foot’ project in Jan 2012 – she has been a member since the get go.

Ailsa and her husband have been living between Glasgow and Dumfries for some time whilst looking for the right opportunity to move to the South West full-time. The next bit of good news is that the couple have found a place on the outskirts of Dumfropolis and will be flitting Glasgow in August.

Ailsa is looking forward to seeing more of her D+G pals, making new acquaintances and working with the wider community

This feels like a really significant move for The Stove Network to be now working with genuine administrative and managerial capacity. It  has been a long time coming, but that is part of the essence of working collectively – things do take time – but when they do happen we know that we have all travelled together to reach this place.
We had an amazing response to our call for people to take on this role – including others form our incredibly talented membership – it was a tough, tough task making this decision and we’d like to thank everyone that applied…there were many other people that we are sure we will be working with in the future.

Do pop in and introduce yourselves to Ailsa!

The Stove in Exile - our temporary address

Its been a restless old year so far as afar as studio space goes…..we vacated 100 High Street in mid February and then had a spell of operating out of cafes and peoples flats (thank due to all the café owners in the town and Belle Doyle). Finally in early June our pals at the Council sorted us out a temporary office in Queensberry Street (see below). But, we still have no regular studio space and are very much in the debt of Father Andrew Crosbie who kindly let us use Greyfriars Church Hall as a making space in the lead up to Guid Nychburris.

Here is a map for our current premises. 

Click on the map to enlarge and then save and print if you like

We are on the fourth floor and there is no entry system – so please ring us when you get to the door and we’ll let you in:

The Stove Board - Away Day

One of our standard ways of describing The Stove Network is that 'The Curatorial Team decide and deliver the artistic vision for The Stove Network – in this they are supported by a Board, who are responsible for governance and The Stove Network has a general membership of 110 people, ranging from contemporary artists to café-owners, to video artists and DJs.' Whilst strictly accurate this does not even scratch the surface of how crucial the Board really are....they really are the 'wise heads on young shoulders' of The Stove midfield.
Everyone has been looking at ways to continue the momentum of collaborative working in the Board and between the Board and the Curatorial team. Some bright spark suggested an Away Day - where Board and CT could spend some quality time, find out what made each other tick and do some big thinking about The Stove Network.....this is what happened next:

The Stove Network Board and Curatorial Team assemble in Kippford - 27.06.14. From left: Scott McIver, Mike Bonaventura, Colin Tennant, Matt Baker, Linda Mallett, Katie Anderson, David Smith, Fiona Smyth, Magnus Smyth, Andrew Ward...Will Levi Marshall was taking the picture

We started by each talking about an object that inspires us or says something about who we are.

Things got even more arduous with a walk along the shore

Board and CT in 'deep thought mode'

Board members admitted some disappointment when the menus turned out to be People's Charters for Dumfries

Linda was uncharacteristically sceptical on the merits of Lada Four-Wheel Drive

The day was perfectly timed to help the final push before submission of our application for 'Regular Funding' ....loads of good ideas and shared vision for The Stove Network....that was described as more of movement than a business by one Board Member....bring it on!

Calling all Musicians!

Nithraid returns for 2014 - bigger and better than ever!

For those of you who made it down to the Whitesands last September, you may remember our fabulous scratch Samba band which paraded it's way around the town and down the river to welcome the boats.

This year, we welcome Ruth Morris and Gavin Marwick, who will be writing new music especially for Nithraid!

Would you like to be involved? We are looking for young people (16-25 ish) who would like to be part of a Balkan style street carnival band that will form the core of a procession group leading the town down to welcome the boats on the Whitesands.

We would particularly like some brass, woodwind, accordion and percussion players, but all instruments are welcome. Intermediate level and above, capable of learning a short piece of music, by ear or from music, and playing whilst walking.

Nithraid this year takes place on the 13th of September. There will be several rehearsal dates in the run up to Nithraid taking place in Dumfries at a venue to be confirmed.

Interested?? Send us a quick email to info@thestove.org with your contact details and we'll be in touch!

Dumfries is what we All Make Together - Charter14 Unveiled

If you’ve never been to Guid Nychburris before, it’s too late - you’ll have to wait until next year. The annual event, which celebrates the 1395 Royal Charter for the Burgh of Dumfries, has become a regular in The Stove calendar (previous exploits here and here).

Drawing inspiration from the 'original' Charter (an update from the earlier 1186 Charter), which is read out on Guid Nychburris Day, The Stove embarked on the ambitious task of writing a new ‘People’s Charter’ for the town, inviting input and inclusions from community groups, organisations and individuals living, working and inhabiting Dumfries. Where the original Charter granted land and fishing rights, Charter14 set out a declaration, of values for the future prosperity of Dumfries. “Dumfries is what we all make together.”

We were overwhelmed by the response to the idea with contributions coming in from all walks of life - all underlining the depth of felling that people have about Dumfries. The first draft of Charter14 was compiled with the help of local writer and lecturer Dave Borthwick from the contributions of the public and was unveiled in grand fashion, with the Dumfries Fountain as the centrepiece on Saturday with lots of help and the handy adage ‘Just Add Water’….

