Magna Carta

The Magna Carta has always been an important part of our identity as artists living and working in the city of Lincoln, and the LAN has always had it’s own Artist’s Charter, which forms the basis of the group.

At the end of 2014, a proposal was created and submitted to The Collection for their Courtyard Gallery space, for Lincoln-based artists to create and exhibit work in response to The Magna Carta. There was much interest in this from artists wishing to get involved.

However, we were disappointed to receive yet another rejection email from The Collection, not enabling us to do this.

Advice often given – often those that think fine art is important say that “you can do anything as an artist” (as opposed to illustration, where apparently you can’t, for some unknown reason).

However, we’re not able to create and exhibit work in The Collection during the upcoming Magna Carta celebrations, because they said no.

Let’s have a look at the Magna Carta and the rights and freedoms it expresses.

For instance, a current campaign is ongoing to Save Lincs Libraries.

When our Alice in Disneyland exhibition couldn’t be exhibited at the Odeon cinema, we found Lincoln Central Library an appropriate venue in which to exhibit.

Here at the LAN, having examined Borges, and spent a lot of time in Great Central Library writing dissertations, we rather like them.

Lincoln Cathedral has one of the best libraries in the country, the Wren Library – some of the medieval illuminated manuscripts look as if they were written and illustrated yesterday, and there are some fascinating insights into the goings on of a certain Robyn Hode.

So it’s sad that plans are afoot to close many library services in Lincolnshire. And in relation to this, is this article about the significance of libraries and the Magna Carta:

http://www.labour-rose.co.uk/archives/804

So, not only are libraries under threat of closure, they’re also denying local graduates an opportunity to create contemporary fine art in response to the Magna Carta itself. So much for democracy.

Happy New Year 2015!

2014 has been a quiet year for the LAN, taking a step back to stop and draw to a close opportunities that didn't quite work out the way we'd have liked.

It's been a year to take some time out to concentrate on personal issues, then to start again to renew Lincoln Artists' Network.

Most of the time spent not applying for "opportunities" that won't benefit the LAN, and challenging them.

We're still seeking funding - this is a huge bugbear for the LAN.

We are constantly told to apply to Arts Council for funding, and artists really need to get together with us in order for this to be successful. Strength in numbers.

a-n's #payingartists campaign takes a lot of the groundwork out of campaigning for better artists' rights, although we're still not sure why it is that, 5 years on, it's so hard to generate an income for artists.

We applied to The Collection for a Courtyard Gallery exhibition, which wasn't successful. We were told this was because there are already lots of Magna Carta themed events next year. We would like to have been involved, for Lincoln-based artists to get together to create and showcase work, but we need to expand from "grass roots" level now.

Exciting things have been happening behind the scenes at the LAN towards the end of 2014, looking forward to new beginnings and new opportunities.

We're in the process of developing workshops, with a potential fundraising event coming up in May, and plenty of ideas to work towards.

We'd like to thank all those that have been getting involved, and the support from businesses and the University of Lincoln.

Lincs Chamber of Commerce Building A Better Business #GoingForGrowth

The LAN requires two things at the moment. One is a regular source of income for artists involved, and to realise projects, or one-off grants / funding to initiate individual projects, and new space of our own in which artists can use to create new experimental work, events, projects and exhibitions, so for this purpose, we went to the free Lincs Chamber Of Commerce Going For Growth event to see what support there was available. 

We seemed to be successful in updating available grants, but whether we are eligible for the criteria, apply and are successful will take time and resources that will be wasted if not.

L: Charley Sowden Shooting Star PR

Charley Sowden of Shooting Star PR made outrageously negative football-related gender associations #everydaysexism but otherwise was informative and knowledgeable despite experiencing challenging presentation issues.

Ross Ryan from Pera Consulting - Growth Accelerator and Andy Clayton of Ruddocks

Streets Accountants declared that we were all capitalists. We thought that capitalism was over in 2008.
And some thought that illustrating their point could be done without the use of any actual illustrations, so this was why we actually DID illustrate some of the speakers! 
In our experience, illustrators are the most attentive people, capable of listening to lectures whilst illustrating Illustration lecturers, and similarly illustrating events as they happen live, instead of taking selfies. We'd like to think that these illustrations resemble the actual people that spoke. If in some way, there is someone that thinks we weren't paying attention, and instead drew a picture of someone else, then we'd be very interested, Brian Sewell. 

