Date: 16 / 09/ 10
For immediate release
Youvil Needs You!
As part of this year’s Somerset Art Weeks Open Studio festival, the Young Art
Promoters (YAP) need your help to create the fictitious town of 'Youvil' population yet unknown but steadily rising
Working in collaboration with professional artist Nina Wyllie and with the support of
Spaeda (Somerset Arts Education Partnership), the Young Arts Promoters (aka YAP)
have been stealthily transforming The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil into Youvil – a town
created by the people for the people. Through a shared desire to produce
participatory, celebratory and inclusive artwork, they have engineered innovative
ways to interact with Yeovil and its inhabitants. Following their participation in a
series of creative led workshops YAP are now inviting you to share your stories, truths
and experiences in an attempt to reveal the lives of those who make up Yeovil –
‘Youvil’.
‘We hope to engage people of all ages and backgrounds to create a space where something
extraordinary might happen. We hope to make our participants feel they belong to a
temporary community whilst providing the opportunity for people to artistically express
themselves.’ Nina Wyllie, Artist
To get the ball rolling we'd like to invite you to participate in one of the tasks being
exhibited in ‘Youvil’:
task: Write down a significant moment (personal or public) that took place in Yeovil,
that the people of Youvil could learn from in the future.
It doesn’t matter what you write just pick up a pen and share your experiences.
Please send your responses on a postcard to:
Youvil, Octagon Theatre, Hendford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1UX. Final date for
accepted submissions: Friday 1st October 2010
As well as showcasing ‘Youvil’, The Octagon is becoming this year’s central hub for
young people’s creativity in the festival, presenting two additional inspiring
exhibitions. Somerset Rural Youth Project, as part of Somerset Art Work’s Making
Matters, will present a selection of photographic images created by the shared
experience of young and older generations working together. Also on offer a signpost
show highlighting the artistic talent of young people from local schools and colleges;
including Yeovil College, Westfield Community School, Fiveways School and the
following Art Weeks venues: King’s College Taunton, Bruton School for Girls and Blue
School.
So with an open invitation extended to all to get involved, why not send a postcard,
and then come and check out ‘Youvil's’ very own post office. Scribble on a school
desk, plant a magic wishing bean and discover the young artistic talent that’s on
offer from across the county. Help us to make ‘Youvil’ your very own.
Exhibition: 18th September - 3rd October at the Octagon Theatre with special events
taking place on Saturday 2nd October between 11am - midday. All exhibitions and
participation is free.
For more information on what else YAP have been up to or to find out more visit
http://www.spaeda.org.uk/node/216
To request a Somerset Arts Weeks guide to find out what else is going on in the
festival go to www.somersetartworks.org.uk
Presented and organised by SPAEDA (Somerset Arts Education Partnership). Currated
by SAW’s Curatorial Services. Funded by Somerset County Council.
ENDS
For more information please contact: Annie Hudson annie@spaeda.org.uk /
01458 254262
Images attached: .jpg – sgnightfall_035.jpeg caption: Nina Wyllie – The
Special Guests. Photo Adam Faraday. SPAEDA Bandstand 2 (2).jpeg caption
Young Art Promoters (YAP)
Notes to the Editor:
Spaeda are the Arts Education Development Agency for Somerset, providing a web of
information and support for the arts and education sectors. We work across both the
formal and informal education sector creating opportunities for the children
and young people of Somerset to experience high quality arts activities. For more
information on Spaeda visit www.spaeda.org.uk
Somerset Arts Weeks is a 2 week annual festival, created by Somerset Art Works, to
highlight the creative talents of artists living in Somerset. This year’s festival takes
place from Saturday, 18th September to Sunday 3rd October, when around 200
studios / venues across the county, featuring over 300 local artists, open their doors
to the public. For more info visit www.somersetartworks.org.uk