This isn’t the blog I intended to write. The sun was out on an early spring day and all felt well in my world.
I have written before about the talented writers in Leamington, in the West Midlands and beyond. Many are commercially successful and/or winners of recognition and awards. Many are not. Creativity needs stickability and support. Writing can be a lonely business- it needs balance between inner space and the outer world. Being published is as hard as it has always been despite the variety of ways in which the finished piece can be read or heard. Self-publishing, mainstream and digital, as well as readings in libraries, book shops and reading groups.
In the broader creative sphere, we’re lucky in Leamington to have the Pump Rooms, a Grade II listed building. It’s managed by Warwick District Council Arts Section. Below is a photo of Steve Jackson’s stained glass piece.It’s part of an Open Exhibition of local artists’ work that’s on display till 3rd May. There are a variety of works – some traditional, some experimental. Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite piece.
Steve Jackson’s stained glass
Until the beginning of February my niece in Glasgow, Rachel Duckhouse, received support from Glasgow City Council. She is part of a print studio at Trongate 103. The below commercial rent was fixed at an affordable rate for artists because of the cultural benefits to Glasgow. The contract was due to last till 2030s. Now, City Property, acting as the council’s landlords, have changed the contract which had to be signed by 28th March. The rent may increase 4-fold in additon to ‘uncapped service charges and repair liabilities.’
Trongate 103 is a cultural hub on a city scale. It hosts ever-changing gallery exhibitions, performances, educational activities, photo developing suites, print studios and community education spaces. It takes up a lot of space and is close to bigger more powerful businesses. At the time of writing, negotiations are ongoing between the Glasgow City Council and the 7 tenants of Trongate 103.
Rachel Duckhouse at 2024 Summer Exhibition
Poets, writers and other creatives face more than the skills to develop their craft. They need self-belief despite the odds, resilience and courage. The very qualities needed by other marginalised groups.
Reading and references: Hilbre Island – John Gough. A Coventry-based novelist who describes facing adversity in the Arts scene in the Midlands. I’m continuing to read: 44 Poems on Being with Each Other edited by Pádraig ÓTuama. My favourite at the moment is Poem by Langston Hughes. In 6 lines he manages to say so much and to keep my reflecting on what he doesn’t say. Something I could do with learning. Kate Atkinson’s Death At the Sign of the Rook. A Jackson Brodie novel. I can understand why it’s well-reviewed but I wasn’t in the frame of mind to skip from character to character. (Exactly what I’m doing in my current novel, so I’ll bear that in mind). The Devil’s Draper – Donna Moore, one of two novels by Draper in a trilogy.
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