A Labour of Love...
Art on the Street was put together by a group of friends who wanted to generate a fantastic buzz about locally produced art and give artists from all over the country a unique platform to sell their work commission-free. The team behind the big idea were lucky enough to have the skills, contacts and single-mindedness required to get the project off the ground. Everyone involved in Art on the Street is a volunteer and no profit has been made by the organisers.
In Our Own Words...
About Marie...
As hyperactive as she is diminutive, Marie is never content unless she has at least several projects on the burner and and usually bores as easily as a four year old. The only things to have kept her interested for more than three and a half minutes (co-incidentally, the same length of time as the average Ramones song – a fact that is not lost on her) have been her long-suffering husband, equally hyperactive 8 year old daughter, current job as an writer and editor, and passion that is Art on the Street.
Born and bred in Maidenhead to a family of wonderful loonies, she is grimly determined to see the arts community leave an indelible mark on the future of the town, proving a fact she has known for many years – that beauty comes from within. She works a bonkers amount of hours wordsmithing, keeping her child tamed, her house in order, her eyeliner straight and the profile of Art on the Street high. All in all, she operates three Twitter Accounts, four Facebook pages, two Instagram accounts, LinkedIn and manages the company website, subscriber database and all other communications, afflicting her with the little known condition 'iPhone Finger', which she battles without complaint, self-medicating regularly with a nice glass of wine (or three).
Marie speaks her mind constantly and has somehow managed to get through the last twenty years without being told off for her prolific swearing by anyone but her mum, her best friend Dave and her fierce younger sister who is a far more responsible human being than Marie will ever be.
On the quiet, Marie is an extremely loyal friend and finds it impossible to say no when asked for help or a favour. She has clocked up hundreds of hours in charitable endeavour, but more than anything, she simply tries to be a decent human being and wishes everyone else would do the same.
marie@artonthestreet.org.uk
Born and bred in Maidenhead to a family of wonderful loonies, she is grimly determined to see the arts community leave an indelible mark on the future of the town, proving a fact she has known for many years – that beauty comes from within. She works a bonkers amount of hours wordsmithing, keeping her child tamed, her house in order, her eyeliner straight and the profile of Art on the Street high. All in all, she operates three Twitter Accounts, four Facebook pages, two Instagram accounts, LinkedIn and manages the company website, subscriber database and all other communications, afflicting her with the little known condition 'iPhone Finger', which she battles without complaint, self-medicating regularly with a nice glass of wine (or three).
Marie speaks her mind constantly and has somehow managed to get through the last twenty years without being told off for her prolific swearing by anyone but her mum, her best friend Dave and her fierce younger sister who is a far more responsible human being than Marie will ever be.
On the quiet, Marie is an extremely loyal friend and finds it impossible to say no when asked for help or a favour. She has clocked up hundreds of hours in charitable endeavour, but more than anything, she simply tries to be a decent human being and wishes everyone else would do the same.
marie@artonthestreet.org.uk
About Harri...
"I've always loved doing art". That stereotypical line which so many artists use and which I am always being told to avoid. So why use it now? Partly because its true and partly because I don't like pretentious arty types.
I love art because it connects me to my mother who was an artist and died when I was only three. I love art because when I'm painting I enter a different mind frame where nothing in the real world matters - not the cost of petrol nor the politics of North Korea. I love art because I like to make beautiful things.There is nothing more enjoyable than basking in beauty, whether it be a bright blue sky or a stunning building or a breathtaking
painting.
So that's how I spend most of my time - painting and drawing and teaching others to do
the same. That, and of course my work with Art on the Street to make Maidenhead a more beautiful place to live. Its started about 6 years ago with myself and Marie, Steph and Steph when we all realised that we had the same goals - to improve our town, bring art to the people and help local artists. Its got so much further than we originally thought it would with artists coming from far and wide to take part in the market and a fabulous artists community springing up right here in Maidenhead. But we aren't done yet, and we have so many exciting plans and ideas that we can't wait to unleash on Maidenhead. I don't have any misconceptions about the long, hard slog ahead of us but maybe one day in the future I will feel like my work is done, and Maidenhead will be truly a beautiful place to live.
harri@maidenheadartmarket.org
I love art because it connects me to my mother who was an artist and died when I was only three. I love art because when I'm painting I enter a different mind frame where nothing in the real world matters - not the cost of petrol nor the politics of North Korea. I love art because I like to make beautiful things.There is nothing more enjoyable than basking in beauty, whether it be a bright blue sky or a stunning building or a breathtaking
painting.
