Creatrix Mag

New York based Go Push Pops inaugurate the premier issue of CREATRIX MAG with their story about their 2014 residency in Manchester's Alex Park and their final performance HOLY CREATRIXXX. Commissioned by Alexandra Arts for Pankhurst in the Park 2014, HOLY CREATRIXXX – ritual gathering, divine incantation and mystical neo-shamanic coven – was Go! Push Pops’ first work overseas and most comprehensive public project to date. They also facilitated a 5-week Holistic Art for Female Empowerment workshop series for the moms and students of St. Mary’s Primary School. Check it out here

Feminism is For EVERYONE

EMINENT DOMAIN OVERTAKES CHELSEA

The EMINENT DOMAIN recap article is now live over at our Pankhurst in the Park 2018 partner ART511 Magazine website

Photo: Elena Kendall-Aranda, site-specific performance, “Quests from the Virtual Age.” Courtesy the Artist

“EMINENT DOMAIN evolved out of Art 511 Mag’s recent partnership with the Manchester, UK-based Alexandra Arts, when this past Spring, we teamed up to produce a limited edition, 74-page full-color print commission celebrating International Women’s Day and the centenary for UK women’s suffrage (funded by ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND). The edition, available as a free download online here, was made available for purchase during the reception, and features critical essays, interviews and artworks by Marilyn Minter, Narcissister, Melanie Bonajo, Samantha Conlon (Bunny Collective), Go! Push Pops and Anna FC Smith among others. Artists included in the EMINENT DOMAIN show were mostly selected by a competitive open call submission process organized by head curator Katie Cercone.”

— Art 511 Mag

Read the full article here

Art 511 Mag

10 Organisations Helping Artists build Community

Alexandra Arts is named by Art 511 Mag as one of '10 Organisations helping Artists build community' with Ultracultural Others, Minnesota street projects, Beat Global, Culture Push + others. We are truly humbled, to be connected to so many forward thinking creatives who are smashing up the conventional mould of 'community arts'. We are also the only organisation outside the US on the list! Read the full article here

“In addition to their dynamic offerings in the park, Alexandra Arts is perhaps best know for its (international) artist residency program Pankhurst in the Park. Inspired largely by the legacy of the suffragette activism that took place in Alexandra Park and named for iconic movement leader Emmeline Pankhurst.”

— Art 511 Mag

'Sound of Silence' exhibition review 

Radical artist and feminist writer Katie Cercone did a shimmering review of Alexandra Arts lead Artist Lotte Karlsen's solo exhibition 'Sound of Silence' in New York, last September. It's now available to view at Art 511 Mag. 

“In a highly competitive and commercialized industry like art, where working together or calling yourself “feminist” isn’t always a safe or lucrative career move, Karlsen’s insistence on following through with her total vision for integration of self and community feels all encompassing in her radically interdisciplinary work. Her dexterity with the medium of glass and subtle meditation on the nature of life and death promises to shine through in this kinetic, effervescent installation for many moons”

— Katie Cercone, Art 511 Mag

Bunny Collective in International New York Times

This years, Pankhurst in the Park Artist in residency Bunny Collective is making waves in the art world, with a full page interview by Ginanne Brownell Mitic in the International New York Times. In connection with their Frieze art fair edition. Both in print and online. We could not be happier for them!

Lotte Karlsen solo exhibition 'Sound of Silence' in New York

Press Release

Shimmering Sound of Silence travels across the Atlantic

On Thursday 8 September, Norwegian Artist, Lotte Karlsen will officially open her solo exhibition 'Sound of Silence' in West Chelsea Art studios, New York City, as the final installment of an arts programme connecting female artists across the Atlantic.

Highlights:

• Manchester (UK) based collective, Alexandra Arts, celebrates the final installment of Pankhurst in the Park 2016 arts programme in New York City.
• The solo show entitled 'Sound of Silence' will showcase a glass installation  - by Norwegian artist, Lotte Karlsen.
• The pop-up exhibition will launch on Thursday 8 September 6-8pm at Studio 511, West Chelsea Arts Building, West 26th St. New York, NY, and runs until 24 September.
• The exhibition will be housed inside a small white cube nestled inside artist Scotto Mycklebust's studio - executive producer of the Public Art Squad Project. Visitors will have exclusive access to this private artist studio, which is based in the heart of West Chelsea's Arts district.
• Sarah Gavron, director of award-winning 2015 film, Suffragette, was one of several female artists to have taken part in the Pankhurst in the Park programme, which has also involved New York artists collectives Go! Push Pops and Legacy Fatale.

