Our annual report is presented on big screen for this AGM, and distributed on CD, with

paper copies available by request. This will be archived on our website after the meeting,

where feedback is always welcome.

The benefits are a low cost and more eco friendly information presentation with the great

advantage of easily including additional items.

• Thanks

Our hosts and helpers are unsung heroes, a tremendous amount of work given and very little

fame gained! But they are at the heart of what makes our event successful and such a highly

valued experience for artists and visitors alike. We are all very proud of our achievement

together, and recognise the extent of commitment that makes it possible. We would

specially like to thank the musicians who gave their time in live performance during the

weekend, much enjoyed by the visitors.

• Wilfred Saunders

We wish to remember Wilfred Saunders, who died this year. He had a career of designing and

making violas and violins for over 50 years, with an international reputation both for his

instruments and his generous teaching; he was held in great respect and affection.

He lived and worked all his life in Lady Bay, and was equally generous in this community. We

are very proud that Wilf played at Open Studios 2000, the first time we had live music for the

event, in a string quartet made up with his wife Janet and two friends. Notably, all the

instruments played were made by Wilf himself, brought together especially for the occasion.

Wilf made 221 instruments and was awarded the M.B.E. in 2003; with Janet, he brought up a

family of three children, all musically talented, and there are three grandchildren.

Wilf was a founder member of a national charity to support young violin makers; a donation

in his memory can be made to The Secretary, Rowan Armour-Brown Memorial Trust Fund,

The Old Manse, Ancroft Moor North, Berwick on Tweed, TD15 2TD.

• Status

There has been an open weekend of arts and activities 9 times now, with 10,000 visitors,

with 135 different exhibitions by 21 local and 75 guest artists, each present with their work.

The opportunity for artist and visitor to meet and talk provides an opportunity for exchange

that benefits both, and is the central core of a friendly, accessible experience.

The venues include studios and workshops, houses, gardens and halls, in an easy walk

around the neighbourhood. The guest artists, hosts and helpers are all essential elements of

our success.

We show a diversity of arts practice, offer activities to visitors, work to very high standards,

and develop in carefully managed stages. The regular café is an opportunity for community

groups to raise funds, and a venue for live music.

Our event has an excellent reputation for being friendly and professionally managed both

internally and externally. Good partnerships in our local and wider community make a

substantial contribution to the event, and we welcome their increasing sense of ownership

and pride in its success.

 

• Management

The new Management Group is working well; good progress is being made with sharing

work and skills. This is essential for continuation and has a great potential for new

developments and strong community links. After 10 years of work, the original core team all

wish to hand on their roles but will continue to offer support.

The Management Group met formally 7 times, with additional practical meetings as needed.

Fran and Carol took website training from Greater Nottingham Learning Partnership and Fran

set up our own website. Rod and Fran shared their experience of running the event with

Southwell Open Studios, taking place in November. Earlier this year another event that was

inspired by us and drew on our good ideas and practice was launched: Arts and Gardens

organised by The Beetroot Gallery, Draycott. Carol attended West Bridgford Local Arts Forum

meetings at Rushcliffe BC and contributed stixx making to the Lark in the Park children’s

play day.

• Weekend 2004

This year saw 15 Lady Bay artists, 17 guest artists, Art Felt Art Group, artists films and Short

Shoots films, live music from Acoustic Roots, 8 activities, 11 venues, 50 helpers, and over

1,500 visitors. Financial support from Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe

Borough Council was again received at £350 each, artists’ contributions exceeded that, and

equipment for exhibiting was again kindly loaned by Lady Bay School and South Notts

College. The café run by Lady Bay Cubs, Scouts and Brownies with Abacus Playgroup raised

over £800 for their funds. There were 30,000 flyers distributed, and the event again gained

good newspaper coverage.

Our feedback was very positive as usual, no formal sales log or evaluation was made this

year. Social time together on Saturday evening at the Barn Dance for Greenies Field Group

was enjoyed, as was the Sunday morning tour of venues.

• Membership

The original 330 members had a low renewal rate this year. This indicates a need for a

clearer request to members to renew at the event or AGM. A working group, Charlie, Maggie

and Carol, is set to see how to improve things. New members numbered almost150, which is

very encouraging for the longer term; a membership total of almost 500 is very creditable.

• Website

Fran has worked hard on setting up and maintaining our website. It is a great site for the

group and event, it carries event and individual artists pages, and links to other sites. Fran

has also been building up the archive, which is very interesting and valuable to have the

history and development of the group available. Having a presence, gaining these skills and

working in new technology settings holds tremendous capacity to engage in future work and

relationships, and for developing links beyond our local neighbourhood.

• Film Course

All 14 young people completed the course, together they made a 1hour10minute film

programme including drama, documentary and animation. They met and worked with film

makers, animators and musicians. The Broadway Premiere was attended by our Rushcliffe

Mayor, over 200 guests and was welcomed by the Broadway Chair, Fred Brookes. Open

Studios screened the films throughout the weekend, and a website has been set up.

The young people, themselves former pupils, presented the films in Lady Bay School creating

interest for an animation project which was followed up in classes. The films were shown at

Rushcliffe Urban Arts day and there are more invitations in hand. The project generated

tremendous interest and great publicity.

The 3 film evenings were attended by on average 30 people, and a regular club is

establishing this autumn. A film workshop group will be established, and will work with a

wider age range; currently applying for funds to meet capital costs and training.

A DVD and full report are being produced and will be distributed to all partners. Open

Studios artists Hazel Mills and Mike Crook delivered the course supported by volunteer

parents. Now called Short Shoots, the project was developed by Carol; funding of £7,380

was raised from Nottinghamshire County Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council, West

Bridgford Round Table, EM Media and Awards for All.

• Double Impact · Double Vision  

 

Double Impact is a voluntary sector organisation in Nottingham that supports people with

drug and alcohol problems to move away from social exclusion towards education,

vocational training and employment. They wanted to provide arts activities for their service

users and contacted Carol. Working together, a programme of introductory workshops was

developed and funding gained for a pilot project. It provided 20 sessions and 2 group visits,

during 3 months, involving about 125 participants and 12 artists, mostly from Open Studios.

The work will be exhibited at the Surface Gallery, Nottingham; and the project is archived on

the Double Impact website. The workshops were very successful and a follow on programme

is being planned.

This new relationship has given an excellent opportunity to share skills and experience, with

benefits for artists and Double Impact.

• Forwards

Open Studios is at a very exciting time, as it achieves what might best be expressed as its

maturity. It has constant offers from artists to take part, and musicians and community

groups. The scope for variety and freshness for the event is very encouraging and will always

be welcomed.

It has excellent, mutually beneficial, relationships with neighbourhood partners, the arts

community and funding authorities. As the handover of management roles takes place, new

ideas will be taken up and developments explored, within a framework of stability and

experience.

We look forward with confidence.