I think Coachwerks...
"I am a Brighton based artist and movement practitioner. And also a mother of two who lives local to Coachwerks.
I have been attending numerous events at Coachwerks, either as an audience member, a workshop participant or as an accompanying parent.
Every time, I have been thrilled by the artistic quality of the events and the creative and welcoming atmosphere of the place.
For example, I have seen a lovely Dance piece by Eva Recacha which was next performed at the Place, in London.
Or the sharing of the pieces produced by artists who had taken part in a workshop led by Yael Karavan. The works were fresh and risk taking, yet clearly structured and presented. It felt really exciting to be there.
I also have been taking my children to a community event that takes place on Saturday mornings. There, they did painting and screen printing, and badge making. They loved the creative space and time they were offered… and the result of their work.
I find the approach to the Arts at Coachwerks unpretentious yet passionate, groundbreaking yet accessible, relaxed yet professional.
The wide range of artists (dancers, actors, musicians, designers, film makers, photographers, illustrators…) who run the place genuinely spend there time developing their artistic work and sharing their passion with anyone showing interests.
I do not know anywhere in Brighton like this.
Places that I know are either community centres or theatres.
The basement supports artists but it is not so community orientated like CW is.
The fact that Coachwerks is not situated in the centre but in an area where less is happening culturally makes it extra precious to me. It brings cultural excitement and many possibilities to a space where people can find it hard to get to meet their neighbour.
I have been meeting more people who are locals to me through going there. And I know that, as CW develops, my children, local children, youth and adults are going to be given the chance to participate in various artistic activities that they might not otherwise experience."
Eva Dauros
I think Coachwerks...
"My name is Shane Irwin; I am a lecturer, theatre practitioner, artist, poet, dancer and development worker. I wish to give testimony to the value of CoachWerks, a venue with heart, ambition and an open concern for Art in the community and for the community.
I first encountered CoachWerks in 2009 when participating in a physical theatre workshop led by internationally acclaimed artist Yael Karavan. The venue made an instant impact upon me, not because of the space, although the dance/performance space is alive, clean and adaptable; but because of the people that contributed and managed the venue, their friendly approach and astute resolve to ensure CoachWerks remained at the heart of a community much deprived of art was and is something to be admired. Given the fact that so many volunteer their time out of dedication it is clear that there is both a desire and a possibility for a venue such as this to thrive and contribute to a community that is outside of the familiar Brighton network of art and artists.
I would like to state how creative this venue is in its encompassing approach to art; for although primarily established as a dance base it has entertained theatre, poetry, storytelling, art, film and of course dance. Already it has attracted international performers and producers to work in the space and present their work.
On one occasion I had the opportunity to present performance work that had evolved during a week-long workshop, I have been performing for over twenty years now but I remember standing outside post performance and speaking with a man who lived just down the road, he told me that he never got to see “stuff” like that and was thrilled to have it on his doorstep, that will remain with me as a raison d’etre for performance. I also spoke to a woman with two daughters, one of whom was I believe challenged in some way, all three had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and were extremely appreciative of the work and the venue. I believe if considered for core funding CoachWerks will surprise any arts body by being responsive and responsible to the community.
I am soon to exhibit in CoachWerks, March 22-28 to be precise, once again I am indebted to this venue for this is my first exhibition in 24 years and the process has been made so easy by the provision of voluntary support. If you are involved in the art world you will doubtless know how difficult it is to find exhibition space, if you happen to also be poor, as many artists are, then you will appreciate just how exceptional it is that this has cost me nothing in terms of venue hire, again the desire to include visual art into their programme motivates the team at CoachWerks to venture forth where others hesitate.
I cannot emphasise enough how impassioned I am about this venue and I strongly urge any who read this to venture forth and see this community at work."
Shane Irwin
Lecturer, theatre practitioner, artist, poet, dancer and development worker
"My name is Shane Irwin; I am a lecturer, theatre practitioner, artist, poet, dancer and development worker. I wish to give testimony to the value of CoachWerks, a venue with heart, ambition and an open concern for Art in the community and for the community.
I first encountered CoachWerks in 2009 when participating in a physical theatre workshop led by internationally acclaimed artist Yael Karavan. The venue made an instant impact upon me, not because of the space, although the dance/performance space is alive, clean and adaptable; but because of the people that contributed and managed the venue, their friendly approach and astute resolve to ensure CoachWerks remained at the heart of a community much deprived of art was and is something to be admired. Given the fact that so many volunteer their time out of dedication it is clear that there is both a desire and a possibility for a venue such as this to thrive and contribute to a community that is outside of the familiar Brighton network of art and artists.
I would like to state how creative this venue is in its encompassing approach to art; for although primarily established as a dance base it has entertained theatre, poetry, storytelling, art, film and of course dance. Already it has attracted international performers and producers to work in the space and present their work.