With an exhibition housed inside a white cube entitled ‘Sound of Silence’, Lotte Karlsen returns to her specialist medium of glass for what will be her first solo show in New York, to create a site specific work which explores and deals with her relationship to her own mortality.

Lotte Karlsen, Artist, founder of Alexandra Arts and curator of Pankhurst in the Park, commented:

“For this final installment of Pankhurst in the Park 2016 in New York City, I’m delighted to have my work showcased in the heart of the west side of Chelsea; NYC’s premier contemporary-art district.

 'Sound of Silence' is an opportunity for me to return to the beginning of my career and specialist medium - glass - which I feel best reflects the fragility of the subject matter. I felt it was time for me to delve deeper and create work that deals with some of the more difficult and darker aspects of my life but through a medium that quite literally shines a light on the more positive outcomes.”

Curated by the Manchester-based, artist-led collective, Alexandra Arts, Pankhurst in the Park 2016 is inspired by Alexandra Park - a Victorian Park in Manchester - and it’s rich historical connection to the Suffrage Movement, whose iconic leader, Emmeline Pankhurst, was born and bred yards from the Park in the neighbouring Moss Side Estate.

This exhibition, Sound of Silence, marks the end of the Pankhurst in the Park 2016 programme, which aims to empower the local communities around Alexandra Park and beyond through engagement with their local environment and social history, and to promote the wealth of talented female artists in Manchester and beyond by providing a platform for their work.

'Sound of Silence' represents a collaboration with Lotte Karlsen, West Chelsea artist Scotto Mycklebust, and artist and feminist writer Katie Cercone, co-founder of NYC radical artist duo Go! Push Pops. Go! Push Pops were artists in residence for Pankhurst in the Park 2014.

'Sound of Silence' will celebrate its opening on Thursday the 8th of September, from 6-8pm, with a public launch and drinks reception. The exhibition is free and open to the public from 8th - 24th September 2016. Opening times are 12-6pm from Tuesday to Saturday, and 6-8pm on Thursdays.  In conjunction with the exhibition, on Thursday the 22nd of September, a new online-based magazine, called ART 511, will also be launched.

For more information, visit: www.alexandra-arts.org.uk.

ENDS

For further information, images and interviews please contact:

Amy Clancy

press@alexandra-arts.org.uk | www.alexandra-arts.org.uk | @AlexArtsMCR   #pankhurstinthepark   

 NOTES TO EDITORS

 Lotte Karlsen

Lotte Karlsen FRSA, born 1974 in Hammerfest, Norway is a multidisciplinary artist working fluidly across the boundaries of fine art, social practice, sculpture and craft. Currently living and working in Manchester, UK. Karlsen earned an early degree in glass blowing from the world renowned Kosta Glass School in Sweden's Crystal Kingdom. Later obtaining an MA in Art as Environment at Manchester Institute for Research and Innovation in Art and Design (MIRIAD), her work in recent years has blurred the lines of conceptualism, artivism and craft. She has exhibited her work in London, Milan, Tokyo, Seoul, Barcelona, Paris, New York and throughout Scandinavia.

http://www.synchronizedliquid.com/#lotte-karlsen

West Chelsea Artist Studios

'Sound of Silence' will be exhibited inside a small white cube inside artist Scotto Mycklebust's studio, which is located in West Chelsea Artist studio complex in New York. The building houses galleries, multiple artists and art dealers, and resides close to the far west side of Chelsea — the city of New York's premier contemporary-art district — which is home to high-profile spaces including Gagosian Gallery and Gladstone Gallery.

http://westchelseaartists.com/

Alexandra Arts

Founded in 2010 by Norwegian Artist, Lotte Karlsen, Alexandra Arts is an artist-led collective based in Manchester's Alexandra Park. The collective aims to empower the local community around the park through engagement with their local environment and social history, and to promote the wealth of talented female artists in Manchester, and beyond, by providing a platform for their work. In 2014, Alexandra Arts established Pankhurst in the Park to highlight Alexandra Park’s rich historical connection to the Suffrage Movement and its inspiring socio-political heritage, which has until now has left no trace locally. 

Pankhurst in the Park 2016

Pankhurst in the Park 2016 is an Arts Council England and Manchester City Council funded, public programme of artist commissions, an international artist in residency and outreach and educational programme, which took place in Manchester from March – May, 2016 and will arrive in New York between August - September, 2016.

