Opportunity: Public Art Research Residency

A Public Art Research Residency based in Dumfries with The Stove Network, with outcomes that are presented as part of the TheStove@TheStove public art programme (18 month duration)

The successful applicant will be expected to spend a significant amount of time in Dumfries. During this research period the artist will conduct both archival and broadly engaged research. The Stove can assist with meaningful connections to enable this process, however the artist is expected to show initiative and have an outward facing approach to their practice. 
We are open about the direction the research may take, an example of a stepping off point might include:- Dumfries Common Good 
The Stove Network is an emerging artist-led organisation based in Dumfries. The organisation is led by a Curatorial Team who in turn lead a diverse membership in excess of 100 people in projects that work creatively with local people in Dumfries and surrounding area to collectively build a new vision for the town.We do this through developing participative artwork projects in public spaces, delivering workshops and training opportunities, providing a hub for creative practice in our region and working in partnership with other local organisations.

Timescale: July 2014 – February 2015

Budget: £8,000 + additional production budget for Required Outcome 2 to be agreed

Full brief and info on application/selection – ailsa@thestove.org 
Deadline for Application: 14^th June


project supported by  

Opportunity: Public Communicator and Herald

PUBLIC COMMUNICATOR AND HERALD

for The Stove’s 2014/2015 art programme in Dumfries

The Stove Network is looking for an interpreter, a recorder, a herald, a bridger. Above all…. a communicator. 
This residency commission is to research and understand the dozen or so projects in public spaces that constitute The Stove’s creative programme from June 2014 to June 2015, then to interpret them for the people of Dumfries in ways that are engaging, informative and  creative. We are looking for tangible physical outcomes instead of or as well as digital ones.

You should have significant experience in at least one of the following: event production, socially engaged art in public, the written word… or something we have not thought of... surprise and inspire us (and Dumfries). You will also need to convince us of your experience and ability to interpret and communicate. 

The nature of the commission requires considerable time on location in Dumfries, and the successful artist will be required to attend specific project dates. Please be aware of this if intending to travel from a significant distance.

Timescale – July 2014 – September 2015
Fee - £6,500 (to include all expenses and VAT if applicable)
For full brief and details of application/selection process  - ailsa@thestove.org 
Deadline for application submission: 14^th June

project supported by 

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!

'Making Dumfries' - a new Charter

Members of The Stove Network are gearing up for Guid Nychburris again. We have been involved in the festivities for the last 2 years and are finding it a brilliant opportunity to work with and talk to people in Dumfries about the future of the town.

Back2Back - The Stove @ Guid Nychburris 2013

Recently we have been inspired by some of our researches into local movements of people working together to make the places that they live in better by thinking creatively and taking practical measures like pooling skills.

The 100 citizens who re-wrote the Irish Consitution (66 ordinary people, 33 politicians and 1 independent Chairperson)

Guid Nychburris celebrates the granting of a Royal Charter to the Burgh of Dumfries in 1395. We thought it would be interesting to speculate about the sort of Charter the people of Dumfries might grant themselves for the future prosperity of the town.

The earliest surviving copy of the Dumfries Burgh Charter was written down in 1580 - the original Charter being given in 1395

For absolute clarity…this idea of a popular Charter is NO way ‘official’ – it will have no formal status at all…it has not been ‘commissioned’ in any way. A group of local artists just thought this could be an interesting contribution to the conversation about the future of the town.

We plan to launch the Charter on Guid Nychburris Day (21^st June) – getting people to help us ‘unveil’ it in a typically Stoveish manner and offering people special memorial copies that they can also add to and edit as they choose.

Publishing 'stove style' at Nithraid 2013

We are getting in touch now to invite you to contribute to the new Charter – our idea is that the Charter should focus on people and what is important to quality of life… to paraphrase the US constitution ‘ Each Citizen covenants with the whole people and the whole people covenants with each Citizen that all shall respect certain principles for the common good’

beginning of the US 'Bill of Rights'

The Stove already has long standing partnerships with groups and individuals working in these areas – over the next couple of weeks we will be asking people to help us come up with a phrase (20 words max) for their particular area of interest that we can add to the new Charter.

