03/04/24.
February and March round-up
Over the past couple of months Medway Art Box has hosted some excellent exhibitions by artists, photographers and even a local football team - and we are delighted to say our schedule for the rest of 2024 is packed out too!
Here’s a recap in case you missed it:
Michi Masumi
In February, local artist, photographer and poet Michi Masumi installed i Woman which asked “what does WOMAN mean to you?”. In the lead up and during the show, message boxes could be found in various locations across Medway, where anyone was invited to participate with their words, thoughts and comments.
Inside the box were photographs of women taken by Michi, from studio sessions, street scenes and spontaneous moments, as well as words and phrases. The exhibition was a celebration of all women; exploring the diverse intersectional aspects of womanhood within the Medway community.
Zoe J Photography
Next up was Zoe J Photography, a local professional photographer who specialises in wedding and engagement shoots, family portraits, pet photography, events and headshots. Outside of that she enjoys exploring picturesque locations and it is these photographs which came together to form her exhibition in Medway Art Box.
Chatham Town FC
Then we had something slightly different - a display of football memorabilia by Chatham Town FC. Community is at the heart of this local football team, which is our red telephone box was a fitting location for “If I can dream”, an installation of football shirts, scarves, photographs, trophy and more. Alongside the exhibition, Chatham Town FC ran a competition to win tickets to a fixture of their choice, which invited people to take a photograph posing next to Medway Art Box to be in with a chance to win.
St John Fisher
Our most recent takeover is by the art department at local school St. John Fisher. Students and teachers made work responding to Me, Myself and Medway, with each piece offering a unique interpretation of the theme. The eclectic mix of artwork formed an exhibition in Medway Art Box, and although the works were diverse, they were unified by elements of form and colour.
25/01/24.
Nick Ashton takes over
Local professional illustrator and artist Nick Ashton aka Chicken Monster filled Medway Art Box with a showcase of his art.
Nick Ashton has 15 years graphic design experience in the film and entertainment industry, but is now a full-time freelance illustrator working with a variety of companies big and small, local and beyond, as well as taking on private commissions, children’s books and his own artwork - examples of all are showcased in the phone box. He also runs drawing classes for children and young people, one of which is the regular Digital Teen Art session which takes place in The Lightbox in The Halpern Conservancy Building (next to Medway Art Box!).
If you like comic books, films, superheroes or fantasy then you will love Nick’s artwork.
25/10/23.
Make your own Medway Art Box
A couple of years ago, one of our Fun Palace activities invited visitors to create their own mini Medway Art Box. We loved this idea and really wanted to revisit it for our December installation.
Download our flatpack template which you can colour in - or go even further and let your creativity run wild!
Deliver them to Nucleus Arts Rochester by 22nd November. They can stay flat-packed to make it easier to pop in an envelope clearly labelled FAO Vanessa at Medway Art Box.
Download the template here
12/10/23.
TARDIS Yarnbomb!
To mark the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who, Medway Art Box has had a TARDIS makeover. Created mostly by crochet, Gillingham based community group and yarn shop Unravel & Unwind have recreated the iconic sci-fi police box complete with monsters, props and iconic outfits from the Doctor Who franchise. The group have been meeting a few times a month since June and it has been a group effort of over 20 people to help the crafted creation come together.
The project is sponsored by Emu Yarns who provided enough Yarn to create the crocheted TARDIS.
23/09/23.
Kent Illustration Network
Kent Illustration Network, also known as KIN, are a local collective of illustrators and artists who host workshops, events, exhibitions and most valuably, support each other’s creative practices.
This micro-exhibition in Medway Art Box features work by 12 members of KIN. From digital drawing to traditional pen and ink, fantasy themes to nature scenes, architectural studies to character designs; this showcase of works gives us an insight into the varying styles and interests within the group.
