Issue 2: Save The Arts

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COntinue THE VOICE Save The Arts 28/11/20

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E V A SHE T S T R A

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A Note From The Head Editor T

his year has hit everyone hard, each one of us in different ways. It was certainly something no one could ever have predicted. Despite most of us pulling together to support one another, something I really did not anticipate was the complete and utter lack of disregard for the arts through the Governments ‘Rethink. Reskill.Reboot.’ campaign (You can learn more about this campaign here). A campaign that has angered many and left us as a team in complete and utter shock. So we decided to dedicate our entire issue to showing the world how truly wonderful the arts are, and also as an answer to this distasteful and downright disrespectful campaign. So please grab a wine, a coffee or a tea and indulge yourself with the world of the arts. My personal favourite piece for this month’s issue is our longer read: Anonymous by Fizza Younis (which can be found on p26).

Kirsty Taylor She/Her

Magazine Design by Anna McFarlane, Cover Illustration by Sophie Freestone

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CONTENTS

For Art’s Sake - 6 Art is Everywhere- 8 She Has No Name and No Face - 10 Poetry Corner- 12 Paintings by Crystal Peitz- 14 Interview with an Author and Illustrator - 16 The Gallery- 18 Short Story: Anonymous- 26 Pond and Tree- 28 Save the Arts- 29 What A Novel Idea- 30 Photography by Melody Thornton- 32 Interview with Musicians- 34 Playlist- 36 Femmepire- 38 Small Business Spotlight- 40 Restaurant Spotlight- 42 Coorie Moments- 44 What is Art?- 46

Illustrations by Sophie Freestone

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For A*t’s Sake

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work in the arts and just now that is quite a scary thing. The industry is constantly being hit with blows of uncertainty and not a whole lot of hope for re-opening any time soon. Much like the hospitality industry, our validity and importance are undermined because the service we provide is, for many an extracurricular or luxury experience. The difference is that the hospitality sector is being given the chance to remain open while for venues, reopening isn’t even on the table.

But while the biggest priority for many people may not be booking a show, it has a huge effect on the livelihood of millions of people across the world who work in the arts. We aren’t just bummed because we don’t get to see a show or hang out with our friends but because the stability of our lives and our purpose is under threat.

The thing you should know is that almost everyone who works in the arts has a huge amount of passion for what we do. We certainly aren’t in it for the money! However, the idea that our love for our work is enough to take care of everything is unrealistic. The loss at the moment is not just in the ability to do the things we love but also in the job security that we need to pay our bills, to feed our families, to survive. It’s important to remember that when you see people (and governments) being dismissive of the arts and telling us to wait our turn, the companies that are meant to pay us are getting progressively You may have seen some performing arts companies starting things up again which has been brilliant; it’s a huge privilege to get back into a room together to create but without the ability to physically meet our audiences, it’s impossible to make a sustainable amount of income. The work that is possible at the moment is for the most part in the service of creativity and community.

We’re creating work to connect and engage with people but it is nowhere near sustainable for organisations. As much as the industry would love to survive on passion and engagement alone,

A huge percentage of the arts’ workforce is made up of freelancers. Working as a freelancer is a scary enough concept in regular times but without new work being put on stage, there are no new jobs to apply for, and the opportunities have been cut to (almost) zero. Many arts workers are also on zero hour contracts which but with several months of no shifts for Front cult position to be in.

That being said, arts workers are also incredibly ways to put their skills to good use elsewhere in the meantime. I’m not advocating the horrific ‘Rethink. Reskill. Reboot.’ campaign but with the current situation and bills to pay we’ve had income. I just hope there is something left for people to return to their vocation when this all winds down.

Arts organisations and arts workers need more support if the industry is going to survive and thrive whenever this pandemic comes to an end. We have been patient; we have been creative (naturally) and we have found many alternative ways to keep going. We should be allowed to celebrate and share our passion with real people, gathered in real spaces, whenever we can do so safely. The arts are viable, and they do matter.

By Katie Daniel. Katie keeps herself busy with as many creative projects as possible. Her main role is working in marketing for theatre and dance but she also writes, runs her own blog, practises photography, works on a podcast and loves to cook new things! You can check out more of her writing on her blog by clicking here.

of our society. If you’re given the option to donate to an arts organisation that you love, I urge you to do so.

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Drawing by Jelly, an Australian artist who uses traditional mediums and has drawn this piece to help spread the word of ‘save the arts’. As it is an important issue that should be recognised throughout all communities. Find more of her work here.

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Art is Everywhere W

hen people think of ‘art’ they often think of painting, drawing, or creating something visual. However, art is in everything we do. When you are having your cereal in the morning, someone put a lot of time into designing that packaging so you would choose that cereal. The music on your morning commute comes from many hours of hard and gruelling work. The book you read is art, and its cover was designed by an artist. The chairs you sit on are created with great craftsmanship. The shows you watch are not just created by those on-screen.

In a world where the ‘arts’ are at risk of being lost and are being grossly undermined, it is essential that we recognise art is everywhere and can be created by anyone. A classroom without art is a prison. A theatre without art is a storage container. A world without art is a terrifying place. Art is not only essential for the people that create it but for the people that consume it.

