The performance looks at where each person is now, and the implications of what we are doing right now in other parts of the world.

Each performer uses both traditional theatrical devices and modern digital technology. They entertain us with elements from Victorian parlour events, songs and recitation, using laptops, webcams and projectors.

The development of make-shift began in July. A preview took place at Beaford Arts on Friday, 29th October with this premiere event, on Sunday, 5th December.

The premiere takes place at Beaford Arts' Greenwarren House, and at a home in Turin. Online audiences will also be able to join in.

Audience numbers at Grenwarren House are limited, and tickets need to be reserved by e-mailing info(at)beaford-arts.org.uk

Tickets will be posted to you and you can make a Pay-What-You-Can donation at the event. If you e-mail us to reserve tickets, please state:

1 Whether you wish to attend the preview or the premiere (or both).

2 How many tickets you would like.

3 Please include your name and postal address so we can send the tickets to you.

To watch the make-shift preview or premiere online go to www.make-shift.net

Come with us into the frozen lands of the Arctic for this heart-warming story for the festive season and meet Malina, an excitable young Inuit girl who lives with her Grandpa.

Into Malina’s frozen world comes a dream, and in that dream comes a stranger, whose ship is crushed in the ice. When she discovers her dream has become real Malina knows only she can save the stranger’s life – with just a little help from Grandpa and his magic drum.

Angel Heart, who brought the very popular Oshima and the Big Sea to north Devon, tell magical stories and myths using shadow puppetry, live music and a specially commissioned soundtrack.

“They were fantastic and we received really good feedback from everyone. We would definitely like more of that type of event.” Emma Morrison, Welcombe promoter on Oshima

Suitable for family audiences

Sunday, 5th December. West Anstey Village Hall. 3pm. Tickets £6(ad)/£4.50(ch)/£18(fam) - Tel 01398 341615.

Light refreshments included in ticket price.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Come with us into the frozen lands of the Arctic for this heart-warming story for the festive season and meet Malina, an excitable young Inuit girl who lives with her Grandpa.

Into Malina’s frozen world comes a dream, and in that dream comes a stranger, whose ship is crushed in the ice. When she discovers her dream has become real Malina knows only she can save the stranger’s life – with just a little help from Grandpa and his magic drum.

Angel Heart, who brought the very popular Oshima and the Big Sea to north Devon, tell magical stories and myths using shadow puppetry, live music and a specially commissioned soundtrack.

“They were fantastic and we received really good feedback from everyone. We would definitely like more of that type of event.” Emma Morrison, Welcombe promoter on Oshima

Suitable for family audiences

Saturday, 4th December. Winkleigh Primary School. 3pm. Tickets £5(ad)/£4(ch)/£15(fam) - Tel 01837 83033.

Refreshments available. This event is supported by Winkleigh SOCS.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Award winning comedian Robin Ince brings his Bad Book Club tour to north Devon, where he ponders on the world’s worst, and most hilarious, books.

A provocative and intelligent comedian, Robin can be regularly seen on TV and radio shows including Mock The Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Loose Ends and co-hosts Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox.

He regularly performs and speaks at science and literary festivals and is the brains behind the annual sell out London show Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People.

“When someone writes a history of modern comedy, they should make room for Robin Ince.” The Guardian

“Thoughtful, provocative and very funny.” The Times

Suitable for adult audiences

Friday, 19th November, Croyde Hall. 8pm. Tickets £8.50 - Tel 07970 051058.

Pay bar available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

A wild and boisterous party is taking place as a family of travelling gypsies get together to celebrate the life of their grandfather.

This is a family show, full of music and dance, along with plenty of audience interaction, which was inspired by 10 years of research into Eastern European and gypsy music traditions. The musicians and dancers are led by Ukrainian virtuoso violinist Teresa Ployvka.

This is a very special visit to north Devon by one of Spain’s leading street theatre groups, with a show that was a great success at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  The party atmosphere will be enhanced with a two course meal which is included in the ticket price.

“I love music and these magical musicians more than meet my desire for superb playing. Not only do we get to experience an amazingly varied repertoire but also we get pathos and comedy thrown in for free.” One4Review, Edinburgh

Suitable for family audiences

Friday, 19th November. West Anstey Village Hall. 7pm. Tickets £11(ad)/£8(ch)/£35(fam) - Tel 01398 341615. 

Two course meal included in ticket price. Pay bar available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Award winning comedian Robin Ince brings his Bad Book Club tour to north Devon, where he ponders on the world’s worst, and most hilarious, books.

A provocative and intelligent comedian, Robin can be regularly seen on TV and radio shows including Mock The Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Loose Ends and co-hosts Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage with Professor Brian Cox.

He regularly performs and speaks at science and literary festivals and is the brains behind the annual sell out London show Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People.

“When someone writes a history of modern comedy, they should make room for Robin Ince.” The Guardian

“Thoughtful, provocative and very funny.” The Times

Suitable for adult audiences

Thursday, 18th November, Manor Hall, Berrynarbor. 7pm. Tickets £12 - Tel 01271 883897 or purchase tickets in person at Berrynarbor village shop.

Bangers and mash supper included in ticket price. BYO drinks.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Whether they play with ‘soul and beauty’ on their murder ballads or tear it up with their ‘hootenanny’ saw-dust-kickers, the union does it with style.

Their musical journey began in 2006, and their unusual blend, which fused Scottish folk and American bluegrass, rapidly gained airplay from Bob Harris, Mark Lamarr and Steve Lamacq on BBC radio as well as features in Mojo and Uncut.

