What If…?

Newsletter No.5 September 2006.

We hope you have enjoyed the summer break and are back into the swing of normality, back to work, kids back to school etc! August was a busy month at What If…? as we held regular Arts & Crafts Workshops for youngsters on Tuesdays with our Adults Art Workshops on the same day, which was interesting if a little chaotic with so many in the Gallery at the same time, but it was great to see so many people of all ages able to share the enjoyment of the Arts.

We also enjoyed some great exhibitions with photographs from Sebastian Allan who had his first public solo exhibition. Seb has just finished his first year doing a Photography degree at De Montfort University. Next we had a combination of cartoons, photographs and paintings by the Marshall Family which created interest in their family nameplates (further details of these available at What If…?). Richard Pigott showed some positive images of Dartford and the local area together with some interesting computer generated abstracts. Steven Wright exhibited some exciting ‘Street Art’ images, which showed that ‘graffiti’ is not just mindless ‘tags’ that decorate so many streets. Steven hopes to pick up one or two commissions following his exhibition. August was closed with Martyn Green’s abstract paintings, using combinations of paint, glue, water and washing up liquid!!!.

So what for September? HELP!!!! Yes we need your help whilst there is a need to secure some long time financial funding support for the centre we also have the pressing need for regular volunteers to assist with the day to day running of What If…? So if you are available for a few hours on a Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday are willing to oversee the centre for some of the time on those days please contact FIT Voices on 01322-285241. Or if you feel that you can help with fund raising or have experience of completing funding proposals then please let us know.

We have been offered the opportunity to relocate to a premises in Lowfield Street., which might enable us to ‘share the love’ (of art) with those who don’t walk into our part of the town. However without both financial and volunteer support we are unable to proceed with this kind of expansion so this is on hold at the present.

Dartford Art Group’s Art Workshops on a Tuesday afternoon continue to go from strength to strength; we shall either have to arrange additional sessions or relocate in order to fit everyone in if we continue to attract folk to our regular Tuesday sessions. But worry not we shall always find room for you. So set aside some time to paint in a nice relaxing atmosphere surrounded by artistic inspiration and with other like minded folk. We anticipate that the Saturday Art Workshops for young people that have proved popular will be resumed after the Summer Holidays. For further information about either of these please call Ruth Howard of Dartford Art Group on 01322-410320

Here come the ads!

Dartford Craft Co-operative presents original Crafts by local artists. As well as selling a wide variety of pictures of many styles and mediums we also sell hand made jewellery, homemade cards for that special occasion, candle holders, photograph albums and more…. So come in and see what our local artists have produced and support the local arts economy.

Arts & Crafts for Sale available from What If…? include:-

‘Brightstar Creations’ - Personalised Cards, Stationary & Gifts for all occasions.
‘katie b’ – Jewellery Designer – Commissions welcome.
‘Framed Poems’ – poems on cards or framed for all occasions.
‘Pressed Flowers’ – hand crafted cards & pictures made from pressed flowers.
‘Turned Wood’ – hand turned wooden bowls by Don Row
‘Quilts Galore’ – hand made quilts & Tapestries.

We also sell CD’s by local performers including Dartford’s own Diva, Clare Graydon-James and Solo Acoustic Guitarist Jeff Smith.
If you area local musician or band then why not let us sell your CD's at What If…? Call in and talk to us.

Art Work by local artists including regular exhibitors:-

Createdin6 -Suzanne Bridge - Murals & Commissions undertaken.
Dartford Art Group – Commissions, Workshops & Exhibitions. New members always welcome.
Penny Smith, Martyn Green, Carol Berry, Peter & Debbie Furr, Ingrid Mayes, Francis Pyka, Brian Grundy, Christina Mathews, Hillary Llewellyn-Smith, Len Waghorn, Ruth Howard, Peter Shurmer, Rebecca Rieley and many more. Come and check us out.

Do you have a product that we can exhibit or sell on your behalf? Then come and talk to us about the Dartford Craft Co-operative, our exhibition space, or about our £1 a picture scheme! Call in or phone for details.

Watercolour Workshops. Every Tuesday 1.00pm – 3.00pm. Dartford Art Group holds a Watercolour Workshop for people of all ages, abilities and experience. The sessions are open to anyone who fancies having a go at painting with watercolours in a friendly atmosphere. Why not give yourself some ‘my time’ and come and enjoy painting with others with similar interest. Just £2.00 a session.

Exhibition and Sale space. Get a Room! We are able to hire rooms out for meetings or workshops during the day at prices starting from £5.00 per hour.

Band Rehearsals. We are also able to hire out one of our rooms for Band rehearsals from 6.30pm – 10.00pm Tuesday to Friday complete with a vocal P.A. (courtesy of ‘the Big Rock P.A.’) for £40 per session. Speak to Peter for further details.

Enjoy Poetry?! Sessions held each week. For further information contact Lorna on 01322-382969 or What If…?

Once again, thank you to all those kind folk who have visited and got involved in so many ways. It is much appreciated and long may it continue. Volunteers.What If…? Relies very strongly on its volunteers who very kindly give of their time and skills to support the Centre. If you would also like to help in some way; particularly with advertising, fundraising, workshops, administration etc then please let us know.

Thankyou. This month sees the moving on of Peter, who was Project Manager for the initial six months of the project. He sends his best wishes and sincere thanks to all those who have supported What If…? in whatever way over the last eight months or so and wishes you and What If…? success for the future. (If you need someone to manage a project or event you can contact him on 07981-328581 or email phanda@homecall.co.uk)

Call Us - You can now contact What If…? Direct by phone now on 07962-974304

What If…? Is a Dartford Arts Forum Project supported by FIT Voices in association with PH & A