Blackwater Polytechnic was established by Ben Coode-Adams and Freddie Robins four years ago as an informal educational establishment to bridge the gap between aesthetic quality, design and practical making in the construction industry. Blackwater Polytechnic has subsequently broadened it’s activities to promote Essex and Essex creative people not because they need promoting but because they are really good – both the people and the county. The Blackwater Polytechnic is housed in a magnificent 16th Century timber framed barn on a working farm, featured on Grand Designs. The restoration has been multi-award winning in recognition of its many innovative features from the mesh roof to re-use of concrete silos. It’s really neat.

Exhibiting work by: Ben Coode-Adams, Freddie Robins, Simon Emery (The Paintbox), Leigh Cameron, Sara Impey, Justin Knopp (Typoretum) and Paula Kane

Blackwater Polytechnic, Feering Bury Farm Barn, Coggeshall Road, Feering, Colchester, Essex CO5 9RB
07803 968666
blackwaterpoly@gmail.com

Open from 11.00am – 6.00pm on Sunday 21 and Sunday 28 September, also by appointment

www.colchesteropenstudios.com
www.blackwaterpolytechnic.com

thinking/ranting/making/struggling/musing

Freddie Robins’ text, The Perfect, is now featured on Make Believe. Make Believe is an independent Irish and international online publication of explorative writing about craft. Its aim is to provide a platform for the best and most innovative craft writing and, by doing so, to encourage new work. Access is free and content is updated monthly with work by emerging and established writers. Edited by Eleanor Flegg and Jessica Hemmings.

to debate
to review and analyse
to encourage
and to inspire

www.makebelieve.ie

A season of performances, events, workshops and an exhibition at, and around, Cecil Sharp House, the north London home of the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS), from 15 May to 25 September 2014.

Yan Tan Tethera – which is a traditional sheep counting system used predominantly in the north of England as well as a way to count stitches in knitting – will explore, share and bring to life some of the songs and dances that have eminated from, and been inspired by, England’s textiles industry. The exhibition will feature new work by artists Freddie Robins, Shane Waltener, Prick Your Finger (Rachael Matthews), Stewart Easton and the McGrath Makers Group (Celia Ward) who will be delving deep into the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library archive collections. 

Spanning five months, the wider Yan Tan Tethera project is set to take over Cecil Sharp House – and spill into the local Camden area.

Yan Tan Tethera is curated by David Littler, promoted by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Exhibition is free and available to view during building opening hours.

Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1 7AY
020 7485 2206

Private View Tuesday 15 July 6.30 – 9.00pm
RSVP faye@efdss.org or 020 7241 8955
by Friday 11 July

Final event Thursday 25 September 7pm
sampler-cultureclash presents Spin Cycle
sampler-cultureclash cook up an evening of sampling shenanigans uniting Gaelic song, electronics, beatboxers, musicians, knitters, weavers, spinners and pedal powered looms in a visual and sonic exploration of things that spin, rotate and oscillate. Featuring Jason Singh, Anne Martin, Hector MacInnes, Aimee Leonard and guest artists.
at Cecil Sharp House. Tickets £6 Book here

For more information about the project, events and venue
www.textilefolksong.co.uk
www.efdss.org
www.cecilsharphouse.org

Freddie Robins and Ben Coode-Adams will be talking about their individual
creative practices and the work of The Blackwater Polytechnic. The talk
precedes Ben Coode-Adam’s exhibition at Wayfarers with the Brooklyn based
sculptor, Brent Owens. The exhibition, Congratulations on… Everything, opens on Friday 23 May, runs until Sunday 22 June 2014.

Wayfarers, 1109 Dekalb Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY 11221, USA
Artists’ talk – Friday 18 April 2014, 7.00 – 9.00pm. Free

Wayfarers is a Brooklyn-based studio program that offers qualifying members
private studios, access to a woodshop and a solo-show (or the option to
curate a show) in the on-site gallery. Wayfarers presents 10 – 12 exhibits a
year. They are a combination of curated projects, solo shows by former artists
in residence and group shows. All exhibits are free and open to the public
1.00 pm – 5.00 pm on Sundays, by appointment or by chance.


 In addition to
shows, Wayfarers also hosts regular critiques, drawing parties, group shows,
live music, experimental performances, puppetry projects, readings, video
screenings, skillshares and other inventive events.

brooklynwayfarers.org
blackwaterpolytechnic.com
bencoodeadams.com
brentowens.net

New and improved edition released for 2014

“What do you feel?” is an art education and emotional learning resource that can be used in the classroom, after-school workshops, therapeutic settings and at home. The cards in the boxed-set feature contemporary artworks by culturally-diverse artists on one side, including Freddie Robins, with questions relating to the images on the other. The cards creatively bring to the surface important themes and experiences that are central to the lives of young people, including: understanding relationships; preparing for change and transition; acknowledging and working through losses; thinking about social, personal and cultural identities; identifying emotions and learning how to express them.

Featured artists:
Laylah Ali, Janine Antoni, Gayle Chong Kwan, Zosienka, Mónica de Miranda, Gonkar Gyatso, Anish Kapoor, Chila Kumari Burman, Yayoi Kusama, Neeta Madahar, Chris Ofili, Hetain Patel, Freddie Robins, Franklyn Rodgers, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Lorna Simpson, Do-Ho Suh, Francis Upritchard, Leticia Valverdes, Kate Walters.

Co-published by Iniva (Institute of International Visual Arts) & A Space
www.inivacreativelearning.org