As two non ‘art’ people, we cannot imagine our lives without art. Without art we would never have met all those years ago in a small-town brass band. Without art, our education would have been a very different experience. Without art, Kirsty’s classroom would be an apocalyptic place. Without art, Hannah’s marketing degree would serve no purpose. Without art, we couldn’t make this zine. Without art, not only would our workplaces be affected but our daily lives would become a black and white Groundhog Day. Without art, our lives would lose their colour and vitality. Without art, lockdown would be unbearable.

Without art, we would have missed out on years of memories and there would be no communities. Without art we would not know who we are or what we stand for. Art does not only shape the world around us but shapes our sense of self. So instead of ‘Rethink. Reskill. Reboot’, let’s ‘Appreciate. Reform.

Celebrate.’ on her website, and Hannah on her instagram.

Illustration by Sophie Freestone

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“She Has No Name, No Face�

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usually draw female characters, I give each a name with a story behind it. This piece in particular is a

It shows the adventure, the journey that we have to take to get to an identity that we truly love. Often we rush to it means to be young, to be in the moment, to live in the present.

I wanted to remind myself that there is beauty in uncertainty. Not knowing who you are now is not being stuck, but being in a state of freedom to explore.

I had this mentality that in order to establish my name and my vision, I needed to have a certain art style. Later on, I realized that there is beauty in being in a place where I was experimenting. I didn’t care much about how I appeared online as an artist and enjoyed the process as it is.

Instagram.

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Poetry Corner h

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Eternal

Who planted the Sun in the sky The world keep revolving around him Who taught us to love light We keep seeking light in darkness

Who sermoned us to be a decent fell always. We constantly effort to be so entire life

Who did plant the sapling of love So many branches of love sprout in th

Who blended beauty in the air Life is not bearable if beauty is not in

Who advised to be benevolent to be Try to be happy being benevolent

Who did smear colour of shyness all o body Fell so ashamed at all those unsocial more?

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aj aft ewe no er a l-bri g co w It long ht h ’s t r , a en l-c im dre ug h o e ary a l ah n c ou fo wi ou eav ing red r nt e r a o er n te dre ly ur wa qu k s I w ila am frag piri eni s ap ant sho of ranc tual ngs i s t p t o s let ea , la umm e fu ty e l r e ’ as th s pl e t ter o er ls By e a his n are dai y ou is Ald v n r in an I o Q int ty ou ag r u blo card tw Lon talia uag e s pw o pu o co don n po liot ard ms righ To blis llec . Ald et b ti. A o t -fa f n a P sa a hed tion o h ase ldo cin tod ow Al reg nd C : Jap of p as d a g ed do h nan on ane oe pr y ay rep as as b t Ma fess se ms er Co res one een n. R ions s e o Ke rne nti f t sel ece of W sing r as ng t he p ect- ntly e h p (1- ek i ton+ art e P oets of oe 11 n L C Oc on he the try to don lsea be Ar r). t

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By Guna Moran. Guna is a winner of Creator Of Justice Award in 2020 by International Human Right Art Festival. Guna is an Assamese poet and critic. His poems are published in various international magazines, journals, webzines, blogs, newspapers and anthologies around the globe. He has three published poetry books to his credit. His poems have already been translated into more than thirty languages of different countries of the world. He lives in Assam, India.

Translation by: Bibekananda Choudhury

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over the activities

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Paintings by Crystal Peitz

Coastal Vibes I love painting water. It’s my proverbial “Happy Place”. I often feel overcome with anxiety, which I liken to the feeling of drowning. I feel like I’m treading water, and the waves are throwing me around, pulling me under. The harder anymore, the tide breaks; the waves subside; and I start to slowly make my way to the surface again.

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Blue Lotus It is widely known that the lotus is a symbol of rebirth, but many people don’t know why. The blooms on a lotus (colloquially referred to as a “water lily”) only live for 3-4 days. DAYS. They then die and grow back again. A new bloom emerges. I feel like as people, we share many similarities with The Lotus Flower. Every day, we face obstacles, hurdles and challenges. We then learn from them, and adapt, and awake the next morning a new, wiser, stronger version of our former selves. Are we not all just beautiful lotuses, in different phases of rebirth? Today, you might feel weathered and worn, but tomorrow is a new day. Your bloom will come soon.

here.

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INTERview with aN AUthor

r o t a r t s u l l &I

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n often underrated piece of the world of the arts is the art of a wonderfully written and illustrated children’s book. There is something about children’s books that evoke emotion in me in ways no

one of my favourites to teach my class and honestly sometimes to just read myself! So I sat down with Linda Lee-Davies and illustrator of the book (and also this zine!) Sophie Freestone to learn more about their process. illustration?

L: Through my academic career where publishing books and journal papers on important topics is important to help effect change and bring new ideas to the surface.

S: I always loved doing art at primary school; I loved painting and drawing, and when I got to secondary school, I was really encouraged by my art teachers Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Wilkie. They were always a huge inspiration to me, and really pushed me.

What inspired your book: ‘A Berty Dumbridge Week’?

L: I have always been a passionate equalist and noticed through my work and teaching that the earlier this is taught the better. I also saw that discriminatory issues were covered but generally in a singular way and felt that all differences should be equal and this should be a norm.

How did you work together to create illustrations that would match the narrative, and please you both?

L: I already knew Sophie was a very talented young artist so took my story and ideas about the characters to her and catered for her to use her creative talent. I was delighted with the results.

