I have visited Alison Clarke at Surrey Arts and we have a strategy for moving forward, and I have some leads to follow up with artists who may be interested and some possible funding sources too. I have to wait a few weeks again to find out if the Arts Council will fund the 'Artwalks' in 2013. I am optimistic, as the advantage of the rolling 'Grants for the arts' means that you can take on their feedback and re-apply, so long as you have enough time before your project starts. I am getting some help already with promotion from Epsom & Ewell borough council which is great.

It seems as if my arts council application for funding wasn't successful due to the volume of applications, so I have asked for feedback and resubmitted today, so fingers crossed once more. I have been throwing ideas of a map of the boundaries on the commons and have come up with this.

I am going to try an all drawing solution as well

New title and new pictures

Julia Manheim made these images whilst on the second Artwalk, our ideas on the environment coincide and for me these images tell a story about human and animal interaction with great simplicity and composition. 

I have changed the name of this blog to 'Artwalks Epsom and Ashtead common' as I thought 'Walking the boundaries' had too many religious connotations. Also I wanted to cement the idea of art and walking being intertwined in my practice and for the art walks themselves. I have nearly finished my application for funding from ACE so fingers crossed.

Funding and the future

2012

The last art walk is now done and I am very pleased to say that even on a wet Monday in October I did get one participant. In total 7 people attended throughout the summer, and their feedback will help me to develop the residency and art walks further. There will be more emphasis on the walking aspect of the residency, as I favor the movement of art out of the gallery and into the everyday places. Walking puts us into a discreet space both mentally and temporally, which allows time to create and just enjoy being in the moment.

THE FUTURE

Sundays in the Summer would be a better bet and to that end I am already planning the walks for next year. With financial support from Colin Taylor via the Community Partnerships East, part of Surrey County Council, and help from Epsom & Ewell, Surrey Arts, The Epsom Common Association, these walks and future ones will be possible.

Now I am applying for Arts Council Funding for 2013, so fingers crossed.

The weather for next monday's walk

 Come along with your eyes ready

I have just checked the long range forecast for Monday the 1st of October and the outlook is good, cloudy but no rain. let's hope it keeps off as it will be a bit muddy underfoot after all the rain so far this week. Looking forward to meeting some new people and lets hope we can have at least six people the number who turned out for the last walk.

Art walk map

I am getting things ready for the next art walk on the 1st of October. Despite it being a Monday, chosen for the quietness of a week day, I am expecting a good turnout. Epsom art college (UCA) will be back and I have been working hard to promote the idea with people, both local and from London's artistic community. Here is a map of the route we will be following.

Second art walk

We had almost perfect weather for the second art walk, and more importantly SIX people.

The slight rain only came when we were near some cover and never threatened to halt our progress around the commons. All the rehearsal time paid off and we stopped at the various locations to discuss boundaries and boarders. Animal/human divides, political boundaries, common land, the enclosures acts and frogs were all debated as we walked.

 After lunch we stopped and made some drawings. I was left feeling that it has all been worth it and I got some lovely feedback from my questionnaire.

Thanks to all who came along