Interested in the visual arts?

Come and participate in the the first in a programme of events about developing a new strategy for the visual arts in Yorkshire and Humber.

Turning Points ---
a ‘Yorkshire Project’?
An open forum discussion with guest speakers
Round Foundary Media Centre, Leeds
16 July 2009 
13:00 – 16:00  

What sort of project could significantly raise the profile of the visual arts in Yorkshire & Humber --- regionally, nationally and internationally? Who should it be for, who should be involved, how might it be resourced and managed? And what ideas and initiatives are currently being developed in the region?

• An opportunity to learn from others’ experience, hear about current initiatives, and contribute ideas
• An opportunity to meet and share views with members of the interim group that is  steering the first phase of Turning Point in Yorkshire & Humber.

Guest Speakers include:

Paul Domela, Senior Curator, Liverpool Biennial
Peter Jenkinson, Cultural Broker (presenter, Channel 4 ‘Big Art’)
Jean Cameron, Producer, Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art

This event is free and a light lunch will be provided but places are limited.

To book your place please rsvp to Ann Sweeney ann@beam.uk.net or call 01924 215 550

To find out more about Turning Point click here

Beam in Partnership with the City of York Council is asking residents for their views on the city’s open spaces.

People Changing Places- is a year long programme to find out what people think of York’s outdoor spaces as they are now, and how they could look in the future. The results of the consultation will  help to create a Public Realm Strategy for the city centre area.

The first event in the consultation is a place-check that will be held on Saturday 4 July in Exhibition Square. Residents are invited to come along anytime between 11am and 3pm and take a few moments to explore the public space around York City Art Gallery and links through to the Yorkshire Museum Gardens. Everyone is welcome and there will be fun activities for the young and not so young.  Look out for event staff who will be on hand to help you take part.

Robert Beardsworth, from the council’s City Development team, said:  “Public spaces are vital parts of our city centre and are widely used by residents and visitors. We hope that the consultation process will help us find out what people like and don’t like about these open spaces, and how they can be improved in the future”.

For more information contact kate@beam.uk.net

Back Lane Closing

From Sunday 19 July Back Lane, Wakefield will be closing for 6 weeks at the junction with Drury Lane, as part of major re-development work.  For the period of work the whole of Back Lane will operate with two-way traffic. Access to The Orangery will not be affected and visitors can use Back Lane as normal. However visitors leaving The Orangery will have to return down Back Lane – the same way they came.

On the 30 August we expect Back Lane to return to the present arrangement, with the road outside The Orangery operating with one way traffic.

If you require further information please contact ann@beam.uk.net

Wednesday 24 June, 5pm -9pm

Identity Cards

12 Israeli artists meet 12 British Artists exploring concepts of identity. Beam conference room will display a preview of work produced during a short residency in Wakefield.

For more information contact Juliet Burke on 10924 215 550 or e-mail juliet@beam.uk.net

Inspired by diverse sources such as origami and jellyfish, Aqua-scape is a remarkable ‘floating’ structure in the cool green seas of The Orangery gardens. Come and explore the collective imagination of the Japanese designer Ryumei Fujiki and Tokyo-based Fujiki Studio, whose unique structure and other designs receive their first UK viewing in the Beam Gallery and Orangery Garden.

Aqua-scape is a cocoon like urban folly or hide out designed and constructed by the Japanese designers Ryumei Fujiki and Fujiki Studio, where the principles of folding paper have been adapted to folding plastic. While Aqua-scape floats within The Orangery gardens, Beam Gallery will be displaying an exhibition about Ryumei Fujiki and his design practice, which is often inspired by nature.

Exhibition Opening -   Wednesday 17 June 6-8pm
We are delighted to welcome Ryumei Fujiki, his design partner Yukiko Sato and members of his studio to officially open the exhibition.

Wakefield Art Walk -    Wednesday 29 July 5 –9pm

Aqua-scape Celebration -  Saturday 22 August 11am - 4pm, famiily friendly activities.

For further information contact Juliet Burke on Juliet@beam.uk.net or call 01924 215 550

Next Artwalk Wednesday 29 June

A recurring evening of exhibitions, events and entertainment open to all.

The Artwalk is a free event held on the last Wednesday of every other month wherein up to 14 venues open their doors between 5pm–9pm to exhibit visual art.

The Artwalk is a showcase for local, national and international talent shown in a whole range of settings within the city, from art galleries to bars, café’s to shops – even the cathedral!

There’s no route and no specific walk, you can go where you like, visiting all or just a few of the exhibitions. There are often refreshments provided and special events, like live music or exhibition openings.

This is the second year of a growing scene wherein people get to explore the city, discovering new venues and rediscovering old favourites. It’s a unique opportunity to gain an insight into practising artists from Wakefield and beyond whilst meeting new people and artists in an informal relaxed environment.

Venues are open between 5pm – 9pm on the following dates:

Wednesday 30 September
Wednesday 25 November

If you enjoyed the previous Artwalks come again and see the same venues with new insides, or explore the ones you missed! Start your journey with us here at Beam Gallery, where our latest exhibition, a glass of wine and free parking await you and then check out the other 8 venues.

For all locations check out the Art Walk website

Beam would like to invite you to the official opening party of Aqua-scape on Wednesday 17 June.

Wednesday 17 June
6pm – 8pm
The Orangery, Wakefield, WF1 2TG
Complementary drinks and sushi!

Councillor Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council, joins Beam's Executive Director, Robert Powell,  to welcome from Japan Ryumei Fujiki, his design partner Yukiko Sato and members of the Fujiko Studio, at the official opening of Aqua-scape. We hope that you can join us to experience the installation, exhibition and hear from Ryumei about his work

Word of Warning - Road Closure!

We have just been notified that due to damages to the railway bridge Back Lane will be closed from tomorrow morning – Wednesday 17 June. The Orangery will only be accessable from the top end of Back Lane - from Drury Lane.

We ask everyone coming on Wednesday by car to park at one of the many nearby car parks. Unity House car park is the closest and provides free parking after 6pm. 

Directions to the Orangery: Cross over Westgate and proceed up Drury Lane (between the Theatre and Black Horse Public House), Turn left onto Back Lane, The Orangery is on the right, directly opposite the Unitarian Chapel.

Click here  to view a map

For further information contact Juliet Burke on Juliet@beam.uk.net or call 01924 215 550

Catherine Slessor, Managing Editor - Architectural Review
Wednesday 20 May
6 for a 6.30 start
The Orangery, Wakefield

Internationally renowned architectural critic Catherine Slessor talks to Yorkshire
 
In conjunction with Beam Gallery’s latest exhibition --- ‘Emerging Architecture’ --- we are delighted to invite you to an informal talk by Catherine Slessor, Managing Editor of Architectural Review.  ‘Emerging Architecture’ presents the Architectural Review’s annual awards --- the best in current international architecture by younger practices.

Catherine has a wealth of experience as an architectural critic, contributing to a variety of international magazines. She has written a number of books including Eco Tech, a study of the relationship between ‘High Tech’ architecture and environmental awareness, and Concrete Regionalism which considers the influence of vernacular traditions on contemporary architectural practice. She has lectured in the UK, USA, South Africa, Spain and Argentina and has won the International Building Press award for Architectural Journalist of the Year three times.

This is the fourth in Beam’s series of talks by editors influential in design and regeneration. Previous events have included lively talks and audience debates with:  Kieron Long - Architects Journal, Paul Finch - Architectural Review, Vicky Richardson – Blueprint and Julian Dobson – New Start Magazine.

We hope you can join us for lively conversation.

To book your FREE place please email Ann@beam.uk.net or call 01924 215550