S: Linda gave me a rough idea for each illustration, but she really encouraged me to be quite creative with how I made the illustrations. I started off with designing was just how she had imagined him! I was really thrilled, because I think it’s really important to get the main character right, especially in the eyes of the author.

Linda’s descriptions of him in the text were great fun to says “Berty was wearing his Monday clothes”. Already I think children and adults can get a sense of who he is! It was great fun to make him come alive through my paints! this book?

L: It is a book which is deliberately short with strong messages so I enjoyed keeping it direct with the correct pedagogy to inform and involve the young reader.

S: In each new chapter we get to a witness a different day in Berty’s week, so new characters and scenarios are constantly being introduced, and we see how Berty navigates through them. I loved illustrating “A Berty Friday”; in this chapter we meet a man with not very much money who has two young children and whose wife is ill. In this particular illustration I had to make the scene look really chaotic, and so I made everything messy; from the calendar on the wall to the texture of the children’s jumpers; just to really imbue that feeling of chaos!

Writing is a powerful tool for sharing important messages. Is there anything going on right now that you are particularly keen to continue the voice on?

L: Yes, I would like to make Berty a series and introduce other issues of discrimination to keep reinforcing the message that all differences should be treated equally.

S: Voice, and I said, “saving the arts industry”, and here we are now, with issue 2 being all about it! I really think art isn’t valued enough by our government, and art and music and drama are so important for children in school, creativity. Not only that, but art and “the arts” can so richly enhance our culture and who we are as people.

This month’s issue is all about saving the arts. What is your favourite part of the arts?

L: Personally, I love the power all different art forms have in getting messages across. I enjoy using the written word to do this, but really appreciate the power of drama and illustration to educate people on issues.

S: really big fan of the theatre and the music scene. I was in a number of singing groups throughout school and university, and we did some amazing, memorable gigs!

Do you have a memory that particularly stands out to you that wouldn’t be the same without the arts?

L: Yes, one of the most powerful things I can remember is watching the movie ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ when I was young. At that point I hadn’t read the text but it had a great effect on me thinking about race and discrimination.

S: I went to Falmouth University which is an arts University, to study illustration. So, I suppose it wouldn’t be there without the arts! And I always felt like I loved my school life because of my art lessons. So, no, I don’t at the centre of my life since I was a child.

L: on Linked In, Facebook, and Twitter.

S: www.sophiefreestone.com and Instagram.

email and I am

Words by Kirsty Taylor Find the book here

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THE GALLERY Tyler Blair

Edinburgh Based Artist Each month we use this space to display the work on a visual artist, whether it be a photographer, illustrator or painter the most important factor is that they are creating something we think should be shared! For our ‘Save the Arts’ issue we are featuring the work of Irish-born painter Tyler Blair. For more of her work see her instagram page, where it is possible to purchase your own unique paintings by Tyler on commission.

The following content contains some graphic imagery.

If you wish to avoid this, skip forward to page 26.

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The Great Scottish Summer 2020, Acrylic on Paper

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Lobster’s in Space 2020, Acrylic on Paper

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Untitled 2016, Acrylic on Paper

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Run for the Candy Mountain 2017, Collage and Pen on Paper

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Untitled 2020, Acrylic on Paper

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SHORT STORY

ANONYMOUS

By Fizza Younis

your own fault for being so trusting. In the end, you lose all trust in humanity. You come to unexistence be?

“Can I ask you something?” The question brought him back from his thoughts.

“Sure,” he said, trying to muster up a smile. His thoughts were darker than a moonless night, and smiling wasn’t something he did often.

“Why do you always use such dark tones and colours?” Maham asked. She was walking around his workshop, admiring his work, and scrutinizing everything. it as a question, and even as he did, he knew that was the furthest thing from the truth. His inner demons manifested on the canvas.

“Your work doesn’t match your personality.” She sounded skeptical.

“Don’t you like my work?” he asked her instead. Maham had been stopping by his workshop and watching him create art for a few weeks. She must’ve loved his work. Otherwise, why would she stop by so often? It never even occurred to him she might like him and not his work. He didn’t consider himself a likable person.

“Not me?” A faraway look crossed his eyes, “But who exactly am I?” It wasn’t a question he expected an answer to, but his companion replied anyway. “You’re a kind, patient, and sweet man. In fact, you’re the nicest person I’ve ever met.”

“You’re too generous with your compliments,” He gave her a small smile. “Do you know they say when we look at people, we don’t see them, rather we see ourselves mirrored through them. So, this person you described might be you.”

“No-one has ever called me any of those things.” She shrugged.

“No-one has described me in those words either.” He chuckled. one is amazing. It’s soulful and very descriptive. What inspired you to paint it? I like how the than her body.”

“I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. I pick up my paintbrush and know exactly what I’m going to paint. The same is true for my sculptures.” He was thoughtful for a minute, but no, “Oh,” she said, as if disappointed by his reply. Did he say something wrong? “Anyway, I should 28

get going. I’ve wasted enough of your time already.”

“Not at all, I like it when you stop by. No-one else does, and sometimes distraction is good. I spend too much time creating art and not nearly enough socialising.”

“Thanks, I enjoy spending time with you too.” With that, she waved goodbye and left him with his thoughts and his work.

Things had taken a turn for the better. His life would never be perfect, but it was bearable. He had lived in this town for over ten years and yet, there were only a handful of people who knew him. He liked it this way. He didn’t need his past to catch up to him.