Curated by the Manchester-based, artist-led collective, Alexandra Arts, Pankhurst in the Park is inspired by Alexandra Park’s rich historical connection to the Suffrage Movement, whose iconic leader, Emmeline Pankhurst, was born and bred only yards from the Park in the neighbouring Moss Side estate. The 2016 programme, builds on the hugely successful events of 2014/15.

http://www.alexandra-arts.org.uk/pankhurst-in-the-park/

Where to find us and how

Where and how to find us

‘Tea Hive’ Pavilion-  The nearest park entrance is on Demesne Road, where it meets Smalldale Avenue. Satnav postcode M16 8PJ https://goo.gl/maps/cJBaAURvkWk

The 85 bus stops along Alexandra Road South where it crosses Demesne Road. https://goo.gl/maps/7Ddhv3RDWxr Bus 101, 104, 015 and 109 stops by the Shell garage on Princess Parkway https://goo.gl/maps/vJDbJDHRsfF2

Woodland exhibition area – Nearest entrance to the woodland is on Alexandra Road South, opposite Range Road. Satnav postcode M16 8ER. https://goo.gl/maps/PNWvvQBRDJ82

Bus 85 does three stops along the parks boarder on Alexandra Road South, get off at the second of three. Coming from town or Chorlton. https://goo.gl/maps/omg1eNdJs3v

Chorlton Lodge – the Parks Lodge house is located on the corner of Smalldale Avenue and Claremont Road. Satnav postcode M16 7JH https://goo.gl/maps/9it2NDv2MAJ2   

Bus 101,104, 105 and 109 stops on Princess Road, where it meets Claremont Road https://goo.gl/maps/D8ZASZRkndE2

The official address for Alexandra Park is 180 Russell Street, M16 7JL Manchester https://goo.gl/maps/QN38NgZVvcn

 

'High Tea' Menu by Tea Hive

Lil' Fee and Veba's Caribbean-infused High Tea: Menu 

A selection of sandwiches per person, selection including:

2 slices of cake per person from an extensive range

A freshly made fluffy Tea Hive sweet scone - served with homemade jam selection and Cornish clotted cream

Pots of tea/cafeteria of coffee

There is also a bar on site serving alcoholic beverages 

All served and made by the lovely people at Tea Hive Pavilion 

Wonder Women 2016 highlights, Part 2: Mean Girls & Suffrajitsus - Yes, that's us!

Part two of creative tourist's Wonder Women 2016 highlights includes a Mean Girls pop-up in an Ancoats theatre and Suffrajitsus in Alexandra Park.  

With over 50 events taking place in ten days as part of Wonder Women 2016 (3-13 March), we are super chuffed that creativetourist.com has pick our Pankhurst in the Park launch party event, 'Wonder Warrior', as a must see festival highlight! It's less than a week to go now until Legacy Fatale hits the streets of Manchester on International Woman's Day. Check out Creative Tourist's description below, and visit our events page to find out what to expect...

"Alexandra Arts kicks off the Pankhurst in the Park 2016 programme with New York based collective Legacy Fatale, whose newly commissioned piece is a celebration of Mrs Pankhurst’s ‘Suffrajitsu’ body guards. These, if you aren’t familiar, were women trained in the martial art of Bartitsu. This event represents Pankhurst in the Park’s 2016 official launch party with DJ Andrea Trout, at ‘Tea Hive’ Pavilion in Alexandra Park. Suitable for ages 18+, ‘Tea Hive’ Pavilion, Alexandra Park, 12 March, 6pm-12am, free" @ creativetourist.com

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Pankhurst in the Park Returns with Warriors and Wonder Women

Pankhurst in the Park 2016 Presents Legacy Fatale
Pop up performances: 8-11 March, 2016; Manchester City Centre locations.
Free, all ages.
Launch event: Saturday 12 March; 'Tea Hive' Pavilion, Alexandra Park, M16 8PJ. 6pm - midnight. Free, 18+.

Alexandra Arts has announced the return of Pankhurst in the Park, a public programme of free, age-friendly events, artist commissions, an international curator in residency and educational programme, taking place in Manchester from March to May, 2016, and in New York between June and July, 2016.

