Exhibition Archives - Blackpool Social Club

12 Jul

Exhibition Review: Darren Elwell at HIVEArts

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool art scene, Exhibition, graphic design

Having reviewed several of Darren Elwell's exhibitions previously, David Simper was keen to see how his work had developed. He headed to HIVEArts for the opening night to see the local artist's latest collection, and managed to grab him for a quick chat too. Having caught the service 61 into Blackpool in time for the 17:30 private view of Darren Elwell's new exhibition at HIVEArts, my first impression was that the artist had further consolidated his style since I last reviewed his work. His line is confident and assured, while the compositions are packed with detail that rewards careful viewing.…

09 Dec

Art Exhibition at Aunty Social- Introducing Keith Downey

Joe Booth0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsArt, Aunty Social, Blackpool, Exhibition, painting

This week, Aunty Social is proud to introduce the work of local artist, Keith Downey by hosting an exhibition at their Topping Street venue from Thursday 11 to Friday 12 December. Now living in Blackpool, but born in Romney Marsh in Kent, Keith works in the style of the Dutch Masters, using oil paint on canvas. From childhood, Keith was clear he was only ever going to paint still-life or work with animals. Painting won, and he studied Illustration at Medway College of Design in the late 1970s. "From before I can remember, I absolutely loved that style of art…

18 Nov

Exhibition Review: Grundy Art Gallery autumn exhibitions

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsdisabled artists, Exhibition, grundy art gallery, neurodivergent artists

The current show at the Grundy Art Gallery focuses on light, the moving imge and the work of neurodivergent and disabled artists. David Simper popped in on Saturday to see what this work was about. This show features a number of sub-exhibitions and different artists, spread between the foyer, main and two side galleries. These are based around the concept of STIM cinema, established by the Neurocultures Collective with aims to provide opportunity for neurodivergent creatives. The collected works explore light and the moving image. The pieces focus on the concept of stimming. Stimming can be defined as the practice…

26 Sep

Exhibition Review: Always Look on the Bright Side

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblackpool arts scene, Exhibition, photography

Always keen to present Blackpool in a positive light through a thriving arts scene, HIVEArts has put together an eclectic mix of photographs, celebrating the upside of our fine resort. David Simper returned from an event in Liverpool in good time to view the collection, delayed only slightly at Poulton by a trespasser on the track. Always Look on the Bright Side is a group exhibition of work from some acomplished photographers and a great exhibition to brighten our lives as the days lengthen into autumn. The clocks going back beckons and winter is only just over the horizon. It…

08 Sep

Exhibition Review: Hannah Elizabeth – Those Sweet Moments

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, Exhibition, hivearts, painting

Local artist Hannah Elizabeth is displaying her work at HIVE gallery on Church Street. David Simper caught the service 3a bus down to the opening. This one was popular with a large number of people in the downstairs cafe and display area, taking in this excellent work. I had carelessly thought that Hannah's work was acrylic, but it transpired the material was tester paint pots from a former well known DIY outlet. The paintings are large and presented unframed, which works for these strong, bold paintings. This is Hannah's first solo show and I think we are very lucky to…

24 Jun

Exhibition Review: Capital of Dance

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, blackpool arts scene, dance, Exhibition, hivearts

The HIVEArts collective has curated a new dance themed exhibition. Declaring his interest in having a piece in this show, David Simper bused it down to the Church Street gallery to catch some exciting art and enjoy a coffee with friends. In the absence of an opening event for this fine exhibition, I combined a view with a social visit to the weekly HIVE Jive gathering in the Church Street gallery. A good cup of coffee was had; cake was resisted. The exhibition features the HIVEArts collective's typically eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media and this time, costume,…

26 Apr

Exhibition Review: No.12 Collective

David Simper1 CommentVisual Arts & ExhibitionsExhibition, photographic exhibition, photography, uclan

With varied photographic show on offer at The HIVEArts Church Street gallery, David Simper was close to duty bound to catch the service 61 bus and view what turned out to be an excellent show exhibited by a talented group of students. The HIVE shop roller shutter was down when I arrived, a little early, for this exhibition, which gave time for a little sit down and some reflection. Soon we were able to climb the broad stairs to witness a ribbon cutting by local photographer, Richard Davis, who stayed to socialise and view the work. After this the gallery…

06 Feb

Exhibition Review: Celebrating Blackpool’s LGBTQ+ history

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsblackpool arts scene, Exhibition, LGBTQIA, photographic exhibition

As part of Blackpool's Winter Pride Rainbow Weekend, HIVEArts delivered a decade-spanning exhibition of photographs and memorabilia celebrating the town's LGBTQIA+ culture. David Simper nipped down to the Church Street gallery to catch the display. Entering the HIVEArts gallery through an arch of appropriately brightly coloured balloons, the walls were covered in photographs of people, usually in a social or performance situation. These were complemented by memorabilia – mainly posters for evenings featuring local artists and national stars, including Mark Almond and Toyah Wilcox. It's all smiles from the photos' subjects – I can imagine people spending a long time…

21 Nov

Exhibition Review: HIVEArts Winter Collective

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & Exhibitionsart exhibition, Blackpool, blackpool arts scene, Exhibition, hivearts blackpool, winter, winter art collection

Autumn has now transitioned to winter and snow is even forecast. Time to join the HIVEArts team at its Church Street lair, for the opening of its Winter Collective exhibition. David Simper bused it down to Church Street to take a look. There's been quite a run up to this exhibition, allowing everybody to get their pieces lined up, while the HIVEArts team prepared the gallery space. A winter rather than Christmas theme was chosen, as the latter is rather limiting and most people don't want Yuletide themed pieces on their walls all year round. I was able to help…

10 Aug

Exhibition review: Wish You Were Here – postcards from the edge

David Simper0 CommentsVisual Arts & ExhibitionsBlackpool, blackpool art scene, Exhibition, hivearts, photography

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The HiveArts opening night for this fine exhibition had shifted to Friday from the usual Thursday, but no issue to finish work and get down there. As per my previous piece, there have been many weeks to prepare the alternative gallery space for this exhibition in partnership with the Photo North Festival. A better venue to celebrate photography of the British seaside experience could not have been chosen. The exhibition is described as a warm and friendly invitation to seaside themed exhibition celebrating the beauty, charm and often faded glamour of the seaside through the lens of talented photographers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column…