DUAS Loop

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 se...

Welcome back to DUAS Loop! This month we hear from Alix, the curator for Western Art at Durham University. The University have a diverse and widely distributed collection of art, primarily modern, which is involved in an exciting array of projects, with students and local residents alike. Alix spoke to Amana about the work the collection do, and how we can get involved as students, particularly with the upcoming Student Art Prize and the concurrent Art Prize Art School.  Amana: Alix, tell me a bit about yourself and what you do. Alix: My role sits within the Library & Collections department and I’m part of the Museums, Galleries & Exhibitions team. I have responsibility for our diverse and widely distributed collection of primarily modern art. I joined the University in 2016 after spending 9 years at the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art. I am particularly interested in the contemporary role of the curator, in how we work with collections and how we continue to activate...

For this month's interview we are introducing Iain Watson, director of the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums.  TWAM are a museum, art gallery and archives service, working to preserve, promote and make accessible arts and culture in the North-East. From a vast range of invaluable projects run by the organisation in the local community, to the wider impact of Covid-19, Iain gave DUAS some insight on arts and culture in the North-East and beyond.  Amana: Please could you start by telling me a bit about you? Iain: I’m director of Tyne and Wear archives and museums... until the end of March! I’m actually retiring at the end of March 2021. I will still do lots of cultural and creative things but in a different format. My job involves running 9 museums, art galleries, heritage sites – a complete range across Tyneside, from Roman forts to contemporary art galleries, galleries of design, industrial museums, one railway… it’s a very varied heritage portfolio. My first degree is in...

Newsletter number 3 for  DUAS Loop  is here!   Each month we will be posting a newsletter updating you on: 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! Check out our latest interview with Jess Hunt, from East Durham Creates here .  Image: Beatrice Law This week, a matter of days before the national lockdown is due to end, it was announced that Durham will be moving to tier 3. However, that by no means stops Art Soc. activities and other creative events from taking place, and in this edition we've got lots of arty updates and some fun recommendations to keep you going through the next phase of the covid-19 saga!  Keep a particular eye out for our next interview, with head of...

Each month as part of DUAS Loop we are introducing a local creative, based in the North East. For our second edition we present Jess Hunt, project lead for East Durham Creates. Originally from Hartlepool, Jess completed an art foundation at the Northern School of Art (then CCAD) and then studied Visual Communications in Birmingham, specialising in Illustration.  Amana: Jess, tell me a bit about yourself. Jess: I’ve always been very arts-driven, interested in drawing and painting and being creative. When I left uni I worked freelance doing graphic design and illustration and also began delivering sessions for a few years before getting involved with art being delivered in different contexts – so in mental health settings, working with older adults and in a community setting as a project co-ordinator, and then later leading the EDC project. So what made you take that step from being simply someone invested in community that’s around you and then wanting to pursue it in you work life?...