January 2021

It's that time of the month again: DUAS Loop is bringing you the round up of the latest art goings-on in Durham and beyond. From DUAS events, to podcast recommendations we've got you covered. 

Image credit: Amana Moore

As ever, keep reading for... 

What's been on - where you can find out about art-related activities that have been going on within the society and further afield!

What's going on - events and activities that are happening that you can get involved with!

What's "in" - recommendations of podcasts, books and exhibitions we think you might enjoy!

But first, a word from our president, Yujin! 

Happy New Year DUAS! Whether you’re back in Durham or at home, I hope that you’ve all had a nice Christmas and the first two weeks of Epiphany term. 

It’s not particularly the situation that any of us had wanted, but despite the difficulties, as in last term, we’re going to do our best to provide you with art activities! Sadly, Life Drawing sessions will have to wait until they can resume back in person. However, we will continue to run virtual Thursday sessions via Zoom as well as the monthly blogs.

This term we’ve got some more exciting events coming including a Mosaic project in collaboration with DUCFS and a Summer exhibition.  More details will be announced on our social media accounts closer to the dates so stay tuned!

Welcome back,

Yujin x

What's been on? 

Our Thursday sessions are going strong, with Esme, Ana and Lily leading us through lockdown with an array of workshops, from biro drawings to painting celebrities in acrylics. There's something for everyone, they're FREE and no experience required! You're welcome, Thursdays at 7pm. 

Follow @duthursdaysessions on instagram for the latest updates! See below for some of the work created in our most recent sessions! 

Image credit: (far left) by Simon; (middle and far right) by Ellie.

Image credit: (left) by Lily, (right) by Esmé.

Our monthly interviews are also well underway, our Epiphany term series kicking off with Alix Collingwood-Swinburn, the University's Western Art Collection curator. You can read the interview here! 

What's going on? 

...in DUAS

As mentioned earlier, our Thursday sessions are continuing throughout the lockdown, and we hope in the next few months to be able to clarify our plans for DUAS events in the coming terms! In the meantime, there are lots of other arty things going on outside of the art society which you can get stuck into!

Further afield...

The Student Art Prize 

With the deadline fast approaching we want to encourage you to get your entries in for the University Art Prize. Get your entries in by 15th February 2021 at 5pm. 

All you need to do is create a piece on this year's theme of HEROISM and you could be in with a chance of winning £1, 500! Find out more info here.

Art Prize Art School

In conjunction with the art prize, the university have also organised a range of amazing events as part of the Art Prize Art School. There is a real range of FREE events, from talks with art experts, to workshops with local artists. You don't want to miss this! 

Sign up for the events here.

Image credit: Durham University Art Collection website.

As part of the Art School, the collection are also distributing free art packs to assist you in your artistic endeavours. Get yours here before they run out. 

Interview coming up...

Keep your eyes peeled for our next interview: one of our exec, Faye, is going to be interviewing Newcastle-based artists, Lady Kitt, who describes their work as "Mess Making as Social Glue, driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore, share and (gently) insight the social functions of stuff that gets called art". Check in here on the 13th of Feb to check it out! 

What's "in"?

This month we have a couple of great recommendations to keep your creative juices flowing and critical thinking buzzing. 

First up is the @stillherestilllife instagram account. Each week they post a still life scene for its followers to recreate through whatever means they choose. The result is lots of gorgeous still life scenes in an array of different mediums, the best of which are reposted on their instagram... why not give it a try? 

Image credit: (far left and far right) Still here still life instagram account; (middle) Zena Kay from Trendland website. 

Our listen of the month is the one and only @stancepodcast. We love their latest episode in collaboration with A Vibe Called Tech, on reframing the black image in the arts. It's beautifully edited, the interviews are carefully and naturally conducted, and every episode presents a colourful mix of characters and stories, taking you across the globe in a way that we can only dream of doing right now as we just about make it through lockdown 3.0!

It's essential listening; brighten up your next walk with Stance.

Listen here.

Image credit: (left) Stance takes logo, Stance website; (right) Jazz Grant collage of Renate Cherlise, Stance website.

...And that's a wrap! 

Thank you for browsing our first edition of the DUAS Loop, keep up to date with our facebook and instagram for more updates, and be sure to check out our latest interview with Alix, here. Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming interview in 2 weeks time! 

Edited by Amana Moore