Life at the Tidal Margin Exhibition at TAAG: 9-10 September

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Mike Puleston wrote on Facebook about this excellent marine exhibition at TAAG:

“The Shores of South Devon Marine Life Association exhibited over the weekend of 9/10th September around 40 photographs, original artwork, seaweed pressings and a photographic "Sea Squirt" installation at TAAG gallery Teignmouth.

The "LIFE AT THE TIDAL MARGIN" event which was curated by Toby Sherwin, Anne Gwynn and Mike Puleston was part of the Weekend Teign Maritime & Shanty Festival which judging by the sheer numbers of people in Teignmouth was a great success in the hot weather.

Mike said "we had good numbers of visitors to TAAG both days, enjoying the art show which was a great mix of art styles and media from all the artists exhibiting.

SOSD had many interesting questions asked about the various species featured in our display and many people were amazed that the marine animals and Seaweeds featured were very local.

It was a great experience for Anne, Toby and myself to set up our work in such an excellent gallery, with opportunities to meet the other artists and many thanks to the Teign Maritime& Shanty Festival organisers for inviting SOSD and Douglas Anderson from TAAG for his excellent support and advice".

Although the SOSD exhibition has ended, the main exhibition continues and is a great opportunity to support local artists and the Teignmouth artistic community.

Mike also gave a talk at the Heritage Centre on the Sunday afternoon titled The Intertidal Marine Life of the Teign Estuary.

Find ‘The Shores of South Devon’ Facebook group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/271873196811935/

TAAG Reopening Is a Great Success

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TAAG finally reopened on Saturday 29 July. The ribbon was cut by the MP for Newton Abbot and there were representatives from all local councils at the opening ceremony. The gallery was packed with people keen to see the new layout and the work of over 80 local artists. An early evening artists’ view saw the numbers swell again, with the Mayor and Liz & Roger, two of the original TAAG founders, all expressing their happiness that TAAG was open once more.

TAAG Ground Floor Reopening Planned for July

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We expect that the final work to finish the TAAG ground floor will be completed by July 2023. The photo above shows the progress that has been made, leaving only the fitting of carpets, doors and the final windows before we can reopen.

Watch our website and newsletter for upcoming exhibitions and workshops.

If you are interested in booking a TAAG space for an exhibition, check out the ‘Bookings’ tab at the top of the page and get in touch with us.

If you think you might like to run a workshop at TAAG, check out the ‘Workshops’ tab and get in touch.

TAAG Ground Floor to Reopen Summer 2023

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TAAG was last fully open in January 2020. At that point we were preparing for Council demolition of the workshop at the back of TAAG, before we could buy the building for the community.

We obtained charitable status in February 2020 and, with the assistance of donations large and small, the building purchase was concluded in October 2020. However, during this time the country had its first lockdown and was about to have further lockdowns running into 2021. This greatly complicated our ability to progress required work and to obtain relevant permissions for repair and refurbishment.

Since then, however, we have fully surveyed the building, removed asbestos, obtained planning permissions, made numerous repairs, replaced the toilets and kitchen, added new structural girders, and greatly progressed the building work.

During this period we have been able to stage many exhibitions and workshops at both the Beachcomber and at TAAG itself.

The refurbishment of the upstairs will take longer than anticipated – largely due to the knock-on effects of COVID. We hope to obtain grant assistance but meanwhile still need to raise more money both to meet our running costs and to fund parts of the refurbishment that we had to curtail due to funding being cut over the past couple of years.

Thank you for your support in this difficult time. We now expect to be reopening the ground floor for exhibitions, classes, and a full range of activities in Summer 2023. We look forward to seeing you and to TAAG again becoming an activity hub for Teignmouth people and visitors.

Please do sign up for our newsletter to get the most up-to-date news.

If you are able to make a financial contribution to help us reopen in the Spring, click here for details of how to do it.

