Save Madeira Terraces! Campaign to restore Brighton’s Iconic Seafront
I donated several prizes for the raffle to raise funds to restore the arches where I used to have a #studio #gallery open to the public for several years until it’s closure.
Photos of pieces donated, followed by pictures of Jag Gallery on Madeira Drive, now and then:
SAVE MADEIRA TERRACES! There’s a campaign going, run by volunteers raising funds in any way they can and they are working really hard to raise funds to save, restore and hopfully eventually make sound use of the iconic ironwork archways and upper terraces that run the vast length of Brighton’s iconic seafront on the ‘neglected’ east side of the pier. This vast stretch could be used for any number of purposes and one part used to provide AFFORDABLE studio/shop space for the public to wander in and could’ve become an evolving community scene and space on the less tourist side. Imagine if the terraces were more like La Ramblas in Barcelona – full of street food stalls, passing traders, artists, makers, performers and fly pitchers…(install a jukebox and liven these stiffs up!!) The council have seemed to have given up so give it back?! Anyway myself and several other folks have donated prizes so ‘roll up roll up’ – buy a ticket, everyone’s a winner! Well in that it might be open again one day for all to enjoy. Points make prizes and pounds restore the seafront infrastructure. #peoplepower
Pussy Riot or bend over for the rest of your life.
Russian #collective #PussyRiot suffer imprisonment for their work.
#inspiring #protest #feminism #radical #artists #radicals who mix/merge art
November 19th 2017 at The Haunt in Brighton UK
Got a copy of Riot Days #book by Maria Alyokhina A.K.A. #Masha, and had the book signed by Masha and ‘Pussy Boy’ plus others at the gig/pub. Anyone can be #PussyRiot
And what a revolutionary act #gig it was.
Riot Days book by Maria Alyokhina A.K.A. Masha performed in Brighton in November 2017 at The HauntProtest Artists Collective Pussy Riot perform in Brighton UKRussian #collective #PussyRiot suffer imprisonment for their work.Body painter artist – Ziggy AngusGot a copy of Riot Days #book by Maria Alyokhina A.K.A. #Masha, and had the book signed by Masha and ‘Pussy Boy’ plus others at the gig/pub. Anyone can be #PussyRiotGot a copy of Riot Days #book by Maria Alyokhina A.K.A. #Masha, and had the book signed by Masha and ‘Pussy Boy’ plus others at the gig/pub. Anyone can be #PussyRiot#inspiring #protest #feminism #radical #artists #radicals who mix/merge artPussy Riot or bend over for the rest of your life. Russian #collective #PussyRiot suffer imprisonment for their work.
November 19th 2017 at The Haunt in Brighton UK
Got a copy of Riot Days #book by Maria Alyokhina A.K.A. #Masha, and had the book signed by Masha and ‘Pussy Boy’ plus others at the gig/pub. Anyone can be #PussyRiot
Video Footage
Support Act were
Street Life – Photograph by Catherine Sones Me in the bus stop basically, outside the venue – AKA Jaxx Jacqueline Hammond
Photo courtesy of Andrew Roach Photography. Painting the Brighton Rainbow Crossing earlier this year.
All artists, namely painters should read this and consider what the potential ban on cadmium pigments means to them and contact the ECHA. I will be hastily writing to them as other yellows do not cut the mustard like cadmium yellow. The ban will be considered next month so act now to save cadmium paints. I’m going to stock up now!
Yellow paint tube carried by my daughters school in Brighton Children’s Parade 2014Photo courtesy of Andrew Roach Photography. Painting the Brighton Rainbow Crossing earlier this year.Save cadmium paint!
The following excerpt taken from:
Cadmium in Crisis!
By Julie Caves · On May 7, 2014, Jackson’s Art Blog
There is a possibility that Cadmium Pigments will be banned by the EU.
The authorities concerned, however, are currently assessing the situation and taking on comments from the public.
We know that a ban would affect many of our customers so we are writing to you in the hope that you can help us raise awareness of this issue and we are asking as many artists as possible to visit the ECHA (European Chemical Agency) website to give their opinions on the use, unique characteristics and handling of these special paints.
