The show, by four emerging artists, runs from 5th – 27th August 2010 and aims to challenge established notions of contemporary art. Featured works includes photography that exists in ‘a permanent state of development’, paintings that are torn between 2D wall hangings and 3D sculptures and objects that are in conflict between function versus aesthetic.

Four artists are involved in this group exhibition; Martin Billingham, Richard Eveleigh, Zoe Snelson and Sarah Sanger. Each artist has a different specialism ranging from painting to installation. This contributes to the overall theme of the exhibition as does the Oxfam Gallery venue itself. The gallery is something of an unexpected contradiction i.e.: a space filled with character that generates funds for the charity whilst allowing considerable artistic freedom.

‘The Oxfam art team are delighted to welcome Richard back for his third exhibition with us. We are looking forward to seeing the inspiring work that his colleagues will contribute to this show.’ Chris Watts, Gallery Administrator.

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Oxhibitions Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm, above Salisbury Oxfam Bookshop at 10, Catherine Street.

Commission from sales will be going towards Oxfam’s work overseas to end poverty and suffering.

For more information regarding this Exhibition, please contact Salisbury Oxfam Art Team on 01722 337187 or by emailing art@salisburyoxfam.org.uk

However to get the full benefits of this for you and us we’d love people to Like our new Facebook page which you can find over at http://facebook.com/salisburyoxfam. We’re planning to share photos of our current exhibitions there, create shop events so you can let us know you’re coming and more over time as we work out the many great things we can do with it.

We’ve already been on Twitter for around a year now, amassing a sizable following, and have really enjoyed taking part in that community of Salisbury residents, Salisbury businesses, other Oxfam shops and of course the wider world! We think this will complement that excellently, so don’t worry if you’re already a follower or fancy coming and joining in: we certainly won’t be moving from @salisburyoxfam anytime soon!

Almost 10 million people across West Africa are facing a food crisis following erratic rains that have caused poor food harvests and water shortages.

Irregular rains in 2009 have led to a severe lack of pasture and water and a poor harvest across West Africa. The worst affected country is Niger where over 7 million people are at risk. Some 2 million people are threatened in Chad and an estimated further 629,000 are affected in Mali. Parts of Nigeria and Burkina Faso are also at risk.

In Niger, the harvest has fallen by 30% compared with the previous year, and some areas, especially the Diffa in the east of country and Tillabéry to the west, have had no harvest at all. In Chad, harvests have fallen by 34%. The areas of Hadjer Lamis, Batha, Kanem, Guera regions and eastern Chad are expected to be hit hard, especially from June 2010. Overall, the harvest in the Sahel has decreased by 9% with great disparities between East and West Sahel.

Oxfam is there
Oxfam has launched an emergency programme to provide support to 400,000 people in Niger, 200,000 people in Mali and 200,000 people in Chad. In the most vulnerable regions of Niger, especially in the Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéry and Zinder regions, we are distributing food and supplies to the poorest households and schoolchildren, protecting livestock and buying weak livestock from herders at above market levels.

Particularly important in the current crisis is the early warning system developed by our partners in Niger and broadcasted on rural radio networks. This gives cattle herders the information they need to act quickly. In Mali, we will be distributing food and animal feed to people worst affected by the crisis.

In Chad, Oxfam is distributing food and seeds, and running agricultural and livelihood support projects. We are also helping rehabilitate and maintain water points, and carrying out hygiene promotion. Oxfam has worked in the Sahel region for decades, developing sustainable solutions to tackle the root causes of food shortages such as creating cereal and fodder banks, promoting income diversification as well as education and literacy.

What can I do?

• Give – Oxfam needs your donations to fund this work. You can donate in Salisbury Oxfam shops, securely online here, or by phoning 0300 200 1300. Thank you.

Fifteen artits from the Romsey area of Hampshire are offering the opportunity to view their latest exhibition themed ‘Art in the Wild’.

In this, their fourth show, ArtSeen are pleased to show their interpretation of wildlife from around the world. Personal experience and a lifetime of travel contribute to this unique collection of their art.

Exotic animals and fleeting moments will catch the energy of vergant jungle life. Nature’s wilderness at its best, caught on canvas.

At the moment, we’re looking for for acts, especially acoustic, who would be interested in playing at any time during October and in particular on the 23rd. We can help match you up with venues, though if you have anything planned anyway and would like to get involved with Oxjam as well we’d be delighted to hear about that too! Email oxjamwiltshire@googlemail.com with any offers, questions or any other ideas.

As well as this, we’re looking for any volunteers to help us out on the day: collecting donations, giving out fliers and just enjoying the gigs! If you think you can help out with that drop us an email at oxjam@salisburyoxfam.org.uk and we’ll be in touch.