The new album is filled with all you would expect - inventiveness, heartfelt storytelling, a capella singing and their own special brand of good humoured and honest music.

“They know how to write a song that band.” Mark Lamarr

“What separates Southern Tenant Folk Union from their peers is simple: there’s never a sense that this is a revival or a retread. These songs are timeless, but fresh and new. Long may the union continue.” James Walsh, The Morning Star

Suitable for all ages

Sunday, 14th November, Swimbridge Village Hall. 7.45pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 831009. 

Refreshments available. This event is fundraising for the Jubilee Hall Fund.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Whether they play with ‘soul and beauty’ on their murder ballads or tear it up with their ‘hootenanny’ saw-dust-kickers, the union does it with style.

Their musical journey began in 2006, and their unusual blend, which fused Scottish folk and American bluegrass, rapidly gained airplay from Bob Harris, Mark Lamarr and Steve Lamacq on BBC radio as well as features in Mojo and Uncut.

The new album is filled with all you would expect - inventiveness, heartfelt storytelling, a capella singing and their own special brand of good humoured and honest music.

“They know how to write a song that band.” Mark Lamarr

“What separates Southern Tenant Folk Union from their peers is simple: there’s never a sense that this is a revival or a retread. These songs are timeless, but fresh and new. Long may the union continue.” James Walsh, The Morning Star

Suitable for all ages

Saturday, 13th November, Molland Village Hall. 8pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01769 550643. 

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Whether they play with ‘soul and beauty’ on their murder ballads or tear it up with their ‘hootenanny’ saw-dust-kickers, the union does it with style.

Their musical journey began in 2006, and their unusual blend, which fused Scottish folk and American bluegrass, rapidly gained airplay from Bob Harris, Mark Lamarr and Steve Lamacq on BBC radio as well as features in Mojo and Uncut.

The new album is filled with all you would expect - inventiveness, heartfelt storytelling, a capella singing and their own special brand of good humoured and honest music.

“They know how to write a song that band.” Mark Lamarr

“What separates Southern Tenant Folk Union from their peers is simple: there’s never a sense that this is a revival or a retread. These songs are timeless, but fresh and new. Long may the union continue.” James Walsh, The Morning Star

Suitable for all ages

Friday, 12th November, Woolacombe Village Hall. 8pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 870510. 

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

A young native American girl is insecure and unhappy about herself, and she hates going to school, but she finds confidence and happiness through her ballet class, her dreams of a great New York city Ballet star and learning about the magical power of the mysterious ‘jingle dress’.

This is a rare opportunity to see a dance piece, made especially for children by a South West theatre company which is known throughout the world for its ability to promote and celebrate the work of dancers and choreographers from different ethnic groups.

Suitable for children aged 3-7 yrs old and their families

Thursday, 11th November, Welcombe Village Hall. 4.30pm. Tickets £6(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01288 331389. 

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

A young native American girl is insecure and unhappy about herself, and she hates going to school, but she finds confidence and happiness through her ballet class, her dreams of a great New York city Ballet star and learning about the magical power of the mysterious ‘jingle dress’.

This is a rare opportunity to see a dance piece, made especially for children by a South West theatre company which is known throughout the world for its ability to promote and celebrate the work of dancers and choreographers from different ethnic groups.

Suitable for children aged 3-7 yrs old and their families

Wednesday, 10th November, St John the Baptist Church, Newport, Barnstaple. 6.30pm. Tickets £6(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 376285. 

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

A young native American girl is insecure and unhappy about herself, and she hates going to school, but she finds confidence and happiness through her ballet class, her dreams of a great New York city Ballet star and learning about the magical power of the mysterious ‘jingle dress’.

This is a rare opportunity to see a dance piece, made especially for children by a South West theatre company which is known throughout the world for its ability to promote and celebrate the work of dancers and choreographers from different ethnic groups.

Suitable for children aged 3-7 yrs old and their families

Tuesday, 9th November, Winkleigh Village Hall. 6pm. Tickets £6(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01837 83033 or 01837 83407. 

Refreshments available. Event is supported by Winkleigh SOCS.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

The performance looks at where each person is now, and the implications of what we are doing right now in other parts of the world.

Each performer uses both traditional theatrical devices and modern digital technology. They entertain us with elements from Victorian parlour events, songs and recitation, using laptops, webcams and projectors.

The development of make-shift began in July and this event, on Friday 29th  October, will be a preview before the main premiere in December.

The preview will take place at two locations within Beaford Arts' Greenwarren House, and online audiences will also be able to join in.

Audience numbers are limited, and tickets need to be reserved by e-mailing info(at)beaford-arts.org.uk

Tickets will be posted to you and you can make a Pay-What-You-Can donation at the event. If you e-mail us to reserve tickets, please state:

1 Whether you wish to attend the preview or the premiere (or both).

2 How many tickets you would like.

3 Please include your name and postal address so we can send the tickets to you.

To watch the make-shift preview or premiere online go to www.make-shift.net

Please note: The preview evening will take place at Beaford Arts' Greenwarren House and online. The networked link with Italy will only take place at the premiere event in December.

Now an established musician on the UK folk scene, she tours annually with Waterson:Carthy, has appeared on BBC radio and was nominated for a BBC folk Award for her work with harmony trio The Devil’s Interval.

