Above: Photography by Hannalogue
Our 2021 Highlights
This year has been a challenge with two lockdowns occurring over the first six months of the year which meant that many creative events and projects had to be cancelled and postponed yet again. Like in 2020, this year has presented unique challenges to us all, including the creative community. As the year comes to a close, we’d like to celebrate our personal highlights of the past 12 months as we look forward to a brighter 2022.
You may remember our Literary Lockdown project in February which featured your poetry during the lockdown. Perhaps you were a recipient of our Resilience Funding to support creatives affected by Covid-19? Maybe you attended one of the community events that we supported once restrictions were lifted and we could all gather in public again? What follows is a positive look back over the past year featuring feedback from our Arts Team, Council Members and some of our funding recipients demonstrating the hard work and resilience that our creative community achieved in unprecedented times.
The past year has been so difficult for our Island in ways that we could never have dreamt.
What has been outstanding for me is a sense of pride in the absolute dedication and commitment shown by all the Members and Officers of Isle of Man Arts Council in their endeavours to find new and imaginative ways to engage with, and support our Artists, Musicians and Performers and I thank them sincerely for this. I hope that the inspirational projects and additional funding streams which have been developed this year, have offered reassurance that we do understand how people have struggled, but we will continue to explore ways of promoting and helping our creative community as we go forward into a new year. Have a safe, happy and creative Christmas.
Mrs. Marlene Maska MLC
National Theatre Connections 2021
I think that my highlight this year was the National Theatre Connections play. It was a really challenging subject matter that was dealt with amazingly well by such a young cast. The audience was captivated from the start, and was drawn into the themes as they slowly emerged.
Laura Rowles, Vice Chair of the Isle of Man Arts Council
Isle of Man Pride Festival
One of my highlights of the year was the first Isle of Man Pride Festival in June. The festival began with Youth Pride at the Youth Arts Centre, supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council. I sang with the Isle of Pride choir at Pride (loved the Villa Marina repaint!) and loved all the music, dance and creativity during the day. It was wonderful seeing so many different people, young and old, from our community joining together to celebrate diversity and equality, and an extremely important landmark for the Isle of Man.
Jane Corkill, Arts Development Manager
Ellyn: A Tale of Contemporary Art
Although my highlight of the year is probably an obvious one…it has also just been amazing to do a full year on the Arts Team!! I’ve loved all the projects that we’ve seen and been part of; Literary Lockdown, Arts in the Arcade and Christmas in the Arcade highlighted so many creatives and it has really been a great year to be one of the team.
My overall highlight has to be Ellyn: A Tale of Manx Contemporary Art. Leading this project gave me the unique opportunity to meet so many talented and inspiring artists and have so many positive conversations about art on the Isle of Man. Hearing some of the feedback on the project from the public, particularly commenting on how Ellyn opened their eyes to just how rich our Island is with artistic talent and how vibrant our culture is, makes me feel so honoured to have had the opportunity to achieve that platform for artists with the Arts Council. Ellyn can now live on and continue to inspire future artists, and will represent a significant moment on the Isle of Man where we came together as a community and celebrated our home through art.
Olivia Savage, Arts Graduate Intern
This year’s highlight for me has to be the Ellyn exhibition in the Villa Marina Arcade, celebrating the very best of Manx contemporary art in one place, highlighting what a unique place the island is to live and work. I think the success of the exhibition demonstrated the need for a permanent national gallery space where artists can showcase their work, and meet, collaborate and develop a real creative community.
I was also personally extremely pleased to see the return of the Isle of Man Film Festival albeit in a slightly smaller post-Covid format, and I very much hope that it be will back next year in full form and glory for its 10th anniversary.
Jeremy Theobald, Isle of Man Arts Council Member
Featuring new artwork on the theme of “The Isle of Man” by over 60 local artists, my highlight was undoubtedly The Isle of Man Arts Council, in partnership with UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man, “Ellyn” exhibition at the Villa Marina Arcade. The event was so popular that it was extended beyond the original planned end date. And, as an added bonus, Michael Sandle RA, Graham Hall and Ian Coulson attended to speak to and inspire students at UCM. There was such a great variety of work to be seen by both well established artists and by an encouraging number of less familiar names whose work at least rivalled that of the well-known names. Those who attended will remember it for years to come. Those who didn’t will regret having missed it.
Chris Williamson, Isle of Man Arts Council Member
Studio Theatre, Ballakermeen
This year, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Ballakermeen’s school show “Curtain Up: A celebration of togetherness” in November.
Having previously attended the school as a student, it felt like a ‘full-circle’ moment to come and watch the young performers, in my new role managing Kensington Arts. This showcase truly did celebrate the school community’s resilience, humour and spirit - which was much needed after a tough two years of disruption! I felt a true sense of community and was impressed by some of the real stand-out talent in the Ballakermeen family. I’m looking forward to working more closely with schools and education organisations moving forward!
Peter Shimmin, Creative Development Co-Ordinator
SoundBites
My Highlights of 2021 was the running and organising of our first Summer lunch time Music session “Soundbites”. Myself and Martyn were organising these sessions between us over June, July and August of this year.
I didn’t have as much experience as Martyn setting up gigs, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of sound checking beforehand, setting up the PA and microphones and just getting engaged with different musicians. Martyn and I worked really well together and loved the atmosphere from the musicians performing in the Villa Arcade the acoustic sessions worked so well and with voices like Jamie Blackburn and Terry George performing it was incredible at times….so much so we didn’t’ feel Jamie needed a Mike for some of his set!
My favourite performance was The Rowe Brothers who really raised the atmosphere so much with Fraser’s keyboard playing and Callum’s guitar solos were spine tingling. They work so well together and the setting of the Arcade really lifted the performance to another level of enjoyment.
With the gigs being at lunchtime and free we decided to live stream them via facebook and Instagram and the engagement we received was brilliant. I really hope we do more of these in 2022!
Ali De Backer, Arts Administrator