Maham recently moved to the town. She had become a friend of sorts. Although, they never talked about anything other than his work. He heard things though. He knew she was a writer and recently divorced. He knew she lived alone and didn’t have any close family. In a small town, you heard things about others even when you didn’t want to. And if you paid attention, you’d know things about them you didn’t need to know.

He wondered what people said about him. He was an artist, and he lived with his ailing mother.

What else did people know about him? He hoped not much because he had skeletons in his past.

The kind you’d want to keep hidden away. That thought made him smile. He knew what his next painting would be. That was how inspiration worked, a sneaky thing. He started preparing the canvas.

That’s when his phone rang. He picked it up and said, “Hello.”

“Hi, is this Mr. Sameer’s number?” The voice was clear and distant.

“Yes, it is.”

“I’m contacting you about the paintings I have received. I noticed you haven’t signed them.” The speaker paused. It was someone from the gallery.

“Yes, I know because I don’t sign my work.” affect its value.”

“Yes, I’m well aware.” I had my reasons, but I wouldn’t explain them to a stranger. “This is my way.”

“Okay, thank you for your time.” work. They take pride in owning it. Not me, I wanted to remain anonymous. After all, what’s in the name? My work spoke for itself. A little mystery in life couldn’t go amiss.

Maham stood in front of the masterpiece, hanging in her living room. It wasn’t signed, but she painting of a woman lying in the bed, her neck twisted at an unnatural angle, an empty glass of wine sat on the bedside table with a note that said, “the devil did it”. That’s how they had found Eva Green’s body a month after the painting had appeared in an art gallery, not signed. the thin air right after her death. He was an artist too. Not as renowned as the anonymous artist who made his name with his intense and vivid portrayal of the human soul. But he was good enough to leave a footprint behind, and that had led Maham to the man in question. The two were the same.

He stared at the painting of a skeleton rotting in a closet with open doors. By the tattered white dress and the tresses of long brown hair, you could tell it was a woman. The rest was just bones, decomposed beyond recognition. She was holding a piece of paper that said, ‘Shh! Let’s not talk anymore.’ It was a depressing and violent piece of art, but even in its aggressiveness no-one could deny the beauty of it. Emboldened by his continued success, he picked up the brush and signed it: Lucifer.

misadventures. She is the author of many short stories and has a few published works under her belt. She also enjoys painting and spending time with friends. She may be an average person in the actual world, but in the world of the books she is pretty spectacular. Get in touch with her via email or follow her at instagram or twitter.

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Pound and Tree

This look was inspired by the paintings and portraits from the Rococo Period. The portraits of women in this style feature rosy cheeks and pink lips with soft eyes. Other

the soft colours and movement portrayed in the landscape. It is these paintings that inspired the pond and tree.

By Alexa Gordon who is an Aries and also a Canadian University student. She grew up near the city but on a farm. This means that her personality is a wonderful mix of pretentious city slicker and down to earth farm girl.

The best description she has ever heard for who she is was from Dolly Parton, a Backwoods Barbie. She is obsessed with the art of makeup as it provides a new and more of her work on her Instagram.

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Art is all around us. It is not only in the things we see but the things we do and yet it is so often overlooked. I have always seen makeup as an art form, my face as a canvas. With this look I wanted to portray that by taking the simple elements of makeup and exaggerating them to create obvious contrast: the blonde brows against dark skin, the green nose contour, etc. Seeing art in any and all forms being taken for granted brings me a lot of sadness, represented in the “tears�.

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SAve The Arts

By Naomi Howell. Naomi occupies most of her spare time creating content for her social media platforms, which you can follow here. She manages the makeup department at a popular alternative clothing store in London as well as doing freelance work in the education sector. On top of this, Naomi loves to dance, sing, cook and co-hosts not 1 but 2 podcasts which you can listen to here or here!

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What a Novel i E

veryone says they could write a book, but NaNoWriMo is the way to prove it.

Every November, hundreds of authors and budding authors sign themselves up for the challenge of the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo as it’s more commonly known. The challenge is pretty straightforward – to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November. called NaNoWriMo, started in 1999 and became then has grown arms and legs! They provide structure, community, and more importantly, encouragement to get authors through this rather daunting challenge. This outward pouring of art is huge, and even more important this year.

Absolutely no experience is needed to have a go at NaNoWriMo, and new voices are encouraged.

NaNoWriMo gives writers and artists a structure and motivation to create their art, while simultaneously creating a community. By signing up, you have immediate access to pep talks, message boards, links with other authors in your area, word counts, badges to mark milestones, and more. Online communities are so important in 2020, as our abilities to connect in real life has changed drastically. You can ask questions, seek advice from other participants in NaNoWriMo, and by publicly announcing the title of your Work In Progress (WIP) as well as showing your word count, it becomes a less daunting goal than just sitting down to write 50,000 words.

In 1999, the year NaNoWriMo started, they had 21 participants. In 2017, they had 402,142 participants, including 95,912 students and educators in the Young Writers Program, who started the month as mechanics, actors, and English teachers, and walked away as novelists. 495 novels have been traditionally published so far, and 174 self-published, and even more have been written, but not published. There have been best-sellers that were 32

written during NaNoWriMo, like The Night Circus Erin Morgenstern, Cinder, Scarlet and Cress (Boo 1, 2, and 3 of The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Mey and Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen to name few. Think how many more could be written this ye during NaNoWriMo!