Below is an article written by our friend Michael Craine, from Spectrum Paints, who expains all the issues. We invite you to read his article before passing comment on the ECHA website.
What are the possible outcomes?
The worst-case scenario is that Cadmiums could be banned within a couple of years, which in the view of many of us in the industry is both distressing and entirely unnecessary. If it did come into effect, the tap would be turned off the supply of pigment and we would see the remaining stock pass through the supply chain until it is gone.
Is there a petition to sign?
We are not organising a petition as mass numbers don’t help or inform ECHA greatly. What is helpful is an understanding on how artists handle residual paint from brushes and tubes and indeed how much paint is wasted. In addition anecdotal stories on the power and beauty of cadmium colours and the influence on the selling price of a painting would also be relevant.
How can individual artists have their say?
ECHA would like to hear from artists who use Cadmium pigments in acrylic, oil or water colour to gauge what level of risk this represents. They would like to build up a view of the experiences of users so they can constructively contribute to the debate in a genuinely informed way. For example they would like to discover how much Cadmium paint is left when old tubes and tins are discarded and how much paint is wasted when brushes and palettes are cleaned? A recent study in the USA estimated that less than 5% of all cadmium paints fails to reach the canvas. Do artists feel that is a fair estimate? ECHA are also likely to be interested to hear if Cadmium paints add value to paintings by their strength, vibrancy and longevity.
What is the deadline for contributions and opinions?
No time like the present! Submissions in the next few weeks would be most effective.
When will we find out if cadmium has survived?
The consultation ends in September after which the ECHA will retire for several months’ discussion during which time the committee members cannot be lobbied or contacted.
Support grows for the campaign to make the rainbow a permanent feature on Madeira Drive
A campaign to lobby Brighton & Hove Council to make a temporary Rainbow Crossing on Brighton’s Madeira Drive a more permanent feature is growing in momentum, with increasing support on social media and influential backers such as Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas. The Rainbow Crossing is making the neglected east side of Brighton Pier more than just a car park, providing a vibrant tourist attraction that appeals to people of all ages and persuasions, and creating a safe place to cross an otherwise dangerous road.
Madeira Drive in Brighton was given a bold makeover with street artwork representing Europe’s first official ‘rainbow crossing’ was unveiled to celebrate the release of We Can Change, a new song celebrating LGBT Pride month and championing equal rights by actress, musician and local resident, Heather Peace.
With many motorists exceeding the speed limit on Madeira Drive, and with the pedestrian walkway currently cordoned off because of erosion of the walkway and road above, accidents are a risk. Recently, a woman was knocked off her bike by a pedestrian who was crossing the bike lane. However, the Rainbow Crossing encourages pedestrians to stop, look and listen and motorists to slow down, creating a traffic calming effect.
This issue was the primary concern of Neil Sykes, of Modern World Gallery – located in the Madeira Drive artists’ quarter – who instigated the Rainbow Crossing Forever campaign and has been liaising with Brighton & Hove Council.
Neil Sykes says: “The response from the public has been heart-warming to say the least and, although nothing is yet official, people have been able to cross a busy road somewhat safer than before. The average speed of traffic appears to have reduced significantly which, again, is something that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I witness near misses on a daily basis, and dread the day that a fatality happens.”
He adds: “The Rainbow Crossing has uplifted the rather dreary Madeira Drive instantaneously, and has become a tourist attraction in its own right.”
Fellow campaigner, ‘rainbow warrior’ and JAG Gallery artist, Jacqueline Hammond, agrees: “The rainbow is working its magic in making Madeira Drive come alive. It is a prime example of public art and has successfully brightened up the beach, the road and the otherwise run down east side of the pier, making it more than just one huge car park. It was wonderfully apt watching the ‘I Charleston Brighton’ dancers performing their routine on the crossing while the proposal to retain it was being penned.”
Another local trader commented: “Our Rainbow Crossing could help bring much-needed clients to this otherwise downtrodden side of the pier, which benefits the businesses located here, and make the area more sustainable. Maybe it is high time to redevelop the whole east side of the pier.”
