The 2017 CArtsCon was a great success. This year’s theme was Art for Change. Below you will find a simple summary of this year’s events.
Welcome Reception
A wine-and-cheese reception at the Canterbury Baptist Church from 18:30 on Tuesday, July 18 kicked off proceedings. The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Rosemary Doyle, welcomed everyone to the Conference and to Canterbury. After an introduction by Dr Peter Gregory, the head judge for the schools art competition, the Lord Mayor presented prizes to the winners.
Day 1
Anna Sexton FRSA challenged us to think outside of the box when it came to ‘change’ – she even flipped the concept of ‘art’ on its head. Carlton Walls espoused the film production unit you carry around in your pocket. Dr Joanna Labon tantalised the audience with tales of Canterbury’s erstwhile son, Christopher Marlowe. Dr Victor Matthews managed to combine the very strange topics of God and whiskey distillation. Tibetan expert and historian, Dr Michael Henss wowed with never-before-seen photos of Oriental mandalas. Niranjan Kamatkar FRSA closed the day with ideas on how to diversify culture and art by mainstreaming LGBTI+ concepts.
Day 2
Tom Cleary had the audience in stitches with his take on radio and its possibilities. Cat gin, anyone? Charlie Langhorne FRSA brought a dose of reality to the arts with dollars and cents for community art trails. Arlene Pryce FRSA was impassioned about using art to help disadvantaged learners. Carlton Walls did a workshop on using the smartphone to create films.
Professor Ken Pickering delivered a tour-de-force masterclass in learning and growing through the arts. Barrister Ire Ogueche discovered his inner artist with found objects. Our first ever industry panel discuss how art can change society, moderated by Julian Ng (from left: Nathalie Banaigs, Dr Peter Gregory, Bob Lamoon, Charlie Langhorne, Iain Rayner, Kevin Porée, and Arlene Pryce).
Day 3
Stella Pryce and Bethan Davison energised the morning with a drama workshop. Dr Franciele Gallina and Dr Graciela Ormezzano use myths to transform learning. Dr Celina Senisterra awed the audience with the intricacies of central American murals.
Bestselling author Sophie Sabbage drew tears with her emotion-packed talk. Soo Han Chua wants you to think of an alternative reality: virtual. Be the Change, a Canterbury collective by and for young people, present a sample of their work to date.
Ash Kotak FRSA poses with his certificate next to the Lord Mayor. All together now: the remaining participants take a group photo.
School Competition Art Winners
We are pleased to reveal the finalists of the schools art competition (first prize winners in bold). Congratulations to all winners, and well done to all those who participated:
Years 4-6
Jake Wilson
Michael Myint
Emily Lavelle
Shen Sen
Callie Martin
Years 7-9
Amy Smith
Fan Man
Amy Gallagher
Francesca Davidson
Christobel Ali
Years 10-12
Casey Cooper
Amelia Johnson
Dipendra Gurung
Abigail Lockwood-Morris
Theo Symth
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors for prizes: Cowling and Wilcox, Tiger of Copenhagen, WH Smith Canterbury, and Wilko Canterbury.