NaNoWriMo encourages young artists to see wh they can do. By providing a structure and a timesca for the challenge, it focuses their mind and gets wor onto paper. They don’t have to be good words,

this is an opportunity for young writers to get writin

This may not necessary be saving the arts, but it doing its bit to give writers an outlet this Novemb Consider the number of people who decided to to use their time in lockdown to write their novel. completing NaNoWriMo, many will write their deb novel who before didn’t know where to start. Bu isn’t just new writers who take part, there are num ous established authors who plan NaNoWriMo in their writing schedule to get their next book starte

“Everyone says they could write a book, but NaNoWriMo is the way to prove it.”

idea!

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t is ber. try By but ut it mernto ed.

It doesn’t just do work online – there is merchandise, and ‘in-real-life’ writing groups to join. It allows community spaces like libraries, bookshops, or community centres to become part of NaNoWriMo’s Come Write In community, connecting with authors and writers in their local community. They’ve even provided advice and links about taking things online when they’ve had to this year, which is essential for community hubs who may not have the expertise or knowledge about online events, or even have the funds to do this. In 2017, 1,195 libraries, bookstores, and community centers opened their doors to novelists through the Come Write In programme.

Words by Grace Balfour-Harle. Grace is an editorial assistant working in the magazine industry. She loves to dance, and teaches dance classes regularly in her spare time. Working in the magazine industry has given her a passion for writing and publishing. Aswell she volunteers on the SYP Scotland committee to help young publishers in their careers, as well writing for her own blog about dance. She’s also a keen baker.

This is NaNoWriMo’s logo. More can be found on the project here.

November is not the only month that NaNoWriMo works within. There is Camp NaNoWriMo, which is during April and July, where you set your own writing goal, and can just try something new with your writing. From a short story, a play, a novel to a musical, it’s all about being creative with your writing a n d t r ying something new! 65,962 Campers tackled a writing project – novel or not – at Camp NaNoWriMo in 2017.

There is also NaNoWriMo Prep, where you can prepare for your NaNoWriMo challenge – giving you a timeline to getting your story idea down, developing characters, construct a plot and build a literaworld, as well as advice about how to manage and achieve the overall aim for NaNoWriMo of 50,000 words on paper.

Writing is well-known for helping people through things, and the amount that everyone has been just listing it. Getting through lockdown without a book for many would be impossible, and writers and authors are key to the creation of books. Why don’t you have a go? Who knows what you could create.

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‘Blood Orange’ is a reaction to my mother’s cancer and the acidity of our relationship – I used my own blood.

PHotography

By Melody Thornton 34

M

elody Thornton was born and raised in Northampton. She later moved to London to complete a degree in photography at The London College of

she had many exhibitions in both Northampton and London. After a 13-year career break and a move to Yorkshire to raise a family, she has returned to by issues such as the menopause, female identity, death, family dynamics and domestic violence, her work is often described as thought-provoking and sometimes macabre. Currently, Melody is studying for a Masters in Fine art at Leeds Arts University where she intends to take her practice to a deeper level. Find more of her work here.

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AN Interview With musicians 36

Marcus Marooth - Vocals & Guitar, George Neath - Guitar, Meg Amirghiasvand Keys & Vocals, Ethan Whitby - Bass, Charlie Doe - Drums

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arpa Salpa is one of the UK’s most exciting young independent bands, and we are so excited to have them talk to us about their lockdown journey and the release of their latest single. Starting by playing small venues in their hometown of Northampton, UK in 2017, the band have since travelled all around the UK developed. Their fans include tastemakers on Radio6, RadioX, Radio 1’s Jack Saunders. You may recognise their songs from the ‘Made in Chelsea’ soundtrack. The band are super supportive of grassroots ventures, from their hometown particularly, and whilst this issue is all about how we can save the arts, Sarpa Salpa are prime examples of how in times like these, the arts can save us in return.

are in crisis currently, how has the current pandemic impacted your work together as a band?

The pandemic has been pretty brutal for us as it has for so many people! I think initially we had mixed feelings. On one hand we were gutted because we had a tour booked for Spring and a lot of festival slots throughout the summer which were cancelled, but at the same time we’d never had so much time to work on new some of which people might get to hear soon which is exciting! Since then though as the months have gone on and there’s no clear end in sight it has become progressively harder to deal with. We are primarily a live band and to lose the thing we enjoy the most about music has been pretty devastating for sure! We’re looking forward to 2021 and hopefully the return of live music.

Marcus, you were hosting online gigs during lockdown earlier in the year, but they werus more about that?

I had the idea to play some live streams for a cause, initially I was going to raise money for the NHS but a lot of artists were doing this and it was great to see so much support. So instead I decided to avert my efforts to local businesses. I realised a lot of businesses were about to of my favourite small businesses in my home-

town and split the total raised between them! I enjoyed doing the streams and I’m glad I could help these people even in a small way! Local businesses are the lifeblood of every town and city, without them a place loses its character.

‘Stick to what you know’ is quite a powerful message in defending the arts, was there a particular moment or event that inspired the creation of the song?

We wanted to encourage people to explore the arts. There’s a huge amount of pressure in schools and in society to focus on academia which although important shouldn’t take away from creativity. We also wanted to reassure people to keep trying, even when you hit that wall and think “I’m no good at this”, keep going, you can achieve more than you believe you can. Next time you are about to stop, just do one more. If it wasn’t for the people who said these things to me when I was younger and even still in the present, I wouldn’t be the person I am.