On one occasion I had the opportunity to present performance work that had evolved during a week-long workshop, I have been performing for over twenty years now but I remember standing outside post performance and speaking with a man who lived just down the road, he told me that he never got to see “stuff” like that and was thrilled to have it on his doorstep, that will remain with me as a raison d’etre for performance. I also spoke to a woman with two daughters, one of whom was I believe challenged in some way, all three had thoroughly enjoyed the evening and were extremely appreciative of the work and the venue. I believe if considered for core funding CoachWerks will surprise any arts body by being responsive and responsible to the community.
I am soon to exhibit in CoachWerks, March 22-28 to be precise, once again I am indebted to this venue for this is my first exhibition in 24 years and the process has been made so easy by the provision of voluntary support. If you are involved in the art world you will doubtless know how difficult it is to find exhibition space, if you happen to also be poor, as many artists are, then you will appreciate just how exceptional it is that this has cost me nothing in terms of venue hire, again the desire to include visual art into their programme motivates the team at CoachWerks to venture forth where others hesitate.
I cannot emphasise enough how impassioned I am about this venue and I strongly urge any who read this to venture forth and see this community at work."
Shane Irwin
Lecturer, theatre practitioner, artist, poet, dancer and development worker
I think Coachwerks...
"There is something about Coachwerks… I have performed and worked in other spaces and theatres around Brighton but none have that ‘something’ that Coachwerks manages to create.
The space itself has the feel of a workshop, a warehouse, someone’s home, It is somewhere that is in constant movement and a space that allows all who choose to be involved, in whatever capacity, an equal chance to explore, investigate and challenge their own practice.
The people who welcome you do just that. The environment created by the regular faces is relaxed, informal and they are open to new ideas and encourage the artists in their creativity and their play.
It is therefore, not a venue that allows you to use ‘their’ space, but somewhere that truly wants to allow artists their freedom to create.
I have attended workshops, classes and performed at coachwerks. My daughter has been involved in voice over work for animation and performance, and both my children are now beginning a radio project there. They would be the first to mention the wonderful people there and the great community environment!
I am a lone parent that tries her hardest to be both a good parent and a performer. The people at coachwerks have been incredible with their understanding and their adaptability. This I suppose is the biggest difference between Coachwerks and other spaces in and around Brighton, they want the space to be accessible to all, not just an elite. They are all practicing artists themselves in many different capacities and are willing enough and brave enough to offer others what they would want for themselves."
Rachel Champion
"There is something about Coachwerks… I have performed and worked in other spaces and theatres around Brighton but none have that ‘something’ that Coachwerks manages to create.
The space itself has the feel of a workshop, a warehouse, someone’s home, It is somewhere that is in constant movement and a space that allows all who choose to be involved, in whatever capacity, an equal chance to explore, investigate and challenge their own practice.
The people who welcome you do just that. The environment created by the regular faces is relaxed, informal and they are open to new ideas and encourage the artists in their creativity and their play.
It is therefore, not a venue that allows you to use ‘their’ space, but somewhere that truly wants to allow artists their freedom to create.
I have attended workshops, classes and performed at coachwerks. My daughter has been involved in voice over work for animation and performance, and both my children are now beginning a radio project there. They would be the first to mention the wonderful people there and the great community environment!
I am a lone parent that tries her hardest to be both a good parent and a performer. The people at coachwerks have been incredible with their understanding and their adaptability. This I suppose is the biggest difference between Coachwerks and other spaces in and around Brighton, they want the space to be accessible to all, not just an elite. They are all practicing artists themselves in many different capacities and are willing enough and brave enough to offer others what they would want for themselves."
Rachel Champion
I think Coachwerks...
"I have lived in Brighton for 7 years, and throughout this time I have worked professionally as a performer, and more recently I also trained as a teacher.
Throughout this time I have had times consistently in performance work and others without. For me as a performer I needed to find consistency, a place that I could work and practice my skills at all times.
I have for years searched and researched various classes, companies, and workshops in Brighton, but unfortunately I couldn’t find a place that I could train professionally. I found many beginner groups, one of workshops, and worked for some interesting semi professional theatre groups, however I kept hitting the same problems.
1, Many classes are for beginners
2, There are not any classes organised for people who want to keep training in specific skills, such as physical theatre (Again there are beginner groups)
3, The Dome runs fantastic workshops but every 6 months, and again are usually for beginners.
4, There are many interesting companies but as they are researching and rehearsing their own work, the only way to work with them is through an audition, therefore when you get invited.
I stumbled across the Coachwerks as I recently set up a theatre co-operative in Brighton, the idea was to work with like minded people, share skills, and hopefully work towards performances. This co-operative worked very well at first, but the difficulty was finding a space, working out ways to pay for it. I contacted the Coachwerks and straight away we started working together, and it was clear immediately that this place had so much to offer myself and others.
The coachwerks offers me a place to Learn, train, teach and share my skills with committed people (Open to all). At the Coachwerks the classes are open to all, but the level of training seems to work for all, so I don’t feel frustrated with the level of training or students, the fact that people are committed whether they are experienced or not seems to make a difference.
