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Autumn What’s on Guide is out now

2024-11-04T15:17:58+00:00

Our Autumn "What’s On" Guide is here, packed with creative activities, workshops, and events running throughout the season at Independent Arts! You can pick up a copy at our Creative Hub in Newport or find it at locations across the Isle of Wight. Drop by the Creative Hub to grab a copy of the Autumn guide, filled with activities for all ages. Whether you’re interested in joining yourself, bringing friends, or finding something fun for the family, this guide has it all. We know some people may not have easy online access, so we’d love your help reaching them! If you know someone who might benefit from our sessions, please share a guide with them. If you can display a few guides at your workplace, community centre, or other local spaces, it would be a huge support in helping us reach as many people as possible with these creative opportunities. If you’d like to help distribute the "What’s On" Guide or need extra copies, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Your involvement makes a real impact in connecting the Island with enriching and accessible arts activities. A huge thank you to everyone who helps share our guide and promote the arts within our community. We’re looking forward to a fantastic autumn season full of creativity, connection, and inspiration. For more information or to get involved, please contact us.

Autumn What’s on Guide is out now2024-11-04T15:17:58+00:00

Autumn Retrospective Art Sale To Raise Funds

2024-11-04T15:00:06+00:00

Island based arts for wellbeing charity Independent Arts last week opened their first retrospective art sale at their Creative Hub on Newport High Street with a private view. The exhibition showcases artwork of many mediums from a wide range of the charity’s workshops, all designed to reduce social isolation and improve participants wellbeing through the arts. The high quality and professionally finished artworks are outcomes from projects, workshops and collaborative works from many in the community, including the charities Mindful Moments drop in, youth groups and work from Creative Careers Week with local school children. Curated by Programs Manager Kerry Tindall and Principle Project Artist Jo Rigby the items on sale were selected to showcase outcomes from the previous four years of work at Independent Arts Creative Hub. On the exhibition, Kerry said; “Whilst all our exhibitions at the Creative Hub showcase our participants work, this is the first time we have put some of that work on sale to raise funds to keep running sessions such as these and we are really proud of the high-quality work available to purchase, all to support our work in the future” The Autumn Retrospective art sale is free to view at Independent Arts Creative Hub, 48/49 High Street, Newport, and is on show until Monday 25th November and all on show is priced to be affordable, prices starting from £15, up to £100 for professionally framed A3 pieces. All funds raised from the pieces sold will help to fund Independent Arts, who support over 500 island residents a week in their Creative Hub, the community, and in care homes, to keep changing lives through arts, supporting island residents who may be otherwise lonely or isolated through arts workshops, singing, movement and mindfulness, for all ages.

Autumn Retrospective Art Sale To Raise Funds2024-11-04T15:00:06+00:00

Changes to Leadership of Independent Arts

2024-09-10T10:50:24+01:00

Independent Arts, the arts for wellbeing charity on the Isle of Wight is undergoing a change in leadership at the end of September. Lisa Gagliani MBE, who has been the charity’s chief executive since late 2019, will be leaving to take on the same role at The Blue Lamp Trust. After a careful recruitment process, the trustees have appointed Rosanna Sloan to take over as chief executive. Rosanna (Rosie) has been visiting the charity to get to know the team and to see for herself some of the projects and activities they deliver, which range from SingAbout for older people all over the Island, to working in care homes to deliver workshops for wellbeing, through to youth work, mental health support and various creative sessions run at their Newport Creative Hub on the high street. The charity, which operates exclusively on the Isle of Wight, has a small team of dedicated staff, supplemented by a large team of professional artists and musicians, who are all paid to deliver the various projects to support more than 550 people every week who would be socially isolated otherwise. Lisa Gagliani MBE said, “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time, almost five years, at Independent Arts – the team, the volunteers and the arts practitioners are all exceptionally creative, wonderful and kind people. I hope to have made the charity a little more visible through working collaboratively with several island charities and by developing new projects, especially those aimed at younger people and intergenerational activities like chess on Saturdays. I wish Rosie and the team at Independent Arts all the best for the future.” Jacquie Heany, Chair of Trustees who led the recruitment of Lisa’s successor said, “Lisa has been a fantastic CEO, significantly raising the profile and extending the reach of Independent Arts during her 5-year tenure. She joined the charity just before the pandemic and successfully steered it though those challenging times. The Board are grateful for the tremendous work she has done and for her leadership in developing and managing a brilliant team.” “In appointing Rosie Sloan as our new CEO, the Board are confident that we have found an exceptional person to carry on the fantastic work of Independent Arts. Rosie’s warmth and enthusiasm were evident as soon as we met her, and she joins us with experience of leadership in both the charity and arts sectors. The Board are very much looking forward to working with her as we continue to develop the work of Independent Arts.” Rosanna Sloan said, "It's a privilege to join such an inspiring team and organisation. I'm looking forward to contributing to Independent Arts mission to change people's lives through the arts, to help them to lead happier, healthier lives. I can't wait to meet our volunteers, partners and participants over the coming months and carry on the incredible work Lisa has spearheaded in collaboration with the team." Independent Arts has enjoyed a busier than ever summer, with a stint at Ventnor Fringe with

Changes to Leadership of Independent Arts2024-09-10T10:50:24+01:00

Grab Our Summer “What’s On” Guide!