We propose that the Charter begins with the statement that:

“Dumfries is what we make together.We promise each other that our making together will be shaped by these values, for the common good:”

Our idea is that this opening is followed by a series of statements about how the town regards the following:

·       Young People

·       Diversity

·       People with disabilities

·       Enterprise and opportunity

·       Culture and Creativity

·       Heritage

·       Environment

·       Belief

·       Education 

 Civic Society and Local Democracy

Health and Wellbeing 

This is also a completely open invitation to anyone with an interest in this project to take part….please either leave a comment at the bottom of this post, drop us an email at info@thestove.org or contact us through Facebook or Twitter.

Also let us know if you are interested to be involved in being part of the project team to bring all this to fruition for Guid Nuychburris Day and beyond

We are not intending crediting individual contributions on the Charter itself – but we would hope to list everyone involved as part of the project documentation. Please include with your contribution the way you would like to be credited or a confirmation that your contribution should be anonymous

Bordeaux and Public Space

The Stove have been coined 'cultural ambassadors for Dumfries' as last week we packed our trunks and headed off for Bordeaux.

Why Bordeaux you might have asked?
To which we may have replied, 

'Although it is undoubtedly bigger, better and sunnier, Bordeaux has several interesting parallels with Dumfries: it was a one-time great trading port on a river; its historic buildings and waterfront had suffered from misuse and neglect. The difference comes in how it has succeeded in regenerating itself in the last decade or so, with a strong focus on culture and environment.' Indeed.

Regeneration and the River.
This is Bordeaux (before above, and after). Familiar, anyone? #CreativeDumfries

Bordeaux's vast infrastructure and city centre regeneration over the past 15 years has focused largely on the riverside, and the design and creation of people friendly places over vehicle orientated ones.

Time and again we gravitated towards the area, for meetings, coffee, discussions and - possibly our most favourite public space, the fountain –also known as the Mirror.

By day an engaging and constantly changing interactive space

By night a reflection to the reborn river front buildings and quays

The Mirror reminded one of the Stovies of Simon Faithfull's Shy Fountain - a fountain which only exists when no one is there… as we spent a lot of time trying to catch the Mirror's brief changes

The Mirror, which alternates between a shallow pool and ephemeral fog, forms part of the promenade extending along the river - filled with people on all manner and number of (human powered) wheels. Glasgow based artist Jacqueline Donnachie's Slow Down project has been tested in a few towns and cities, most recently in Glasgow in the run up to the Commonwealth which sees bikes fitted with chalks that mark the routes taken by cyclists in the city to encourage cycling use… Cycling Dumfries looks to improve cycling closer to home - how could we think about our transport differently? 

Jacqueline Donnachie's Slow Down Glasgow, commissioned by Velocity

The city centre's new look and feel, as well as Bordeaux's Unesco Heritage status, has had input too on a cultural front with the AGORA (Architecture, Urban Planning and Design) biennale which has grown out of the regeneration works in the town into a fully fledged national event of it's own standing. This year AGORA coincides with the Nithraid - taking place from 11th - 14th September.. but more on this later!

The first sunday of the month is Car Free Day in Bordeaux

Of course, as much as the city centre is all absorbing and beautiful, the Stovies got an itch to explore a little more into the periphery spaces of Bordeaux - so we took (the very sleek) tram up to the Bacalan area - which is pretty serious about it's regeneration on all fronts, as new builds and cranes jostled for space amongst established arts and social enterprise organisations.

Le garage moderne - a social enterprise with groups across France, teaches practical mechanics whilst also doubling up as exhibition space, and artists studios and office spaces - it caught the Stove's wildest imagination - we're quickly realising that we could outgrow 100 High Street...

The construction industry hot on the heels of the Bordelaise artists (and a little love for Black Cat White Cat)

And finally for this week - we've become a bit obsessed with the space out the back of the Stove, as we explore the mechanism for creating a new rear entrance for 100 High Street, discussions have been ongoing as to how to alter the sense and atmosphere of a place, especially one with shared use and ownership. Grand plans are being finalised as the impact of 100 High Street and it's relationship to it's surroundings grows and changes from the forgotten Happitt store into the Stove proper… as ever, we'll keep you posted. 

Les Vivres de l'Art - one of the wildest creative spaces we came across in Bordeaux

Guid Nychburris and beyond

The Stove’s focus is growing towards Guid Nychburris Day, and our upcoming events to co-incide with Dumfries’ annual Riding of the Marches Day. This will be our third year presenting work as part of the annual festivities, and with each year our fascination with the history behind it grows. 

