In 2002, CIDA commissioned Dionne Swift to set up an artists' network, now known as Creative Exchange.
Meeting in a different studio or gallery each month, the network has grown in membership (free!) and now regularly attracts between 40 and 60 artists to each meeting. Interestingly, the events have moved from inviting outside speakers on a range of topics to encouraging the artists themselves to present and talk about their work. This has been a fascinating and rewarding development, as both artist and audience have benefited from the experience.
In what now seems a logical development - although there may have been times when logic didn't seem to have a lot to do with it! Dionne came up with the idea of organising an Open Studio event. At the same time, Mandeep Kandola approached CIDA with the idea of organising an Open Studio event for culturally diverse artists in Huddersfield, following a very successful event for the Bradford Festival. CIDA put Mandeep and Dionne in touch with each other, they went to see the team organising the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and HOST is the result!
We have been as inclusive as possible in the range of studios and work taking part in HOST - there is no limitation on the form of creative practice and participating artists have included jewellers, textile designers, photographers, painters and sculptors.
In addition, the word Studio covers a wide range of spaces - from textile mills to converted stables! It's a wonderful opportunity to see a wide range of work going on within the area, to meet the artists, a number of whom are already well established and selling throughout the UK, and even to buy or commission a piece of art work for yourself!
This event is a first for Huddersfield and we are delighted to be working with the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival to present it. I do hope that you enjoy the opportunity and that we can make it a regular event for the town in the future.
With best wishes,
ANAMARIA WILLS
Chief Executive
How HOST happened