2024-07-10T14:06:02+01:00

We're thrilled to announce the release of our "What's On" Guide for this summer at Independent Arts! Packed with information about our exciting activities and events, the guide is now available at the Creative Hub and various locations across the Isle of Wight. Pick Up a Guide We invite you to drop by the Creative Hub to pick up your copy of the "What's On" Guide. Whether you're looking for engaging activities for yourself, your family, or your friends, our guide is your go-to resource for all things creative this summer. Help Us Spread the Word We understand that not everyone has easy access to online resources, and we need your help to reach those who could benefit from our sessions. If you know someone who might be interested, please share a guide with them. Additionally, if you're able to display some of our guides at your workplace, community centre, or any other local venue, we'd greatly appreciate your support. Your efforts in spreading the word make a significant impact in connecting people with our creative offerings. Get in Touch If you're interested in helping us distribute the "What's On" Guide or need more copies for your premises, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Your involvement helps us reach more people and ensures everyone has the opportunity to participate in our wonderful activities. Thank You for Your Support Thank you for your continued support in promoting the arts within our community. Together, we can make this summer a memorable one filled with creativity and connection. For more information and to get involved, contact us.

Grab Our Summer “What’s On” Guide!2024-07-10T14:06:02+01:00

Sweet Charity

2024-08-19T10:39:10+01:00

The Wight Strollers are back at Medina Theatre this July, and ready to transport you back to 1960s New York with the tale of Charity Hope Valentine... Sweet Charity is a funny, feel-good musical, packed with well-known songs like ‘Big Spender’, ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’ and ‘Rhythm Of Life’. With the team that brought you Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert at the helm, a live 9-piece band, colourful costumes and striking set, and an exceptional cast, Sweet Charity promises to be uplifting and unforgettable. The show runs from July 12th – 14th, tickets are £18 for adults, £14 for Under-16s, and there is an excellent group rate of £14 per ticket for groups of 10+ people. Tickets are available from www.medinatheatre.co.uk, by phoning 01983 823884, or in person from Medina’s 1Leisure Reception or the Medina Theatre Box Office. Best of all, the proceeds are going to Island charities and good causes, and for this show the Strollers are delighted to announce that one of the beneficiaries will be Independent Arts! The Wight Strollers are renowned for their pantomimes, musicals, carnival appearances and charity donations, having given away £200,000 – including fourteen Public Access Defibrillators – over the last 44 years. So gather your friends and families, and help raise money for Island charities with Sweet Charity!

Sweet Charity2024-08-19T10:39:10+01:00

Exploring the Cosmos: Wavelength Exhibition Showcases Student Artwork at Creative Hub

2024-05-22T11:19:57+01:00

We are excited to announce the launch of the Wavelength Exhibition at the Creative Hub, showcasing the incredible artwork created by talented students from the Island Learning Centre and St Helens Primary School on the Isle of Wight. This project, which has been running since September 2022, explores the intersection of art, creativity, and science through a series of engaging workshops. Both schools chose space and the cosmos as their science topics. The Island Learning Centre further integrated this theme into their science curriculum by linking their study of the visible light spectrum to the cosmic dawn event and the journey of light through space. The workshops employed a variety of art forms and mediums, enriching the learning experience, particularly for students who find traditional methods challenging. This approach not only fostered creativity but also deepened their understanding of complex scientific concepts. The Wavelength Exhibition is free to view and will be open at the Creative Hub until June 14th. We invite everyone to visit and witness the stunning pieces created by these young artists. Exhibition Details: Location: Independent Arts, 48 High Street, Newport Opening Hours: 10am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Swire Charitable Trust for their generous support in funding this project. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the blend of art and science through the eyes of our island's youth!