Thank you and Best Wishes for 2023 - The TAAG trustees

TAAG Refurbishment Progress Update Summer 2022

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This is a short progress update as at summer 2022:

We finally obtained planning permission for all the necessary works last December, and were hoping to go on and get building regulation approval quickly so we could continue with the refurbishment. 

Since then, some further work has been carried out, but discussions with the structural engineer have taken longer than expected, delaying Building Control approval. However, most of these matters are now resolved, and we are in a position to progress the ground floor interior works - mainly ceilings, partitions, fire alarm systems, etc. We are also hoping that we can attract sufficient funds from smaller grant-givers to carry out some required work on the front elevation, possibly before we reopen.  

Refurbishment of the TAAG upper floors will require substantial grant assistance and we are monitoring grant-funding opportunities and pursuing applications as the opportunities arise. This work is likely to take longer than we anticipated pre-COVID and will probably have to be completed piecemeal.

Exhibitions have been continuing at the Beachcomber, which has provided a great space for workshops & local artists, and has maintained our profile during closure. The Beachcomber has also provided a steady source of income to help meet our running expenses. Unfortunately, the building is no longer available to us after September, as the Council has now leased the building as a cafe, and the works required to refit the building are starting in the autumn. 

At TAAG we expect that the outstanding ground floor works will be completed early in the New Year, although we would like to re-open for Xmas if possible, possibly for a pop-up exhibition/sale.

In the New Year, once the ground floor is reopened, we will reinstate Steering Group meetings to help guide the future of TAAG. We will also be looking for new, skilled, and younger, trustees to help take forward the TAAG project. 

We are grateful for your continued support. Local fundraising will continue to be important, particularly as our ability to raise money via Beachcomber is over. We now have a new Crowdfunder page (just search for TAAG CIO on Crowdfunder.co.uk) where supporters can make single or regular donations, or can use it to set up their own fundraising projects - Or just donate directly to us (link on front page). In addition, people will can contribute via Easyfundraiser (or Amazon Smile) and can donate their Nectar points to TAAG (again, links on the front page of our web site).  

If you have any queries, or wish to volunteer time or materials, please contact one of the trustees or email us at info@teignmoutharts.org. Meanwhile, we look forward to reopening the TAAG ground floor and to celebrating the reopening of TAAG with you, early in the New Year. 

Many thanks, the TAAG Trustees
September 2022

TRAIL 2021 Open for submissions.

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Following another successful all be it a smaller sculpture trail last summer, TRAIL is pleased to announce that they are now inviting applications for sculptures made from recycled materials for the 2021 event. The event is held along the seafront in Teignmouth Devon. There is no submission fee, and as in previous years, a variety of prizes will be awarded in line with sponsors support. Applications are welcomed from individual artists, artist collectives, community groups and schools.

The TRAIL runs from 19th July - 26th September 2021. Closing date for submissions June 15th 2021

For further information, images of past TRAILS and details of how to submit your application visit https://www.trailart.co.uk/?page_id=2091 or contact trailartuk@googlemail.com

We look forward to receiving your application.

Image: Artist Gail Marshall 'Mermaids washing line'. Recycled hospital waste.

Image: Artist Gail Marshall 'Mermaids washing line'. Recycled hospital waste.

Eric Haynes 1919 - 2020

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Sadly Eric passed away peacefully on 27th December at his home where, for the last few months, he had been cared for by his son Roy.

Many of you will remember Eric's wonderful 100th birthday party at TAAG during his one man show, 'Design Make Paint'

As a tribute to Eric we are compiling a record of his life in Teignmouth and would love to receive any photographs and special memories you would like to add.

Please email them to info@teignmoutharts.org and royghaynes@gmail.com

TAAG will be sending out more information on the arrangements for his funeral

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TAAG's Pop-up Fundraiser pre-Xmas Sale!

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Our popup fundraiser exhibition is continuing at TAAG and in the week up to Xmas we're having a sale!

The postcard-sized pieces of art, shown here with organiser Diana Kleyn, have already been reduced to £5; and, from Saturday, we are taking 25% off the price of most other artworks, with the exception of the Martin Duttons.