The training is varied and I am learning a lot. In the industry today many companies are looking for performers with physical theatre skills and it’s almost impossible to find affordable consistent training, not only in Brighton but throughout the country. There are many weekend workshops that will cast you around £200, there are year courses etc. Over the past 2 years I have found my training in Berlin Prague and Latvia, all of these places offer physical theatre training at an affordable price, but again they were one of month or weeks workshops and I need consistent training if I am to continue growing as a performer.
The coachwerks also offers opportunities to show your work
Finally it’s a fantastic place to network and meet new amazing creative people, a place where you can find a true blend of individuals and groups all working relentlessly to reach their goals and assist others in their pursuits."
Nuala Cavanagh
Actor / Teacher / Director
"I have lived in Brighton for 7 years, and throughout this time I have worked professionally as a performer, and more recently I also trained as a teacher.
Throughout this time I have had times consistently in performance work and others without. For me as a performer I needed to find consistency, a place that I could work and practice my skills at all times.
I have for years searched and researched various classes, companies, and workshops in Brighton, but unfortunately I couldn’t find a place that I could train professionally. I found many beginner groups, one of workshops, and worked for some interesting semi professional theatre groups, however I kept hitting the same problems.
1, Many classes are for beginners
2, There are not any classes organised for people who want to keep training in specific skills, such as physical theatre (Again there are beginner groups)
3, The Dome runs fantastic workshops but every 6 months, and again are usually for beginners.
4, There are many interesting companies but as they are researching and rehearsing their own work, the only way to work with them is through an audition, therefore when you get invited.
I stumbled across the Coachwerks as I recently set up a theatre co-operative in Brighton, the idea was to work with like minded people, share skills, and hopefully work towards performances. This co-operative worked very well at first, but the difficulty was finding a space, working out ways to pay for it. I contacted the Coachwerks and straight away we started working together, and it was clear immediately that this place had so much to offer myself and others.
The coachwerks offers me a place to Learn, train, teach and share my skills with committed people (Open to all). At the Coachwerks the classes are open to all, but the level of training seems to work for all, so I don’t feel frustrated with the level of training or students, the fact that people are committed whether they are experienced or not seems to make a difference.
The training is varied and I am learning a lot. In the industry today many companies are looking for performers with physical theatre skills and it’s almost impossible to find affordable consistent training, not only in Brighton but throughout the country. There are many weekend workshops that will cast you around £200, there are year courses etc. Over the past 2 years I have found my training in Berlin Prague and Latvia, all of these places offer physical theatre training at an affordable price, but again they were one of month or weeks workshops and I need consistent training if I am to continue growing as a performer.
The coachwerks also offers opportunities to show your work
Finally it’s a fantastic place to network and meet new amazing creative people, a place where you can find a true blend of individuals and groups all working relentlessly to reach their goals and assist others in their pursuits."
Nuala Cavanagh
Actor / Teacher / Director
I think Coachwerks...
"I have attended Coachwerks for a 2 day workshop (Yael Karavan) and I am participating in a scratch night on March 13th. I became aware of Coachwerks during the Festival of workshops and lectures about Grotowski which I was unfortunately unable to attend but was very impressed by the breadth of its scope and ambitions. The Yael Karavan workshop was extremely valuable experience. I learned a lot in 2 days and really appreciated the Coachwerks environment and personnel. A very warm and relaxed and serious group of people.
The scratch night is playing an important role in my evolving practice. As a performer I need audiences and venues such as these to develop my craft. I cannot only work alone and with colleagues but I do not necessarily always want the pressure of having to present a completed work. I have already learned a great deal from feedback from previous scratch performances in the workshop setting with Coachwerks personnel.
I have been impressed by the clarity and enthusiasm with which work has been promoted and undertaken. Information has been clear and readily available and the execution impeccable. Costs seem very reasonable. The work has also been of a challenging and high standard and quality.
I think that Coachwerks is filling a very valuable, actually vital role on our arts and cultural economy. I.e a place outside and between Educational and Cultural institutions for artists to learn and to rehearse and to develop. Places such as these are a bridge between the individual idea and the larger venue and formal training. Without places such as this cultural life cannot flourish due to inhibitions of finances and cultural access. I see Coachwerks as a home for experimentation and research where one can make mistakes and stretch and tests ones limits and capabilities. Coachwerks also provides a community and audiences. I sincerely hope that my relationship will grow and develop as Coachwerks does and I hope that I may also be of service to it."
Lucy Thane
Red Shoe Films (London)
"I have attended Coachwerks for a 2 day workshop (Yael Karavan) and I am participating in a scratch night on March 13th. I became aware of Coachwerks during the Festival of workshops and lectures about Grotowski which I was unfortunately unable to attend but was very impressed by the breadth of its scope and ambitions. The Yael Karavan workshop was extremely valuable experience. I learned a lot in 2 days and really appreciated the Coachwerks environment and personnel. A very warm and relaxed and serious group of people.
The scratch night is playing an important role in my evolving practice. As a performer I need audiences and venues such as these to develop my craft. I cannot only work alone and with colleagues but I do not necessarily always want the pressure of having to present a completed work. I have already learned a great deal from feedback from previous scratch performances in the workshop setting with Coachwerks personnel.