Green Party MP Caroline Lucas is an advocate of the Rainbow Crossing and supports its continuation. She said: “The Rainbow Crossing is a great tribute to the spirit of diversity and inclusiveness embraced by our city and it’s already clear that people really love it. I wholeheartedly support the campaign to keep the crossing, and was in touch with the Council at the beginning of the week to urge them to agree.” (see https://twitter.com/CarolineLucas/status/477227393493786624).
Negotiations took place on Friday 13 June between Neil Sykes, representing the Rainbow Crossing Forever campaign, and Brighton & Hove Council regarding making it permanent fixture. Jacqueline Hammond said: “Beyond Pride, everyone involved would like to keep making Brighton brighter. Whatever happened to rainbow warriors and CND symbol of peace? Other cities have grown to love this type of rainbow and realise its many benefits, while the creators have been granted permissions.”
The installation of the Rainbow Crossing was instigated to coincide with the release of the song ‘We Can Change’ by actress, musician and local resident, Helen Pearce. The song has been launched to celebrate LGBT Pride and champion equal rights.
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The Rainbow Crossing, created by local artists from a diverse range of disciplines, from oil painter Caia Matheson who relished the chance to help create such a large-scale canvas, to street artists paving the way; JAG Gallery resident stencil artists Zeezee Twenty Two and Cassette Lord who has existing permission from Brighton & Hove Council to place his popular cassette stencils to brighten up ugly green electrical and telecoms boxes and other ‘street furniture’.
Neil Sykes “As for maintaining the crossing up until Pride, we have financial pledges in place from various local sources, including the Pride team. If jet washing is suspended, then I have agreed with all those involved in the original work that we would freshen it up as early as the Monday they’re due to demolish it.”
Plans are currently being discussed to establish a Rainbow Maintenance Fund, where donations and sponsorship from local business can help keep the artwork looking fresh.
Neil explains: “The plan is to give the Rainbow Crossing another coat of paint and maintain it until Pride, and beyond. We’ll supply the paints, the brushes – after all we host a community artists working from their studios down here. Furthermore we have been given support and sponsorship from Johnstones of Hove, who mixed and supplied enough paint at cost price to cover the large area of public road.”
Jacqueline Hammond of JAG Gallery, who has designed a range of deckchairs to display outside the gallery this summer, now plans to design a rainbow deckchair. The proceeds from this new design could be donated to the Rainbow Maintenance Fund… if Brighton gets to keep Europe’s first Rainbow Crossing.
Members of the public are urged to do what they can to save the rainbow. Firstly, to “like” the Brighton Rainbow Forever Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/brightonrainbow?fref=ts and be prepared for a sit down protest to stop the council from jet washing it away at 5am on Monday 16 June.
Heather Peace unveils Europe’s first rainbow crossing in Brighton for LGBT Pride Month.
Madeira Drive in Brighton was given a bold makeover last weekend as street artwork representing Europe’s first official ‘rainbow crossing’ was unveiled to celebrate the release of We Can Change, a new song celebrating LGBT Pride month and championing equal rights by actress, musician and local resident, Heather Peace.
Created by local artists, the rainbow stretches across the road at the artists’ quarter of Madeira Drive and is expected to attract hundreds of people keen to follow the rainbow brick road for the first time in Europe.
Thank you to Heather Peace Caroline Lucas and the artist’s that painted it Caia Matheson Artist, Zeezee TwentyTwo, Cassette Lord, Roach Photography, Inky Biscuits Ltd, Julieanne Gilburt and resident & guest artists at JAG Art Studio and Gallery www.jagartgallery.co.uk
The children from my daughters school were in the parade dressed as artists, with a giant tube of yellow paint. She told me she’d showed them my website and although pleased she was proud of me, I felt a bit bad that I was too busy to go and help with the preparations. We put on our art overalls, my old lab coat heavy with dried acrylic, grabbed some easels. The kids had made palettes and paint brushes, I had to bring real ones! I was touched to find out that they were really inspired by my paintings and produced their own pieces based on what they’d seen. How lovely. We had a great time in the parade, lovely day, so many smiley people!! Going to do some art projects with the kids at school.in the future.