So that's how I spend most of my time - painting and drawing and teaching others to do
the same. That, and of course my work with Art on the Street to make Maidenhead a more beautiful place to live. Its started about 6 years ago with myself and Marie, Steph and Steph when we all realised that we had the same goals - to improve our town, bring art to the people and help local artists. Its got so much further than we originally thought it would with artists coming from far and wide to take part in the market and a fabulous artists community springing up right here in Maidenhead. But we aren't done yet, and we have so many exciting plans and ideas that we can't wait to unleash on Maidenhead. I don't have any misconceptions about the long, hard slog ahead of us but maybe one day in the future I will feel like my work is done, and Maidenhead will be truly a beautiful place to live.
harri@maidenheadartmarket.org
About Steph...
Steph isn't like other Town Centre Managers. For a start, she's a hot chick, funny, sharp as a tack and is as kind as the day is long. Then there's all the work she does above and beyond the call of duty...the incredibly long hours, endless fundraising, event management, dealing with crises and the actual physical hard work. Few people know Steph physically helps to set-up all the town centre events, large and small and has the stitches to prove it. But the biggest difference about Steph is that she listens. No idea is too wacky, no problem too small, no challenge too big. She navigates her way through what everyone wants and what can be realistically delivered and somehow makes it look easy. It sure as hell isn't.
When two women with their heads in the clouds and hearts in the right place approached her about putting together an event in the most unlikely town, she didn't laugh. She took a risk, signed on the dotted line and formed a company with them. That's not the actions of a common or garden TCM. But then she's not...she sports a tattoo on her foot declaring her to have successfully completed the Ironman Triathlon. She run, she rides, she swims and she can knock back enough Rioja to fell men twice her size (she's TINY).
Maidenhead is incredibly lucky to have a homegrown Town Centre Manager who is also a concerned resident, knows the people and what they want for their town. And the Art on the Street girls are especially lucky to call her a friend.
stephj@maidenheadartmarket.org
When two women with their heads in the clouds and hearts in the right place approached her about putting together an event in the most unlikely town, she didn't laugh. She took a risk, signed on the dotted line and formed a company with them. That's not the actions of a common or garden TCM. But then she's not...she sports a tattoo on her foot declaring her to have successfully completed the Ironman Triathlon. She run, she rides, she swims and she can knock back enough Rioja to fell men twice her size (she's TINY).
Maidenhead is incredibly lucky to have a homegrown Town Centre Manager who is also a concerned resident, knows the people and what they want for their town. And the Art on the Street girls are especially lucky to call her a friend.
stephj@maidenheadartmarket.org
About Steph...
Following graduation from Reading University with a BSc Hons in Geochemistry, I worked for a couple of years doing environmental research before changing direction onto a career in the IT industry. I have spent the last 22 years working for a variety of
organisations in software development, service, resource and project management
and consultancy. During this time I also took a career break of 8 years to care for my two sons, now aged 14 and 17.
My passions are art and music and when I'm not working or caring for the family I spend my time painting, singing and playing the guitar and a variety of other instruments. I have sung with a number of choirs and have just persuaded my long suffering husband to sing with me in the newly formed Furze Platt Voices at Furze Platt Senior School which is great fun! I am lucky enough to have found a wonderful singing teacher who has been helping me to achieve a lifelong ambition to pass Trinity Guildhall music exams. I passed grade 7 last year and will be taking grade 8 later this year.
I love to paint in many different mediums but my favourite of recent years is to paint on silk. I love the intensity of the colour combined with the lustre of the fabric and enjoy the different textures and effects you can achieve by using the fluidity of the paint. I am a member of both Maidenhead Painting Club and Cookham Arts and exhibit regularly with both clubs. I am largely self taught but in 2007 I completed a three month foundation course at the Slade School of Art in London.
