NEWS and EVENTS

For our very latest news, check out the blog.

Forthcoming events

You can find some of our artists and makers at The Alex, James St, exhibiting on the walls, cabinets and card racks, and having stalls too. Check their website for more information.

Many of our artists and makers will be taking part in Warwickshire Open Studios Summer Art Weeks in June-July.

Past events

Full Spectrum, the third annual exhibition by the Rugby Artists and Makers Network, ran 24th January – 4th February 2023. Full details including opening times can be found here.

Many of our artists and makers took part in Alexmas at The Alex (Alexandra Art, James St, Rugby.  Check their website for more information.

Art in the Park Festival:  Rugby Artists and Makers Network had a shared gazebo at this two-day event, 13th-14th August 2022.

Warwickshire Open Studios took place between 18th June and 3rd July 2022.  14 members of the Rugby Artists and Makers Network exhibited together at new venue The Alex, in addition to other members exhibiting at other venues.

Rugby Artists and Makers 2nd exhibition “Movement” opened 2nd-14th April 2022. 

Rugby Artists and Makers Pop Up ran from 4th December 2021 until 14th January 2022 in Rugby Central, with a gallery, demonstrators, stands manned by some of our artists and makers and other events and activities.  Our thanks to Rugby Borough Council for making this possible.

Warwickshire Open Studios held a 21st birthday exhibition of Rugby Artists, Designers and Makers in Floor One gallery from 18th September to 1st October 2021 involving 40 artists.

Warwickshire Open Studios Summer Art Weeks took place 19th June – 4th July 2021 and it was great to have it back.   Over 40 artists took place in the Rugby area.  See the WOS website for all the details. 

Rugby Artists and Makers Network First Exhibition, 2021

See our web page for more information.

…

Exhibitions are now open again and Coventry City of Culture has launched!

Warwickshire Open Studios Summer Art Weeks (19th June – 4th July) is only weeks away. Over 40 artists/makers across the Rugby area are grouped in a map trail this year and you’ll see lots of promotion kindly hosted at RAGM, St Andrews church and Caldecott Park. The website is live so you can start planning your visits now. You can support your local artists by spreading the word – tell your friends and share social media posts and events.

Create in Nature with John Noble and local illustrator Jessica Hartshorn: 6 week course at Cock Robin Wood, 9th June – 14th July, aimed at anyone looking to develop creative and nature inspired outdoor coping strategies. Registration required.

The Original Reenactors Market (TORM) on 12th & 13th June 2021 at Sports Connexion, Ryton on Dunsmore, CV8 3FL, looks to be an opportunity to see/buy a wide range of historical crafts. Tickets available online.

The Heart of the Stitch summer programme is out, with meetings on 16th June, 21st July, 18th August.  Contact heartofthestitch@gmail.com to join.

Art in the Park, Leamington Spa, 7th & 8th August.  Several of Rugby’s artists and makers will be taking part.

Events involving local creatives

Festival of Culture and Festival on the Close: Although these events won’t go ahead in their usual form this year, the Art Trail will go ahead with RAGM organising 20 venues to host artists across the town centre through the summer and Rugby School is going ahead with an in-house festival for its students, which some of our local creatives will be involved in: Chris Pegler and Nicholas Simon Tailoring. Recruitment for a new manager for Macready Theatre (applications close 30th May, artsjobs.org.uk) indicates that the Festival on the Close will run in future.

Opportunities

Town Centre/park commission opportunity: RAGM have been working with Creative Giants and Warwickshire County Council plan to create a space at a site in our town centre or park. More information on this is now available, click HERE to find out about the opportunity and HERE to complete the survey to guide the project. Tell your friends! (Deadline for applications is midnight on 6th June.)

Belgrade Theatre artist commission to recognise the theatre’s financial supporters. (Deadline for applications 31st May.)

Coventry Lower Precinct are looking for a local sculptor to work with them and a local school on a sustainability arts project this September.

Funding opportunities

WCC funding for local groups to support mental health and wellbeing.

WCC Councillors’ Grant Fund

Arts Council Funds

News from Rugby Artists and Makers

  • The Instagram account is still going strong, and the website is gradually being improved. (Find link icons at the bottom of this email)
  • Links have been forged with Transition Town Rugby “focused on the idea of providing a sustainable future for the town we call home”. TTR have a number of working groups including Community & Events, and Health & Wellbeing, which might be of interest.
  • We have a representative (Jenny) on a new Schools Art Network group.

News from Rugby Artists and Makers Network*

  • Plans are urgently underway for a Rugby Artists and Makers Network exhibition as listed above, supported by RAGM’s Arts Development Officer.
  • The Network has the possibility of a Rugby Central unit over the summer (subject to funding).
  • The Rugby Artists and Makers Network Facebook group has launched and made a great start, with useful ideas and discussion.
  • The Network has plans to kick off a pilot project to connect local businesses and local artists/makers, and also plans for business focused support within the Network.

*The Network group is for working artists and makers in the Rugby area who wish to be active in organising events, participating in working groups, and promoting creative endeavours in Rugby.

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