Artists featured are:
Jio Butler @jiobutlerart
Nick Ashton @chickenmonsterart
Luke Scaley @lukescaleyart
David Frankum @davidfrankum
ManishaChan @manishachan
Nadia Perrotta @nadia.perrotta.art
Matilda Flood @matilda_illustrates
Kerry Jackson-Standen @_the.art.pod_
Keira Jackson-Standen @the.ticing.artist__
Vanessa Cube @vanessacube_
Jonathan Ash @jonathanashart
Find out more about Kent Illustration Network @kentillustrationnetwork
08/08/23.
A taste of FLORA
Fun Palaces is an annual arts, science and cultural celebration and festival by the community, for the community. The event always takes place on the first weekend of October, and Nucleus Arts organises Medway Fun Palace which will be in Chatham this year.
Part of the celebrations this year involve an immersive exhibition, FLORA, which will be in full bloom in The Halpern Gallery in October to coincide with Fun Palaces. And a little taster of what is to expect has popped up in MedwayArtBox for three weeks to kick things off and inspire passersby.
Colourful, recyclable paper cut and origami flowers, made by members of the community come together to make an installation inspired by Anne Pratt. We love how much the colours pop against the former telephone kiosk!
Find out more about Flora and how you can get involved here
18/07/23.
Ann Palmer: a pop-up studio
Written by Vanessa Crew
Usually when Medway Open Studios rolls around, local artist Ann Palmer opens her studio in her garden in Rochester, or her studio at Nucleus Arts Chatham, for her fellow artists, art lovers and friends to visit. However, this year you could find a glimmer of her studio in Medway Art Box (viewable 24/7) alongside her exhibition Horizon in The Halpern Pop in the building next door, The Halpern Conservancy Building.
Peer inside the former phone kiosk and you will see how Ann uses sketchbooks to plan out her paintings. They are filled with on location drawings which map out the horizon; with wiggly lines that capture the movement of the tide or the energy of the blustery sky, and with words scribbled down, noting the colours, the location, the weather, and poetic phrases with potential to form future titles.
Also on display are some of the artist’s trusted tools: paints, a paint palette, a painter’s rag, brushes and of course a couple of her ever important palette knives. The texture created from these knives is a distinctive feature of Ann’s painting style.
With an unfinished canvas propped up, and small paints and cards tacked to the windows, the viewer gets a flavour of Ann’s work as well as a behind-the-scenes insight into her practice.
See more from Ann Palmer:
@annpalmerartist
27/06/23.
Take ONLY what you need
For Medway Print Festival 2023, Rachel of iPrintedThat (and one half of MedwayArtBox) filled the box with pocket sized printed notecards for Take Only What You Need.
The exhibition invites the viewer to choose one card - something that they need. The available prints to take include a hug, a drink, a friend, a home, a job and more.
Did you take only what you need? If so, share and tag us on social media @MedwayArtBox
12/06/23.
River of Words
Here is a look back on some of the excellent entries to River of Words, a collaborative exhibition by Wordsmithery as part of their new literary festival for Medway, Medway River Lit which took place from the 2 - 11 June 2023.
With over 40 poems on postcards submitted, themes ranged from cats, to love, to local landmarks, to nature, to friends, to eggs and bacon. From the witty to the poignant, from the long to the short, some rhymed while others didn’t. And on the reverse: illustrations, photographs and a couple left blank.
There was a smart writer called Barry
Called for poems - he yelled “DO NOT TARRY”
Write slowly, write quickly
But please don’t write thickly
And ensure that you don’t dilly-dally
- Gebern Wellberg
A huge thank you to everyone who took part in this installation.
16/05/23.
Can I come out yet?
10 - 23 May
Local artist Aaron Mcnulty is the artist behind our May takeover, and we are thrilled to have his installation “Can I come out yet?” in Medway Art Box.
The exhibition of paintings and polaroids references claustrophobia, panic and unease of feeling trapped inside a small space; also a reference to the lockdowns experienced over the past few years during the pandemic. These feelings are amplified by the confinement of the old telephone box, which makes it an appropriate setting for their installation.