For the commission-based sale items we are reducing our commission percentage to facilitate price reductions.

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This is a great opportunity to pick up some bargains from talented local artists - and a few from further afield.

We also still have a great selection of very reasonably priced work by Martin Dutton SWAc, which it would be a pity to miss.

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Come in and see what we have -

We're constantly getting new work in to replace what we are selling.

We are open from 10.30 to 3.30pm daily and up to lunchtime on Xmas Eve.

New Sketchbook Project from Douglas Anderson

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A message from Douglas

Pocket Sketchbook project

I have just launched the third fundraiser online sketchbook workshop in aid of the TAAG Refurbishment Project - a short 6 module project inspired by our Natural World.

This follows on from : -

Along the Water's Edge - a Sketchbook Journey & the new online Textiles workshop, starting in January 2021.

I am grateful to everyone who has signed up to these programmes so far.

Closing date for the Pocket Sketchbook Project -

10th December 2020.

ALL course fees go directly to TAAG.

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Good News from the TAAG Arts & Community Centre

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In May 2019 TAAG was offered the option to buy its home – the old Swanson’s Garage in Northumberland Place. Our doors shut in January 2020 with the expectation that we would reopen in a matter of months. We all know what happened next, but now we are delighted to announce that the TAAG building has been purchased for the benefit of the community, assuring its future for generations to come. 

During the last 18 months a lot has been going on behind the scenes, with building works to separate us from the Brunswick area development,TAAG becoming a Charity (CIO), and fund raising to obtain the £116,000 purchase price through donations from the public, local organisations and a crowdfunding appeal.

Crowdfunding has also attracted some match-funding which allowed us to meet ancillary costs and some essential building works such as removing asbestos, and reinstating toilets and a kitchen. This will allow the ground floor to become operational while we tackle the huge job of raising funds to renovate the two upper floors and the rest of the building. 

The TAAG trustees have been overwhelmed with the support we have received during this very turbulent year and are very happy to be able to be the purveyors of a good news story. We have a lot of work left to do but are very optimistic that we can now make TAAG better than ever and an important asset to Teignmouth, the arts, and the community. 

We have had some very generous donations from private individuals that wish to remain anonymous, but they know who they are, and we are very grateful for their support. We are also grateful to the Architectural Heritage Fund for their assistance and to Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council for their match-funding contributions. 

  

Thanks also to our local Teignmouth, Teignbridge and Devon Councillors that have contributed to the ground floor building works. Many individuals have also helped with donations, including the provision of a staircase that will provide a safe, temporary access to the first floor, which is currently only reachable by ladder. 

The future is now bright as we now have the security of ownership and are able to implement our long-term strategy focused on improvement and developing the upper floors. TAAG has always been an organisation that promotes the Community and the Arts and has only evolved with the help of volunteers and its users. 

The purchase of the building is a milestone and the beginning of a much longer journey. We want interested parties to help shape its future by getting involved - so please contact us to volunteer.  

We need input from all ages and cultures, as well as a skill base that will keep TAAG functioning and help build a good foundation for future generations. Diversity is one of TAAG’s strengths, so if you are excited by the idea of being involved in shaping TAAG’s future, are interested in promoting Community Arts, or creatively like to mix up different genres - such as visual art, performance, music, poetry, environmental issues to name a few – just email us at info@teignmoutharts.org. 

Watch out for the reopening of TAAG as soon as we can. 





Teignmouth Recycled Art in Landscape (TRAIL) 2020

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22nd July 2020

Teignmouth seafront is alive with art this weekend as the 16th annual sculpture trail goes up in the glorious sunshine. 

Despite CV19, the TRAIL organisers have inspired environmental artists from around the South West to create artworks from recycled materials. Local businesses have rallied to help fund the event which attracts thousands of visitors over the summer. 

 Over 30 artists responded to TRAIL’s simple design brief, to create a sculpture from at least 70% recycled materials with an environmental message – the finished artworks are stunning. 