If you think that saying words is illustration, or a boring chart with numbers is illustration, without any form of visual communication at all, then we can help you out there. 
To illustrate the point that we don't work for free, you will notice that the pen still has the cap on.
You can even add a personal touch and some class to your company website by hiring an artist or illustrator to create portraits of your team - stock photography is cheap, hiring a photographer is better, as Andy Clayton showed, but hiring an illustrator and having quirky, innovative portraits on the office wall, or a literal mug with the director's face on it will make you literally stand head and shoulders above your competitors.

Even better is to commission some artwork for your reception area or office, that expresses your core company values and shows that you really are a creative and innovative enterprise.

If this would be of interest to you for your business, we would be happy to meet for a consultation to discuss ideas, working to your budget, and we can then source an artist or illustrator whose work we think will fit with your business to create something truly unique. Don't just rely on a logo and a colour scheme, go further - commission an installation by a local graduate, or sponsor an LAN exhibition. 

Penny For The Guy!

Penny For The Guy!! The LAN now have a guy (sort of!). He has no hands, and his head needs an identity. His clothing is subject to adaptation. He could be Steampunked, Seapunked, Gothed, made into a Doctor Who monster, an effigy of hated MP... and he can be changed for different events, much like Worzel Gummidge changing his heads! If anyone would like to make missing parts for the LAN Guy, the aim is to wheel him around Lincoln to fundraise for LAN exhibitions. If you're a Lincoln-based artist and wish to get involved, please get in touch at contact.lincolnartistnetwork@gmail.com with the subject "Penny For The Guy" or see the LAN Page

Demolition Art

The old Norman St empty shop is no more!

New LAN space

The LAN are seeking new space to use as studios, events and exhibition space within the city of Lincoln.

It was interesting to speak to Tom Godfrey, formerly of Moot gallery in Nottingham, which was set up to create a working space for artists there, and to see some of the projects they did, how projects were managed with no budget or funding, and how it developed.

So the LAN has been doing very similar things with the former Empty Shop space and are now in a position to seek new space of our own.

We frequently receive offers from local cafe's and existing venues such as pubs and bars, however, we require a less restricted space with room for artists to create work and exhibit, where we can keep materials and equipment relatively securely.
This could be a disused office space, another empty shop, or other empty space.
We do not have any funding, so ideally, this should be free in lieu of our artist's fees, or there must be a way for us to meet those costs by generating an income for the work we do. 
Our time, skills and expertise are valuable assets, and we offer these in return for space at no cost to you. Your support will equally be recognised as a supporter of the arts and artists.

If you have space available, please contact Helen at contact.lincolnartistnetwork@gmail.com with further details, to discuss further by phone, or to arrange a meeting. 

Please do not contact us to ask for us to volunteer. We do not volunteer our skills for free - you would not ask a plumber, a teacher or a doctor to work for free, so don't waste your time expecting that of us, as you will be disappointed.

LAN cycling art project

Spring has sprung, which means it's the ideal time to get on your bike and join us for LAN cycle rides!

Love cycling!
Helen Dearnley's E.T. themed illustrated Valentines Cards proved popular for 2014

We're currently putting together a funding application for a cycle art event planned for Sunday 10th August 2014.

In order to guage interest, some regular cycle rides are planned in the run up between May - June via GoSkyRide and will be uploaded and updated shortly!

These rides are planned on Sunday afternoons from Boultham Park at 2.00p.m. to the city centre, stopping for refreshments at Brayford cafe bar before returning to Boultham Park. 

A great opportunity to meet up and find out more about planned LAN events coming up!

Helen Dearnley Illustration

You can also join us for regular Friday social rides from either the Lpac for Ladies only Breeze  rides, or Starbucks on Brayford for Cycle Chimps 5.30p.m. to the Pyewipe and back to get involved with the LAN.