Bicester Art Network was established in 2017-18 after Graham, from Dragonfly Framing Ltd. became a co-ordinator for Oxfordshire Artweeks.
The co-ordinator role, albeit a simple task, to assist artists with their registration, open studio events, point of sale and marketing, it has become so much more.
From the outset, there was a clear need to engage artists as there wasn't much activity locally. It also became apparent that artists valued meeting up with other like-minded creatives to share ideas and chat about their particular genres.
Graham set up monthly meetings, held at an old local school, where artists were invited to do just that, discuss art!
There was a real appetite to exhibit, and share their work locally, and to do so in a larger group than solo's and pairs. This is where the real journey began...
We have participated in Oxfordshire Artweeks ever since and have been instrumental in creating lots of other art initiatives and exhibitions around Bicester.
The pandemic put a stop to our monthly meetings, but we all kept in touch via a WhatsApp group, a positive lifeline during lockdown.
Now that life is returning to 'normal', alongside a few artist volunteers, Graham and the team are now re-launching the popular face-to-face meetings once again.
So, what's changed?
We have been so used to meetings on Zoom and for a lot of people, particlarly artists, who often work alone, it's so important that we get back to engaging one to one with each other, face to face. I for one have missed this.
The other point to make is that the whole landscape has changed, highstreets and hospitality are still struggling, so it is is time to change the way we do things and to grow something truly inspiring within our community.
It will come as no supprise that running events take a great deal of energy and commitment from everyone taking part, but it also incurs some cost. We have been fortunate to have some funding over the past few years and I hope you agree this was spent well, with both the Welcome Back Pop Up Gallery and Artweeks 2022 on Sheep Street.
Bicester Art Network started from a small seed, a seed that had ambition to bring artists together and exhibit! A seed that has now grown in to a sapling that needs to be nutured and supported by all involved.
Looking at the reasons why artists are choosing to join the Bicester Art Network online, our Facebook Group suggested that 78% of new members would like to exhibit their work, & 67% said meeting other artists and creatives was important to them. It also showed us that 50% thought getting advice and tips to help them on their creative journey was going to be useful to them and just over a third said they’d love to collaborate with other artists. It is this that has inspired our Artist Gatherings, to do just that, meet up, get to know each other & exhibit together!
So we are delighted to re-launch our 'Artist Gathering's'. We have decided to move up a gear and invite artists to join the Bicester Art Network ~ Premium.
Whilst this comes at a cost, we hope to keep it affordable and consummate with the benefits received. It is necessary to both fund our activities and to ensure we continue our commitment to sharing our art with the community.
We also welcome visitors, who can attend as many meetings as they like during the year on the non member tariff. If, after a few gatherings, you like the experience, you can sign up as a Pemium member.
Join us and benefit from*:
- Meeting other professional and amateur artists at our Artist Gatherings.
- Being the first to hear about upcoming exhibitions within the Bicester Art Network
- Promotion across the BAN
- Discounted exhibition commission
- New and interesting speakers at monthly meetings
- Exclusive access to Whitelands Art Wall to display/sell your work.
- 1-2-1 meetings / collaborations with fellow artists.
- 10% off Framing at Dragonfly Framing Ltd
- 10% off Photographic services ay Imagex, Bicester
- Free access to Bicester Art Network Facebook Group
- Stay connected with fellow artists in our WhatsApp group
Non Members
- £12 to attend monthly meetings
- Limited access to exhibitions
- Exhibition Commission 15%
- Free access to Bicester Art Network Facebook Group
Fee Structure
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Premium Members Joining Fee (One off payment) £10 Annual Membership £24 / annum Monthly Meeting £5 / meeting Annual cost year one (assuming 12 monthly meetings attended) YEAR 1 - £94 YEAR 2 onwards - £84 (Just £7/Month) |
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Non-Members
Monthly Meeting £12 / meeting Annual cost (assuming 12 monthly meetings attended) £144
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Please register below if you are interested in taking part Terms and conditions apply: