The Market Hall in Douglas is the venue for a creative industries takeover this summer with the launch of MakeMarket - a series of pop up events involving scores of creatives showcasing and sharing their talents and skills, and giving the area a summer-long buzz.
During term time the Market Hall is a base for local art students, but it was in danger of being an empty space over the summer. Step forward MakeMarket: A Creative Industries Takeover, offering a full range of discussions, demonstrations and opportunities for not just those already involved in the creative industries, but anyone interested in what’s going on in this vibrant, exciting economic sector.
Creative workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and courses will take part from 28 July right through until mid-September and include crafts, ceramics, art and music. There will also be a number of discussions led by industry professionals, providing insights into careers and opportunities in the creative industries right here in the Isle of Man.
And there’s more: former local students who have led high profile projects or paved successful careers for themselves in the UK will feature as part of MakeMarket, and already confirmed to take part in the Society of Architecture event ‘Creative Spaces and Architecture for Making’ in September are young architects Jasmin Eastwood and Jade Meeks who exhibited their Alternative Douglas Masterplan’ last year. Advertising creative and former IOM College Student Rachel Miles, who now works for a leading agency in London and was responsible for the Thomson teddy bear TV advertising, will share practical information and host hands-on workshops for creatives interested in a career in advertising and graphic design.
And to offer even more help to creatives who are juggling their vision with their day jobs, the Market Hall will be open throughout August as a ‘maker space’ with access to equipment and technical assistance to anyone who would like to take their own ideas further. Alongside that, there will also be free digital and illustration workshops from Gary Myers and Juan Moore – with more workshops to be added later - and there will be special yoga sessions to open those creative minds. Another exciting opportunity for creatives to test their market is the chance to take part in a MakeMarket PechaKucha night during September.
MakeMarket: A Creative Industries Takeover, which begins on Thursday 28 July, is a true takeover of the space with a wide variety of free events over the summer weeks and, as well using traditional promotional tools, is being fuelled by a social media campaign emphasising the ‘be quick or you’ll miss it’ excitement of pop up events the world over.
Helen Fox, Programme Manager Art, Design and Media at University College Isle of Man wanted to set up an event which would both promote the ‘industry’ side of creativity and make good use of the Market Hall over the summer months when the art students are on holiday. Helen broached the idea of a Creative Industries Festival with Kate Brier and Sam Jones, who returned to the Island last year following successful careers in London to set up events and marketing consultancy Revel. Kate knew the ‘festival’ idea needed to be more specifically branded: MakeMarket: A Creative Industries Takeover comfortably marries the market space and industrial iconography, with the immediacy of a pop up ‘take-over’.
“At UCM I see so many people who start their creative training here but then leave the Island to progress their careers,” says Helen. “But there is a thriving Creative Industries sector here too: just look at the three relatively new companies Revel, Seen & Hird Design and Coburg Communications, which are collaborating to take this exciting new event from an idea to a reality.”
“MakeMarket: A Creative Industries Takeover will give a boost the Island’s active and successful creative industries sector,” continues Helen, “and we are delighted to have received backing from the Isle of Man Arts Council, DED, Culture Vannin, Manx Lottery Trust and UCM all of which recognise the importance of the Creative Arts to the Island’s economy.”
If you’d like to know more, then full details of what’s popping up in the Market Hall from now until mid-September can be found on the MakeMarket Facebook page www.facebook.com/MakeMarketIOM/. Events are being added and updated regularly, so ‘like’ the page or follow @MakeMarketIOM on Twitter for social media notifications direct to your phone and laptop.
As Helen Fox says, “it promises to be an unmissable event in the Isle of Man’s creative calendar.”
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