Are there any artistic voices or social issues you would be keen to ‘continue the voice’ on?

The ongoing crisis for so many independent music venues in the UK at the moment is something very close to our heart. Recently the Government announced a stimulus package to help a lot of these venues out including some of our favourite local venues like The Roadmender, Black Prince, Bedford Esquires & Craufurd Arms. However, a lot of venues didn’t receive any funding as part of this and especially going into the second lockdown many will struggle to re-open their doors in December. I’d suggest checking the Music Venue Trust website to see if any venues near you have been affected like this and see what you can do to help whether it be donating to their Crowdfunder or even just sharing a post about it! Independent venues are so important to the UK music scene and we can’t afford to lose them.

Thank you so much for doing this interview.

Stick to what you know will be featured on our playlist this month, but where else can media @sarpasalpamusic or our website.

Written by Manon Marrium-Sauvageot

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PLAY Stick To What You KnowSarpa Salpa

Is Eve

Nothin

Everything Else Has Gone Wr Bombay Bicycle Club

When

Specto

Happiness In Liquid Form-

Dispa

Santig

In Women We TrustTanerélle

Can I

A Tribe

Moving On UpPrimal Scream

Rise U

Starga

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YLIST

erybody Going Crazy-

ng but Thieves

rong-

n Did We Get So Normal-

or

arate Youth-

gold

I Kick It?-

e Called Quest

Up-

ate, Nelson Mandela

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Femmep F

or people who might not know, what does Femmepire mean?

Kit Mai: Femininity, like most marginalised identities has been through its difference: the dominant hegemony. Like, masculinity vs. femininity. We know empires to be violent, but a Femmepire can’t be an empire as we have known that term to be used (e.g. Canada or the US as an empire, the empire in Star Wars). A Femmepire is not a prison. It is a forest; a place where deviance is welcome. Deviance from the norm where marginalised people can come together and form community.

How did Femmepire come about?

Kit Mai: So Femmepire is a community-engaged arts collective that started in May of this year. It’s been going through a lot of shifting, but it originally started as a way for me to make sure my friends and I didn’t get too depressed because of COVID and also seeing theatre effectively disappear overnight. It was a place to archive our work and market ourselves as individual artists, but as we started doing more community-oriented stuff like raising money for ‘pleasure kits’ (which are kits of fun things for black femmes and folx who are struggling right now) or when we did the Hamilton Theatre Speaks (which was when we hosted a digital conversation with a bunch of people in the Hamilton community and we live streamed it), it quickly became apparent that community took precedence over the art we were making. Its now grown into this peer-to-peer mentorship/support network, like a loving big sister collective that nurtures all our little siblings who are mini collectives where we funnel all the knowledge we learn to them.

We’re grounded in community. We wanted to do Hamilton Theatre Speaks to bring everyone 40

together to talk publicly about accountability and community care and what that looks like in Hamilton. Asking questions like “how are we as a community actually practicing being in a community?” which is not just showing up to people’s shows, but having these conversations and holding each other accountable with care.

Accountability is often seen as a punishment, like you’ve done something wrong so you’re out of the community forever. That’s not what we want it to be. It can be more than that. With everything we’re seeing in the media with police brutality and people asking for radical change and people talking about ‘decolonising’ their art practice and the term ‘decolonize’ itself, I think that community care directly opposes capitalism.

Art can’t just be about the money and presenting it and getting all the good reviews if you’re cast is suffering because you didn’t take care of them during the rehearsal process. In my opinion, you didn’t create a good work of theatre Here at Continue The Voice we love so much of the work that you do at Femmepire but we recently have been very interested in your wellness kit for black femmes, could you tell us a little more about how these work?

Kit Mai: For the wellness kits it was basically an idea started by my sister, Jessica Kasiama. She had seen people doing it in Chicago and wanted to do it here. We were both struggling with our mental health and seeing others struggle who had less support so we wanted to organise to do this project. I took on more of a producer/ fundraiser role and connected it to an organisation I’ve been involved with a lot called the AMY Project. They were our “accountability partner” and our partnered charity so they were able to hold the money until we were ready to use it

pire because we’re not a registered charity. We raised and incredibly important, but there’s also a gap 6k in a month to fund these packages and give in care and trying to make sure that people are them out. able to be well enough to keep doing this work and to survive white supremacy.

We’re working slowly and lovingly to make these. And I think capitalism wants us to do We can’t survive white supremacy and can’t everything so fast, but we wanted to take time to combat it if we’re unwell. That’s what abusive carefully curate these packages and also honour institutions do. They hire you and exhaust you our needs as disabled and sick people. We just until you can’t do anymore, so I think Femmepire is really trying to embrace that care is instru(about 25 packages) and now we’re working on mental in making sure we can sustainably do all assembling and how to distribute the Hamilton care packages given that we’re going into the change. We have to sustain ourselves. next wave for covid. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive with individuals, the This month’s issue theme is ‘Save the Arts’, community, and businesses who have donated we would love to know what your favourite stuff. thing about the arts is?

100 responses: the need and desire is there for this care work. I think that Femmepire is leaning more towards being a site of education and care. The kind of activism we want to do is care.