Exploring the Cosmos: Wavelength Exhibition Showcases Student Artwork at Creative Hub2024-05-22T11:19:57+01:00

Independent Arts pleased to be the charity partner of Wight Proms again

2024-05-13T14:44:06+01:00

Independent Arts are pleased to be the charity partner of Wight Proms again for 2024 The Wight Proms Festival has just announced its 2024 artiste line-up. The festival celebrates comedy, opera, drag, country music, sport, musical theatre, dance and classical proms, and takes place annually in August at Northwood House in Cowes This year sees a new logo for the festival and a new site layout Headliners announced include: ◦ Award-winning actress MIRIAM MARGOLYES OBE ◦ Island favourites PLASTIC MERMAIDS who are performing with a live orchestra their only gig on the Isle of Wight this year ◦ Cricket legends AGGERS & TUFFERS AKA JONATHAN AGNEW & PHIL TUFNELL ◦ Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK DANNY BEARD & fellow RuPaul star SCARLETT HARLETT, hosted by TANYA HYDE ◦ ANTHEMS IBIZA ORCHESTRA featuring 1990s tunes from the likes of Fat Boy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, Faithless, Daft Punk, Ian Van Dahl, Prodigy and many more ◦ Musical Theatre Legends JOHN OWEN JONES, famous for playing the roles of Phantom (The Phantom of the Opera) and Jean Valjean (Les Mis) in both the West End and Broadway, JENNA LEE-JAMES who has just played the role of Elsa in Disney’s Frozen on the West End, and JOHN PARTRIDGE who has starred in many shows on the West End including Cats, Grease, Starlight Express, Cabaret, La Cage Aux Folles to name but a few ◦ Soprano FARYL SMITH who shot to fame as a 12-year-old on Britain’s Got Talent in 2008, is now a graduate of the Opera Course at the Guildhall School in London ◦ Family favourite PETER & THE WOLF with wind quintet ◦ The ‘World’s best Dolly tribute’ as endorsed by Dolly herself, also featuring Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Billie Jo Spears, Glen Campbell and Patsy Cline tributes There will also be Musical Theatre Workshops for children ages 7-18 where they get to perform on the Main Stage at the ‘Wight at the Musicals’ show on Saturday 10th August The Wight Proms Festival, sponsored by Red Funnel, was founded in 2018 by Cowes resident Mike Christie, who is also know for being in the multi-platinum selling vocal harmony group G4, who shot to fame on The X Factor back in 2004. This year marks G4’s 20th Anniversary with two island performances at the Medina Theatre in June and Newport Minster in November amongst their mega 110 tour dates. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 10th May 2024: www.wightproms.co.uk There are ‘Meet & Greet’ tickets available to have the chance to meet some of our headliners When buying tickets, you can donate to the Wight Proms Festival’s associated island charity ‘Independent Arts’ who use the arts to improve well-being, quality of life and to reduce social isolation on the Isle of Wight, since 1987 The Wight Proms Festival will take place on 9-18 August 2024 Fri 9th – Dance: ANTHEMS IBIZA ORCHESTRA Sat 10th – Wight at the Musicals, with stars of the West End and Broadway: ◦

Independent Arts pleased to be the charity partner of Wight Proms again2024-05-13T14:44:06+01:00

New Celebrating Spring Exhibition at Independent Arts

2024-03-15T14:00:12+00:00

A new exhibition and incredible window displays are about to emerge at Independent Arts Creative Hub at 48 High Street, Newport. The arts for wellbeing charity are well known for their creative displays at the former retail unit, which showcase the outcomes of their projects for the public to see. Conveniently placed on the high street, many passers-by comment on how the windows cheer them up daily. The impact for those who help to make the art works is even greater. Some of the most vulnerable in our community rely on the various creative sessions delivered at the Creative Hub, to socialise, to try something new and to get support for a range of issues. “Themes of growth and regeneration are central to our work in the field of wellbeing, and our belief in promoting the value of self-care throughout the year. Spring can be time for optimism, hope and rebirth, as the natural world around us bursts with new life.” Says Kerry Tindall, Head of Arts at the charity. Participants have explored these themes and ideas through the mediums of painting, collage, sculpture and weaving, creating some beautiful contributions to this exhibition. Creative staff, volunteers and year 6 pupils from Barton Primary School in Newport have also contributed creative responses to celebrate the season of Spring. Participants involved in making the displays include older people through Monday’s Creative Café, adults attending Wellbeing Café on Thursdays, children and adults who attend Tuesdays intergenerational Make and Create sessions, plus pupils from Barton Primary School. The exhibition has been supported and curated with the help of artist volunteer - Melissa Penn, Creative Assistant, Evie Clarke and Principal Projects Artist, Joanne Rigby. This Easter school holidays, Independent Arts are able to offer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) funded places for young people aged 11-16 years, who are eligible for free school meals. The 4-hour sessions are free and will involve a range of exciting creative activities linked to nature and include a healthy lunch and snacks. Places are limited and filling fast, so if you’d like to book a place on from April 2nd to 12th do call 01983 822437 or email [email protected] After school activities aimed at secondary school pupils/college students who’d welcome support for their mental health and wellbeing whilst learning new skills also have places available on Thursdays – with a wide range of artists leading the sessions. Called ArtsLab, enquiries again to [email protected].