Playing music from her debut album, The Glamoury, which was released last year, she will be joined by viola player and singer Lucy Farrell, who toured with The Unthanks, and fiddle player, harpist and singer Rachel Newton of BBC folk award nominees The Shee.

“Like frost on a spider’s web, the songs are intricate, beautiful and brittle, entrancing with an undertone of sinister melancholy. The result … is utter enchantment”. Oz Hardwicke, Rock & Reel

“A remarkable and original debut”. The Observer

”From the first moment I heard Emily sing, I knew that she was special. She is beautiful and charming, and with her love of the tradition and her well-chosen songs, she graces the English folk scene”. Shirley Collins

With support from local multi instrumentalist and singer / songwriter Dave Little at the Boston Tea Party event.

Suitable for all audiences

Sunday, 24th October, Boston Tea Party, Barnstaple. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 329070.

Bar and food available. Please call to pre-book your meal from the menu.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Inspired by folktales and ballads, Emily Portman’s unique songs are deeply rooted in tradition but also firmly based in the modern world, conjuring up landscapes where mythical sirens collide in urban backstreets.

Now an established musician on the UK folk scene, she tours annually with Waterson:Carthy, has appeared on BBC radio and was nominated for a BBC folk Award for her work with harmony trio The Devil’s Interval.

Playing music from her debut album, The Glamoury, which was released last year, she will be joined by viola player and singer Lucy Farrell, who toured with The Unthanks, and fiddle player, harpist and singer Rachel Newton of BBC folk award nominees The Shee.

“Like frost on a spider’s web, the songs are intricate, beautiful and brittle, entrancing with an undertone of sinister melancholy. The result … is utter enchantment”. Oz Hardwicke, Rock & Reel

“A remarkable and original debut”. The Observer

Suitable for all audiences

Saturday, 23rd October, Lee Village Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 862906.

Ticket holders can also go to a folk session in the Grampus Inn after the event. Post show supper £4.00 booked in advance (£5.00 on the door).

Buy tickets online

View Basket

It’s 1348 in a rural seaside town. A slightly smelly crowd of peasants is enjoying a showdown wrestling match as a ship sails unnoticed into the harbour … but this ship is carrying a lethal cargo. Before long the Black Death has arrived and panic spreads across the town.

Shanty Theatre has been likened to its famous Cornish cousin Kneehigh Theatre for producing lively, inventive and very memorable shows which, above all else, guarantee a great night out for all the family.

“It’s full of quirky humour, derring-do, eccentric characters, great dancing, fine-singing, multi-instrumental musicianship and fun.” Gay Pirrie-Weir, Blackmore Vale Magazine

Suitable for family audiences

Sunday 17th October. Swimbridge Village Hall. 3pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 831009.

Refreshments available. This event is fundraising for Jubilee Hall funds.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Come with us into the frozen lands of the Arctic for this heart-warming story for the festive season and meet Malina, an excitable young Inuit girl who lives with her Grandpa.

Into Malina’s frozen world comes a dream, and in that dream comes a stranger, whose ship is crushed in the ice. When she discovers her dream has become real Malina knows only she can save the stranger’s life – with just a little help from Grandpa and his magic drum.

Angel Heart, who brought the very popular Oshima and the Big Sea to north Devon, tell magical stories and myths using shadow puppetry, live music and a specially commissioned soundtrack.

“They were fantastic and we received really good feedback from everyone. We would definitely like more of that type of event.” Emma Morrison, Welcombe promoter on Oshima

Suitable for family audiences

Sunday, 17th October. Welcombe Village Hall. 2pm. Tickets £5(ad)/£4(ch)/£15(fam) - Tel 01288 331389.

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

It’s 1348 in a rural seaside town. A slightly smelly crowd of peasants is enjoying a showdown wrestling match as a ship sails unnoticed into the harbour … but this ship is carrying a lethal cargo. Before long the Black Death has arrived and panic spreads across the town.

Shanty Theatre has been likened to its famous Cornish cousin Kneehigh Theatre for producing lively, inventive and very memorable shows which, above all else, guarantee a great night out for all the family.

“It’s full of quirky humour, derring-do, eccentric characters, great dancing, fine-singing, multi-instrumental musicianship and fun.” Gay Pirrie-Weir, Blackmore Vale Magazine

Suitable for family audiences

Thurssday 14th October. Woolacombe Village Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 870510.

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

It’s 1348 in a rural seaside town. A slightly smelly crowd of peasants is enjoying a showdown wrestling match as a ship sails unnoticed into the harbour … but this ship is carrying a lethal cargo. Before long the Black Death has arrived and panic spreads across the town.

Shanty Theatre has been likened to its famous Cornish cousin Kneehigh Theatre for producing lively, inventive and very memorable shows which, above all else, guarantee a great night out for all the family.

“It’s full of quirky humour, derring-do, eccentric characters, great dancing, fine-singing, multi-instrumental musicianship and fun.” Gay Pirrie-Weir, Blackmore Vale Magazine

Suitable for family audiences

Wednesday 13th October. Chulmleigh Community College. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01769 580215.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

"It's like listening to a cross between shakespeare and mike Skinner of the streets ... a joyful experience" The Scotsman

Suitable for young people aged 16+ and adult audiences. Parental advisory - occasional strong language and minor nudity.

