Lisa Horner Writer & Artist

I met Tracy Vine when I was finishing my degree at Writtle University College, the area where we studied was then called Writtle School of Design.  It was an unusual set-up, three years all in one large classroom, but it worked!   Since I've known Tracy it has become clear that she has found her forte in life and has grown from strength to strength.  After leaving with a 1st class Digital, Fine Art and Design degree she went on to do a Masters in Art Research and from there has worked on several art/photography projects working with local charities and school children.  Something that she has done, which was quite unexpected, is designing public art installations and she is working on a new one now.  Enjoy the podcast which has plenty of tips for art students. http://tracyvine.co.uk/ Tracy was a finalist for Rankin's 'World Photography Project'.  Out of 72,000 she was in the top 6 under the category for 'Fun'. Ghost Town Mr Crosby Hedingham Castle

I hot-footed it over to Basildon to see what the OPEN LAB project was all about.  Well.. actually, my husband dropped me off.  It's all very exciting!  I managed to talk to five of the seven project leaders on this, the very first day of this arty Basildonian experiment. I spoke to: - Mike Young of FINGERPRINTS OF BASILDON   Hunt and Darton of KIDS BUSINESS.   George from WHEN I SAY ESSEX, WHAT DO YOU SEE?   Mark Massey from NEW TOWN PORTRAITS.   A young man from 6ftStories at THE TAT MODERN.  Listen to the good people explain in their own words what their projects are about on this podcast.  More can be learnt from their website: - https://open-lab.co.uk/ Magical Creatures Fingerprints of Basildon Kids Business When I Say Essex, What Do You See? New Town Portraits The Tat Modern Basildon Audio Visual Music Machine I also visited the Eastgate Art Gallery where I met, artist, Matt Layton.

It was lovely to chat to Maxine Newell and this time you can either listen to us talking  on a podcast or watch us talking on YouTube.  Maxine shows us some of the art she has been getting up to.   Maxine Newell is an artist and illustrator living and working in Basildon.  She is currently studying for an MA in Illustration at Falmouth University and has a BA in Fine Art. Maxine creates sketchy, playful illustrations that talk of her life experiences and the everyday mundane, overlooked narratives. Previously, she has worked on a commission basis for clients both regionally and internationally.  She also ran an art gallery and studio in Felixstowe and she talks about what a positive experience this was for her.   https://maxinenewell.com/

The charity that Irie Perera volunteers for, Hela Sarana , is appealing for money to go towards emergency medical relief.   I am quoting from a post on the Hela Sarana Facebook page because I think they have put it in the most simplest and comprehensive form:- Your help is needed.  Right now Sri Lanka is experiencing 5 to 10 fold increase in the infection rate from the first wave paving the way to a spiralling adverse impact on hospital services provided to covid-19 patients. Immediate initiative has been made by committing: - £15,000 to 3 main hospitals - £2,500 to supply "Pulse Oximeters" to a number of hospitals - £5,500 to purchase Video Laryngoscope for Lady Ridgeway Hospital Every pound you donate, will go a long way to purchase vital medical supplies to help ever increasing number of covid victims.  Please support our latest initiative to mobilise more funds to ongoing commitment and efforts. Donation can be made via Bank Transfer: U.K.  Bank: Barclays So...

Sometimes you hear about wonderful people, Irie Perera is one of those people.  I first heard about her through my friend, she is an avid fundraiser for several charities. When the dark clouds of the pandemic came she found the strength to be creative and wrote several poems inspired by our dire situation.  She plans to make an anthology of poems to raise money for her charities. On of the charities is the UK registered Sri Lanken charity called  Hela Sarana , another is  The Scar Free Foundation  which is a British research charity, their aim is to achieve scar free healing for burns and war wounds etc. She has read her poems out on BBC Essex and one was made into a short video which you can see above.  She was inspired by her son, a junior doctor and all the staff on the frontline throughout the pandemic.

  It's been ten years since the Eastgate Art Gallery was set up, it is now in two Upper Mall stores.  It has enjoyed better positions before where people would pass it so I'm just gently reminding people to come up and take a look at the art.  Thanks to the collaboration of Eastgate Shopping Centre, Basildon Arts Trust, The Basildon Heritage Trail and the Basildon Arts Trail and South Essex College, local artists have a chance to showcase their skills. https://www.lisajhorner.com/

When talking to Rachel Triggs she mentioned dementia-friendly cinema and I wanted to know more.  She said the staff involved get dementia training and one thing they've learnt is that dementia sometimes affects a person's vision so that a black rug can look like a black hole.  So they removed the black rug in the foyer of the Palace Theatre.  This event that was held in February 2020 and also had a pianist who played before the show which is the norm for a dementia-friendly show.  https://arts4dementia.org.uk/events/the-glenn-miller-story-dementia-friendly-cinema/ I can't wait until our theatres open again!  Have you bought a t-shirt yet to support theatres?  I have ☺️  https://theatresupportfund.co.uk/products/the-show-must-go-on-unisex-tshirt?variant=33442903163020

It was lovely to speak to Rachel Triggs, a person with passion and purpose, she established the Routes Theatre Company with a focus on building young people's life skills and opening dialogue about community and social issues.  The theatre company champions young people who want to pursue careers in the arts, smashing down outdated misinformation about it being an unrealistic and unviable career option.  They've started interviewing creatives living and working in Essex to give advice to young people vishing to pursue careers in the industry.  One of the ways they reach them is through a monthly newsletter. Before lockdown Rachel managed the community and education department at Southend Theatres.  Meanwhile, with a drama degree under her belt she is using her experience to help young people and she has also reached out to creatives in the Castle Point area and  has started the Castle Point Creatives Facebook page . We also spoke about the need for participator...