May half term at The Project Space – Big Splash, Maindee Festival and more!

FREE – Tuesday 26th – Thursday 28th May – Opening times vary

Well it’s officially that time of year again where we crack out the sun lotion and get ready for Big Splash festival in Newport. This year’s festival takes place the same weekend as Maindee Festival meaning there’ll be even more arty goings on in the city than last year! This half term we have a whole manner of arty activities to keep the whole family amused at The Project Space – your creative community centre in the heart of the Newport.

Workshops start on Tuesday 26th May, and run until Thursday 28th May between 11.00am – 2.00pm. Come along and help make a giant house for the “Right Up Your Street” carnival procession for Maindee festival.

The Procession takes place on Saturday 31st May and is part of the Big Splash weekend celebrations!

In addition, there will also be a Samba Drumming Workshop on Tuesday 26th May with Upbeat Music between 2.00pm – 3.30pm.

For more information about these workshops and who to take part in the parade, please contact sally-anne.evans@newportlive.co.uk

To find out more information on all events during Big Splash and Maindee Festival, please visit www.maindee.org or www.newportlive.co.uk/theriverfront, or download the programme: http://media.wix.com/ugd/7be6dd_1361ef9d08a2453d80090bbc2c0bf569.pd

Meet the Residents #1: Clary Saddler – “UPRISING”

UPRISING – Information about events with Clary Saddler at The Project Space

Between Tuesday 7th April to Saturday 9th May, artist in residence Clary Saddler will be launching her project Newport Rising at The Project Space. Delivering a project using relatable themes (e.g. the gang metaphor running parallel to the workshops), Clary hopes the project will inspire people within Newport to get more politically active. Uprising takes place in a dystopian future that exists after the collapse of our own society in a world governed by gang leaders and crime lords. By 2017, the number of people voting declined so dramatically that governments eventually got overthrown by gangs who promised their followers a brighter future but failed to deliver. Now the world is in a constant state of civil war; with each gang invading – seeking new territory. A large underground movement of rebels and political protesters hold secret meetings – identifying themselves by wearing rainbow bracelets. They strive for a democratic future; their motto “the classes against the masses”. They believe they can empower the masses through creative expression. Through a series of participatory arts workshops these sessions will explore themes of democracy through the creation of songs, raps, rhythms & beat-poetry; graffiti art, short films (holding subliminal messages of democracy) and political theatre. This will culminate in a forum theatre style performance entitled Uprising on Saturday 9th May. Timetable: Tuesday 7th April – 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Project Space, Rhythms & music making Wednesday 8th April – 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Project Space, Movie Making, music videos & adverts Thursday 9th April – 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Project Space, Devising forum theatre Friday 10th April – 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Project Space, Devising forum theatre Saturday 11th April – 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Project Space, Devising forum theatre Saturday 18th April – 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Riverfront, Graffiti art (Riverfront) Saturday 25th April – 9:30 -12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Project Space Devising forum theatre Saturday 2nd May – 9:30 – 12:30 & 13:00 – 16:00 @ The Riverfront, Rehearsal and tech run Saturday 9th May – 9:30 – 12:30 Dress rehearsal / 13:00 – 16:00 PERFORMANCE – UPRISING @ The Project Space

For further information, please contact the artist at clary@forget-me-not-productions.co.uk or visit www.forget-me-not-productions.co.uk

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About the artist: Clary Saddler is a young practitioner who holds ‘old school’ ideals of changing the world through art. Founder and artistic director of Forget-Me-Not-Productions, she is a qualified drama teacher and producer, director, facilitator and tutor. Her background includes 15 years as a professional actor, musician, and singer/ songwriter, and has toured with such companies as Theatre for Youth and Mullet Productions.

The search is on! Gwent Young Artist 2014 – This Saturday

Overall winner of the Gwent Young Artist of the Year 2013 competition was Blackwood Comprehensive pupil Casey-Leigh Prosser, 15 – Photo: South Wales Argus

This Autumn, we here at The Project Space are proud to support the South Wales Argus as once again, they go on the look out for the best young artist in Gwent.

This annual competition, now in it’s fourth year, as well as giving young artists the chance to showcase their talents, provides youngsters with the chance to win some generous cash prizes. All you have to do to take part is submit an original piece of art, be it a drawing, painting, sculpture or whatever to the address on the entry form.

The closing date for entries is FRIDAY 12th December 2014.

The judging panel made up of representatives from the University of South Wales, South Wales Argus and Western Power, will meet during the following weeks to select a shortlist of winners whose work will go on display here at The Project Space between Thursday 8th January until Saturday 31st January 2015.

In addition, we’re teaming up with the Art Foundation tutors at University of South Wales to run two workshops o:

Saturday 18th October (FREE – 10am – 2pm) and

Saturday 1st November (FREE – 10am – 2pm) to help contestants perfect their art techniques.

The Age categories for the competition are: 8 years old and under – 9 to 12 years – 13 to 18 years

There will be a winner and runner-up in each age category and then an overall winner, who will be named the South Wales Argus young Gwent Artist of the Year.