Saturday, 9th October. Stanbury Hall, Petroc, Barnstaple. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50(ad)/£5(under 18s) - from Petroc or by calling Beaford Arts on 01805 603201.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Composer and trumpeter Steve Chadwick, who was last seen at Beaford with the Village Band, returns to north Devon with the musician and composer Robin Harris for this very unusual combination of cinema and live music – a silent film play-along.

Using their own versions of well-known jazz swing tunes, Harris and Chadwick show just how easy it is to create a soundtrack for two of Buster Keaton’s short films, Sherlock Jr and One Week. After showing how it’s done with one film, and a brief coaching session, they invite the audience to have a go with the second screening, and the mayhem begins!

First seen at the Barbican International Children’s Film Festival in London, this promises to be a very amusing evening of laughter and mayhem, but with a great sense of achievement guaranteed for all ages.

”A brilliant mix of musical high jinks and an educational introduction to film accompaniment; Robin Harris and Steve Chadwick are excellent musicians who lead with professionalism, artistry and charisma.” Moira McVean, director of London Children’s Film Festival.

Suitable for all ages

Friday 8th October. Manor Hall, Berrynarbor. 6.30pm. Tickets £8.50(ad)/£5(ch)/£25(fam) - Tel 01271 883897. 

Movie snacks included in ticket price. BYO drinks.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Composer and trumpeter Steve Chadwick, who was last seen at Beaford with the Village Band, returns to north Devon with the musician and composer Robin Harris for this very unusual combination of cinema and live music – a silent film play-along.

Using their own versions of well-known jazz swing tunes, Harris and Chadwick show just how easy it is to create a soundtrack for two of Buster Keaton’s short films, Sherlock Jr and One Week. After showing how it’s done with one film, and a brief coaching session, they invite the audience to have a go with the second screening, and the mayhem begins!

First seen at the Barbican International Children’s Film Festival in London, this promises to be a very amusing evening of laughter and mayhem, but with a great sense of achievement guaranteed for all ages.

”A brilliant mix of musical high jinks and an educational introduction to film accompaniment; Robin Harris and Steve Chadwick are excellent musicians who lead with professionalism, artistry and charisma.” Moira McVean, director of London Children’s Film Festival.

Suitable for all ages

Thursday 7th October. Knowstone Village Hall. 7pm. Tickets £7(ad)/£4.50(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01398 341764. 

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Composer and trumpeter Steve Chadwick, who was last seen at Beaford with the Village Band, returns to north Devon with the musician and composer Robin Harris for this very unusual combination of cinema and live music – a silent film play-along.

Using their own versions of well-known jazz swing tunes, Harris and Chadwick show just how easy it is to create a soundtrack for two of Buster Keaton’s short films, Sherlock Jr and One Week. After showing how it’s done with one film, and a brief coaching session, they invite the audience to have a go with the second screening, and the mayhem begins!

First seen at the Barbican International Children’s Film Festival in London, this promises to be a very amusing evening of laughter and mayhem, but with a great sense of achievement guaranteed for all ages.

”A brilliant mix of musical high jinks and an educational introduction to film accompaniment; Robin Harris and Steve Chadwick are excellent musicians who lead with professionalism, artistry and charisma.” Moira McVean, director of London Children’s Film Festival.

Suitable for all ages

Wednesday 6th October. Burrington Village Hall. 7pm. Tickets £7(ad)/£4.50(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01769 520241.

Refreshments available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Be transported to distant lands through the mesmerising music of this highly accomplished ensemble which has a distinct acoustic classical sound and has worked and recorded with some of the most celebrated African artists around today.

Headed by the prolific producer and songwriter, Tunde Jegede, the ensemble has uncovered and now performs traditional African music that is in danger of being lost or forgotten. They have also worked on film and television soundtracks and collaborated with the London Sinfonietta and BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

The musicians use both traditional and modern instruments and they perform against a stunning backdrop of photographic images of Mali, creating a truly magical and atmospheric experience.

“Strikingly elegant … subtly blending the ebb and flow of traditional kora-playing with dynamic bass-treble contrasts more familiar from western guitar music, Jegede’s virtuosity glowed.” The Guardian

Suitable for all ages

Saturday 25th September. Lee Parish Church. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50 (ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 862906.

Post show supper £4 booked in advance (£5 on the night).

Buy tickets online

View Basket

Be transported to distant lands through the mesmerising music of this highly accomplished ensemble which has a distinct acoustic classical sound and has worked and recorded with some of the most celebrated African artists around today.

Headed by the prolific producer and songwriter, Tunde Jegede, the ensemble has uncovered and now performs traditional African music that is in danger of being lost or forgotten. They have also worked on film and television soundtracks and collaborated with the London Sinfonietta and BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.

The musicians use both traditional and modern instruments and they perform against a stunning backdrop of photographic images of Mali, creating a truly magical and atmospheric experience.

“Strikingly elegant … subtly blending the ebb and flow of traditional kora-playing with dynamic bass-treble contrasts more familiar from western guitar music, Jegede’s virtuosity glowed.” The Guardian

Suitable for all ages

Friday 24th September. The Barn, Tapeley Park, Instow. 8pm. Tickets £7.50 (ad)/£5(ch)/£20(fam) - Tel 01271 861224.

Pay bar available.

Buy tickets online

View Basket

The parents trace their child's journey from the security of the idyllic leafy lanes of Devon to the dangerous, arid deserts of Afghanistan...

Using a mix of modern media technology and fire-side storytelling as ancient as the Devon hills around them, the parents hurtle on an emotional roller-coaster of memory and present dilemmas.

