Latest News
Appreciative Journalling Workshop
Helen Bush from Appreciating People is hosting a FREE appreciative journalling workshop at Metal Liverpool on Thursday 2nd May 2013 5-6:30pm. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to book your place.
Appreciative journaling is a positive psychology technique which helps you notice the positive things in life. It's proven to increase personal wellbeing, through small, incremental increases in mindfulness, and noticing - and savouring - the good things that happen around you. It's been used by groups as diverse as the NHS, homeless hostels, people living with dementia and the US army, as well as people who want to change their mindset to the world around them.
When you're starting off in appreciative journaling - we'd suggest you try and capture something every day, but that's more to get you into the routine - it doesn't have to be that prescriptive as you get more accustomed to looking at the world in that way, but is designed to help you remember to appreciate the good things in life. It might be something as simple as seeing a spring flower bloom on the way to work, a compliment from a friend, a favourite song on the radio, or a more significant milestone in your family or career, but the effect is cumulative, and overwhelmingly positive.
During this workshop you'll hear a series of tips on what to notice - or questions to ask yourself if you're struggling to see the good things. It also includes exercises to help you develop those observations as you get more used to journaling. It'll also include a section on creative journaling, and using magazines, newspapers and photos to create a physical vision of your hopes, dreams and aspirations.
The session, on Thursday May 2, will run from 5-6:30pm at Metal @ Edge Hill Station, and is organised by Appreciating People (www.appreciatingpeople.co.uk). Copies of Food for Thought: a journal for appreciating daily life, published by Wordscapes, will be available for half price on the night, at just £6.
Places are free, but you do need to book - please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Written by Colette Bailey 21 March 2013
Singularity, Duality and Multiplicity
Join us at Metal Liverpool on Wednesday 20th March until Friday 22nd March 12:00 – 16:00 for Singularity, Duality and Multiplicity, an exhibition by Liverpool John Moores University First Year fine art students.
'Notions of singularity, duality and multiplicity are explored by first year Fine Art undergraduate students from Liverpool John Moores University. The works reflect experimentation and development of images, including through the use of drawing, for expressing ideas about contemporary life and art.'
The exhibition forms part of LJMU's first year study module Form and Purpose. Metal have been working with the students to develop work for the show helping them to gain experience in a gallery environment from writing proposals to staging, installing and marketing an exhibition.
Written by Colette Bailey 19 March 2013
ITV NEWS
ITV News piece by Tom Barton about Southend on Sea's City of Culture bid, featuring Anthem and Colette Bailey:
Written by Colette Bailey 12 March 2013
Lantern Parade Peterborough
Photo: Copyright Lantern Company
Four Artist’s Bursaries – large scale lantern production and workshop skills
Metal are looking for four bursary artists to work alongside our production team as we create the opening celebrations for Peterborough Arts Festival in September 2013. We are developing, in partnership with the Lantern Company, a large-scale lantern parade and performance for Cathedral Square working with a lead artist, composer, schools and community groups.
As part of the project we are offering four bursaries for artists based in Peterborough and the wider Eastern Region to work alongside the Lantern Company and be part of the main production team.
Deadline: 12pm on Thursday 21 March 2013
Read more and apply here.
Written by Colette Bailey 12 March 2013
Future Park March
Future Park is Metal’s networking and information sharing evening for practicing artists, working in all disciplines, from across South East Essex.
Metal, Chalkwell Hall, Chalkwell Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS0 8NB, Tel: 01702 470700
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14 March 2013
7-8pm Surgery on writing funding applications with Colette Bailey
8pm: 3min wonder presentations
Followed by guest speaker Russell Martin from Artquest and informal discussion over a glass of wine.
Artquest provides everything a visual artist needs to know by encouraging critical engagement and providing practical support. Helping artists to make work, sell work, find work and network, Artquest provides the information to drive creative practice and help artists thrive on some of the lowest incomes in the creative sector. Run by artists, for artists, they build a bridge from student experience to sustainable working life, and throughout the artists' professional career. Artquest launched in 2001, is hosted by University of the Arts London and is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England.
Written by Colette Bailey 12 March 2013