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The York Art Workers' Association is an eclectic group of
craftsmen, artists, conservators, academics and others who share a serious
interest in the arts. Members represent architectural craftsmanship, other
applied arts, all fine arts, architecture and conservation. We welcome not only practitioners in these
fields, whether amateur or professional, but anyone with a keen interest or
appreciation of art and design. We exist
to extend and share our knowledge and experience through a widely varied
programme of monthly talks, normally on the first Monday of the month (doors
open at 7pm, meetings start at 7.30). We also organise occasional courses, workshops, outings and
social events. Our talks are open to anyone.
We meet at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NX. There is parking at the church, on nearby streets and in the local car park by the shops, a few minutes' walk away. There is cycle parking too and it is on a bus route. There is level access and the meeting room is on the ground floor.
Admission: members £3, non members £7.
There is no need to book - please feel free just to turn up!
If you would like to know more about the association, please email info@yorkartworkers.org.uk, or come to the next meeting; we will be very pleased to see you.
Monday November 3rd
Mick Kirkby-Geddes, Metal Sculptor
Born in Sheffield, Micknow lives just outside Holmfirth in the Pennine hills of West Yorkshire. He is based atSculpture Lounge, home to 22 different artists' studios in nearby Holmbridge."In the final year of my Fine Art Degree at Leeds Polytechnic the materials budget ran out and I started using scrap metal. I’ve never looked back since.”Influenced by cartoons, 1970s kids’ tv, books – "anything, really” - he makes sculptures for inside and outside, public art, commissions, works in schools & runs courses. Mick works alone in a workshop full of the discarded junk metal of everyday life. Compelled to see nothing go to waste, he spends all day sorting, cutting and welding the metal back together with new steel to create his sculptures. Usually with a touch of humour, animals, people and machines are re-born as unique pieces of art.
Mick Kirkby-Geddes | Metal Sculptor
Monday December 1st
Peter Burman - founder of YAWA
Peter will reflect on what he calls ‘a life on the edge’ between conservation and creativity. Following a History of Art degree at Cambridge he became Assistant Secretary to the Council for the Care of Churches, where he remained for 22 enjoyable years. During that time he was an active member of the Art Workers’ Guild in London. In 1990 he joined the University of York, leading the Centre for Conservation Studies at The King’s Manor and whilst there became a joint founder of the York Art Workers’ Association.
"I grew up on our family farm in Warwickshire and am constantly aware of how influential those early years were in forming my enthusiasms and interests, my principles and my ideals. I often think how my early experiences and observations were highly influential on my life’s journey. For example, I observed how my father and his foreman could mend practically anything from our farm buildings (now happily mentioned in Pevsner!) to our numerous vehicles. From my father I also learned the value of a meditative approach to life, and how quiet plodding on could often be more effective than pyrotechnics.”
Where, when and how much?
We meet at Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe Road, York YO23 1NX. There is parking at the church, on nearby streets and in the local car park by the shops, a few minutes' walk away. There is cycle parking too and it is on a bus route. There is level access and the meeting room is on the ground floor.
All events are on the first Monday of the month unless otherwise stated.
Events start at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm – please aim to be seated by 7.15pm.
Admission: members £3, non members £7. Half price for students. The fee for membership for 2025 is £22
Membership and programme enquiries to: info@yorkartworkers.org.uk
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