ALMA Winter Arts Weekend
29 Nov — 1 Dec 2024
A Celebration of Creativity + Community
You are warmly invited to the inaugural ALMA Winter Arts Weekend (WAW)! A vibrant gathering of artists, storytellers, musicians and makers, from Cornwall and beyond. Join us for a weekend filled with fun and creativity as we brighten the winter months and celebrate community. Explore and celebrate Newquay’s history and heritage through an array of high-quality, engaging and accessible art and cultural experiences.
Our programme offers something for everyone, aiming to connect people to the town, it’s extraordinary landscape, and each other.
Venue: St Michael’s Church, Newquay and at various locations throughout town
The Programme:
Mulled Wine & Organ Recital
To mark the start of the Winter Arts Weekend, we are thrilled to welcome organist Martin Palmer to Newquay for a special performance at St Michael’s Church.
As the town prepares for the Christmas Light Switch On celebrations, join us for a glass of mulled wine and listen to the wonderful sounds of the organ, live at the church.
Friday 29 November, 5pm - 6pm | FREE all welcome
Nina Royle Installation
As part of the Winter Arts Weekend, we are delighted to present an installation of works by Nina Royle, an artist based in West Cornwall.
Nina’s work is centred in painting but is also made as text, performance and utilitarian object. In these works mythologies, observations of the phenomenal within the everyday, and the alchemic possibilities of pigmented materials conflate, to be understood through one another.
Nina’s work will be on show over the whole weekend at St Michael’s Church, Newquay.
29 November: 5pm - 6pm, 30 Nov: 10am - 3pm, 1 Dec: 2pm - 5pm
Aerials Stir Faintly - Alice Mahoney
Aerials stir faintly is a new installation by Alice Mahoney using sculpture and sound, that will be shown in St Michaels Church. Working with a combination of sound, fabric and clay, some of which is locally sourced china clay and quartz sand, as well as found materials and objects from within the space, the work explores bodily experiences, expansion and contraction, breath, mirroring, and forms and colours found within the building.
Originally commissioned for the bell tower (a tower that never actually received any bells) the work evolved within the main church building and uses recordings of instruments within the church such as bells, an alter gong and various sounds from the organ, in particular sounds from the lower register as a sonic backdrop to create a physical experience within the space, as well as bell sounds from FM synthesis. Sound piece by Alice Mahoney, Organ played by Martin Palmer, Audio produced by SJ Blackmore.
29 November: 5pm - 6pm, 30 Nov: 10am - 3pm, 1 Dec: 2pm - 5pm
Storytelling for all ages
To mark the first full day of the Winter Arts Weekend, join Sam and Alex of Recalling Fire and wander along the byways of the “otherworld” as seen by Newquay’s ancient forebears.
Suitable for all ages, this story-telling session promises to ignite a spark of curiosity as we delve into Newquay’s amazing past! There will be warm drinks and food from our friends at Agweres.
Saturday 30 November, 10am - 11pm | FREE all welcome
Sound Installation by Neil Halstead
The Huer’s Hut, Newquay | FREE | 30 Nov - 1 Dec, 11am - 3pm
For the ALMA Winter Arts Weekend, musician, producer and songwriter Neil Halstead has created a thoughtful, looping soundscape that will emanate from the Huer’s Hut - a symbol of Newquay’s historic past.
Perched high above the sea, the striking white structure is a grade II listed building, dating back to the 14th Century. Echoing its original use as a shelter for the Huer, (who would sound a cry of ‘hevva hevva!’ to alert the town to the arrival of pilchard shoals on the horizon), Halstead’s soundscape will act as a beacon - encouraging passers by to follow the sounds - pause, listen and reflect.
Live Music - The New Eves + Daisy Rickman
ALMA is honoured to present a special evening with live music from The New Eves and Daisy Rickman in St. Michael's Church, Newquay.
Saturday 30 November, doors at 6pm | £15 (14+)
Book tickets early to avoid disapointment!
Hebaska by Leila Galloway
We will be filling Newquay’s unusual spaces with audio soundscapes and sculptural installations.
Including this piece by Leila Galloway: ‘Hebaska’ (pictured), will be installed in the shelter at the Fly Cellars near Newquay’s Harbour Wall. On Saturday 30 November, the installation will be accompanied by violinist Juliet Walshe, who will perform live at the Fly Cellars from 1pm - 3pm | FREE all welcome
Please note that access to the Fly Cellars in over uneven ground which might not be suitable for wheelchair users of pushchairs. Please contact the organisers for more details.
