Jamaica Street Artists case study
Artist Studio Forum South West was the beginning of the relationship between alias and the artist-led organization Jamaica St. Artists (JSA). They arrived at the right time; artists at Jamaica St. Studios had been holding regular meetings with the intention to constitute their shared aims and objectives. This would enable the group to move forward as an organization, providing a structure, allowing direction and the realization of a common vision. Better relationships with other groups and artists, funding bodies and press would be established. By this time we had already decided to hold an event that would reinvigorate the grass-roots art scene in Bristol and establish our position as an ambitious and effective artist-led organization. During these processes alias contacts Paul Harper and Bill Crumbleholme visited our studios at Jamaica St. for further discussion of our aims and to get closer to us as a group. This initial diagnostic meeting highlighted the key issues effecting us and areas that needed to be addressed such as building management, funding sources, project development, profile and networking. Shortly after this meeting alias funded an Artist from JSA to attend the 'Making Spaces' seminar in Sheffield, where we were able to gain useful insight into the experience of other studio spaces and to make invaluable contacts.
JSA proceeded with their plans for an art event, which eventually grew into a festival. Paul Harper continued to visit JSA throughout the period leading up to the event, offering assistance relating to all aspects of its running and organization as well as ongoing mentoring on our development.
As the festival operations continued, specific events were decided upon including exhibitions, workshops, Sonic Art and a symposium. JSA's previous experience organizing exhibitions would come in useful, however we had no history of organizing conferences or seminars. alias' ongoing support and organization of such events proved beneficial. Initially the plan was to hold a talk within an exhibition space, but with alias support we were encouraged to expand these ideas. What began as plans for a talk became a full day Symposium on the issue of Art, Culture and Regeneration. Financial support and specialist speakers on the issue were secured. Further more, as research, we were invited to the Symposium 'Practice and Reflection' organized by Paul Harper. From this we learnt how to structure such events, maintaining a daylong program, selecting appropriate speakers, location and even catering.
Eventually in October 2003 the Art Festival 'Retox' went ahead with a weeklong program of events including exhibitions at four different locations, workshops in schools, a Sound Art event and the Symposium. The event owed its success to all the artists at JSA, various funding bodies and the continuing support of alias.
Since then JSA has faced further concerns regarding our studio premises at Jamaica St. in Bristol, this has been a recurring issue and alias have been able to facilitate useful contacts with other studio providers who have learned how to deal with similar experiences, and access to specialist legal advice regarding our tenancy.
In November of 2004 we hosted one of the alias seminars.