Follow Aaron at @mcnultee on Instagram for more of his work.
10/04/23.
Who would welcome a call?
6 - 20 April
An installation of phone cards and phone box memories collected and curated by Rachel aka iPrintedThat, one half of the Medway Art Box team.
Originally displayed in a telephone box in Strood as part of the Welcome Project, each phone card documents local people’s memories of using phone boxes, spanning 70 years - from the everyday to life changing experiences.
25/03/23.
Your words in Medway Art Box
31 May - 13 June
Medway River Lit is an exciting new literary festival coming to Medway this summer which celebrates literature, poetry and spoken word and showcases the work of local writers and performers.
We are delighted to be collaborating with the festival organisers and local literary art organisation Wordsmithery on “River of Words”, an exhibition of poetry to be displayed in Medway Art Box.
Everyone is invited to contribute with a poem on a postcard, and the poems can be about anything (as long as they are suitable to be displayed in public!). You can handwrite or type your poem, and you could decorate the flip side of the postcard too.
Blank postcards are available to pick up at Nucleus Arts Chatham or you can use your own. Please drop off, or send your postcards to c/o Medway River Lit Nucleus Arts, 272 High St, Chatham ME4 4BP
Closing date is 30 April.
21/03/23.
Seed Swap is back for 2023
15 - 28 March
Our annual seed swap is underway ready to kickstart Spring.
Here’s how it works; turn up at the box with your packet(s) of seeds, open the door and look around. Decide which packet you’d like, take it and put your seed packet back in its place. Take a photo of your seeds, post to social media and tag / mention @medwayartbox. Off you go smiling and ready to sow your new seeds.
If you can’t get to the box but would still like to send in your seeds then here’s the address to post them to:
Rachel // iPrintedThat
Studio 7
Nucleus Arts
15a High Street
Rochester
Kent
ME1 1PY
MedwayArtBox will be open 24/7 during the seed swap which runs from 15 - 28 March.
07/03/23.
Woman. Life. Freedom
1 - 14 March
For our first March takeover we are delighted to host an installation by local artist Roya Rahmanzadeh.
Rahmanzadeh is a British Iranian artist, born and raised in Medway. Through her installation she shares her feelings about the current woman-led revolution in Iran with her home town.
Pieces include prints of her paintings which celebrate the bravery of Iranian women under oppression. Poetry and quotes are mixed with Persian objects that draw the eye in and invite you to peer through the windows. There’s so much see. Make sure to take a trip down to the box anytime or day or night before Wednesday 15 March.
Find out more about Roya’s work on social media @royarahmanzadehart
This open call takeover is the first of many which will pop up throughout the year, keep an eye on our social media for the next opportunity.
22/11/22.
Detective Duck
9 November - 23 November
The Nucleus Arts Digital Teen Art group, led by local illustrator Nick Ashton, transform Medway Art Box into a comic book experience.
Their original detective story and digital illustrations centre around a duck trying to solve a murder,
You can follow the story on the panels from outside to inside, reading up, down and left to right.
2/11/22.
Colony takeover
26 October - 9 November
Ahead of their exhibition in The Halpern Gallery (starting 3rd November), local artist group Colony have taken over Medway Art Box.
On display is a collection of small works, prints, photographs and postcards. Keep an eye on social media to find out which days the box is open, as there are a few pieces inside which you are welcome to take - however please only take one per person!
Colony are a community of artists from the Medway Towns who exhibit together and support each other. They work in a variety of mediums; from painting to photography to drawing to collage.
Colony artists involved include Simon Mills, Bronach Rae, Bill Lewis, Phillip Richardson, David Frankum, Anne Taylor and Elizabeth Akehurst.
15/10/22.
Mt Moon Press Zine Launch
12 - 26 October
We are delighted to welcome zine-maker Johanna Coulson to Medway Art Box for their Zine Launch.