The story also reflects common themes of family life, the laughter and tears, the frustrations, the fun and fighting familiar to parents and young people, everywhere.

Josh's Monsters was written and created by multi story during the 2009/10 Breathing Space theatre residency programme at Beaford Arts.

"Superb acting, culminating in a highly captivating experience." Patrick Chappell, Behind the Fringe, on multi story's Sealskin.

Suitable for adult audiences and older children aged 11+

Saturday, 18th September. Swimbridge Vilage Hall. 7.30pm. Tickets £7.00(ad) / £5(ch) / £20 (fam) - Tel 01271 831009.

Pay bar available

Buy tickets online

View Basket

These are songs are steeped in delta blues traditions with a dark lyrical humour, timelessly simple enough to leave them swimming around in your head for days.

Joining Thomas are British Blues Awards finalist Vince Lee and Al Wallis, from internationally acclaimed blues and roots band The Wildcards. The line-up is completed by Thomas’ brother Timmy Langsford, his sister Becca Langsford, and longtime musical companion Junior Pearson.

"A raw delight. album of the month." 247 magazine

"If you like blues-soaked rock and roll oozing with soul, you're gonna love this band! They've just unleashed their brilliant debut album and are destined for big things." Go2 magazine

Suitable for all ages.

Friday 10th September, Boston Tea Party, Barnstaple. 8pm. Tickets £8 - Tel 01271 329070.

Bar and food available. Please call to pre-book your meal from the menu.

Buy online

View Basket

Each year Beaford Arts works in partnership with the Appledore Visual Arts Festival to bring performances to their programme.  This year in our first co-commission, we supported Katie Etheridge’s Signpost project.

An uprooted signpost was carried through the streets of Appledore collecting stories, issues and contemporary reflections of people’s experiences and histories of life, work and visits to the village.

The signpost was written and re-written in response to its location, and in conversation with passers-by, pointing to places, people and events, both real and imagined, past and future.

A new Signpost for Exeter is currently being exhibited at the Exeter Phoenix Gallery until September 2010.  Find out more at www.exeterphoenix.org.uk

About the Artist

Katie Etheridge is an artist working across disciplines to create new work for a wide variety of contexts. Her work is often concerned with bringing to life lost, hidden and imagined histories through close encounters with audiences.

Katie loves working outside in streets and fields and enjoys projects that create the possibility for meaningful connections with local people and places. She is based in Devon where she lectures at Dartington College of Arts.

To find out more go to www.oldclockshop.co.uk

The group spent a day doing workshops for three local primary schools - Burrington, Black Torrington and Winkleigh, followed by a performance called Morning Choices.

The workshops and play all have an environmental theme and teach children how to think about the way they live and the choices they make each day.

Click here to read more about the visit.

Black Torrington school make wallets out of Tetra drinks packs

Burrington school plays the Great Banana Chain Game

Winkleigh school pupils and the Grow Your Own workshop

About 100 schools in London are involved this week in Children's Art Day, with activities taking place in schools, librairies, galleries and museums.

The campaign has been backed by London mayor Boris Johnson and artist Tracey Emin.

In a quote in a BBC news article Tracey Emin said: "The art gallery can be a place for a really good day out.

"People can experience art in all different kinds of ways and all different kinds of levels. The earlier children go to an art gallery the more they accept art into their lives."

Students on a Devon Learning and Development Partnership residential course at Beaford Arts have been on a day trip to St Ives where they visited Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum.

Arts education and course development leader at Beaford Arts, Caroline Preston said: "Throughout the day children were able to draw from observations in the grounds of the Barbara Hepworth Museum and were able to visit Tate St Ives and learn from a gallery educator and take notes, draw and understand the collection.

"They also drew from observation on the seafront and are now working hard in our studios on work towards a final piece for exhibition."

She said experiencing artists' work first hand was very important. "It's about understanding and feeling the process and then producing their own work in response."

Read more about the St Ives visit on Beaford work experience student Ruth Ferns-Duncan's blog in our news section.

Otesha originates from Canada but projects have taken place across the world, including a cycle tour in Australia.

Their latest UK cycle tour began on July 2nd at Land's End. As they travel through the country they will stop at schools, festivals and communities giving workshops and performances.

They arrrive at Beaford on Monday to meet pupils from Burrington , Black Torrington and Winkleigh primary schools.

Chulmleigh college work experience student Ruth Ferns-Duncan, who has been at Beaford Arts for the last two weeks, has been finding out a bit more about the project and what will be happening next week...

As crazy as it may sound, the plan is that Otesha are going to cycle from Land's End all the way to John O’Groats, while giving performances and workshops on the way!

This is a very exiting upcoming event for Beaford as the team will be stopping here on Monday the 19^th of July. We hope the weather will be good as it would be fantastic to hold these workshops outside.

For the schools taking part there are three workshops lined up. Firstly there is the Great Banana Chain Game which through role play, examines food production and fair-trade.

Then there is the recycled fashion workshop. The clue is in the name. This workshop involves turning old junk into fashionable attire. On their website Otesha say, "They’ll learn how to make Tetra packs and other unlikely items into wallets".

Finally there is the Grow Your Own workshop. This is all about getting stuck in and a bit mucky by planting seeds to grow. This will also allow children to make connections about where food comes from and think about issues such as climate change and fair trade.

Everyone will then get the chance to watch the Otesha team perform. They will be showing a play based on their award winning performance Morning Choices which has been re-worked to fit a UK audience.