Thanks to Mike for all his work on the Fountain’s new structure!

The text on the banners around the fountain changed colour when they became wet....buckets were filled from the fountain and people were invited to hurl wet sponges at the banners to reveal their message.


Charter14 is not intended as a finished document. Like the original, revisited and amended – The Stove invited Doonhamers from across the town to add their mark; editing, adding and signing over 150 variations of the new charter over the course of the afternoon.

The 1395 Charter was venerably sealed with the town seal, also celebrated in the Guid Nychburris festivities, and Charter14 was no different, with it’s very own seal created by artist David Ralston.

The project prompted discourse late into the evening, around notions of authentication and validity, as each charter was signed by a unique signatory, ranging in age from 5 to 85, including everyone from local politicians, to the Queen (of the South)’s attendants, and passers by.

The Stove has been absolutely overwhelmed with the amazing response to #MakingDumfries and the Charter14, and would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to the Charter, joined in on Saturday, helped facilitate the day and worked from our studio-in-exile in the run up to the event.

Dumfries is what we all Make Together.

Brave Enough to Take Risks and Surprise People.

To see more images of the day - have a look at our flickr set here
All Photo Credits: Colin Tennant.

Organisational manager and Projects Coordinator for The Stove

The Stove Network is an exciting artist-led organisation working on multi-artform projects in the public realm with our community in Dumfries. With the generous support of organisations including Creative Scotland, The Stove Network will deliver an 18 month programme of art in public that includes artist residencies, participative projects in public space, a capital programme including art commissions integrated into The Stove HQ and a ‘cultural economy’ project to establish The Stove Network as a sustainable social enterprise.  The artistic direction and project production of The Stove is led by the Curatorial Team, comprising 6 experienced artists working collaboratively. The CT decide and deliver the artistic vision, supported by a Board. The Stove Network has a general membership of 110 people ranging from contemporary artists to café-owners, to video artists and DJs. 

Everyone at The Stove Network is 100% committed to the collective vision. We are now looking for someone who will share our passion, and who has the energy and skills required to help deliver the vision. Although the initial appointment is for a six-month period, it is the intention for this to grow into a permanent position (subject to funding and performance) and the successful candidate will be required to contribute to developing and shaping the role in line with the growth of the organisation

There are two key fields of responsibility within this contract: management of the organisation at The Stove, and project co-ordination of The Stove artworks programme.  This appointment is on a self–employed, freelance basis: 3 days per week @ £125 per day for an initial period of 6 months (with a review at 3 months).  We are looking for someone with excellent organisational skills, and experience of project management and event management in an arts environment.

Please e-mail The Stove Network  for more information and a complete job description, and send CV and a covering letter outlining why you think you are the best person for this role to: info@thestove.org by 14th June.  Two stage interview process 26th June.

What the F K is an Emerging Artist

ARE YOU…

a recent Graduate, Final Year Student or Young Artist?

under 25 and based in Dumfries and Galloway?
interested in a career in the Arts?

The Stove is pleased to announce the first of a series of events during the course of our current arts programme TheStove@TheStove inviting emerging practitioners and students to meet with members of our team and wider network on a one-to-one basis. Our team collectively have years of professional practice both in the region and nationally, as both practising artists and as part of arts management teams. 

Topics covered during the day:

Presenting your Practice - CVs/Statements + Approaching Galleries
Applying for Grants and Commissions
Promotion and Social Media
Working as an Artist - Business and Budgeting
Plotting a Career Path through the Arts
+ Artist Talk by a Stove member

+ chance to meet other artists

For more information and booking get in touch at info@thestove.org
Deadline for last minute applications and enquiries: Get in touch with us before the 18th June 2014 please!

The Regeneration of Dock Park

The Stove set up temporary residence one afternoon last week in the newly regenerated and renovated Dock Park as part of the ongoing festivities celebrating the park's clean face. In anticipation of this year's Nithraid, we took to the river - send massed flotillas of paper boats downstream and out to the Solway. 

Photographs: Galina Walls - more available here 

The boats were christened after famous links to the Park's history including: 
The Great Pedalo (Kirpatrick MacMillan - inventor of the bicycle and honoured by the footbridge) 
The Dragon Slayer (.. St Michael's Bridge at the top of the park)
The Tweed Rose (Rosefield Tweed Mills on the opposite bank) 

The Rosefield Mills featured as part of one of Lisa Gallaher's pieces made for TDRM: Dumfries during InBetween Dumfries. Working with local artist Evelyn Gray, Lisa produced a tweed coat incorporating Evelyn's sketches of the mills... more of that and other Inbetween projects here 

 The two week long youth festival coinciding with the school holidays was envisioned to shape how the park as a public space could be used by the good folk of Dumfries, and the re-instate the park within the psyche or awareness of the town, as opposed to a periphery space. 

