Lumen Studios welcome proposals of artworks which focus on the concept of natural light, coming from the Sun, Moon and Stars. Proposed works may raise awareness of light and air pollution or they may use natural light within the creation process of the work.

Lumen Studios welcome proposals of artworks which focus on the concept of natural light, coming from the Sun, Moon and Stars. Proposed works may raise awareness of light and air pollution or they may use natural light within the creation process of the work. The purpose of this exhibition will be to raise awareness of light and air pollution. This exhibition aims to protect areas benefitting from natural light, whilst also providing an opportunity to appreciate celestial wonders that can be seen within an urban area such as Altrincham. 

We aim to run a number of workshops during the exhibition run, and you are welcome to propose ideas for workshops within the programme. We would like to encourage artists living and working within the North West to apply for this opportunity.

Dates

The exhibition will run from 8-30th November, with an opening party on 07 November 2019.

Deadline: 15 October 2019

Installation:

We would prefer for artists to be present during the installation, which will take place around 6-7 November 2019.

If you are not able to attend, artworks can be posted to AIR Gallery to arrive one week ahead of the exhibition installation.

Venue:

AIR Gallery, 30 Grosvenor Rd, Altrincham WA14 1LD, United Kingdom. Find out more about AIR Gallery below.

Cost:

We have applied for funding to support this opportunity.

AIR Gallery is part of A4 Studios CIC, a not-for-profit community group aimed at providing opportunities for disabled and low income artists. Our community hub provides work spaces for those with disabilities including those with physical impairments, mental health conditions and long term health problems. The studios hosts regular events open to all members of the community and usually raising funds for local causes, such as our recent Alternative fair aimed at raising funds for Hog Haven Hedgehog Hospital.

The gallery is volunteer led and hosts a diverse range of exhibition by emerging and early career artists throughout the North West and supports artists through paid commissions, exhibition opportunities and networking. Our aim at the gallery is to showcase the broad range of what contemporary art can be, whilst having an element of public engagement per show to enhance the visitor’s experience of each exhibition. This is usually through artist talks, curator tours, free workshops and live art performances and demonstrations. 

Since opening our doors in 2017 we have hosted 24 exhibitions and 16 public engagement events. We have supported 253 artists from across the North West and had 8437 visitors to the gallery. We have been part of Manifest Arts Festival 2017 and 2019, collaborated with Sale Arts Trail, Altrincham Arts Festival and RHS Flower Show. We have recently been featured in Cheshire Life Magazine.

Lumen Studios are an art collective, focused on themes of astronomy and light. Through art, exhibitions and seminars we aim to raise a dialogue about how humanity understands existence. The members of Lumen are Louise Beer, Melanie King and Rebecca Huxley.

Lumen has always endeavoured to bring people together, to share in the wonder of being able to look towards the stars. We are committed to building partnerships and developing engagements to promote enhanced wellbeing and self esteem, and believe that the collective witness of natural phenomena such as a night full of stars can create stronger bonds between individuals and communities. 

Lumen has curated exhibitions nationally and internationally since our launch exhibition at the Crypt Gallery in Saint Pancras on the Winter Solstice in December 2014. We have curated exhibitions at Vivid Projects Birmingham, Chelsea College of Art, Phytology, Ugly Duck, Bankley Gallery Manchester, the Grizedale Exhibition Space and many more.  We have been commissioned to make art works by Vivid Projects, Young and Serious, the British Science Association, Greenman Festival and Bluedot Festival. Since May 2015, Lumen have also curated exhibitions within their own gallery space the Crypt at St John on Bethnal Green, including group shows, solo shows and artist in residence programmes. Since September 2015, Lumen have taken 20 artists annually on a residency to the town of Atina, Italy. This residency includes a number of trips to local observatories, art galleries and churches.