It explores the themes of fashion, food, media, trade, transport and money. The main character, Gilly, goes on an adventure through the back of her wardrobe, meeting everyone from Cilla Black to Jamie Oliver and a very handsome credit card, and making connections between global issues and her own lifestyle along the way.

As you may have been able to tell, both by the workshops, the play and the LONG cycle ride, Otesha is all about the environment and climate change.

They like to highlight issues about how the world is changing and what we can do to point things in the right direction. Hopefully everyone will come away having learnt something valuable about our changing world and the event should be a great success. So we really look forward to seeing you there and fingers crossed for the good weather!

by Ruth Ferns-Duncan

Read more about Otesha on their website.

15/07/2010

Busy, Busy, Busy...  

   I would say that today was pretty eventful! I uploaded, resized and produced stacks of photos for the student's project work and managed to offend the very temperamental printer somehow! You see as I was printing the masses and masses of photos the printer kept making pretty angry peculiar noises. After a while it packed up and died but slowly, whilst making more grinding noises, it slowly reeled out what seemed to be a plain sheet of paper. When I looked more closely however it read "Offending Command!". We all found this quite funny, I was the first person to have offended their printer! Other than that i feel a real sense of achievement after today because i was able to work under stress and get lots of jobs done at once. I ended the day with a really nice chat with Caroline as she wouldn't be in tomorrow. I'm extremely pleased because i wont be leaving Beaford for good; Caroline has offered me a one off job, helping out with residentials. I am really exited about this prospect and look forward to working here again. 

14/07/2010

Off To St Ives... 

  WOW. Today was absolutely fantastic! Apart from the very early start and the late 9 O’clock finish I saw some pretty stunning artwork, scenery and extreme weather fronts! After the long 3 hour journey up to St Ives, the first thing that struck all of us was the setting. The combined headlands, rows of houses and the stunning beach were just amazing. I just wanted capture all of it, but it was impossible! After splitting up into to groups, the group lead by Sadie and I made our way over to the TATE art gallery. The building itself was a work of art. The architecture was very much revolved around the amazing beach opposite, to make the best use of the astonishing views. After a very interesting guided tour of the gallery, we had a bit of lunch and Sadie did a quick bit of demos on preparing some sketchbook pages for beach drawings. As soon as we got down onto the beach we were striate away attacked by an angry raincloud. Everyone got completely drenched; I ended up wearing the bin bag I was sat on! After legging it up to some shelter we got sketching and painting right away. It was so difficult to mix the right paints as the colours around us were always changing. It was really nice to walk around and look at what some of the other students had come up with. Once we had finished on the beach we walked up to visit Barbra Hepworth’s garden full of sculptures. Although the sculptures weren’t really up my street, it was very clever because when you looked through some of the holes in the sculptures, they lined up with views of the beach. I managed to get a couple of decent sketches before it was time to leave. Unfortunately on the way back to the coach, we were violently attacked by the raincloud again so all got drenched for the second time! Back at Beaford we served up dinner and I had a lovely meal with the staff. All I can say is Sarah makes a fantastic gooseberry chutney!

13/07/2010

And So, The Resedential Begins...  Today was all in all a bit manic! I spent all morning getting the many residential students settled in, which meant a LOT of going up down and around the building! Then it was a case of issuing name tags and guiding students to the right locations… As people were coming in dribs and drabs of different schools, this was not as easy as it sounds! Once everyone was settled however, I found today to be great fun and I learned quite a lot. I met Phil, Sarah & Sadie for the first time today, all of which are lovely! They very kindly allowed me to have a sketch book so that I could join in with some project work. It was really interesting because I was able to learn about some artists and try out some of their techniques. Some of the workshops Beaford holds are fantastic! Unfortunately I couldn’t join the group on the nature walk because I had some urgent scanning, resizing and printing to do, which Phil was very pleased about! I really enjoyed today and look forward to working with everyone in St Ives Tomorrow.

12/07/2010

Staff photoshoot & sketchbook scanning continued... Once again I spent most of today tying up odds and ends of last week. I continued scanning sketchbooks and then, lucky me, I had to go and photograph all of the staff! Well I say all of them however I will have to do most of them tomorrow, seeing as many of the staff escaped! I did a little bit of work in Photoshop arranging the staff photos onto an A3 sheet. To finish off the day I used the camera to get some close up shots of the sketchbooks.  

09/07/2010

Education Poster & sketchbook Scanning... I spent most of the day today finishing off the education poster for Caroline and I’m really quite pleased with the outcome! It was pretty useful for me to have done this task as it’s allowed me to get to grips with photo shop and to get a taste of the marketing side of things. I later spent my time scanning some of the amazing sketchbooks which are going to be used as inspiration for next week’s workshops. The textures and graphics were incredible to look at.  The only problem was, it took 10 minutes to scan each page… imagine doing 25 of them! I’m sure the time and effort will be worth it.

08/07/2010

Felt Making Workshops... Today was fantastic fun! I got a chance to work with Caroline and really get evolved with the education side of Beaford. I helped to support a couple of workshops in felt making. This was brilliant in both ways because I love working with children and teaching but also I learned a lot because I’ve never made felt before! It was really nice going round and helping kids with their work and seeing what ideas they would come up with. Not to mention the amazing outcomes of their work. It’s incredible to see the transformation of the materials and how they evolve from clumps of wool to a beautifully smooth flat picture. It was a very rewarding task for us and the children and I think everyone learnt something. 