Emerging artist like Ed Hill, who has welded a striking globe from reclaimed metal and Gail Marshall, whose kinetic Mermaid Tails are blowing in the breeze; exhibit with well-known artists, including Steve Apelt from Yeovil and popular Totnes artist, Malcolm Curley. 

The exhibition is well represented by local Teignmouth artists and TRAIL gives makers a unique platform to display public sculpture and providing exposure for our local talent. 

The town is so rich in artists that two (socially distanced) collectives have formed to make work for the show. The Rose Collective have created a response to fast fashion and the artists who exhibit at Voyage Fair Trade have been inspired by the resurgence of nature over lockdown. 

Usually there are at least 10 community sculptures, unfortunately the pandemic has reduced this number. But TRAIL does have one colourful entry from Montgomery School in Exeter, made by the Early Years children and their Teignmouthian teacher Sarah Pratt. 
 ‘Flower Fest’ by Teignmouth’s Make It Thursday represents the older community. This carers group (oldest participant 97 years young) have made dozens of flowers from drinks cans, at home over lockdown. Since lockdown has eased, they have brought all these flowers together to create a shiny, sparkly explosion of colour. 

TRAIL is free and the perfect socially distanced day out. The ingenious and thought-provoking sculptures delight passers-by and the wonderful South Devon coastline creates the perfect  backdrop. 

TRAIL Organisers Amy McCarthy and Sam Lock have been overwhelmed with the positive comments and well wishes, from locals and tourists alike. 

Amy explained, “Every year the TRAIL becomes more well-known, we get emails and messages from visitors from all over the UK. People really love the event and come back every year to ‘do the trail’. 
When we went into lockdown it was very disheartening, we had just launched a district wide plastic reduction programme in schools, had a full calendar of public workshops and were expecting a busy year…then everything just stopped.

We remained very hopeful that we would be able to run and reached out to our artists to keep making their sculptures.  We only got the final go ahead a few weeks ago, so the volunteer team have worked harder than ever to pull together this year’s event. We hope to aid footfall to the town to help our economic recovery and provide really great experience for visitors. The sculptures all have strong environmental messages and we love hearing people discussing the artistry and environmental issues.

The underlying themes coming through all the work are encouraging us re-evaluate our collective relationship with the planet and reimagine a greener society after the pandemic subsides. We hope the event brings joy and hope to everyone, in what has been a very strange year.

The exhibition is also entered as a venue in this years’ Devon Open Studio’s and we will be extending the show until the end of September to be part of this county wide event’. 

Update April 30th

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We’re now halfway through the #buytaag campaign. Contributions continue to be received, albeit at a slower rate than in the opening weeks.

Thanks to everyone who has given, and thanks also for the terrific messages of support. There is still another four weeks of the crowdfunder to go and, as before, we need our appeal to be shared as widely as possible if we are to raise as much of the £60k target as possible. So please consider if you have contacts with whom you can share. 

Meanwhile work has resumed on the TAAG site with the demolition now completed and work about to start on the building of the rear wall.

We edge ever nearer to completing the purchase of the building but there are still one or two outstanding points that we are trying to resolve.

Thanks to everyone who have sent us photos - here is a selection to show you what has b sen happening…

Soiree Musicale Fundraiser for TAAG - 14th March

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As noted previously, the fundraiser for TAAG on March 14th was highly successful, thanks to Alison Thomas and Sandra Pascale, the organisers. Their Soiree Musicale at Bitton House sold out in advance and was joyful occasion for those attending and taking part. The event raised £562 for TAAG – a terrific achievement. Here are a few photos from the evening:

TAAG – an update on progress late March 2020

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Update 26th March –

Progress on developing plans for TAAG have slowed down due to the closure of many agencies that we need to consult. However, fund raising continues to be a priority so please give generously if you can

Meanwhile stay safe

TAAG – an update on progress late March 22nd 2020

Purchase

Our solicitors have conducted all the necessary statutory checks and we hope to exchange contracts very soon. 

