Did you know there's a thriving network of artists and creatives in Berwick. It also serves the Scottish Borders.
I asked founder Nick Jones to tell us a little more about the guild and it's plans this year. He kindly sent me it's mission statement and encourages any interested folks to be in touuch.
Berwick Creative Guild
Mission Statement
The Berwick Creative Guild was set up in 2019. It reflects the growing number of people in the area for whom creativity is central to their life, work and being. It welcomes participation from all individuals, regardless of needs or status, as well as every section of the community, promoting diversity and supporting creativity for everyone.
Its aims are to:
Support, Communicate, Network, Promote, Present, Facilitate, Signpost.
Embrace all forms of creative expression.
Bring together creative people to share, showcase, network, and promote their work, and thereby address isolation and lack of recognition.
Create opportunities for collaboration and partnership working with other cultural, social and educational initiatives eg heritage, tourism, community, schools, universities.
Strengthen cultural and creative networks and initiatives in the town and surrounding area.
Integrate creative best practice, design and thinking into local life.
Photo - (c) Artist Claire Ward
The Story So Far....
Prior to lockdown, it held a series of bi-monthly events using the global PechaKuchaNight format for selected presenters to show their work and practice, attracting up to 100 people before the pandemic. These continued via Zoom between 2020 and 2022. During lockdown it showcased work by those signed up to BCG, via Instagram. Over the winter of 2021/22, in association with
Marchmont Makers Foundation, it helped arrange the Skyboat Artists' Residencies - Art, Nature and Humanity - at Marchmont.
Future plans include:
Engaging with the Berwick-upon-Tweed Creative and Cultural Zone initiative.
Developing a Berwick Open Studios event.
Creative responses to the challenge of Climate Change.
Improving the infrastructure for the creative sector, eg more studios, business, mentoring, exhibition, workshop and showcasing, and funding opportunities.
Attracting more creative people, enterprises, and associated investment to the area.
Developing a website to improve showcasing and networking for the creative community.
Structure, management and funding
Berwick Creative Guild is a not-for-profit Unincorporated Association managed and led by a small volunteer steering group including representatives of Berwick Visual Arts, the Royal Society of Arts, and professional creative practitioners. Funding is on a project by project basis.
Catchment area
Berwick-upon-Tweed, North Northumberland and the Borders.
Contact Email : berwickcreativeguild@gmail.com
Instagram : @berwickcreativeguild
Facebook: @berwick creative guild
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