FREE Drop-in Art Activities:
Clay with Mud Club!
As part of our day of Monolith celebrations with The Stone Club and Robin Sullivan, we are thrilled to welcome Mud Club to Newquay: a playful and collaborative ceramics duo from Falmouth. Drop in for a session making treasures for shrines, pieces of ritual for your home, or gifts for someone special.
Sunday 1 December, 2pm - 4pm
FREE | with optional firing fee of £10-£20 depending on size. Everyone is welcome to come along and have a go!
All materials will be provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
FREE Drop-in Art Activities:
Drawing with Delphine
During our Winter Arts Weekend, everyone is welcome to come and have a go at something creative!
On Saturday 30 November, local artist Delphine Gwilliam O’Connor will be on hand to provide guidance and inspiration to support your creativity. With a range of materials and drawing techniques to explore, everyone is welcome to come along and have a go!
Saturday 30 November, 11am - 3pm
FREE | All materials will be provided.
These sessions are open to everyone there may be a short wait at busy times. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
A Day of Monolith Celebrations with STONE CLUB
ALMA and Stone Club invite you to a curated day of celebration, music and conversation as we explore The Newquay Monoliths - a new public sculpture commission for Newquay, created by artist Robin Sullivan (pictured in the studio with the monolith WIP).
With artist talks, family art workshops and live music from the inimitable Angeline Morrison, it promises to be a beautiful finale to the Winter Arts Weekend.
Sunday 1st December, 2pm - 6pm
St Michael’s Church, Newquay | All welcome. Pay by donation (suggested: £15)
Live Music - Angeline Morrison
Sunday 1 December, 5pm-6pm
St Michael’s Church, Newquay
Angeline Morrison is a folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose 2022 album ‘The Sorrow Songs : Folk Songs of Black British Experience’ (Topic Records) was voted No 1 Folk Album of the year in The Guardian. Angeline explores traditional song with a deep reverence, love and curiosity, a handmade sonic aesthetic and a feeling for the stories of ordinary human lives. "A ballad maker for our time" (ArtsDesk.com) "Morrison's courage in reconstructing folk repertoire is truly revolutionary" (New Internationalist) "Abundant with meaning and feeling" (The Guardian).
Flag Making Workshop with Amy Brock-Morgan
Join artist Amy Brock-Morgan for a fun and collaborative community flag making workshop as part of the ALMA Winter Arts Weekend! The workshop is open to everyone age 16+. No skills or prior experience required. All materials provided.
Saturday 30 November, 11am - 4pm | £10
Seweed Pressing Workshop (SOLD OUT)
Join The Seaweed Institute to learn the craft of seaweed pressing - a Victorian practice that captures the underwater beauty of seaweeds.
During the workshop you will learn to recognise and identify local seaweed species. The cultural history of seaweeds will be discussed, as well its agricultural, scientific and ecological uses. You will learn how to forage, store and use abundant local seaweeds.
The Seaweed Institute is a Community Interest Company run by the interdisciplinary duo Kerry Holbrook and Ruth Klückers on the south coast of Cornwall. The project connects people, seaweed and the intertidal space.
Sunday 1 December, 10am - 12pm | £10
Electronic Music & Live Visuals with Moogie Wonderland Workshop (SOLD OUT)
In these hands-on sessions attendees will be split into small groups to learn how to make electronic music on modular synths and how to create visuals using live programming software. Attendees will get to use state-of-the-art equipment, and be shown free software and resources to continue learning at home. No musical, technical, or artistic experience is needed. Due to the nature of electronic music creation and live visuals, it may not be suitable for some people with sensory issues. It is aimed at ages 13+. Participants under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday 30 November, 1pm - 3pm | £5
Pop-Up Artist Books & Zines
Run by James Meredew from Ancient Magic Books - an independent publisher based in Falmouth, with a focus on handmade books and photography.
And Clemo Books - Newquay’s infamous independant bookshop, who will be curating a collection of books which focus on land, art, history and Newquay’s heritage.
FREE access all weekend
Exhibition
Now showing at Newquay Orchard, Drawing, collage and cyanotypes - a solo exhibition of works on paper by Tom Sewell.
Open daily, 9:30am - 4pm FREE