I have been impressed by the clarity and enthusiasm with which work has been promoted and undertaken. Information has been clear and readily available and the execution impeccable. Costs seem very reasonable. The work has also been of a challenging and high standard and quality.
I think that Coachwerks is filling a very valuable, actually vital role on our arts and cultural economy. I.e a place outside and between Educational and Cultural institutions for artists to learn and to rehearse and to develop. Places such as these are a bridge between the individual idea and the larger venue and formal training. Without places such as this cultural life cannot flourish due to inhibitions of finances and cultural access. I see Coachwerks as a home for experimentation and research where one can make mistakes and stretch and tests ones limits and capabilities. Coachwerks also provides a community and audiences. I sincerely hope that my relationship will grow and develop as Coachwerks does and I hope that I may also be of service to it."
Lucy Thane
Red Shoe Films (London)
I think Coachwerks...
"Coachwerks is a unique opportunity for artists in Brighton to explore, experiment with and share their work in a safe and open environment.
To have a space such as this is rare. The fluidity and organic nature of the set up here means a broad variety of artists can bring their work without too much structure and rules. This is a fresh approach to providing space. It means creativity can grow and flourish with less pressure."
Laura Gwynne
Attended workshops and Viewfinder series at Coachwerks
"Coachwerks is a unique opportunity for artists in Brighton to explore, experiment with and share their work in a safe and open environment.
To have a space such as this is rare. The fluidity and organic nature of the set up here means a broad variety of artists can bring their work without too much structure and rules. This is a fresh approach to providing space. It means creativity can grow and flourish with less pressure."
Laura Gwynne
Attended workshops and Viewfinder series at Coachwerks
I think Coachwerks...
"Our experience at COACHWERKS in September 2009 was invaluable in the creation of our site-specific installation feast Eat Your Heart Out. As a company who devises often, site specific productions our attractions to a venue is a flexible and open attitude, and a practical and supportive approach to artistic practice, and we found all of this at COACHWERKS.
The set for Eat Your Heart Out was a labyrinthe of junk collected from the city's recyling centres, filled to brimming point so that only a narrow pathway for the audience to enter into was visible. It is rare to find opportunities to install a warehouse full of a city's rubbish as the set for a promenade performance, particularly as many established venues programme more than one show in an evening. It was fantiastic to be able to arrange our labyrinthe of waste for our week-long residency with full and unquestioning support from all the artists at COACHWERKS. In particular the rough and ready character of the building offered much to the performances antiquated aesthetic and made the show even more immersive for our audience.
COACHWERKS is especially invaluable for those working in mixed Art forms as the space is so maleable, and was the way in which we were made to feel welcomed into the community of COACHWERKS artists. As a visiting company in residence we were able to work extended hours, at rates that many theatre venues could not subsidise. There is a fantastic can-do attitude amongst the COACHWERKS artists and this created a very supportive atmosphere.
The interest garnered during our residency and performances resulted in 2 great reviews from The Argus and Latest 7 magazine. Spaces like COACHWERKS are liberating for the work of ermerging artists like Kindle where we felt creatively uninhibited and able to use the space in the best way it served the production. Having the opportunity to create the installation in Brighton richly informed the full scale installation that sold out in our native Birmingham.
In this way our creation of Eat Your Heart Out in the space felt very much like a collaboration, and we would encourage any company or artist whose work is challenging or experimental to work at COACHWERKS."
Kindle Theatre
Press:
"Eat Your Heart Out has truly put the quirky Coachwerks in Hollingdean on the map as a venue with a difference. It could only have been in this tucked-away sprawling warehouse that this sinister and hilarious production could capture the imagination as it did."
Naomi Loomes, The Argus.
"Kindle Theatre’s work in progress is a brilliant, interactively staged slab of grotesque."
Bella Todd, Editor, Latest 7.
"Our experience at COACHWERKS in September 2009 was invaluable in the creation of our site-specific installation feast Eat Your Heart Out. As a company who devises often, site specific productions our attractions to a venue is a flexible and open attitude, and a practical and supportive approach to artistic practice, and we found all of this at COACHWERKS.
The set for Eat Your Heart Out was a labyrinthe of junk collected from the city's recyling centres, filled to brimming point so that only a narrow pathway for the audience to enter into was visible. It is rare to find opportunities to install a warehouse full of a city's rubbish as the set for a promenade performance, particularly as many established venues programme more than one show in an evening. It was fantiastic to be able to arrange our labyrinthe of waste for our week-long residency with full and unquestioning support from all the artists at COACHWERKS. In particular the rough and ready character of the building offered much to the performances antiquated aesthetic and made the show even more immersive for our audience.
COACHWERKS is especially invaluable for those working in mixed Art forms as the space is so maleable, and was the way in which we were made to feel welcomed into the community of COACHWERKS artists. As a visiting company in residence we were able to work extended hours, at rates that many theatre venues could not subsidise. There is a fantastic can-do attitude amongst the COACHWERKS artists and this created a very supportive atmosphere.