 Curator of Pankhurst in the Park, Lotte Karlsen said:

“Pankhurst in the Park aims to empower the local communities around Alexandra Park through engagement with their local environment and social history, and to promote the wealth of talented female artists in Manchester and beyond by providing a platform for their work. We are thrilled that Arts Council England and Manchester City Council have recognised the value of the work we are doing, and have granted funding for the Spring programme." 

Kicking off the programme with an ‘animal print extravaganza’, performance art collective, Legacy Fatale, will travel from New York to channel the ancient, nomadic, warrior women of the Amazon on the streets of Manchester from 8 to 11 March, during Wonder Women 2016. This will lead up to an interactive 'Wonder Warrior' performance and artist presentation as part of Pankhurst in the Park's official launch party with DJ Andrea Trout, at ‘Tea Hive’ Pavilion in Alexandra Park on 12 March, 2016.

Curated by the Manchester-based, artist-led collective, Alexandra Arts, Pankhurst in the Park is inspired by Alexandra Park’s rich historical connection to the Suffrage Movement, whose iconic leader, Emmeline Pankhurst, was born and bred yards from the Park in the neighbouring Moss Side Estate.

For the Pankhurst in the Park programme, Legacy Fatale's commission will be a "Suffrajitsu" choreography piece inspired by Emmeline Pankhurst's bodyguards - women trained in the martial art of Bartitsu to form the elite secret society known as the “Amazons” - and an animal print extravaganza inspired by the ancient, warrior women of the Amazon.

Coco Dolle, Founding Leader and Curator of Legacy Fatale said:

"Taking cues from the legendary Amazon Warriors, the iconic Wonder Woman, and the fierce Suffragettes, we will integrate social protest, ancient symbology and Bartitsu practices paying homage to feminism's ferocious heritage."

The Spring programme builds on the success of Pankhurst in the Park 2014/15, and will again be accompanied by an integrated educational programme with investing partner St Mary’s CE Primary School in Moss Side. 

Following the launch event, an international artist collective will take up residence and begin an engagement project with local teenage girls, and a series of free events will take place in and around Alexandra Park. This will include free, age-friendly art workshops for older residents of Whalley Range and Moss Side, as well as a heritage cycle ride for all ages as part of Transport for Greater Manchester's Women on Wheels campaign.

Pankhurst in the Park presents Legacy Fatale

Pankhurst in the Park kicks off with a Suffrajitsu Wonder Warrior performance

Alexandra Art is kicking off the 'Pankhurst in the Park' 2016 programme of events by taking part in 'Wonder Women'. For this radical fem fest Alexandra Arts are working with New York based collective LEGACY FATALE, led by artists Coco Dolle and Shawn Bishop.

LEGACY FATALE is a performance choreography group founded in 2008 that celebrates the ancient nomadic warrior women of the Amazon. The collective represents a breed of hybrid historic and pop cultural icons, a cross-pollination of mythical and contemporary female archetypes.

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LEGACY FATALE

A Thousand times Thy Light

BYRDCLIFFE CENTER

Woodstock, New York

2015 

This commissioned choreography piece is a fusion of Mrs Pankhurst’s ‘Suffrajitsu’ bodyguards - the elite secret society of “Amazons”, women trained in the martial art of Bartitsu - and an animal print extravaganza that will be popping up across the city (look out for locations via social media) between Tuesday 8th March (International Woman's Day) and Friday 11th March. This micro-residency will lead up to an interactive 'Wonder Warrior' performance and artist presentation as part of PitP's official launch party with DJ Andrea Trout at the 'Tea Hive' Pavilion in Alexandra Park on 12 March, 2016.

“Through a series of intensifying performances, Legacy Fatale will expand upon the lexicon of the female power struggle, bridging myth, history and pop culture. Taking cues from the legendary Amazon Warriors, the iconic Wonder Woman, and the fierce Suffragettes, we will integrate social protest, ancient symbology and Bartitsu practices paying homage to feminisms' ferocious heritage” - Coco Dolle and Shawn Bishop of LEGACY FATALE

Alexandra Arts

Pankhurst in the Park 2016 – presents Legacy Fatale

'Tea Hive' Pavilion, Alexandra Park, M16 8PJ Manchester

Date: 12 March, 2016

Times: 6pm - midnight (18+)

Free

Wonder Women

This event is part of Wonder Women, Manchester’s annual feminist festival. From 3-13 March 2016, 'Wonder Women' celebrates the women’s movement, which was born in our city, through film, art, music, walking tours, gallery takeovers, comedy and debate, asking how far we’ve come in 100 years – and how far we have yet to go.