You can find out more about the plans and make contact by joining the OXJAM WILTSHIRE TAKEOVER Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=105570092820071 or following the dedicated Twitter feed @oxjamwiltshire – though we’ll also be retweeting key information on our feed @salisburyoxfam

Finally, if what all you really want to do is enjoy some fantastic live music this October: keep your eyes on this website, there’ll be plenty more news coming over the next few months!

recycled emotions; two artists’ views

Lynne and Gill graduated from Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, in 2000. Their work has been seen previously in Salisbury Museum, Salisbury Library, Hanger Farm Gallery, and the Project Room at the Millais and the Stables at Mottisfont.

This latest exhibition at the Oxfam Art Gallery at Catherine Street links two very different approaches to work, both responding to a continuous recycling of human emotions which evolve according to the global social and economic climate.

Horn’s wire sculptures “drawing in the air” and museum pieces use vintage images and objects which re-invent the past and offer an opportunity for reincarnation.

Savege restores a utilitarian household object and recreates an object of desire. Life drawings complement themes of obsession, youth and notions of beauty, which also complement drawings and prints produced in response to loss.

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Oxhibitions Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm, above Salisbury Oxfam Bookshop at 10, Catherine Street.
Commission from sales will be going towards Oxfam’s work overseas to end poverty and suffering.
More information regarding this Exhibition, please contact Salisbury Oxfam Art Team on 01722 337187.

Decoupage and Collage under the knife!

10th March – 1st April 2010

Craig Ennew is an artist and graphic illustrator based in Salisbury, who is well known to school boys and their parents as the Head of English at Bishop Wordworth’s School.

Craig creates unique collages and works of decoupage, drawing from an eclectic range of images and patterns, frequently bringing in original compositions of text. Works capture eccentricities of the English psyche, often focusing on vintage and retro imagery and design. Craig is influenced by all things nostalgic, lonely and strange, from the wonderful little films of Oliver Postgate, to the eclectic music of Tunng, Adem and Four Tet.

The process of producing the original pieces involves a significant amount of time working on an initial collage. This can be done either by hand or in Photoshop. Many prints are then made of the final image, and section of these prints are then cut out and layered to produce the depth and dimension in decoupage. Often, sections of text are sourced from a range of writings to create an original text composition that forms a part of the final piece.

He is regularly exhibiting his work, including galleries in Pewsey, Salisbury and Waterstones Book Stores. He has produced collages and decoupage that illustrate particular years, for example, as well as working on advertisements and magazine layout.

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The Gallery is open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.
Commission from sales will be going towards Oxfam’s work overseas to end poverty and suffering.

During Fairtrade Fortnight, at Salisbury Oxfam (general shop only), you can swap a bag of quality donations for a delicious box of Cafédirect tea. It’ll help you kickstart the aim of swapping your usual brand of goods for the Fairtrade equivalent during Fairtrade Fortnight (22nd February – 7th March 2010) and tasting the increase quality without adding much to your shopping bill – and guaranteeing a fair price for third world producers.

While you’re in store you can also stock up on other Fairtrade goods as we have a fantastic selection with something for everyone!

What can I do?

• Shopping – drop into Salisbury Oxfam and buy some great Fairtrade goods
• Fundraising – drop in a bag of quality donations and we’ll give you a free pack of tea to get you started!
• Campaigning – register for The Big Swap at the Fairtrade Foundation website

Please note: offer available while stocks last and are limited to one per person.

Working in collaboration with Beat that Quote, Compare for Good compares money and insurance products. It delivers the lowest prices and the very best price comparison site, while producing vital revenue for Oxfam. It is estimated that the commissions received by price comparison sites in the UK is £700,000,000 every year. Compare for Good has been designed to go head-to-head with Money Supermarket, Go Compare, Compare the Market, Confused.com etc. The aim is to take their profits and put it in the hands of the people who really need it.

What can I do?

• Shopping – Next time you’re shopping for insurance or financial products you could take a look at Compare for Good and it’ll help raise money for Oxfam too.

Something Different Exhibition
by Marilyn Allis

4th – 26th February 2010

This is an interesting and colourful selection of experimental work, of vibrant collage, acrylics and oils, plus some of the known watercolour style works.

Marilyn Allis, one of the most popular watercolourists in East Dorset, won the Daler Rowney front page competition,which offered the opportunity to hold a trio exhibition in the Royal Commonwealth Society, London.

In the year 2000 her work was accepted by the Royal Institute in Watercolour while 2003 saw a painting reach the final of the International Artists competition.
Marilyn appears regularly on SKY TV teaching channel, teaching art and has written three books, ‘People aren’t scary really’, ‘Animal on the loose’, and brand new ‘Painting Dorset in watercolour’

She teaches regularly at Gussage All Saints village hall, where people can learn mixed media, collage or watercolour techniques.
Marilyn held her very first solo exhibition in Salisbury.

Recently, she ran a workshop at “Tea at the top”, the cafe in The Antique Market in Salisbury.