The interest garnered during our residency and performances resulted in 2 great reviews from The Argus and Latest 7 magazine. Spaces like COACHWERKS are liberating for the work of ermerging artists like Kindle where we felt creatively uninhibited and able to use the space in the best way it served the production. Having the opportunity to create the installation in Brighton richly informed the full scale installation that sold out in our native Birmingham.
In this way our creation of Eat Your Heart Out in the space felt very much like a collaboration, and we would encourage any company or artist whose work is challenging or experimental to work at COACHWERKS."
Kindle Theatre
Press:
"Eat Your Heart Out has truly put the quirky Coachwerks in Hollingdean on the map as a venue with a difference. It could only have been in this tucked-away sprawling warehouse that this sinister and hilarious production could capture the imagination as it did."
Naomi Loomes, The Argus.
"Kindle Theatre’s work in progress is a brilliant, interactively staged slab of grotesque."
Bella Todd, Editor, Latest 7.
I think Coachwerks...
"Coachwerks has played a fundamental part in the development of my artistic practice in the last year. I performed, taught and spent an intensive research period at the studio in 2009. Coachwerks is the only dance studio I know in Brighton which is big enough and affordable for me use for my practice. It is also run by extremely supportive people who encourage performers to follow their artistic interest through offering space at a reasonable price, opportunities for showing work to an audience, publicity through their mailing list and front of house staff. The research week I spent at Coachwerks enabled me to spend a large chunk of time experimenting and delving deeper into my art form. I was also able to share my practice with a supportive audience without the pressure of having to show a product at the end of it.
I have always felt very welcome at the studio and it helps that the staff are artists themselves who have experienced and enjoy my work. Coachwerks also supports artists through offering training programmes taught by both international and local artists. I taught there as part of the Unschool Festival which brought my work to a larger local audience. Participants from that workshop continue to come to my weekly classes in Brighton. I also performed at last year’s festival which offered a diverse array of dance, music, improvised and devised pieces. Coachwerks is more than a rehearsal and performance space it is a vibrant centre which brings together the local arts community through offering various activities from scratch nights to poetry readings, dance classes, art films and a café."
Kate Hilder
"Coachwerks has played a fundamental part in the development of my artistic practice in the last year. I performed, taught and spent an intensive research period at the studio in 2009. Coachwerks is the only dance studio I know in Brighton which is big enough and affordable for me use for my practice. It is also run by extremely supportive people who encourage performers to follow their artistic interest through offering space at a reasonable price, opportunities for showing work to an audience, publicity through their mailing list and front of house staff. The research week I spent at Coachwerks enabled me to spend a large chunk of time experimenting and delving deeper into my art form. I was also able to share my practice with a supportive audience without the pressure of having to show a product at the end of it.
I have always felt very welcome at the studio and it helps that the staff are artists themselves who have experienced and enjoy my work. Coachwerks also supports artists through offering training programmes taught by both international and local artists. I taught there as part of the Unschool Festival which brought my work to a larger local audience. Participants from that workshop continue to come to my weekly classes in Brighton. I also performed at last year’s festival which offered a diverse array of dance, music, improvised and devised pieces. Coachwerks is more than a rehearsal and performance space it is a vibrant centre which brings together the local arts community through offering various activities from scratch nights to poetry readings, dance classes, art films and a café."
Kate Hilder
I think Coachwerks...
"Coachwerks is a unique space as it makes you wanting to produce artistic work and experiment without stifling artistic expression with terms and conditions of what is expected by you as a creator while being in the space. The whiteness of the main space pools you into diving into artistic expression. It brings in artists who want to share their work and communicate. It creates a community of artists that they found a long sought space to meet and produce art with a fresh gaze to make meaning of the world we are living in."
Erene Kaptani
Theatre maker, performer
"Coachwerks is a unique space as it makes you wanting to produce artistic work and experiment without stifling artistic expression with terms and conditions of what is expected by you as a creator while being in the space. The whiteness of the main space pools you into diving into artistic expression. It brings in artists who want to share their work and communicate. It creates a community of artists that they found a long sought space to meet and produce art with a fresh gaze to make meaning of the world we are living in."
Erene Kaptani
Theatre maker, performer
I think Coachwerks...
"Last Saturday I popped into the Community Café at Coachwerks for a cup of tea and ended up learning how to weave a basket. I now have a brand new fruit bowl and I’m as proud as a school kid. I found this experience totally enlivening, not only because I learnt new skills and felt a rare sense of community but also because of the confidence one gets from having a bash at something new in a non-judgemental environment. It makes people active and motivated. The whole building seems to thrum with possibility—the people involved are so open to ideas and suggestions for the space.
I now help to run the performance night Stray Signals, something I never would have had the confidence to do alone. The marketing, financial and organisational skills I have learnt are invaluable. There are so many exciting projects going on, it is easy for people to get involved, contribute and take responsibility for the events happening in the space. I personally feel more competent and capable as a result of the projects I’m involved with.
