Scotland’s very own Poetry Festival, based in St Andrews.  This year there is a solo exhibition in St Andrews Town Hall foyer by artist Brigid Collins (Threshold Markings - ”Poem-Houses’ and Other Forms), a student curated series of installations by various artists (Turn the Corner - Art in Unexpected Places), and the work of 2 artists looking at the book form in very different ways (Paperworks - Phiona Richards and Alix Swan).  Full information can be found on StAnza’s website and will be available on FCA&C’s website shortly.

Brigid Collins - Vice Versa

We’re grateful to Celebrating Fife 2010 for the extra funding that has enabled us to open this up to artists living anywhere, rather than just Fife, and also the Arts and Theatres Trust Fife for allowing us to use the space again, and hope it turns out to be our best Forum yet!  Please give us a call (01334 474610) or email (mail@fcac.co.uk) if you’ve any problems with the forms.

Celebrating Fife 2010 logo

, as there are only 7 days left before the HOTPOT exhibition closes - and that’s where the special biccies can be found!  This playful exhibit is actually an artwork by Ruth Archibald-Swaans, and together with fellow artists Gayle Chong Kwan, Alex Frost, Alex Wilde and Rebecca Wilson, her work is being featured in FCA&C’s HOTPOT [art, food + people] exhibition until Sunday 7 March.  The museum opening hours are 10.30am to 4pm and admission is free.  For more information about the exhibition, please look at its blog and also Alex Wilde’s own one for her project ‘A Fertile Ground‘.

Ruth Archibald-Swaans - 'Play Please!'

For more info, check out HOTPOT’s blog and also Alex Wilde’s ‘A Fertile Ground‘.

Alex Wilde - 'A Fertile Ground'

If you’re intrigued by this prospect, why not drop by between 12noon and 2pm and experience the ‘Manipulated Memory Tasting Booth’ with the artist?  Food triggers all sorts of memories - the first time you tasted an unusual flavour or food, a special holiday abroad, a celebratory meal with friends and family, or even just a lunchtime sandwich in early Spring sunshine.  Gayle would like to hear some of them and record them in her booth, so that other visitors to the exhibition can enjoy them too.  (Photo Chris Park)

'Manipulated Memory Tasting Booth', Gayle Chong Kwan

Come along to FCA&C’s  HOTPOT exhibition in St Andrews Museum this Sunday from 1-2pm and listen to/join in with  artist Alex Wilde in discussion with Mike Small of the Fife Diet Project, as part of her ‘A Fertile Ground’ project.  The aim of the Fife Diet Project is to raise awareness about thinking globally by eating locally, ie try and source as much of your daily diet from local producers as possible.  This of course also means being aware of what is available seasonally.  Have a look at their website and you can see that their remit is much wider than just Fife - lots of interesting articles including a particularly ‘tasty’ one about dodgy beef!

So, a highly thought-provoking discussion - and a free bowl of soup made by Alex - not a bad way to spend a Sunday lunchtime at all!  Book your (free) place by phoning St Andrews Museum (tel 01334 659380).

'A Fertile Ground' - Alex Wilde

This year it takes place on Saturday 17 April, 10am-4pm, at Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.  Three annual ones have been held since 2007, giving visual art and craft artists in Fife the opportunity to come together for a day of listening to inspirational talks by other artists and arts organisations, and networking with their fellow artists.  This year, with additional funding from Celebrating Fife 2010, that opportunity is being opened up to all artists, ie you can come along even if you don’t live  or work in Fife!

2010’s theme is ‘Sustainability - Looking over the Horizon’ and will look at various ways of sustaining yourself as a practising artist as well as sustaining the planet.  It looks set to be a thought-provoking day and hopefully a useful one too.  If you’re already on FCA&C’s artists’ e-list, you’ll automatically receive the booking information.  If you’re not, email mail@fcac.co.uk or telephone 01334 474610.  The day is completely free and includes teas/coffees and lunch - but places will be limited, so booking in advance is essential.

FCA&C's Artists' & Makers' Forum 2009

Each artist taking part in the show - Ruth Archibald-Swaans, Gayle Chong Kwan, Alex Frost, Alex Wilde, and Rebecca Wilson - as well as curator Tonia Lu came up with a tasty selection, sure to tempt most palates!  Ready to try are instructions for warming soups, sausage stew, special fruit crumble, rosehip jam and shortbread biccies, and Chinese fish hotpot!  As if that wasn’t enough on its own, the recipe cards also give a brief biog of each artist plus an image of their work.  And they’re available now at the special exhibition price of £3!  (Goes up to £4 after 7 March!).  They can be purchased from St Andrews Museum (if you’re visiting the show) or from Fife Contemporary Art & Craft’s online shop.

HOTPOT exhibition recipe cards

But she’ll be back at St Andrews Museum on Sundays 21 February and 28 February, 1-2pm, with some delicious homemade soup and a guest speaker to introduce some interesting ‘food’ themed discussions.  If you’d like to come along and take part (and eat the soup!), book your free place at St Andrews Museum (tel 01334 659380) - they’re going fast!  Mike Small of the Fife Diet Project will be around on 21 February (and oatmeal soup), and Jane Stewart of the St Andrews Cheese Company on 28 February (and ‘Anster’ cheese, celery and apple soup).  (Part of Fife Contemporary Art & Craft’s exhibition ‘HOTPOT [art, food + people]‘, on display at St Andrews Museum until 7 March).

Alex Wilde, 'A Fertile Ground'

you may be interested to know that the deadline for applying for an 09/10 Visual or Craft Artist Award: Fife is fast approaching - Friday 19 February to be precise!  These grants, from £300-£500 each, are aimed at helping individuals develop their creative practice in various ways (eg creating new work, learning new skills, research).   For full details about the criteria and how to apply, go to Fife Contemporary Art & Craft’s website and download the relevant Guidelines and 2 application forms from the Artist Resource section/Grants and Funding.  Late applications can’t be accepted - but you’ve still got just over a week!  Phone the FCA&C office for a chat before submitting your application.