PRESS RELEASE
Celebrity Artists and Local talent come together in Durham
An eclectic night of art, games and performance at the Durham Art Gallery and Empty Shop
(8th July 2010) Local community arts organisation Empty Shop and County Council operated Durham Art Gallery have collaborated to present a range of exhibitions and events fusing different approaches to creativity into an opening night extravaganza.
The events take place on Friday 23rd of July starting at the established Durham Art Gallery and moving on to the new Empty Shop HQ in the city centre.
Durham Art Gallery
The evening kicks off at 6pm in the Durham Art Gallery with the opening of “What Are You Like?” an exhibition about illustration and identity featuring work by Elton John, Brian Eno, David Shrigley and many others.
As part of this exhibition local arts organisation Empty Shop were approached to produce some events to bring a more grassroots approach to proceedings.
The local organisation, who specialise in producing art space from disused retail units invited the Salford Zine Library (Britain’s largest collection of original, independently published comics and zines) up for their first ever exhibition outside of their permanent base at Salford University.
To compliment the exhibition of the collection Empty Shop commissioned the Newcastle based Paper Jam Comics Collective to produce a brand new illustrated ‘zine titled “Art and That”, an irreverent look at the world of art. Scottish artist Andrew Waugh, one of the founding members of Paper Jam said “It’s looking really good – a nice 24 page package, the art theme has obviously inspired the contributors”.
Also taking place that evening and throughout the exhibition will be live Pictionary, a chance for budding artists to test their illustration skills in a fun and accessible way.
Empty Shop
Following the opening at the Durham Art Gallery you are invited to head down to Empty Shop HQ in Durham City centre from 7.30pm for some live poetry written in response to the What Are You Like exhibition by performers Jimmy Blue and David Saunders. Empty Shop co-director says “This collaboration between ourselves and the Durham Art Gallery is our best yet, with loads to see and do and something for everyone.”
Ever found yourself doodling or scribbling on the back of a beermat in a pub?
Come to Empty Shop to an original collection of art drawn entirely on that most popular of mediums, the pub beer mat! The Beer Mat Show, presented by Halifax arts organisation, Temporary Art Space, is one of the only exhibitions you can contribute to. Post your beermats to Empty Shop at the address below!
Also taking place at the official What Are You Like? after-show exhibition is
a presentation of work by Empty Shop studio group The FreeBirds.
Images and quotes are available upon request. Representatives from the Durham Art Gallery, Empty Shop and the Paper Jam Comics Collective are available for interview
For all media enquiries please contact Linda Mutunga on media@emptyshop.org or 07828137277 or Carlo Viglianisi on carlo@emptyshop.org or 07787144894
Notes to Editors
Where to find the Durham Art Gallery
The DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery
Aykley Heads
Durham
DH1 5TU
Where to find Empty Shop HQ
35C Framwellgate Bridge
The Gates Shopping Centre
Durham
DH1 4SJ
Empty Shop
Empty Shop is an arts organisation based in Durham. Founded in 2008 the group provide opportunities for the production, exhibition and viewing of art where they might not otherwise exist. Find out more at
Salford Zine Library
Salford Zine Library was formed in January 2010 and aims to showcase and share creative work in the self-published form. The archive sources work through contacting practitioners, poster campaigns and word of mouth. Visit
www.salfordzinelibrary.blogspot.com/
The Paper Jam Comics Collective
The Paper Jam Comics Collective is a creative community made up of
fans and creators alike, based around fortnightly get-togethers at Travelling Man comics store in Newcastle. For three years they have put out themed anthologies under the …And That banner, to which submissions are welcome. For more information go to
www.paperjamcomics.blogspot.com
ENDS
PRESS RELEASE
Empty Shop HQ Opens It’s Doors
February 19th 2010
A former Gregg’s bakery in Durham City Centre has received a new lease of life as the city’s latest cultural venue.
Empty Shop, a community interest company dedicated to exhibiting art in empty spaces, celebrates the opening of the venue this month.
Empty Shop CIC started this time last year when locals Carlo Viglianisi and Nick Malyan took on a former video shop in Gilesgate, Durham. The project was a massive success and hosted more than 20 exhibitions over a number of different unused retail spaces in only 8 months. Having seen almost 10,000 people visit these empty shops the pair recognised the appetite for grassroots art space in Durham and decided to open their first permanent venue with studio space for the regions artists.
The old bakery, which has been empty for over a decade and will now be known as Empty Shop HQ, opens its doors on Friday 19th February with a range of exhibitions and activities taking place.
- The 2nd Annual Empty Shop Open is an exhibition showcasing the best independent arts produced by North East based Artists.
- The beginning of an artists residency in “the Stairwell Gallery”
- An open studios event with the group’s studio tenants.
- An exhibition presented by a local guest curator
- Original wall drawings by Newcastle based The Cloud Commission
- The Opening of ‘The Smallest Gallery in the World’
Empty Shop HQ Opens Friday 19th January from 6-9pm
The exhibitions will be available to view on Saturday 20th from 11am – 4pm and Sunday 21st from 12-4pm. All are welcome.
After this opening weekend exhibition viewings are by appointment only and tours are also available.
Further information is available at www.emptyshop.org or email thefolks@emptyshop.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
“Empty Shop “is a Community Interest Company, formed by Carlo Viglianisi and Nick Malyan to meet the needs of the artist community in County Durham and the North East more broadly. They revitalise long and medium term unoccupied buildings by providing locals artists of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience with a platform to produce, exhibit and view art.
Both Directors have known each other socially for many years and share a professional and long standing interest in the arts, through different but complementary areas of involvement.
PERSONAL BIO
Name: Nick Malyan
Professional qualifications: BA Sociology and Cultural Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University. MA Cities Culture and Regeneration, University of Liverpool
Experience: 10 years experience working in arts venues around the North of England including 3 years in Liverpool in the build up to and delivery of the city’s year as European Capital of Culture.
Interests: Culture, Architecture, Regeneration, Urban Ecology
Name: Carlo Viglianisi
Professional qualifications: BA Contemporary Photography Practise, Northumbria University
Experience: 6 years operating own photography and graphic design business, 10 years experience as practising artists, Young British Cartoonist of the Year 2006
Interests: Art, Photography, Graphic Design, Culture, Community
QUOTES:
Nick Malyan:
“Empty Shop has gone from strength to strength in the year we’ve been operating, there’s a real hunger for grassroots art activity in the county, we’ve found people really appreciate an accessible outlet for that”
Carlo Viglianisi:
“It has been fantastic opportunity to not only provide art space for the community, but to do something positive with unused properties, especially in the current climate. It is really rewarding to inject a new lease of life into these old beautiful buildings”
Former Mayor of Durham Grenville Holland:
“This excellent initiative deserves wider recognition and support from our community.
I wish it every success in the future.”
High resolution, colour images will be available of the event and both Carlo and Nick are available for interviews.