Winners of the age groups will each receive £75; runners-up £25 and £175 for their school’s art department. The overall winner will win a trophy plus £400. Their school will receive £275 for the art department. They will also receive an art masterclass at the University of South Wales.

For more information, check out the South Wales Argus website: http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk

SUMMER JAM with Urban Circle Productions

SUMMER JAM by URBAN CIRCLE PRODUCTIONS – Everyday this week!

WOOHOO! It’s officially the summer holidays, and as part of  a summer long series of fun, Urban Circle this week are taking up residency at The Project Space offering a whole host of creative workshops for young people to enjoy!

With daily 2 hour workshops between 2am and 4pm Monday to Friday this week, with a showcase of all their work on Saturday 26th 4-6pm. With dance, music and fashion craft, this is one event not to be missed:

Dance – Try the UK’s fastest growing dance form and put together your own Street Dance routine 😀

Music – The musically orientated will dabble in the word lyric writing and being an MC. This workshops will result in a fun track being recorded and performed on Saturday.

Fashion Craft – Craft based fashion session will look at recycling clothes and refreshing them with creative customisation techniques. This workshop will result in a fashion photoshoot taking place on the Saturday. 

These workshops are free to the public and for ages 13-25. Pop in or email info@urbancircle.co.uk for more information.

Please note – all minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

We’re going international! #bigsplash2014

Image © Chris Evans – Poppy Evans and Kate Mercer at work mosaicing the underside of Newport’s #bigsplash2014 whale with Stephanie Roberts and Naz Syed in background. 2014.

After a successful first workshop in The Project Space with mosaic artist Stephanie Roberts and Naz Syed, we are ecstatic to announce that Newport’s happiest whale is about to go international.

On Saturday 10th May 2014, Steph will be joined by international mosaic artists Rachel Silver (New Zealand), Sé Van Weert (Netherlands) and Tamara Froud (UK) to help get this whale in shape for his Big Splash festival glory! As well, one of Britain’s leading mosaic artists, Carrie Reichardt, will be designing a section of the Whale although is unable to visit and take part in the project in person. All artists were involved in The 1st International Urban Mosaic Intervention in 2014, that took place in Chile earlier this year, and have continued to collaborate on projects since.

There’s still plenty of whale to mosaic and go around, so be sure to pop in to The Project Space on the day for a chance to talk and learn from International professionals in the heart of the city, working tirelessly to put something back into Newport.  We’ll still be running out #namethewhale competition too!  If you can think of a name for our whaley mate, get in touch – winner to be announced at The Big Splash festival weekend.

Further information on each artist can be found at:

Stephanie Roberts – stephanierobertsart.wordpress.com

Carrie Reichardt – www.carriereichardt.co.uk

Rachel Silver – www.rachelsilvermosaics.co.uk

Sé Van Weert – www.sevanweert.nl/home-english

Tamara Froud – www.mosaicartltd.co.uk

For more information regarding Newport’s Big Splash Festival 2014, please visit  www.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront, or find them online at Twitter: @newportfestival #bigsplash2014  / Facebook: big splash newport / Instagram: @riverfrontarts

The Big Splash 2014 – Newport’s Family Festival!

The Big Splash – Newport

It’s official – Newport’s Big Splash festival will return on Friday 30th May until Sunday 1st June 2014 for a long weekend of family entertainment across the city. With music, circus acts, street theatre, live dance, comedy and a Sunset Spectacular, there’ll be more going on than you can shake a stick at!

In support of this, The Project Space will be playing host to a number of free drop in workshops through out May leading up to the main festival weekend…

3rd, 10th, 17th – Stephanie Roberts, Big Splash Big Smash Mosaic Whale Workshops

Do you remember the Newport Leisure Centre’s Squirty whale?  Well we’ve found him – he’s in need of a make-over and we need your help!  Run by Newport mosaic artist Stephanie Roberts, we will transform this loveable whale and give him a new life.  As well, we’ll be running a competition to come up with a new name for Newport’s Whale – the winner of the best name will launch him at the Big Splash on Saturday 31st May.

For ages 7 years + if accompanied by an adult, or 11 years + if unaccompanied.

For more information about Stephanie Roberts, lease visit her website: http://www.stephanierobertsart.com

24th – Samba Workshops

Between 10am – 4pm, join us in The Project Space and make balloon costumes and musical instruments to get you in the party spirit ready for The Big Splash parade on the festival weekend. With a professional drumming tutor leading the sessions, come along and be part of Newport’s very own Samba drumming band.

For all ages – no need to book.

As well (for some week night fun too!) there will be Samba workshops held on Wednesday evenings at The Princess Tearooms on Cambrian Road to get you in the part mood through out the week!

31st – Big Splash Parade!

Open from 10am, there’ll still be time to pop in and make your costumes ready for the parade from The Project Space to The Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, starting at 1pm!

For more information regarding Newport’s Big Splash Festival 2014, please visitwww.newport.gov.uk/theriverfront, or find them online on Twitter: @newportfestival #bigsplash2014 Facebook: big splash newport or Instagram: @riverfrontarts