Lochmabengate Port - we'd like to know a bit more about the gates and customs arising from the Guid Nychburris route, any suggestions?

 Guid Nychburris Day has been held near annually since 1932, but it’s origins lie further back when King Robert III granted Royal Burgh status to the town in 1186. But where has the festival we see today grown from? From where and when have each of the customs, important figures been added to the event? 

Although there are other March Riding traditions across the border and beyond, each having grown it’s own unique customs and traditions – and we’ve been thinking slightly further afield at the origins of tradition in community based and led festivals: 

From the ancient and obscure, such as Ottery St Mary’s Flaming Tar Barrels tradition: part of their annual carnival on the 5th November. “The exact origins are unknown but probably started after the gunpowder plot of 1605. Various alternative reasons suggested for burning barrels have included fumigation of cottages and as a warning of the approach of the Spanish armada.” 

To the more modern adaptations – take the Edinburgh Beltane Fire Festival (coincidentally this week) for example, which only started up in 1988 but harks back to the celtic Beltane festival that traditionally took place at this time of year. At what point do these events go from being a bit of fun to a ‘venerable tradition’? 

A shortlist of some of the curatorial team’s favourite festivals: 

The Baby Jumping Festival 
Or, “El Colacho” dates back to 1620 and is a Spanish ritual involving men dressed as the devil in red and yellow jumpsuits paired with modern running shoes, jumping over babies born in the previous twelve months; thought to bless the newborn children and remove original sin, preparing them for a life on God’s true path. 

Burning Man 
Which needs little introduction, but sees the creation of a temporary community for a week each year in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. “The Burning Man organization (Black Rock City LLC) creates the infrastructure of Black Rock City, wherein attendees (or "participants") dedicate themselves to the spirit of community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. They depart one week later, leaving no trace.” 

Up Helly Aa 
Although first appearances may suggest a harking back to ancient Viking celebrations, Up Helly Aa is actually a relatively modern – having grown out of wild Christmas holiday celebrations. The current form, including guizing and torchlit procession was first introduced in the around 1870.  

Holi 
The Hindu festival celebrating the end of Winter and the arriving Spring – sees social rules and expectations relaxed in India, “Social barriers are broken as people of all ages, genders, castes, and wealth gather together and celebrate the festival. In fact, it is said that one can get away with almost any kind of behavior on the day of Holi by saying "bura na mano holi hai," or, "don't mind, it is Holi."

Palnackie Flounder Tramping Championships 
Naturally, we couldn’t miss out the more local eccentric festivals. Palnackie’s Flounder Tramping Festival has been missing from the calander the past few years, but rumour has it is due to make a comeback this year. was the brainchild of villager John Kirk, who on a sunny summer afternoon in 1973, offered a bottle of whisky to the person who could catch the biggest flounder. 

And so back to Guid Nychburris. As we delve into the history of the town’s Charter and Seal, the importance of the flag and the many gates and keys along the route as well as the roles played out by the Cornet, Lass and entourage – all the pieces that add to the sense of tradition and occasion - get in touch with us! If you have any knowledge or insight into the history of Guid Nychburris, we’d love to hear from you: Fire off an e-mail to info@thestove.org

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.. 

Guid Nychburris 2014

 

The Burgh Seal of Dumfries

The first outing in our year-long art programme TheStove@TheStove is Guid Nychburris – the original (and still the best) Dumfries community festival. The Stove has taken part in the last two Guid Nychburris celebrations with Punkin’ the Jubilee in 2013 and Back2Back in 2013. This year we have been mining the town archives for some of the origins of Dumfries (that are celebrated in Guid Nychburris) – we’ll be looking at the idea of a new Charter for the town, the Common Good and generally making a mess and having a good time……lots of opportunities to use your existing skills, learn new ones – work with some terrific folk and wear hats.

Punkin' the Jubilee - The Stove@Guid Nychburris 2012

If you are interested in being part of Team Stove for Guid Nychburris 2014 then drop us a line at info@thestove.org and we’ll keep you in the loop with developments

Back2Back - The Stove@Guid Nychburris 2013

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….