 Building

We visited the building last week with our architect and a Fire Officer to confirm that the sketch plans, kindly provided by Sam Homer, were compliant with fire regulations. Due to restricted access to the building we have had to use a local architect that is more available but our thanks to Sam who came up with some very useful plans that have allowed us to open discussions with all the parties that need to be involved.  

We have contacted the quantity surveying company, who carried out the survey in 2017, to update the building costs to include with our funding bids.

 The fire officer has confirmed that the sketch plans are acceptable subject to building regulations. The favoured design involves a central staircase and an extension to the 2nd floor subject to Planning Permission. This will allow the second floor to become a usable space creating 2-3 new workshops instead of being a storage area.  

Contractors have made good inroads towards demolishing the buildings at the rear and progress can be seen from Brunswick Street. The contractor have dug the trench for the footings for the new rear wall and details for the doorway into the alley way have been provided. To avoid flooding from surface water we are considering a bespoke flood door that will give TAAG the protection it needs. 

We have a specification for the lift and an estimated cost.

Fund Raising News

Currently our total is standing at around £90,000

We have been working on getting our Crowdfunding account up and running and also the provision of a ‘DONATE’ button on Facebook that should be active soon. 

 The funding group have already identified various grant funding bodies but we are still waiting on ownership, detailed plans and costings. 

 Our event fund raising group have a number of good ideas to raise funds but most of these will not be possible until the isolation rules are relaxed. These cancellations include all of the local events we were going to attend e.g. VE day. This is very frustrating but maybe we can come up with innovative ways to encourage donations on line.

 The French Musical Soireé did take place before the closures. Despite the uncertainty there was a good turnout for what was a very enjoyable evening and it raised an incredible £562 for the fund. Huge thanks to Alison and Sandra for organising the music for the event and selling tickets, Nick Coley for providing some wonderful food and Margaret for selling over £100 of raffle tickets. Thanks also to those who sponsored the evening with raffle prizes, the Co-op and Morrisons. Pictures to follow.

 The Oyster Catcher, now closed, agreed to hold our monthly raffle with the first art work, a print by Sue Williamson as the prize. Obviously, this fund-raising idea has been affected by coronavirus and our heartfelt best wishes go to the owners of the Oyster Catcher who have been very supportive of TAAG. 

 We are still aiming to reopen this year but circumstances may conspire against us.

Although we can’t be together but will keep working towards our goal of re-opening TAAG as soon as possible. Innovation and creativity have never been more important.

The Trustees

Update January 22nd - TAAG temporary closure - Charity Registration latest

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The final exhibition at TAAG before the work begins has done very well with an amazing number of artworks being donated for the sale.

Thank you to all the artists who have been generous enough to donate items and to the large number of people who have bought so many of them.

Unfortunately we haven’t been able to sell everything but there is one more day tomorrow.

We continue to have discussions with Teignbridge District Council along with local builders, structural engineer, architect, heating and insulation experts etc to ensure that we can get on with essential work as soon as possible.

We close the doors at 5pm on Thursday 23rd January and hand over the keys on Friday and will not be allowed back in to the building to do any work until all the building work has been completed.

Please come back to this Blog for the latest information over the coming months.

Items in Gallery 2 have been covered to protect them during the build and all valuables have been removed for safe keeping.

We are fitting a mailbox to the outside of the blue door so that we don’t miss any post, including donations, but suggest that cash is not put in there.

Our ‘paint tube’ thermometer will show the amount donated so anyone can check on progress.

CHARITY REGISTRATION - Good News!

The Charity commission have accepted our application and recognise what we do as being for the public benefit and charitable in nature. This means that once we supply a few more details they will issue our Charity registration number. This will enable us to go to some of the major funders to try and get them to fund parts of our refurbishment.

We can also apply to HMRC for registration for Gift Aid and since that happens we will contact those who have made donations and, if they currently pay income tax, we can claim gift aid on the donation which will make a considerable difference to the total.

More news as and when we can….