Artists First
Sarah and Kathy
The story “Homeground” by Jane Sallis is also about the Artists First group studio.
Transcript
This is a story about us; a group of artists called Artists First. It is not a ‘once upon a time’ story but a story that is happening now, a story that hasn’t an ending.
It is a story about us thinking about a home for our art.
There is an empty shop and flat in Henbury. It is called Home ground and it would make a good studio and gallery for us if we could move in and make it our art home.
What is an art home? It is a bit like an ordinary home: my home and your home. It is where you feel safe.
An art home is a place you need to work at to keep it going. You work hard to make it a home. You put your whole self into it.
It makes you happy; it is a place to welcome other people into. You invite them in to share your art, to be part of what you do.
Home is for a family, whether you are related or not, whether you are one or two or more. Artists First is a big family of artists and it is looking for its own Home ground, its own home sweet home for artists. A place to put down a welcome mat.
The bricks of a family home are love, care, support and respect. It is the same in an art home; the bricks make you strong but they do not keep people out, they welcome people in so they can have strength through their art, too.
Home identifies who you are; it is your security.
We all have home wishes and home desires for our art and we work to make them happen. A place to make our art, a place in our community, to link-up, to make connections, introductions, involvements, neighbourliness, friends, working together, sharing who we are and what we can do. Supporting other people to share our home and to think about their homeground, too. This story is just a beginning, it is happening now and we have learnt that stories can link people together.
This is a story about us; a group of artists called Artists First. It is not a ‘once upon a time’ story but a story that is happening now, a story that hasn’t an ending.
It is a story about us thinking about a home for our art.
There is an empty shop and flat in Henbury. It is called Home ground and it would make a good studio and gallery for us if we could move in and make it our art home.