My husband and I moved to Maidenhead in 1989 and both commute to London for work. We have watched with dismay the decline of the town centre area over the last 24 years and would dearly love to see some regeneration. In 2009, through my work with Maidenhead Painting Club I was investigating ways of exhibiting art in the town centre and was lucky enough to meet up with Steph James, Marie Leonard and Harriet Brittaine. Together with another friend Pamela Clarke we hatched a plan to hold an outdoor art market and the first Art on the Streetwas born. We were bowled over by the enthusiastic response that we received both from the artistic community and local residents and we spotted an opportunity to get off our backsides and do something for our town. I have never known a more positive, driven and above all fun group of individuals as Steph, Marie and Harri and it has been a privilege to work with them over thelast four years. There is so much artistic talent in this area and I really believe that we can harness it to bring life back into our town. We all dream of Maidenhead being once again a lively, thriving town full of interesting independent shops and businesses, I am lucky enough to have stumbled on a way that I can help us take some steps in the right direction. I've also found three really good friends!
Like any busy working parent, there aren't many minutes to spare in each day but I always believe in making the most of opportunities which present themselves. I couldn't do any of it though without the help and support of my wonderful husband and sons of whom I'm very proud.
stephg@maidenheadartmarket.org
organisations in software development, service, resource and project management
and consultancy. During this time I also took a career break of 8 years to care for my two sons, now aged 14 and 17.
My passions are art and music and when I'm not working or caring for the family I spend my time painting, singing and playing the guitar and a variety of other instruments. I have sung with a number of choirs and have just persuaded my long suffering husband to sing with me in the newly formed Furze Platt Voices at Furze Platt Senior School which is great fun! I am lucky enough to have found a wonderful singing teacher who has been helping me to achieve a lifelong ambition to pass Trinity Guildhall music exams. I passed grade 7 last year and will be taking grade 8 later this year.
I love to paint in many different mediums but my favourite of recent years is to paint on silk. I love the intensity of the colour combined with the lustre of the fabric and enjoy the different textures and effects you can achieve by using the fluidity of the paint. I am a member of both Maidenhead Painting Club and Cookham Arts and exhibit regularly with both clubs. I am largely self taught but in 2007 I completed a three month foundation course at the Slade School of Art in London.
My husband and I moved to Maidenhead in 1989 and both commute to London for work. We have watched with dismay the decline of the town centre area over the last 24 years and would dearly love to see some regeneration. In 2009, through my work with Maidenhead Painting Club I was investigating ways of exhibiting art in the town centre and was lucky enough to meet up with Steph James, Marie Leonard and Harriet Brittaine. Together with another friend Pamela Clarke we hatched a plan to hold an outdoor art market and the first Art on the Streetwas born. We were bowled over by the enthusiastic response that we received both from the artistic community and local residents and we spotted an opportunity to get off our backsides and do something for our town. I have never known a more positive, driven and above all fun group of individuals as Steph, Marie and Harri and it has been a privilege to work with them over thelast four years. There is so much artistic talent in this area and I really believe that we can harness it to bring life back into our town. We all dream of Maidenhead being once again a lively, thriving town full of interesting independent shops and businesses, I am lucky enough to have stumbled on a way that I can help us take some steps in the right direction. I've also found three really good friends!
Like any busy working parent, there aren't many minutes to spare in each day but I always believe in making the most of opportunities which present themselves. I couldn't do any of it though without the help and support of my wonderful husband and sons of whom I'm very proud.
stephg@maidenheadartmarket.org
About Carly...
Carly has been working in the Berkshire live music scene since 2009. From
running and booking the monthly Open Mic Night and other gigs at the Hobgoblin in the centre of town, to promoting live music and comedy events around Reading. As well as a full time Sound Recordist as her "proper job" and a Part Time Usher at the Hexagon, she jumped at the chance to help us out by booking the live entertainment for this May's AOTS. A keen photographer and sketch artist her whole life, art is where her passions lie and Carly is very excited to be a part of such an important event in her hometown
carly@maidenheadlive.co.uk
running and booking the monthly Open Mic Night and other gigs at the Hobgoblin in the centre of town, to promoting live music and comedy events around Reading. As well as a full time Sound Recordist as her "proper job" and a Part Time Usher at the Hexagon, she jumped at the chance to help us out by booking the live entertainment for this May's AOTS. A keen photographer and sketch artist her whole life, art is where her passions lie and Carly is very excited to be a part of such an important event in her hometown
carly@maidenheadlive.co.uk