There are three titles to choose from:
>>Meet Me At The End Of The World<<
Short supernatural fiction and poetry
>>Mono<<
Black and white photography collection
>>Hummingbird<<
2020 COVID anxiety zine
(TW - grim health stuff)
This is an open installation which means you can pop along and pick up a zine of your choice (and a badge) over the next two weeks until 26 October.
Follow @mtmoonpress on Instagram
mtmoon.carrd.co
31/07/22.
Postcard exhibition returns!
For the summer, we are inviting all artists to gift a postcard size (A6) piece of art to MedwayArtBox, so it can travel the width and breadth of the UK or possibly the world!
Want to get involved? Bring your art on a postcard to the box from 1st August onwards, or get in touch with Vanessa (vanessa.crew@nucleusarts.co.uk) for more information.
29/05/22.
We’re Closed…
…for refurbishment! The time has come for some much needed TLC to make sure Medway Art Box is looking better than ever (no more missing windows or a hole in the door!)
If everything goes to plan we’ll be back for Medway Print Festival from the 4th June.
See you soon!
19/02/22.
A Seed Swap in time for Spring!
As Spring approaches, we are excited to reveal that we are hosting a seed swap, beginning on Saturday 19th March.
Artists and gardeners (or gardening artists) are invited to fill the box with plant themed artworks, seeds and decorated seed packets, which can be taken or 'swapped' by visitors to MedwayArtBox.
Lots of seeds and empty seed packets will be provided, so everyone is welcome to join in whether they are a gardener or an artist.
For gifted seeds please include the plant type and variety, and the approximate number of seeds. And don't forget to include your name and social media handles on the back of seed packets or artwork.
Would you like to get involved?
Please send artwork, seeds or seed packets to:
Rachel // iPrintedThat, Studio 7 - The Halpern Conservancy Building, 15a High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1PY
…or drop them off at Nucleus Arts Main Centre or the Halpern Conservancy Building in an envelope addressed to Rachel and Vanessa and labelled ‘SEED SWAP MEDWAYARTBOX’
Alternatively, wait until Saturday 19th March to visit MedwayArtBox with your gifted artwork and seeds!
If you have any questions please contact vanessa.crew@nucleusarts.co.uk
13/02/22.
MedwayArtBox x MEDWAY LIGHT NIGHTS
Medway Light Nights took place in Rochester over the weekend and it was brilliant!
Of course MedwayArtBox did not want to miss out on the fun, so we decided to (unofficially) get involved and take advantage of the existing phone box lighting.
Rachel and Vanessa teamed up with the Nucleus Arts community engagement team who came up with the idea to create colourful, translucent panels to line the window panes on the box. Teen Art and Social Art attendees were invited to make laminated tissue paper artworks and they did not disappoint with their bright, bold and imaginative designs!
We love how it turned out with the panels installed, especially when illuminated at night. MedwayArtBox feel very proud to have taken part in this wonderful Medway event, and want to say a huge thank you to everyone who contributed work!
24/01/22.
Art gifting in MedwayArtBox has returned!
In the lead up to our next project, we return to the initiative that started it all off - an art gifting exchange.
The idea is simple...
1. Artists gift artwork to display in MedwayArtBox.
2. Passers by, tourists or the local community are welcome to view and pick a piece they like.
3. When a piece is chosen, it is encouraged that they take a photo of the art work and tag the artist and @MedwayArtBox on social media.
4. The artwork is ready to be taken home and enjoyed!
Would you like to gift artwork?
Feel free to pop your work in MedwayArtBox using the hanging system of pegs and clips provided and tag us in a photo to let us know. Alternatively you can send the work to:
Rachel // iPrintedThat, Studio 7 - The Halpern Conservancy Building, 15a High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1PY
...and we'll do the rest!
Don't forget to include your name and social media handles on the back of the work.
If you have any questions please contact vanessa.crew@nucleusarts.co.uk