There’s a lot of people in the front lines and out in the streets protesting which is highly visible

Claud Spadafora: The arts are a conduit for communal expression. It’s not just about humans needing to express themselves, but art acknowledges the other side of that equation which is having that human expression be received by someone else. To be consumed, heard and seen. So the arts are crucial because they are an

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important, accessible, universal way that human beings connect to each other and understand each other on such a visceral level. I kind of rephrased the question to be more about why the arts are important, but this is also one of my favourite things about art!

has been during the quarantine. Talking to my pals every day, talking about art and ways to care for our community, bringing joy to each other. That IS the best thing.

Maddie Krusto: I totally agree with you. It’s funny because all of us did a show together at The choice of the theme ‘Save the Arts’ came the Hamilton Frost Bites Festival in January and to us as a response to the UK Government’s campaign ‘Rethink. Reskill. Reboot’ that was though we did that show together in-person aimed particularly at people in the arts. We and it was super hectic and busy, we didn’t talk know you are a Canadian group but do you every day like we do now, or even have the same have any message you would like to send to support system amongst each other like we do the people who created this campaign? now. I don’t think I’ve had more Zoom calls with anyone else. I was having a really hard time with Maddie Krusto: I think one thing we are see- quarantine and other things happening in my ing a lot of in the pandemic is the consumption life in May/June, and having Femmepire as not of media and the mass consumption of media, only this constant project, but also the support particularly because we are all in quarantine. I’ve from some of my best friends, had such a huge seen this come up a few times so I don’t want impact to me getting better. say this is my own argument, but this mass consumption of media is possible because of Claud Spadafora: You saying that made me the arts and because of the work of artists and think about how sometimes I really like going to the arts industry. So fuck those people who a place and seeing people and knowing there’s made that campaign. I think folks underestimate a consistent time every week that I know I’m the genuine necessity we have for art. Obvious- going to see these people and we’re going to ly artists in the pandemic are experiencing that express ourselves and be open to each other loss the most because this is our livelihood but and that’s really special. And that’s what theatre I think other folks in the community who aren’t facilitates for me. It’s that more than the work necessarily artist but who are engaged in art or itself. experiencing that loss as well. The arts industry is underestimated all the time. We forget how ulous work? transformative art can be. At Femmepire we are Follow us on Instagram and Twitter, Facebook grounded and community and we became a and check out our website. collective in the middle of a pandemic because Written by Kirsty Taylor we needed that community most and we still need this community the most. Art is therapy.

Art is joy. Art is anger. Art is community-building and community care at its core, and it frustrates me to see anti-art campaigns because something like that is just feeding all the things oppressing marginalised communities. It’s trying

Throughout this issue, we have asked some of our team to tell us their favourite story involving the arts. We would love to know what yours is!

Claud Spadafora: I’m inclined to just describe how life-saving our connection as Femmepire 42

Illustration by Hannah Hendry

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Small Business Spotlight: Rosie Glow Production What inspired you to start RosieGlow Productions?

Both Rohanne and Victoria are performers, and all three of us have friends in the arts industry. We saw how the industry we love and the people we work with were affected by Covid 19 and wanted to do our bit to keep live entertainment going, no matter what is happening in the world.

What was each of your favourite parts of your drive-in show: ‘Revival’?

I think for all of us, getting the opportunity to work in Scotland with some amazing talented Scottish performers is always a highlight. Victoria loved creating a new format for watching live entertainment, which was exciting, rewarding and we all learnt a lot. Rohanne’s favourite moment during what we managed to create. Harriet’s favourite part of Revival has to be getting to work together as sisters and using all our individual talents to bring so much joy. Also seeing so many happy faces driving away after each show!

What advice would you give to other small businesses in the arts industry just now? with talent, hardworking people. People are willing to help, you just need to ask. The worst anyone can say is no.

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Written by Kirsty Taylor

ns

I

ters came up with an idea. To start a production company and run a drive-in show. Their show Revival was a smash hit and a real mood booster for Scotland. So I decided to sit down with Hatty, Victoria and Rohanne and see what’s next for RosieGlow Productions and to learn more about how it is to be in the art world right.

What does the arts mean to each of you?

Victoria: Art is everything. It is the TV we watch, the music we listen to, even the memes on Facebook. It is everywhere, it is important and powerful. An artist can create something that warms your heart, or makes you cry. Whether something to enjoy, to watch or the sofa you are sitting on. If it was designed, it was created by an artist’s mind. It is my life, my job, my joy, and my relaxation.

Harriet: Art for me means bringing a bit of happiness and joy to everyday. The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination to bring joys to others and myself.

Rohanne: Art evokes emotions and for me it is a way of expressing myself creatively while subsequently evoking emotion in the audience. However, that emotion is interpreted, happy or sad, it connects peoples and allows them to appreciate the beauty of art and opens up their imagination.

What is next for RosieGlow?

RosieGlow Productions are hoping to put more productions in the new year. We want to keep creatthe arts industry. We always look to support the arts in whichever way we can.

Instagram, Facebook: Twitter: or through our website.

