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AFTER what has proved to be a outstanding year for solo exhibitions, the ArtHouse in Southport will be playing host to Southport Contemporary Arts’ keenly anticipated mixed-classes group exhibition at the end of August.

The SCA network began in 2009 and was set up to embrace the fact that Southport is home to a host of different art practitioners working across a broad variety of disciplines.

This year’s showcase at the ArtHouse is now able to draw upon the diverse range of SCA’s current weekly taught art classes and workshops; Kaleidoscope Arts; that continues to attract a wide selection of Sefton artists and designers toits well equipped studios at ArtsLoft and ClayWorks in the Town Centre.

Phred Brown from Southport easily sums up its addictive merits:- "I spend all day at the ArtsLoft on a Thursday and it is a real sanity saver - laughter, friendship, creativity, what’s not to like? - Love it!"

Aimed at nurturing the creative talents of the individual, although each class is introduced to the same skills, it is the way in which each artist then goes on to apply them in their own work that is important.

As Norrie Beswick Calvert, one of the SCA directors, emphasizes:- "We are really proud of the developments that our students make and seeing their individuality shine through is an added bonus."

Since its inception SCA has annually gone from strength to strength, adding the ClayWorks studio in May 2016 in response to the need for local artists who wanted to work in ceramics. In April 2017, the suite of craft studios above ClayWorks - ArtsLoft - was set up to deliver hands-on participation across a wide range of art and craft based workshops. In accordance with its all-embracing policy to engage with as many local artists and practitioners as possible, a stair lift was added to provide full access to the 1st floor studio space.

Deliberately keeping the groups small and informal, the convivial classes cater for beginners, improvers and experienced creatives alike. Over the last 12 months Kaleidoscope Arts has offered regular Textiles, Throwing, Felting and Mixed Media activities in addition to specialist workshops led by professional and experienced artists from the SCA fraternity covering such activities as Book Binding.

Creative Textile student, Barbara Briddock from Crosby confirms:- "I have learnt loads over the years. Brilliant class and great teacher, all very relaxing."

Local textile artist from Formby, Jo Landy, who runs the Thursday class, confirms:- "The Creative Textile class is a joy to teach; all abilities are catered for and the class members derive a great deal of inspiration and encouragement from each other. We cover all aspects of textiles including print, stitch, felt making and heat techniques and it is lovely to see new skills being learned and translated into finished pieces. Everyone works at their own pace and they continue to surprise me with very individual and quality work"

Regular attendees, Chris Rimmer from Ainsdale and Helen Page from Southport are both unanimous in their praise for the activity:- “Fabulous class, excellent tuition as well as a friendly group. A really enjoyable class” and "I look forward to:- Thursday afternoons, lovely company and a great teacher."

A popular addition to the Kaleidoscope Arts’ diary is Amanda Clark-Price’s Young Creatives Club aimed at aspirational:- 7 to 15 year olds who are keen to further develop their budding artistic skills including:- Drawing, Painting, Printing and 3-D.

Each Friday afternoon there is also an Adult Autism Friendly Art Class led by mixed-media artist from Banks, Linda Heavon. Built around nurturing creative skills in adults that have Autism spectrum challenges, each student is supported to freely experiment using a variety of media as well as promoting positive interaction with the group as a whole.

This year the Autism Friendly Art Group have looked at and focused on celebrating their own self-identity in the form of self-portraiture. Linda explains:- "Our symbolic self-portraiture journey began with listing people, places, events and preferences that hold a special significance to us. The group then experimented with different mediums such as watercolour, acrylic, ink, oil pastel and coloured pencils. Going on to explore different styles and techniques, by incorporating these symbolic elements, they have each created a self-portrait that shows more than what we look like - it is an invitation to know who we are."

Additionally, Kaleidoscope Arts now offers 2 monthly workshops; Life Drawing led by Dawn Summerlin and Constructed Textiles led by Sue Burns; as well as staging a series of 'pop up' Creative Specials throughout the year.

Some of the most popular classes occur at ClayWorks, SCA’s dedicated fit-for-purpose ceramics studio. Timetabled classes are scheduled twice daily weekdays and delivered by a team of skilled potters. Students across the week are encouraged to exploit a wide range of making and decorating methods, including coiling, slab building, casting, throwing and glazing.

Southport potter, Alice Odgers, who has previously worked as a ceramics instructor in summer camps in America and Canada, oversees 4 of the ClayWorks' classes:- "Being part of a network of people expressing themselves through creativity is amazing. Our sessions and its members are diverse, each with their own pottery styles and abilities. It's great to see the students work with one another, to see ideas grow and confidence flourish during our pottery sessions, which is reflected in the works on display. If you’re thinking of making a start on, or developing your skills, why not think about joining one of our small group, friendly sessions and let your creativity fly!"

More information about SCA’s current series of workshops and classes can be found at:- SCA-Network.Co.UK or by emailing to:- ArtHouseSCA@Gmail.Com.

‘Create It Together’ is a celebratory exhibition and sale of work that certainly confirms the diversity and resourcefulness of these talented homegrown artisans. SCA’s Kaleidoscope Arts Mixed Classes Group Exhibition will be on display at the ArtHouse, Eastbank Street, from:- 27 August to 14 September 2024.