THERE’S still (just) time to see an exhibition I’ve only today been alerted to, in the Glass Box, in Earl Street, Coventry.
The 1st Annual Queer Art exhibition in Coventry is being staged there, but is taken down on Saturday. It was set up by The Queer’ists Project, which was founded by Coventry-based freelance photographer Marta Kochanek, who graduated from Coventry University this year.
It is a follow up exhibition to the official annual exhibition which took place in Birmingham last month. Marta said it shows work of 13 Queer artists representing artists from the UK, US and Poland.
Marta formed The Queer’ists Project in March to be a platform to emerging and established Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender artists and art lovers.
Peering through the windows this evening it looked an interesting mixture of works and art styles and worth having a proper look if you’re in the area.
Galleries
Anyone for tennis? Barber Institute exhibition reveals art on court
So where is the true birthplace of lawn tennis – Royal Leamington Spa or Edgbaston in Birmingham? Those with a view on the matter could bat that debate about all day, and it’s something that’s looked at in a wonderful exhibition at the Barber Institute in Birmingham.
It seems that Thomas Gem and his friend Jean Batista Augurio Perera played on Perrera’s lawn in Edgbaston in 1859 – but both moved to Leamington in 1872 where they formed Leamington Lawn Tennis Club with two local doctors.
Gem himself drew a sketch of their first match as a foursome, at the Manor House Hotel, at the first club in the world formed specifically for playing lawn tennis. The exhibition features a photograph of the sketch which was presented to the Manor House in 1957 and sadly subsequently ‘lost’.
As the original club is no longer going, the Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society is now the oldest surviving lawn tennis club in the world – but on the strength of this exhibition and accompanying catalogue I can forgive Birmingham its boasting.
Lake District scenes on show in Rugby
SCENERY that will be beloved of many Midlanders from their holidays can be seen in a new exhibition later this month.
Original prints of landscapes and seascapes are on show at Rugby Art Gallery’s Floor One gallery from 16-27 August.
They are the work of Iain Hodgkinson, who was born in Blackburn and now lives in Northamptonshire, and is a member of Milton Keynes Printmakers.
Iain said: “The work is inspired by the beautiful scenery of the Lake District and I hope people will find them soothing to look at.”
The prints are limited editions and will be for sale.
Kenilworth Wine shop showing for Andrew’s art
ALCOHOL and art often go together, and Brink, a ‘not-for-profit’ arts organisation based in Kenilworth, is presenting its third Vino Veritas artist showcase at Kenilworth Wines.
In this one you can browse for a bottle while admiring the works of Andrew Christopher, a graduate of the London Guildhall University who currently lives and works in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The works are a mix of acrylic on canvas and pen and ink drawings on paper, and are described as having a dreamlike quality, “combining imagery of children and animals in what can only be described as a fantastical dance of the macabre”.
There is a narrative running through the series, relating to childhood, storytelling and games. All the works on show are available to buy as originals or prints.
Art show at Gallery 150 in Leamington to help Brazilian street kids
THE opening of an exhibition at Gallery150 in Leamington is always a bit of an occasion.
It’s the only gallery where you get called sir or madam as you’re handed a glass of wine, and the canapés are always beautifully presented.
But tonight’s opening was the first where at opening time the exhibition was still being hung! LSA Chair Gerry Smith, fresh back from holiday, and an able assistant were busy fixing the last digital prints to the wall as the first drinks were poured, but they were soon all in place and in a straight line too.
Lock exhibition showcases photography students’ talents
STUDENTS from an evening class in Coventry are showing the high standard of their work at an exhibition in t.he city.
The Lock in the warehouse at the Canal Basin has an exhibition, called Through Our Eyes, of works by 16 adult students on a Level 2 City and Guilds course at City College, taught by Richard Pearce.
Coventry University degree show features art and anguish
Coventry University’s annual degree show is a must-see event for anyone in the area who’s interested in what the next generation of up and coming artists are doing.
The opening night on Friday was as usual full of dressed-up students, their proud but often-confused parents and lots of visitors just keen to see what’s going on.
The opening night has never been the same since the students were stopped from serving up their own drinks to all passers-by, meaning you could traverse four floors with a plastic cup of wine never emptying.
However doing it sober probably means visitors notice more of the work. There was a trend this year, especially with the graphic design students, of having offerings of sweets along with their displays – though one display which featured more food carried a note along the lines of ‘please help yourself to sweets but don’t touch the cupcakes’!
Meter Room is exciting new Coventry venture for city artists
AN UNUSUAL and exciting exhibition space has opened in Coventry – but you have to be very observant to find it.
The Meter Room is at 58-64 Corporation Street in the city centre – just round the corner from the bottom of The Burges, with the entrance in a side alley between the pub and a charity shop. It says Meter Room above the door and also the name of the building’s previous occupier – the CVSC.
Go up a couple of flights and the doors open into a corridor which at the moment has various exhibition spaces off it, and also studios for lots of local artists.
Quotes inspire Solihull Artists Forum show at Gallery150
A THEMATIC exhibition which stretched the artists’ creative powers is the main exhibition at the ever-busy Gallery150 in Leamington until May7.
The Solihull Artists Forum are showing Text & Texture, works by 19 members, created in response to the title. All have to be shown alongside a quote or reference which relates in some way to the work – some are fairly obvious, and some don’t seem particularly related.
Dunchurch Art Gallery show inspired by the skies
AN exhibition that looks to the stars for inspiration is being held in Dunchurch, near Rugby.
The Night Sky and Beyond features paintings by local artists Michael McCormick, Ann Brain, Ije and Ann Wright. The exhibition is on at Dunchurch Art Gallery and Painting Studio, in Southam Road, which is open Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday-Saturday, from 10am-4pm, and the exhibition is on until May 7.
Private View II 