During a break from working on my own project last week, I met a photographer who has a darkroom in Coachwerks. He was taking pictures with a pinhole camera and let me watch the film develop. When I emerged later in the day for a coffee I met Matt who was making a small wind turbine for a local school. There is now a clay bread oven in the space which many people (including myself) have helped to make. The multiplicity of this environment is unparalleled. As well as participating in the various projects, you are encouraged to contribute as well. It is extremely rare to find a space that is this inspiring and affordable. I feel that every effort should be made to support Coachwerks and the projects it undertakes."
Dulci
"Last Saturday I popped into the Community Café at Coachwerks for a cup of tea and ended up learning how to weave a basket. I now have a brand new fruit bowl and I’m as proud as a school kid. I found this experience totally enlivening, not only because I learnt new skills and felt a rare sense of community but also because of the confidence one gets from having a bash at something new in a non-judgemental environment. It makes people active and motivated. The whole building seems to thrum with possibility—the people involved are so open to ideas and suggestions for the space.
I now help to run the performance night Stray Signals, something I never would have had the confidence to do alone. The marketing, financial and organisational skills I have learnt are invaluable. There are so many exciting projects going on, it is easy for people to get involved, contribute and take responsibility for the events happening in the space. I personally feel more competent and capable as a result of the projects I’m involved with.
During a break from working on my own project last week, I met a photographer who has a darkroom in Coachwerks. He was taking pictures with a pinhole camera and let me watch the film develop. When I emerged later in the day for a coffee I met Matt who was making a small wind turbine for a local school. There is now a clay bread oven in the space which many people (including myself) have helped to make. The multiplicity of this environment is unparalleled. As well as participating in the various projects, you are encouraged to contribute as well. It is extremely rare to find a space that is this inspiring and affordable. I feel that every effort should be made to support Coachwerks and the projects it undertakes."
Dulci
I think Coachwerks...
"I started my relationship with Coachwerks a year ago when I learnt that a group of artists were involved in turning a derelict coach garage into a space for different artists to develop their work. The prospect of a new artist space in Brighton immediately appealed to me. I was a performing artist in need of an affordable and easily available place where to create my work, practise my craft and meet other artists from whom to nourish. I went there for a first “buildathon”, a call to gather people help build a concrete floor and other jobs. I had an amazing time working with some other 20 enthusiasts and was impressed by the drive and will of the Coachwerks people to make their dream come true -and by their team spirit. I began to contribute regularly towards the building, refurbishment and maintenance of the space and I had fun, diners by the fire and candlelight, and I bonded with the co-werkers and people who regularly use the space.
Coachwerks has been crucial in my development as an artist since then. I’ve taken part in various performance events and I’ve come into contact with a large number of artists, nurturing both professionally and personally. Creating and performing there a piece for the Brighton Fringe Festival 09 was so fruitful. And specially exciting, as I had worked hard for the life and existence of the space. The brand new large performance studio suited the piece perfectly, ideal both for the set –the recreation of a public library, and the audience placement –50 audience members sitting at different tables inside the space at the centre of the performance action. The always enthusiastic and pro-active Coachwerks team were professional, available and always ready to lend a hand. Such an environment made it an amazing creative experience providing the necessary conditions for play and focused work. The piece was only possible because of the affordability of the space. I also benefited from invaluable professional advice and constructive feedback during the process. The piece eventually received an encouraging five-star Fringe review and was taken to other venues.
Following the Fringe I continued helping out with whatever tasks were needed in the organisation of further events: from cleaning and door duties to serving drinks and assisting other artists participating in the extraordinary International Experimental Performance Festival. This was an incredible experience in which I learned a lot about how bigger events are organised and I got involved with artists from diverse walks of life. I’ve also taken part in training and learning through the multitude of quality workshops that followed the festival and have attended shows, work-in-progress presentations, interesting discussions and talks… I’ve observed how well Coachwerks involves the public in artistic processes and performance culture and how the public is appreciative of this.
The upbeat, hands-on attitude typical of the co-werkers spreads like a beautiful fire. Experiencing and witnessing the benefits that such activities bring to artists, students and audiences, a desire to contribute with my organisational skills has grown in me. I’m now engaged in organising, promoting and publicising events, liaising with local and national artists, academics, students, institutions and the media. I’m learning loads about how to run public events and as a result my confidence in this area has built up. Thanks to the Viewfinder Series I’ve developed an increased interest in work-in-progress presentations for artistic testing and the active involvement of the audience in the process. Hence, I’ve offered to run the first Scratch night at Coachwerks in March. This will hopefully be a valuable experience for me in terms of how to effectively facilitate a constructive dialogue between artists and audiences that benefits both.
Coachwerks has also given me the opportunity to continue with my development as a performing arts teacher. I’m currently part of a weekly open teaching/learning scheme whereby a group of practitioners share their artistic practice by teaching it, while learning in return from the practice of the other practitioners/teachers in the group. Feedback is also provided. I can teach, take risks, research into new methods, evaluate the experience and learn new skills and appreciation for different ways of working.