Pankhurst in the Park

Pankhurst in the Park 2016 is an Arts Council England funded, public programme of free age-friendly events, artist commissions, an international artist in residency and educational programme, taking place in Manchester March – May 2016.

Stay up to date with with the 'Pankhurst in the Park' 2016 programme by following us:

Pankhurst in the Park 2016

Alexandra Arts is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded funds from Grants for the Arts for Pankhurst in the Park! Kicking off in spring 2016. Thank you Arts Council England!

'Pankhurst in the Park' 2016- taking inspiration from Alexandra Park's rich heritage connected to Iconic Suffragette, Emmeline Pankhurst; this years programme includes a International Artist Residency (AiR), artist commissions and age friendly engagement opportunities. Accompanied by an integrated Arts Awards educational program with St Mary's Primary School in Moss Side.

This year we will do things a bit different with the Artist in Residency – it will be done by invitation only. We secured our funding later then expected, so unfortunately we have run out time to do a open call for this years AiR.

We will continue to strengthen our ties with New York, capitalising on the connection made during 'Pankhurst in the Park' 2014. In the pipe line is a series of transatlantic exchanges and an exhibition in New York. Watch this space......

The full park programme, including the Artist in Residency and New York venue will be announced on Friday the 29th of February 2016.

Gifs by Pablo Melhor

The Maverick Expo

Alexandra Arts founder Lotte Karlsen will exhibiting at the Maverick Expo

10th - 13th December 2015

Bargehouse
Oxo Tower Wharf
South Bank
London
SE1 9PH

Thursday December 10th - Opening Night 5-10pm

RSVP for Opening Night

Opening Daily 10th - 12th December 11am - 10 pm. December 13th 11am - 5pm

Entry is free, please register to avoid queuing

Register to attend

The Maverick Expo is curated by Joseph Latimore gallery owner, curator, collector, artist and film maker. He has been active in the New York art scene for many years, managing and founding renowned galleries Passerby, Panda and Gallery Sensei. These spaces were galleries and late night hangouts for New York's vibrant community of artists. It is this mix of quality, informality and surprise that The Maverick Expo will introduce to London this December.

The event will feature the artwork of over 30 emerging artists from seven different countries.

Featured artists include, Animamus Art Salon, Aurelie Freoua, Ben Brunnemer, Damon Johnson, Derek Des Islets, Elena Moaty, Eli Elysee, Holly Anne Buck, Lotte Karlsen, Michael Amter, Philippe Nuell, Sarah Anderson, Sylva Dean, Ventiko, Yuliya V Krylova, Zdzislaw V.

In addition, there will be a curated selection of cinema works by up and coming filmmakers and screenings of select short films by Andy Warhol.

The event will include a program of music including local singer songwriter Lisa Marini, performance, and talks.

Every evening there will be a series of DJ driven sundown dance parties in a 2,000 square foot space above the exhibition.

For general information and press enquiries about The Maverick Expo please contact rory@designersblock.org.uk

How to travel to the Maverick Expo

Bargehouse is 5 minutes walk from Blackfriars and Waterloo stations. Accessed from The South Bank through the Oxo Tower.

Tube

Blackfriars, Waterloo, Embankment or Southwark

Bus

1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68 to Waterloo Bridge, 45, 63, 100 to Blackfriars Bridge, 381 to Stamford Street, RV1 to Upper Ground.

Dig the City 11am coffee morning talk: Pankhurst in The Park

11am Coffee Morning Talk: Pankhurst in the Park

When: Mon 3rd August, 11.00am until 12.00pm

Where: Dig the City Den @ St Ann Square

Free Talk

Join Dig the City Coffee Morning Talk and hear about Emmeline Pankhurst’s links to Alexandra Park and how she inspired the Park’s artistic regeneration.

Alexandra Arts is an artist-led collective based in Manchester’s Alexandra Park, founded in 2010 by Artist Lotte Karlsen. During Autumn 2014, Alexandra Arts curated the widely successful Pankhurst in the Park programme and are currently planning for its return in 2015.

Pankhurst in the Park is an Arts Council England funded programme of free events, artist commissions and an international artist residency. It celebrates Alexandra Park’s rich historical connection to the iconic leader of the Suffragette Movement, Emmeline Pankhurst, who was born and bred only yards from the Park in the neighbouring Moss Side estate.