We originally viewed the property that is now Empty Shop HQ for the first time in May 2009. After months of purgatory; locked in discussion, negotiation and administration over taking on our new venue, we finally received the keys just over a month ago on January 27th.

This was too late for the grand opening we’d originally planned to mark Empty Shop’s first birthday and slightly later still than planned for the rescheduled February 19th opening but still we hoped a deliverable time frame for what we had planned.
We worked for a period of 3 weeks, mostly on bringing the building up to scratch but also making sure the plans we’d made and artists we wanted to work with were all able to deliver in such a short period. The Empty Shop way is to make things happen regardless of the circumstances and we were overjoyed to find that the bulk of people we wanted to work with took a similar approach.

The plan was, for one night only, to turn over the entire building to art. To demonstrate the ways in which we were going to be using the HQ and also to showcase some of the things that Empty Shop stands for. With that in mind we ended up with a massive 6 (six!) exhibitions programmed, all scheduled to open simultaneously. As those of you who were there know we delivered five of those six AND the entire refurbishment all in that three week period.

Various Artists: The Empty Shop Open
Starting with the largest show in the largest space we had The 2^nd Annual, Empty Shop Open, The Empty Shop Open is an exhibition of vastly differing work by vastly differing artists brought together by one thing, geographical location. The show is an open submission process, publicised through the usual avenues we put a call out asking for artists based in the North East to submit a maximum of three pieces for consideration. Carlo and myself then sift through them and hand pick a collection that we feel reflects the Empty Shop ethos.

When we started at the end of 2008 we were adamant that our venues would be characterised by an open door and accessible ethic. We’d be able to produce an interesting and welcoming environment where all art would be able to find a home. Accordingly we opened our very first venue with an open submission show and the process was so rewarding in terms of making contact with and viewing art by literally hundreds of local artists that we decided to turn the idea into a tradition. This year there was a massive step up in terms of variety and sheer volume of submissions and our final selections were made very carefully.

The range of work on show demonstrated the variety of work we want to support and provide a place for from striking but minimal sculpture to abstract painting and contemporary photography. The Empty Shop Open provides an environment where traditional seascapes can sit comfortably opposite an intricately drawn conceptual piece spread over 49 individual A4 sheets.

We also look at the Open as an opportunity to demonstrate that art doesn’t have to earn its place on our wall by being commercially valuable. Our policy is that work does not have to be available for sale and we will not interfere or make demands on the price an artist chooses to give their piece.

The work we selected reflected all of these principles but also our individual preferences and what we look for in art, from humour to pure impact aesthetics to clever innovation.

The 2^nd Annual Empty Shop Open formed the centre piece of the opening night festivities and was a real success in terms of showing our visitors what Empty Shop is all about. Roll on 2011 for Open number 3.

Toby Lloyd – Re: Roll
Fitting in with the idea of turning the entire building over to art we wanted the Empty Shop office to host an exhibition. The room is kind of cuboid in shape so we had originally intended that the office / the pink room to become a “white cube” style space with a guest curated show and a really slick finish. However whilst sifting through submissions for the Empty Shop Open we came across a series of photographs documenting the various Greggs bakeries of Edinburgh. Being housed in a former Gregg’s ourselves and coming at a time when the most celebrated purveyors of pastry had just been granted the freedom of the city in Newcastle, the work held some allure for us. We decided that it might be interesting to talk to the photographer who produced them about the work.

The bulk of the work Toby Lloyd had offered made up a small show he’d had at Total Kunst in Edinburgh. Lloyd’s work explored the proliferation of chain brands in British High Streets. In his work “Go To Greggs” (performed across different locations), Lloyd visits every Gregg’s in a given city centre and consumes a sausage roll from each. He documents this process with photographs, video and maps. The work we looked at was produced specifically for Total Kunst in Edinburgh. As I watched Lloyd vomit into his own mouth on screen after swallowing down his 8^th Sausage Roll I begin to consider that if 9 sausage rolls is enough to make one man sick, what are the implications for a society where one city centre can comfortably accommodate 9 branches of this high street bakery?

Given that the work had already been shown before and related to a different city we asked Toby how he might expand on the work and eagerly awaited his response. Around the same time we began to recognise that the character of the Pink Room is too strong to just convert the space into a white cube. You can’t compete with the lovely old windows on one side and using the remaining three sides we realised that it would be an appropriate space to present work that has a sense of narrative running through it.

Given the change of approach we toyed with the idea of still using a curator but decided  that as we trusted Toby’s vision we’d continue to work with him in the usual Empty Shop way, developing ideas through dialogue until we’re both happy with them whilst also encouraging the artists to explore their own boundaries. We were seriously chuffed with the resulting new work, original 35mm photographs of sausage roll sculptures shot in various locations around Durham in homage to Richard Long.

Anyway, I’ll stop yapping on. As you can guess I really liked Toby’s exhibition. That’s probably enough words for you to read in one session so I’ll post the other half of this review / look back / writing thing in a day or two.

Cheers
Nick

We currently have 7 spaces occupied covering a variety of different disciplines and interests and we are looking for 2 new people who can bring something interesting into the dynamic.

more than just a studio…
We are looking for people who want to be actively involved in an arts scene as well as having a space to create work.

Artists will have their own space within a shared room, so only apply if you are interested in working in a sociable working environment please.