New Celebrating Spring Exhibition at Independent Arts2024-03-15T14:00:12+00:00

Three years funding secured for Creative Hub in Newport

2024-02-20T11:56:52+00:00

Independent Arts, the creative health charity for the Isle of Wight have been awarded three years grant funding from Reaching Communities. The grant will secure the future of the Creative Hub at 48/49 High Street, Newport, where more than 100 vulnerable residents of all ages enjoy a wide range of arts-based activities six days a week. Independent Arts pioneered the use of arts-based activities to support all kinds of health problems more than 35 years ago. Nowadays, especially since the Covid pandemic, the benefits of such activities in helping people to connect and express themselves is widely understood by health professionals and artists alike. Chief Executive Lisa Gagliani MBE said, “This funding couldn’t have come at a more crucial time when more people than ever need access to a safe place to talk, to craft or make music with each other and make connections. Loneliness is a huge problem across the Island for so many, across all ages, so we’re delighted to be able to stay open, including Saturdays from March.” The grant can only be spent on activities at the Creative Hub, leaving the charity stillwith lots of fundraising to do for all the SingAbout sessions around the island, the schools-based sessions that help children to learn skills for life and to provide lots of sessions to help residents with advanced dementia in residential care homes. For the Creative Hub, the grant will fund an Operations Manager, a Programme Support Officer and several of the sessions that are offered throughout the week, led by local artist practitioners who are paid on agreed freelance rates. These sessions include Creative Café on Mondays, Make and Create on Tuesdays, Wellbeing Café on Thursday and Chess Craft on Saturdays. Since being awarded the grant, the charity has recruited the team to continue the support to the local community: Hub Operations Manager - Ralph Ridler has been appointed to this role with immediate effect. Ralph joined Independent Arts in 2020 as Community Fundraiser, where he has secured the support of several businesses, wrote local successful grant applications, ran matched funding campaigns and delivered on events such as Wight Proms, Ventnor Fringe and Cowes Fringe. Programme Support Officer - Ali Atkinson joined in June last year as a Hub Coordinator. She now steps up her role to three days a week – to ensure that the impact the charity makes is properly recorded and shared. Also secured partially by the Reaching Communities grant together with another grant from SNG, is the part time role continuation position of Creative Project Assistant for Evie Clarke, who joined the charity in the autumn thanks to the Breakthrough scheme via Artswork. This means that Evie will be staying on with extra responsibility for the new Arts Lab project that will enable up to 15 young people to become arts for wellbeing champions. Due to Ralph's change in direction, appointed Matt Hitt has been appointed as Community Development Manager, who will be joining mid-March. Matt has a strong arts

Three years funding secured for Creative Hub in Newport2024-02-20T11:56:52+00:00

Barton Primary School and Newport Residential Care Home Excel in Poetry Together Campaign

2024-02-20T12:25:34+00:00

Barton Primary School students, under the guidance of Independent Arts, enthusiastically participated in the Poetry Together campaign, producing work that has been recognised as one of the winning entries. Their exceptional contribution secured a prestigious £250 book voucher for the school. Poetry Together, championed by acclaimed author, broadcaster, and poetry enthusiast Giles Brandreth, along with the late Queen, has been a beacon for literary expression and intergenerational connections. Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, an avid supporter of literacy, emphasises the importance of literacy projects and activities for older individuals this year actively participated in a Poetry Together Tea Party, joining primary and secondary schools, care homes, and intergenerational clubs. During the event, she recited the opening lines from 'Matilda' by Hilaire Belloc alongside local children from Knightsbridge School. The campaign garnered over 400 entries, with 14 outstanding contributions receiving recognition, including Barton Primary School. For a complete list of winners, please visit Poetry Together Winners Page. As part of the campaign, children under 18 and those aged 70 and above were invited to write a poem based on a theme, at most 14 lines. Residents from Newport Residential Care Home drew inspiration from Rockey, the cat, and a beautiful blue bird. Barton School's poems were centred around themes of Happiness and Nature, with the children incorporating expressive gestures and actions into their performances. Lynne Rose, Manager at Newport Residential, expressed her delight on winning the National Poetry event, extending gratitude for the collaborative effort with Barton Primary School. Independent Arts Practitioner Glenn Koppany shared, "Fantastic news about the prize!! They were really interesting sessions to do, and we had some good discussions. One of the participants, who came every week, would write a few lines for each session, but at the end, he would always rub them out, and he would often cry when I asked him about what he wrote. But by the end, we had a really nice little poem. Well done to Kerry for the great video; please pass on my thanks." Independent Arts extends sincere thanks to the pupils and staff of Barton Primary School and the staff and residents of Newport Residential Care Home along with our Practitioner Glenn Koppany for their invaluable contributions to this poetic celebration. Special recognition goes to Nicola Ward and Kerry Tindall for their leadership and dedication in guiding this project on behalf of Independent Arts.

Barton Primary School and Newport Residential Care Home Excel in Poetry Together Campaign2024-02-20T12:25:34+00:00
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