A weekend of creative development, allyship and professional feedback
Our first Kitchen Table Weekender was a brilliant success. This artist-centred programme provided time and space for artists to consider current work and future potential. It focused on personal growth and practice through reflective critique, collaborative creative thinking, professional feedback and well-being in the unique, ancient landscape of Dartmoor National Park.
Who is this for?
Any UK-based or international non-binary or artist-women who:
Have an active practice as a visual artist - at any stage of their career
Want to recalibrate and recognize their capabilities as contemporary artists
Hope to push their practice forward and reach new audiences and organisations
Are excited to discuss ideas with their peers and grow their networks
What is included?
Focused time to consider your ideas and push your practice in a rural space
Networking, discussion and community building with artists and curators
Collaborative and structured learning with active industry professionals
Two night’s accommodation in an intimate home and residency setting committed to inspiring creativity
Opportunities for walking and hiking in the ancient landscape of Dartmoor
Free access to our onsite wellbeing treatments including sound bathing, wild swimming pond and wood-fired sauna
Home-cooked nourishing meals
About us
Dr Ella S Mills has been embedded in the contemporary art industry and academia for 20 years. As a scholar and curator Ella offers a unique model of artist support and advising combining conceptual, critical thinking with practical professional guidance and networking. Her research and regular speaking invitations have included the National Gallery, V&A, Royal Academy, Bluecoat Liverpool and Modern Art Oxford. She has published widely including for Art Monthly, Journal of Contemporary Painting, and exhibition catalogues for Turner Prize artists Lubaina Himid, Ingrid Pollard and Claudette Johnson. Ella was a member of the Black Artists and Modernism Project, led by Sonia Boyce, a project culminating in the BBC4 documentary Whoever Heard of a Black Artist. In addition to her artist consulting and guidance Ella also lectures in Fine Art and History of Art of the University of Plymouth and is creative director of curating practice talking on corners with artist printmaker Lorna Rose.
Vashti Cassinelli is a contemporary art curator, founder of Southcombe Barn, an artist residency, retreat and gallery space creating an inspiring, nurturing and grounded environment for artists to develop ideas and connections between landscapes, communities, here and beyond borders. Southcombe Barn is committed to fairer representation in the arts and supports early, through to established, career artists.
Southcombe Barn
Southcombe Barn has a range of ecosystems including wildflower meadows, temperate rainforest woodland, ponds and streams. Set within the Dark Skies Reserve, nights can be spent gazing up at star-filled skies and sunsets and sunrises enjoyed from nearby tors. The Dartmoor National Park has incredible walks and wild swimming spots.
Key details
Group size: Limited to 6 places
Location: Southcombe Barn, TQ13 7TU
Price: £750 p/p sharing room or £950 for single occupancy
Times: 4pm Friday 28 Feb - Sunday 2 March 1pm
Or for full details visit: southcombebarn.com/events/