A lovely piece on the vaa diary blog

[Untitled] is a free artist led publication that celebrates Falkirk's voluntary and amateur art groups by providing an opportunity to showcase their work/events to a wider audience in an accessible format.

Created in 2011 by local artist Craig Allan [Untitled] to address the lack of exhibition or promotion opportunities for amateur artists throughout the area. This problem was made evident when speaking to numerous art groups who all spoke about the disgust for lack of exposure, the only current available space for groups to exhibit in was a gardening centre, something they and myself found unacceptable. Having previously submitted work and edited issues for another Glasgow/Carlisle based artist 'zine (Manifesto) that also acted as a portable exhibition space for emerging artists it was obvious this vehicle of promoting work could be translated into Falkirk art groups.

Manifesto #8

Working closely with art groups to find out and address the issues they felt were holding back their group, were the foundations on which [Untitled] started, growing organically to cover a wider range of topics. [Untitled] began with a black and white photocopied issue that displayed full pages of artist's work; drawings, design, paintings and text, whom were invited for to enter for free as long as they were Falkirk based artists working within an amateur arts group. Printed by the help of Voluntary Arts Schotland [Untitled] was distributed throughout the Falkirk area via willing retail units. Every issue of [Untitled] sold old meeting the target of reaching a wider audience as members of the public who would not normally consider Falkirk's art groups were exposed to their work.

Issue 2 of [Untitled] in full colour saw a development in the approach towards representing Falkirk's art groups, due to the increased audience range and interest from varied art groups willing to participate, a new design was created that allowed non visual art groups to enter,

[Untitled] #1

with spotlights on art groups, examples of written word as well as visual art, #2 also introduced advertisement space for groups to promote their upcoming events and press releases. Groups who submitted were; painting group Larbert's wee art group, Falkirk Camera Club and Grangemouth's Project Theatre with critical essays by sculptor Sam Smith and Craig Allan, accompanied by examples of fine art by Vic Firth, poetry from Karen French and photography by Kit Mead.

Issue 2 also saw the introduction of [Untitled]'s popular online content which includes a full downloadable copy of the publication, (something which has been downloaded over a thousand times). A blog, phone app, email newsletter and various social network plaftforms are now online and providing up to date relevant information on Falkirk's voluntary arts, containing a what's on, opportunities page, a Falkirk art map, the only database of art groups and special features on local events such as the Tryst Festival, Open Studios and Voluntary Arts Week.

Now on it's third issue and the first issue to have a set theme for artists to work towards, [Untitled] aims to showcase an even larger amount of art groups to a wider audience, with online content 

[Untitled] #2

firmly on place and a call for entries currently circulating the web on sites like Scottish Book Trust and Creative Scotland, the goal is in sight as numerous groups have expressed interest in submitting to next exciting issue. Issue 3 also aims to create a dialogue between Falkirk's art groups, local authorities and businesses to ensure that the work started with [Untitled] can be continued on a larger community scale and the groups get the exposure they deserve. Work to bring groups together has already begun by inviting groups to attend groups exhibitions and events, the last being the successful Voluntary Arts Week, which brought Tryst Theatre, Festival Chorus, Denny WASP, Larbert's Wee Art Group, FVRG and Sing Forth.

These exhibitions have drawn the attention and imagination of fellow art groups, for example Bonnybridge Camera Club now make frequent contact and express interest in taking part in most events, Falkirk Camera Club are now regularly exhibiting photographs throughout the area, something they were reluctant to do and individual artists within Larbert's Wee Art Group have been inspired to set up their own exhibitions or submit their work for events such as the Pittenween Art Festival.

The portable nature of [Untitled] has allowed these groups to be exposed to people they would not normally be able to reach, numerous copies are available throughout the area at the one time, this is the key to [Untitled]'s success. [Untitled]'s online content has been used in the promotion of art groups and is becoming one of the main port of calls for people discovering Falkirk's voluntary arts.

[Untitled] brief as seen on Creative Scotland

[Untitled] is currently seeking entries from art groups for the third issue, to find out the requirements and specifications on how to submit your work please visit the [Untitled] blog - click here

To find out more up to date information on Falkirk's art groups like [Untitled] on Facebook

To download the fantastic second issue of [Untitled] click here

For any more enquiries or questions email vaa-falkirk@vascotland.org.uk

http://vaafalkirk.blogspot.co.uk/