IW Creative Network

02/06/2026

22/05/2026

🌿 OPPORTUNITY: SPUD ARTISTS COLLABORATIVE EXHIBITION

Following the success of their 2025 exhibition with Arches Studio, Southampton, .org.uk Artists in Sway are inviting expressions of interest from members for a new collaborative exhibition in February 2027. 🤘

This year’s theme is ‘WOOD’ - a material rich in history, symbolism and possibility. Artists from all disciplines are welcome to respond in their own way, whether through sculpture, installation, performance, or experimental practice. From the tactile and structural to the conceptual and ecological, we encourage diverse interpretations that explore the material’s physical qualities and cultural resonance. 🪵

The exhibition aims to bring together artists across regions, creating space for exchange, dialogue and new connections. By working around a shared material, they hope to spark new ideas, strengthen networks, and foster a spirit of collective creativity. 💫

👉Interested in taking part in this collaborative, cross-Solent opportunity? Email [email protected]
To find out more about SPUD, please visit: https://www.spud.org.uk

📸Images from Spud’s ‘Paper’ this years group exhibition & last years ‘Clay’ exhibition.

18/05/2026

🎭 CALL OUT: SCRATCH NIGHT AT VENTNOR FRINGE 2026

, in partnership with .studios, Southampton, are offering X3 opportunities for creatives to test new work at this year’s Scratch Night during Ventnor Fringe Festival!

📍 Bosco Theatre,
📅 Sunday 26 July 2026
⏰ 7–8.30pm

‘Scratch Night’ is designed to be a relaxed, supportive event where artists can share 15mins of works-in-progress, early-stage ideas or experimental material in front of a live audience.

Whether you work in theatre, spoken word, comedy, live art or performance - we’d love to hear from you!

Interested? Send a brief summary of the work you’d like to present to [email protected]

👉 To book tickets to this years Scratch Night, head to the Ventnor Fringe website. Link in bio. 🤘

14/05/2026

⚡️NEW SERIES OF 1:1 CREATIVE ADVISORY SESSIONS ANNOUNCED!⚡️
In need of some 1:1 support on creative projects, artistic direction or arts funding advice? Well you’re in luck! We’ve just launched a new series of 1:1 advisory sessions, released quarterly to creative individuals with specialist in artist support 👌

Round 1 of applications are open NOW to members of the for sessions to be taken in June/July 2026. More session will be available for creatives to apply for in July to be taken in Aug for Round 2. Then again in Sept for sessions to take place in Nov for Round 3, and finally in Jan 2027 for sessions to take place in Feb 2027 for Round 4.

Alys (.org.uk), provides guidance and advice to creatives to overcome barriers, plan projects and make funding applications. She is a member of the Artist Council: the advisory panel for a-n: the UK’s largest membership organisation for visual artists. 🙌

What others have said after receiving a 1:1 session:
“I was at a crossroads with my work so gave the 121 a go. Alys was a great listener and teased out new directions I’d never imagined – I now feel much more confident going forward. I’ve started to apply what we discussed and really pleased with the results.” James Lord, artist.💫

“Alys and I talked for 2 hours and it flew by. The session was well constructed and her ability to communicate how the session would go was great. I was able to talk about my work and where I wanted it to go. Alys was incredibly skilful in bringing out of me things I’d never verbalised before. It was extremely helpful and it gave me clarity on aspects of my work. Since the session my work flow has improved significantly. I can recommend Alys to anyone who needs some sensitive and thoughtful mentoring.” Babs Gowan, artist.💫

Previously, Alys led the Artist Development programme at ‘a space’ arts, Southampton, drawing on her long-standing networks within the arts sector across the region.🤓

👉 TO APPLY: Head to ‘Programme’ on our website & select ‘Special Opportunities’ to find out more.
⏰ DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ROUND 1: Sunday 31 May 2026, 11.59pm.

📸 by

09/05/2026

30/04/2026

22/04/2026

✨ New session in May for IW Creative Network members ✨
After our recent round of 1:1 sessions with artist support specialist Alys Scott-Hawkins, we had far more applications than places available. So we’re opening up a small group session to support more members.

“Creative Practice Session: Prioritising Your Work”
📅 Tuesday 5th May
⏰ 5.30–7.30pm
📍 Building 41, Cowes
🎟 Free (for IW Creative Network members)
👥 Max 10 places

This informal session is for creatives juggling lots at once - practice, family life, work, funding applications and everything in between. Alys will guide a conversation around finding focus, prioritising your work and creating space for your practice.

Alys regularly supports IWCN members through mentoring, project development advice and our Group Crit sessions at Quay Arts.

Places are limited to keep the session supportive and conversational.
👉 Find out more & book your place - head to Creative Training section on our website. Link in bio.
org.uk

08/04/2026

Announcing our next IW Creative Network Workshop: ‘THE BIT IN THE MIDDLE™️: Staying Power in Business’ with Effie Moss

📅 Thu 30 April, 2026
⏰ 10.30am – 1.30pm
📍 Building 41, Cowes
🎟 For IW Creative Network members (free!)

Many businesses reach a stage where they’re no longer new, but not yet where their founders imagined. Cashflow gets real, decisions carry weight, and the path forward can feel unclear.

This stage - what Effie Moss calls “The Bit in the Middle™️” - is where many creative businesses stall, not because the idea isn’t strong, but because the skills needed to stabilise, simplify and grow sustainably are rarely taught. In this practical workshop, Effie will explore how to recognise this phase, build staying power and move forward with clarity - strategically, practically and personally.

Effie Moss 💖 Build a Business That Feels Like You 🌱->🌸 is a founder & business strategist who has spent over a decade helping entrepreneurs build sustainable, profitable companies. She first gained national recognition after appearing on Dragons’ Den with her handmade teepee business.

With experience spanning product businesses, service agencies and founder mentorship, Effie specialises in what she calls “The Bit in the Middle™️” - the stage where a business is no longer new but not yet fully established, and the real work of refinement, structure and staying power begins.

👉 For IW CREATIVE NETWORK members: book your place now via the website. Link in bio, select ‘NEWS & OPPS’. Spaces are limited.

Building 41 by Innovation Wight

24/02/2026

It is time! Let’s do this!

21/02/2026

📣 NEXT GROUP CRIT SESSION:
Monday 9 March, 6–8pm | Quay Arts, Newport | Free.

Facilitated by artist support specialist Alys Scott-Hawkins, 🤓 our bi-monthly Group Crits take place at Quay Arts. These are for creatives working in disciplines such as visual & performance art, animation, moving image, sound, photography, craft.

Do what’s a ‘crit’?
A crit is a critique where one creative is invited at each session to share their work with a small group and speak about their work, idea or a project they are pursuing, looking for honest, constructive feedback from other creatives. 💡💫

Presenting on 9th March will be Nathan Holt - an Isle of Wight–based artist creating immersive experiences exploring sound, vibration, visuals, and the qualities of place. Rooted in deep listening, his work combines field recording, installation, and collaboration to translate hidden environmental and human resonance into experiences that can be heard, seen and physically felt, revealing the unseen and unheard through alchemic and sonic forms of art. 🎧🧘⚡️

At the Group Crit, Nathan will share an early-stage concept from his Translating Frequencies series, exploring voice, tactile vibration, and collective resonance within a community context.

To book your place at our next crit, please go to the NEWS & OPPS or CREATIVE TRAINING SESSIONS on our website. 💻🎟️

Want to present at a future crit session? 🤗 Email [email protected] with a short outline and links to your work.

Images 1 & 2: .art
Image 3:
Image 4: .org.uk