Coachwerks is a place for individual and collective artistic visions to be realized, a space for taking action, risks, gaining insights, learning and developing through collaboration and dialogue in a way that’s inclusive of the public. I don’t know of any other venue where I could get so much and so good. It’s a great place for art run by people who genuinely care about artists and audiences and who are already making a difference in all involved".
Sofia
"I started my relationship with Coachwerks a year ago when I learnt that a group of artists were involved in turning a derelict coach garage into a space for different artists to develop their work. The prospect of a new artist space in Brighton immediately appealed to me. I was a performing artist in need of an affordable and easily available place where to create my work, practise my craft and meet other artists from whom to nourish. I went there for a first “buildathon”, a call to gather people help build a concrete floor and other jobs. I had an amazing time working with some other 20 enthusiasts and was impressed by the drive and will of the Coachwerks people to make their dream come true -and by their team spirit. I began to contribute regularly towards the building, refurbishment and maintenance of the space and I had fun, diners by the fire and candlelight, and I bonded with the co-werkers and people who regularly use the space.
Coachwerks has been crucial in my development as an artist since then. I’ve taken part in various performance events and I’ve come into contact with a large number of artists, nurturing both professionally and personally. Creating and performing there a piece for the Brighton Fringe Festival 09 was so fruitful. And specially exciting, as I had worked hard for the life and existence of the space. The brand new large performance studio suited the piece perfectly, ideal both for the set –the recreation of a public library, and the audience placement –50 audience members sitting at different tables inside the space at the centre of the performance action. The always enthusiastic and pro-active Coachwerks team were professional, available and always ready to lend a hand. Such an environment made it an amazing creative experience providing the necessary conditions for play and focused work. The piece was only possible because of the affordability of the space. I also benefited from invaluable professional advice and constructive feedback during the process. The piece eventually received an encouraging five-star Fringe review and was taken to other venues.
Following the Fringe I continued helping out with whatever tasks were needed in the organisation of further events: from cleaning and door duties to serving drinks and assisting other artists participating in the extraordinary International Experimental Performance Festival. This was an incredible experience in which I learned a lot about how bigger events are organised and I got involved with artists from diverse walks of life. I’ve also taken part in training and learning through the multitude of quality workshops that followed the festival and have attended shows, work-in-progress presentations, interesting discussions and talks… I’ve observed how well Coachwerks involves the public in artistic processes and performance culture and how the public is appreciative of this.
The upbeat, hands-on attitude typical of the co-werkers spreads like a beautiful fire. Experiencing and witnessing the benefits that such activities bring to artists, students and audiences, a desire to contribute with my organisational skills has grown in me. I’m now engaged in organising, promoting and publicising events, liaising with local and national artists, academics, students, institutions and the media. I’m learning loads about how to run public events and as a result my confidence in this area has built up. Thanks to the Viewfinder Series I’ve developed an increased interest in work-in-progress presentations for artistic testing and the active involvement of the audience in the process. Hence, I’ve offered to run the first Scratch night at Coachwerks in March. This will hopefully be a valuable experience for me in terms of how to effectively facilitate a constructive dialogue between artists and audiences that benefits both.
Coachwerks has also given me the opportunity to continue with my development as a performing arts teacher. I’m currently part of a weekly open teaching/learning scheme whereby a group of practitioners share their artistic practice by teaching it, while learning in return from the practice of the other practitioners/teachers in the group. Feedback is also provided. I can teach, take risks, research into new methods, evaluate the experience and learn new skills and appreciation for different ways of working.
Coachwerks is a place for individual and collective artistic visions to be realized, a space for taking action, risks, gaining insights, learning and developing through collaboration and dialogue in a way that’s inclusive of the public. I don’t know of any other venue where I could get so much and so good. It’s a great place for art run by people who genuinely care about artists and audiences and who are already making a difference in all involved".
Sofia
I think Coachwerks...
"I am a choreographer and dance artist based between Ireland and Brighton and I was in residence at Coachwerks in January and February 2010 whilst carrying out research and development for my current choreographic project, ‘Notions of Journeying’. I started spending time in Brighton in September 2009 and was keen to find potential spaces to create dance work whilst also feeling part of a wider artistic community. Brighton is the home to South East Dance, but is yet to house any good rehearsal studios that are possible to book for more than a couple of hours at a time. I fell across Coachwerks and was struck by how inviting the group of people who run this space are. Their attitude seems to be ‘yes lets’ to an enthusiastic suggestion from a passionate artist, and this is both refreshing and infectious!
I met with Ana to talk about my project and see if Coachwerks would be interested to have me on artistic residency there at a subsidised rate for the hiring the performance space. I was also interested to hold a weekend workshop and to open up morning company class during my residency to other local practitioners as part of the project. Ana was enthusiastic about the whole idea and suggested that I could be artist in focus as part of their ViewFinder series - a regular artist ‘show and tell’ event.
Although the space is somewhat chilly and leaky, I love the character and rawness that it holds. I often find plush dance studios quite sterile environments to work in. By contrast, the space at Coachwerks is full of life and texture and I find that an inspiration. I also really enjoy that there are artists of all disciplines working at Coachwerks - the conversations that arise over lunch or a tea break between all the people involved in the space make for new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration to be shared.