07/07/2010

Marketing And Web Design...  This morning I had the chance to talk to Catherine about what she does for the centre. I found out that her work is very IT based and it was really interesting talking about it with her as Marketing and web design is something I really like to do. She talked to me about aspects of the website and talked me through the software she uses. We also shared some ideas of what things we could change or introduce into the website and today was when I actually set up this blog on the website. Another part of Catherine’s job is to create posters and flyers. Some of you may be aware that Beaford now has a travelling cinema and someone has got to make the film posters…  I had a go at doing one for the film ‘Avatar’. I really enjoyed doing this as not only was I able to apply my graphic design skills but it also involved researching about the copyright laws for the images I was using. Attempting to print these posters was a whole other matter! The printer here can be quite temperamental, so as you can imagine when we finally did get our first decent poster it was a case of literally legging it back to the computer and printing as many copies as possible! After lunch, I began to help Caroline with a huge mail out which meant putting together information sheets, forms, maps, then putting them in envelopes. Caroline introduced me to a machine that weighs and stamps letters which was quite a clever device. I feel that I have learned a lot about the business side of things today and all in all thoroughly enjoyed it!  

06/07/2010

About The Archive...  Today I began with getting to know what the archive was all about. I sat down with Kathryn and she explained about the archive and showed me some photographs of where the negatives are being held. Apparently they are in a room where if there is a fire, the room will seal and fill up with gas which is a little unnerving! I then watched a half hour documentary about the Beaford archive which made everything become much clearer! I found James Ravilious’ photography stunning and love his work. After the film Kathryn introduced a couple of the projects she had been working on about the archive, one of which involved removing old Ravilious photos from frames in order to prepare the frames for a James Ravilious exhibition over in Hungary. This was a job I was happy to do! After this we talked about another project which had been waiting to be finalised for months now. It was basically a walk where people would be able to visit some of the locations where some of James’ photos had been taken. I really enjoyed looking at the photos and discussing some of the projects. Later on I did some file sorting and attempted the angry paper shredder, exciting I know! To finish off the day I made a start in Photoshop, designing the poster advertising workshops and residentials. I really enjoyed finding out about James Ravilious today, found it very interesting.

05/07/2010

My First Day...    After having been introduced to the staff and the building (and had a lovely cup of coffee!) I talked with Caroline about the education aspects of Beaford Arts. I learned about how the centre puts on different residentials and workshops to fit people of different ages and abilities. We looked on the website at the many different courses that could be done. After this I was given some time to make notes and review parts of the website. Later on I had a chance to talk with Hannah about the marketing side of things. It was quite exiting as we began with looking at some of the performers that are going into next season’s brochure. Hannah gave a brief explanation of each act and we went on to talk about how Beaford Arts would fit performances to certain venues, while I was shown some examples of events which had been organised by the centre. I loved seeing some of the unique acts and some of the fantastic events that had already been put on by Beaford. I found learning about the process behind organising all of the events and the brochure extremely interesting and really look forward to getting the chance to do some myself! Later on I wrote a news report promoting the Otesha project that will be coming to Beaford next Monday. This Report can now be viewed online at http://www.beaford-arts.org.uk/index.php?id=29&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=229&cHash=aa155558f7. I also got to photograph some exhibition work for Caroline. I feel that I’ve learned a lot more about the Centre today and look forward to finding out about the archive tomorrow.

The exhibition called Familiar Visions, marks the first time the work of James has featured alongside paintings by his father Eric Ravilious.

The exhibition was curated by the Towner Gallery with James’ widow Robin Ravilious, who still lives in north Devon.

The Towner has a long association with Eric Ravilious and holds what is thought to be the largest single collection of his work.

The exhibition includes key works from this collection as well as major loans and works from private collections. About 70 photographs from the James Ravilious archive were selected by the gallery working with Robin.

Familiar Visions focuses on their two chosen landscapes, Eric’s watercolour paintings (and also some wood engravings) of Sussex and James’ 17 year photographic record of the north Devon countryside.

Although the artists worked in two different locations, many years apart, Eric’s pre-war Sussex landscape, probably held many similarities with the Devon scenes that James captured forty years later.

“There are many aspects I think Eric would recognise, and the people too,” said Robin.

“James was not particularly influenced by his father, but they both liked the same things, the landscape and the use of light and they were particularly interested in recording every day qualities, of ordinary life.”

She added: “James spent a lot of his younger life in the artist’s shadow and this exhibition will see them on an equal footing. I’m excited and delighted this is happening.”

The exhibition runs until Sunday, September 5. Click here for more information. 

Or visit the Towner Gallery on Facebook.

Katie will be walking around Appledore each afternoon on Friday, June 4th and Saturday, June 5th. You can catch her near the Festival Information Point at 12noon, at the top of Bude Street at 2pm and at 4pm around the Glove Factory.

If you do meet Katie on her travels, why not stop and say hello and see what she is writing on the signpost ...

Katie Etheridge is an artist working across disciplines to create new work for a wide variety of contexts. Her work is often concerned with bringing to life lost, hidden and imagined histories through close encounters with audiences. Katie loves working outside in streets and fields and enjoys projects that create the possibility for meaningful connections with local people and places. She is based in Devon where she lectures at Dartington College of Arts.

This is a free event.