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Resturant Highlight I

t’s a windy November Saturday, and the grey sky overhead looks threateningly like it might rain. But in Leith, that means nothing to the growing queue making its way down Duke Street. All these people are waiting to order their lunch from the Nauticus hatch. months ago, on March 23rd of what was to become an infamously frustrating year, restaurants, bars, and pubs all over the country closed their doors. Uncertain of when they would open again, uncertain of how they would open, and unfortunately, uncertain of if they would ever open again. 16 long weeks later, the eateries and drinking spots of Edinburgh breathed a sigh of relief. So long as it was at a two-metre distance, under a mask, and following the oneway system. 3 months later, during the latter half of October, these places were hit again by forced temporary closures and new tighter restrictions upon re-opening.

Edinburgh’s food and bar scene has long been a brilliant tapestry, championing both the very best of international and Scottish cuisine. In the heart of Edinburgh’s apparent Michelin star factory that is Leith, rests Nauticus. A chic maritime-themed bar centred on the magic and brilliance of the area’s relationship to the sea, rather than caricatures of pirates and sea dogs. Their mission, however, is supporting and championing of Scottish spirits and produce.

Nauticus has been battered by the restrictions in place, like all business’ reliant on customers being able to visit the premises. Nevertheless, there is nothing quite like an unprecedented situation to inspire creative solutions. Their ‘Hatch series’ has been a hit from the get-go. Developed from serving pints to-go, the hatch acts as a pop-up takeaway restaurant, showcasing some of the very best of Edinburgh and beyond’s food scene. Now on their 5th round (as of the weekend of the 13th November), the Nauticus hatch has welcomed Edinburgh and Scotland based guest chefs such as Carlo Carozzi from The Peruvian Scotland (@theperuvianscotland), James

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Murray (@Jimmysnaps), Phil Lynch (@we_do_ what_we_like), and ‘The Dog house’ residents Rokko Rokko Desu (@Rokkorokko_desu), who’s food I had the pleasure of joining the queue for on that windy November Saturday.

Despite the distance and facemasks, the atmosphere is electric. People are waiting and chatting away, old friends bumping into each other in the queue (although not literally), and other folks from the foodie scene are all in line to support the guest chefs of the weekend.

Once the food is collected, takeaway paper food bags act as tribal markings in Leith Links, where many who were in the queue have made a stop. Smiles and comments are shared in acknowledgement. All at once, despite most being strangers and it being so hard to have connections with people at the moment, a small community of joy is created over cardboard bowls of Ramen.

Many food writers before me have commented upon the creation of food as an artistic expression, an incredible space of creativity where this is shared and developed by people passionate about what they are doing. Flavour pairing, colour matching, playing with textures and presentation. Food preparation is a form of artwork, and to deny it would be doing a huge disservice to a vocation that like many other creative industries currently, has been facing the abyss of recession. If we want to keep it as part of our lives, we have a responsibility to help save it.

Do yourself a favour next weekend, and join the queue down on Duke Street and experience the hatch for yourself.

Save hospitality, Save independents, Save ART. Written by Manon Marrum-Sauvageot

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Coorie M

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Words by Kirsty Taylor, Illustrations by Sophie Freestone.

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Crystal Peitz: For me, painting represe trying to break free from mental turmo you’re viewing is essentially an emotio

audience I didn’t (at the time) want. T vas is my mind; the paints are my thou the brush is my tongue, and you, my you are the audience.

Kirsty Taylo r: The worl d of the art much to m s means so e that it is hard to pu As an edu t it cator I hav into words e seen the the lives o arts transfo . f children a rm nd as a wri therapeuti ter the arts c for me. T are he arts are we do and in everythin everything g we see, th the arts is e world of so vast tha t it is beyon imaginatio d our wild ns, and I lo est ve that.

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ys as alwa h t r a , me orld nis: To f the w ing u o o Y e s a z n se Fiz eth making se. It is som f o y a s el n w ake se f when word m s y a alw —w ysel ress m derstand art f p x e e o m un a piece ave to don’t h a sculpture, an feel t c g, paintin rough it, you round y h a t story— autiful world nnect w be to co to the a way ; e m art is to

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Hannah Matheson: Despite it not being my chosen career path, art has always been a part in of my life. Growing up I took music lessons various instruments, attended choir and drama clubs as well as having a strong passion in painting and drawing. Without these, my , school years would have been incredibly dull dfrien I wouldn’t have formed some lasting t ships and I wouldn’t have a collection of grea memories. Aside from participating in art to related activities, one of my favourite things do is go to gigs which is something I have reing ally missed this year. There is no better feel than being in a crowd of thousands, singing s your heart out to some of your favourite song in front of your favourite musicians.

This is why we need art. For normal people like me to be able to escape from the daily be grind and be a part of something they can proud of.

Geeti ka Ko h to on e’s int li: Art is an uition empo stroki . Yo we ng your s your sens u slowly g ring journ ey u ra p breat irituality - u ality to sur duate from h, re lt then t you row g imately aw ndering to ently, ime a a nd se and d re of your You s x o pill, u ndo b cease to b wnstream . ound aries. e your guid And aren’t Y e o s. u con e nect, distan nmeshed, unify how t ce. here i s no h eight, only

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Illustration by Sophie Freestone

We are looking for creative work of any kind relating to the theme of ‘Connection’, this photography, short stories but is not limited to these. We are interested in all forms of art. Send all work or pitches to continuethevoice@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram. The deadline is Decemeber 13th at midnight, please send your work with a short (1–2 Sentences) ready to print bio. Max word counts are 800 for articles and 1500 short stories.

Where to Find Us WW W WWW

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