The spaces available are approx 15ft x 7ft and have wall space on two sides but are flexible in that they can be adapted to suit.

The studios occupy the top floor of Empty Shop HQ in Durham City Centre, our new permanent building and creative hub of the organisation and Durham itself.

You will not only get studio space but you will also become a closer part of the Empty Shop network, get more direct access to the exhibition spaces and will also form part of our informal advisory panel (i.e. you will be there to bounce ideas off, take part in discussions and generally provide input when we need it)

Arguably the most valuable benefit is that you will become part of The FreeBirds, a group of fellow creatives who share your enthusiasm and with that comes a whole host of opportunities.

This is a great opportunity for people who are motivated and keen to produce work whilst sharing honest values about work, community and the arts.

Open studios on HQ launch night

Open studios on HQ launch night

Details 
- Sign up period – 6 months
- £100 per month
- Venue Empty Shop HQ, Durham City Centre

Would all interested parties send an email detailing why you think Empty Shop HQ studio spaces are right for you.

Please attach a brief relevant CV, 3 images of recent work and a short statement about your practice

thefolks@emptyshop.org

The money earned from the studio space goes directly into Empty Shop which is a registered Community Interest Company and officially not for profit. It will help pay for bills and expenses to keep Empty Shop running

I’m currently sat in the library, Carlo has just gone through how to post a ‘freebird’ blog with me so I’m trying it out now.

I’ve been in the new HQ quite a lot since the grand opening and it’s great to see the studios are gradually taking shape…They are actually starting to look like studios! Sophie seems to have set up her space nicely and James has even started some new paintings!!!
Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to start any of my own work yet… Me and Nick can’t seem to drag ourselves away from floor scrubbing!
Hopefully by Monday the ‘Wonderland’ studio space should be clean and ready to use.

Well, that’s it for now. Just thought I would try this out and get the FreeBird Blog started.

Paul.

‘…the Coffee Cup’ is a monthly effort by a swell bunch of people collectively known as The Equestrian Collective and offers the following:

- Zapatista Coffee!
- A healthy selection of teas
- Pizza made especially by Peets-al-Taglio
- Home made cakes, biscuits, sweets and treats
- SOUP! (with fresh baked bread, mmmhm)
- Cheap bookshop! 50p a book!
- Zine Distro – Fairly radical and/or artsy
- The world famous Discount Horse CD/Vinyl distro (still Durham’s only independent supplier of punk etc.)
- a free/swap-shop-box – Bring something to trade!

…impressive stuff.

Sunday 7th March sees the 4th Coffee Cup take place at it’s regular venue Allington House , 4 North Bailey in the City Centre.

It’s from 1 – 5 and everyone is welcome,  including dogs!

The food is awesome, the vibe is great and the idea is well worth supporting… what else can I say? See you there!

The Equestrian Collective blog – click here

The reason I’m rambling about this is that there are a few exhibitions opening tonight and I would have liked to have posted this sooner so apologies for that.

Anyway, on the off chance that you read this and can get through to Newcastle tonight you could check these out.

The first is a photography exhibition at the F-Stop Gallery in Ouseburn. It will feature the work of my mate Chris Davis aka Specular showcasing images form his recent trip to New York. A quote from the Facebook event page says…

“”A fresh look at The Big Apple: Contemporary architectural imagery mixes with edgy street style photography to display the contrast between the informal and familiar, the frenetic and free side of life in the world’s most Famous City.”

Take a look at his site to check out his work – click here
6pm – 8pm

2 new exhibition spaces/galleries based in empty shops are opening tonight too, which may be worth a look - Gallery Blow-Up and the relaunch of Kitch-en Gallery.

Set above Best Vintage, Gallery Blow-Up kicks off with all girl show ‘OVA’ on March 4th.
Curated by and also featuring the work of Hare.
The show cuts across all it is to be female, politics, sexuality and mindset.
I can’t find a website but it’s on High Bridge Street

The Kitch-en guys are back after being without a venue for a while and this time they are in Ridley Place in Newcastle, they launch tonight with a whole bunch of stuff going on – website click here
6pm – 8pm

Blow-up and Kitch-en are new for me so don’t know what to expect but it’s always good to see stuff happening – anyway, I’m going to be ambitious and try hit all 3!
6pm – late

Basically it’s Durham vs Newcastle and the teams are made up of people who are involved in or support the D.I.Y/grass roots arts & music scenes.

The most interesting part is that we can only kind of play football and even that’s debatable!

“COME ON AND WIN YOU DURHAM PLAYERS” …or something

There are still 3 spots available for this round in the showcase. To see how you can submit your video, and get info on the current videos,  click here

Enjoy!

The exhibitions still on show until Saturday are:

The 2nd Annual Empty Shop Open
Toby Lloyd’s Re:Roll
Original wall drawings by The Cloud Commission

Also stay tuned for a full review of the event which is coming sooooon

Big shout out to out to The Freebirds who went above and beyond the call of duty and to our pink lanyards team for doing a great job last night.

Also a huge thanks to all the artists who were involved, we are honestly chuffed to bits with all the work and the ways in which the spaces were used.

And cheers to everyone who came along to the event, we are really happy that so many of you came down to support us.

I guess the overriding point here is that without people this couldn’t have happened, so well done everyone!

A full exhibitions roundup will follow soon but in the mean time here are a few pics very kindly taken by our friend Joe…

All photos here credited to Joseph Towns.