Katie will be walking around Appledore each afternoon on Friday, June 4th and Saturday, June 5th. You can catch her near the Festival Information Point at 12noon, at the top of Bude Street at 2pm and at 4pm around the Glove Factory.

If you do meet Katie on her travels, why not stop and say hello and see what she is writing on the signpost ...

Katie Etheridge is an artist working across disciplines to create new work for a wide variety of contexts. Her work is often concerned with bringing to life lost, hidden and imagined histories through close encounters with audiences. Katie loves working outside in streets and fields and enjoys projects that create the possibility for meaningful connections with local people and places. She is based in Devon where she lectures at Dartington College of Arts.

This is a free event.

The Fine Art course was for Gifted and Talented students who came from schools across Devon including Plymstock School, Colyton Grammar School, Ivybridge, Newton Abbot, Kingsbridge and Exmouth community colleges, Notre Dame RC School and Blundell's School.

The course tutors were Cathy Palmer, Sarah Maude and Beaford's arts education and course development leader, Caroline Preston.

The students worked across a range of disciplines including creating a collaborative piece of site specific sculpture. The sculptures were exhibited around the house and gardens as part of an exhibition for parents who came to collect the students on a, much sunnier, Thursday afternoon.

See more photos of the artwork by clicking here.

The Storybook Yurt is a joint project between Beaford Arts and the Arvon Foundation. It is a unique drop-in workshop giving a flavour of writing and illustration to children aged between 7 and 16.

Peter Bently is a Devon-based author of children's fiction whose books include The Great Dog Bottom Swap and The Shark in the Dark.

Karen Raingold originally trained in fine art, but now works as a freelance illustrator, based in London.

Peter and Karen will be in the yurt at the seafront from 11am to 6pm on Thursday, June 3rd and Friday, June 4th.

You can drop in for a brief visit and create your own storybook character, or you can stay for the whole day and let Peter and Karen help you put your chracters into a setting and build up a story around them.

Just have fun and let your imagination run riot!

This is a free event.

Chris, 37, from Weare Giffard, has donated two of his most striking ceramic pieces to Beaford Arts as a thank you to the centre which he said helped him develop his creative talent by providing him with a rent-free studio workspace.

Moving into the pottery workshop at Beaford four years ago became a creative lifeline for Chris. Prior to that he had been working in a garage in Bideford, with no kiln, running water or heating.

“Working in a garage in the winter was particularly hard, especially when you have cold pots that just don’t dry.”

Having the space at Beaford gave him plenty of new opportunities as well as the freedom to develop his own style. He started by following the traditions of the local area, using coloured clays and low firings, but he now creates his own contemporary take on a range of earthenware tableware, using white clay.

“Beaford gave me the room to expand and opportunities came up here. It gave me the chance to experiment and research and find out what interested me, without the pressure of finding £300 or £400 a month for rent.”

Children who visit Beaford for educational art and design courses would encounter Chris in his studio, giving an extra dimension to the educational work at Beaford.

The centre’s director Mark Wallace said: “When schools come through they get to see a real, live working artist. And it’s also important that new art is made here as we are an arts centre.”

Chris’ interest in pottery started about 14 years ago.

“I was working in a library in London, and started doing evening classes, various things and pottery was one of the things I did.”

But it was when he moved to Bristol he truly “fell in love” with pottery and ceramics.

He did his apprenticeship in pottery at Dartington in south Devon but initially moved to north Devon when he rented a shared studio at Hartland.

Within a year of arriving in North Devon, as a way of subsidising his creative work, Chris also started teaching at North Devon College, and he continued to teach at Petroc during his time at Beaford. It was needing to develop his teaching skills that partly led him to apply to do the MA course at the Royal College of Art.

Mark was delighted to receive the ceramics from Chris, which will be kept on display at Beaford Arts.

He said : “It’s something that has summarised the end stage of Chris’ journey and time at Beaford, a culmination of the work, but also something we can exhibit as a reminder.”

The presentation of the bowl to Beaford was covered by the North Devon Journal, and an interesting twist to the story was revealed. Click here to read more.

The Storybook Yurt is a joint project between Beaford Arts and the Arvon Foundation. It is a unique drop-in workshop giving a flavour of writing and illustration to children aged between 7 and 16.

Peter Bently is a Devon-based author of children's fiction whose books include The Great Dog Bottom Swap and The Shark in the Dark.

Karen Raingold originally trained in fine art, but now works as a freelance illustrator, based in London.

Peter and Karen will be in the yurt at the seafront from 11am to 6pm on Thursday, June 3rd and Friday, June 4th.

You can drop in for a brief visit and create your own storybook character, or you can stay for the whole day and let Peter and Karen help you put your chracters into a setting and build up a story around them.

Just have fun and let your imagination run riot!

This is a free event.

He gave two performances in our area, at St Brannock's Church in Braunton and at Bishops Tawton church, near Barnstaple.

The event at Bishops Tawton was the very last date on the tour and earlier that day Harald had given a workshop for about eight young violinists at nearby Newport church.

Photographer Jim Wileman took some images at the workshop. Click here to view.

Harald was on tour with the singer Helene Blum, percussionist Sune Rahbek and guitarist Rasmus Zeeberg, who together form the Harald Haugaard Quartet.

The Bishops Tawton event ended with a standing ovation and huge applause, and countless appeals for a return visit. Soon after it finished the musicians had to pack their bags and head back up the motorway to catch an early morning flight to Denmark the next day.