My training background is in dance and choreography, but I often feel that my artistic vision reaches far beyond those parameters, I just don’t have all the necessary skills to realise my ideas. Being surrounded by such a diverse group of artists makes me feel the possibility of branching out into some of those other fields - gradually finding the most appropriate mediums for saying what I want to say. For example, as part of my current project I want to make a series of drawings I have into large prints on canvas as a choreographic art exhibition. But I know nothing of screen printing or the ‘visual arts’ way of doing things. Over the past few weeks I have been in touch with Clare from Coachwerks - she is in the process of building a screen printing room at Coachwerks and is happy to collaborate with me on this aspect of the project. I feel that within the walls of this building many things can be drawn together.
It is through Coachwerks that I start to feel a strong and supportive community around me in Brighton - a rare pleasure I think!"
Charlotte Spencer
"I am a choreographer and dance artist based between Ireland and Brighton and I was in residence at Coachwerks in January and February 2010 whilst carrying out research and development for my current choreographic project, ‘Notions of Journeying’. I started spending time in Brighton in September 2009 and was keen to find potential spaces to create dance work whilst also feeling part of a wider artistic community. Brighton is the home to South East Dance, but is yet to house any good rehearsal studios that are possible to book for more than a couple of hours at a time. I fell across Coachwerks and was struck by how inviting the group of people who run this space are. Their attitude seems to be ‘yes lets’ to an enthusiastic suggestion from a passionate artist, and this is both refreshing and infectious!
I met with Ana to talk about my project and see if Coachwerks would be interested to have me on artistic residency there at a subsidised rate for the hiring the performance space. I was also interested to hold a weekend workshop and to open up morning company class during my residency to other local practitioners as part of the project. Ana was enthusiastic about the whole idea and suggested that I could be artist in focus as part of their ViewFinder series - a regular artist ‘show and tell’ event.
Although the space is somewhat chilly and leaky, I love the character and rawness that it holds. I often find plush dance studios quite sterile environments to work in. By contrast, the space at Coachwerks is full of life and texture and I find that an inspiration. I also really enjoy that there are artists of all disciplines working at Coachwerks - the conversations that arise over lunch or a tea break between all the people involved in the space make for new ideas, perspectives, and inspiration to be shared.
My training background is in dance and choreography, but I often feel that my artistic vision reaches far beyond those parameters, I just don’t have all the necessary skills to realise my ideas. Being surrounded by such a diverse group of artists makes me feel the possibility of branching out into some of those other fields - gradually finding the most appropriate mediums for saying what I want to say. For example, as part of my current project I want to make a series of drawings I have into large prints on canvas as a choreographic art exhibition. But I know nothing of screen printing or the ‘visual arts’ way of doing things. Over the past few weeks I have been in touch with Clare from Coachwerks - she is in the process of building a screen printing room at Coachwerks and is happy to collaborate with me on this aspect of the project. I feel that within the walls of this building many things can be drawn together.
It is through Coachwerks that I start to feel a strong and supportive community around me in Brighton - a rare pleasure I think!"
Charlotte Spencer
I think Coachwerks...
"As part of the Chalfonts sixthform extended art experience this year the college approached Coachwerks to extend and challenge students perceptions about what Art is and the role Art and Artists play in our community. Staff (including the Principal) and students alike found the experience extremely positive and gave most of the students an insight into something unlike they have come across before. Seeing art happening in a communal space with no clear boundaries and no assessment objectives has ensured Chalfonts Art students realise the world is what you decide to make it and here are a group of individuals with creativity at the core of the existence.
Students from all abilities took something from the experience, one highly talented boy has completely rewritten his personal study plan based on the hand built cameras he saw, others have developed their photographic studies of human movement taken in the Dance session by creating deeper and more sustained studies of human movement.
Staff too have been considering ways to further develop these kinds of cross overs and are looking into ways of bringing students and artists together to discuss their own personal artistic development possibly using video conferencing.
Students gained ideas, insight and understanding on the visit in a way no other art experience could deliver. Coachwerks is a fascinating collective of creativity with the added bonus of offering the education community a meaningful and personalised path right to its heart. Students not only engaged but came away with the desire to research, experiment and play.
Greg Hodgson
senior leader of Chalfonts Community College and art teacher."
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Students from all abilities took something from the experience, one highly talented boy has completely rewritten his personal study plan based on the hand built cameras he saw, others have developed their photographic studies of human movement taken in the Dance session by creating deeper and more sustained studies of human movement.
Staff too have been considering ways to further develop these kinds of cross overs and are looking into ways of bringing students and artists together to discuss their own personal artistic development possibly using video conferencing.
Students gained ideas, insight and understanding on the visit in a way no other art experience could deliver. Coachwerks is a fascinating collective of creativity with the added bonus of offering the education community a meaningful and personalised path right to its heart. Students not only engaged but came away with the desire to research, experiment and play.
Greg Hodgson
senior leader of Chalfonts Community College and art teacher."
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