With the park's Victorian history, could a new fashion for a contemporary promenading culture be re-invented? 

promenade (ˌprɒməˈnɑːd) 
 — n 1. chiefly ( Brit ) a public walk, esp at a seaside resort 
2. a leisurely walk, esp one in a public place for pleasure or display 
3. ( US ), ( Canadian ) a ball or formal dance at a high school or college 
4. a marchlike step in dancing 
5. a marching sequence in a square or country dance 

 [C16: from French, from promener to lead out for a walk, from Late Latin prōmināre to drive (cattle) along, from pro- 1 + mināre to drive, probably from minārī to threaten] 

On walking around the park, The Drying Ground particularly caught my interest - as Glasgow City Council looks to controversially impose new rules on the use of their public parks, with Drying Grounds clearly outlawed: 

" 11.1 No one shall in any park, except with the prior written consent of the Director: 

 (f) hang linen or other material, beat, shake, sweep, brush or cleanse any carpet, rug, mat or other article. "

The trampolines are due to make a comeback as part of the regeneration works 

The full list of proposed banned activities includes organised sports, gatherings of more than 18 people, walking more than 4 dogs and outdoor education - a full and interesting article on the A Thousand Flowers blog or to read the rules for yourself head here

The importance on non-commercial public spaces, and their benefit to town and city life not just in terms of regenerating the surrounding areas but also in creating spaces (and therefore towns) where people want to be is discussed by Animal Behaviourist turned City Planner for NYC, Amanda Burden in her recent TED talk (available here) 

The bandstand has also had something of a facelift.. a new alternative music venue for Dumfries?

As groups like the Incredible Edible's continue to promote and grow a greener vision for the town, how can the parks play an active role in this? How do these public spaces become once again instilled as part of the townscapes' sense of self? As 100 High Street remains closed for the time being, do keep an eye out for the Stove in exile throughout the town over the next few months, and if this great weather continues, we can maybe reconvene our meetings in the park.. 

Stove in Spring

Standing here in the Spring of 2014 The Stove has an incredible opportunity to make a difference for the future of people and places locally. Through the generous support of our funders: Creative Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Holywood Trust and Edward Marshall Trust we have the chance to move forward simultaneously on three interrelated fronts:

1.     100 High Street – converting the Stove building into a fully accessible HQ for The Stove that is welcoming to all and reflects the high quality of The Stove’s ambition

2.    Our Organisation – to be viable in the long term The Stove needs to creatively use the skills and facilities available to us to bring in money that will continue to support of the vision of the arts at the heart of Dumfries. We have business development support to build the foundations of The Stove for the future.

3.    The Art Stuff….aka TheStove@TheStove – we are making a detailed programme of artwork projects between now and July 2015. This will include opportunities for residencies, commissions and volunteering – to be part of new public art events, gatherings, workshops etc.

Working on all three of these fronts at the same time is an incredible opportunity to show what the creative community is capable of when we are given the chance to properly be part of the ‘real world’ (not just fluffy stuff stuck around the edges). Lets get it done!

We’ll be publishing more details of ways to get involved in TheStove@TheStove soon – but do give us a shout if you have ideas about what The Stove could be doing and other folk we could be working with….

Stove in Words

For those of you who have been asking ‘what is The Stove’ – here is our latest attempt to define it….this is a work in progress and we are committed to inclusivity in all things….please do chuck your threepenneth in……

The Stove is a project to add creativity to the structures and thinking that will shape a future we all will share.

The project is run by a collective of artists and other active citizens in Dumfries and Galloway. The Stove creates inclusive public art events to engage the citizens of Dumfries in constructive and practical action in the town. The Stove uses a three storey building in the town centre of Dumfries as an HQ for the project and will operate 100 High Street as a social enterprise. The Stove has a membership of over 100 people ranging from café-owners and wild-food chefs to video artists and DJs.

We see the arts not as something solely for an ‘arts audience’, but rather, as a vital contribution to society on all fronts.  The Stove is a vehicle for practical partnerships with people and organisations working in Health, Education, Tourism, Regeneration and Environment.

The creative arts are one of the top ten economic sectors in Dumfries and Galloway – The Stove is an expression of confidence, professionalism and ambition for that sector – placed physically and practically at the heart of the evolving future of our region.

The Stove and 100 High Street

Man, if we had a pound for every time someone asked how the building was going….

So, in case you are one of those who haven’t asked recently – the skinny is this:

1.     The Council took possession of 100 High Street at the end of January 2014 – after much fun and games with the locks The Stove agreed to leave the building temporarily whilst DGC undertake the first stage of the building works required.

2.     It is anticipated that the final planning permission will be through by the middle of May and that works will commence at this time.

3.     The first stage works comprise new access for people with disabilities, a lift, new toilet provisions, services for a café, general repairs etc. If all goes to plan (haha) this will take 12 weeks

4.     So the very earliest The Stove will be allowed back in the building will be September

5.     When we get back in we can begin our own fit out and modifications to the building (aka Stage 2) – these will include the café, integrated artworks, IT and AV equipment (hell yes!)

We will be partially open as soon as we get the keys back from DGC – don’t ask us when we will be fully open (because Will says it is not possible to estimate this) – but there is a sweepstake running on the opening date – if you are interested in taking part – contact Colin via info@thestove.org

One of the adapted parking discs currently in the widows of The Stove - marking the Cooncil's temporary stay