Calstock Arts are thrilled to be part of the Cultivator Mixers programme. Tickets are now available to the general public for this event which is limited to 15 people. If you are unlucky and cannot get a ticket for the whole afternon, you can still see the Tamar River film for free at 3pm.
Cultivator is a business development programme that supports the creative sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It’s is a project run by Creative Kernow and works in partnership with the University of Plymouth, Real Ideas Organisation, Cornwall College and Cornwall Development Company.
To support creative businesses, we provide one-to-one consultations with specialist advisors, as well as a range of funding opportunities, employment bursaries, skills workshops and networking events to help you grow your business and connect with the right people. You can find our full programme here.
River Reflections offers you the chance to engage creatively with the beautiful landscape of the River Tamar, network with fellow artists, and get a preview of an exclusive exhibition. The event will start with a networking opportunity and a short walk along the river from Calstock Quay car park towards the Boat Yard, passing underneath the Viaduct to take in the stunning scenery. Then, you’ll join Calstock-based artist and gallery owner Ley Roberts for an informal session of pen-and-ink drawing and coffee, exploring different ways to capture the landscape.
The drawing session will take place in our main auditorium, with a gorgeous river view from the picture window and balcony, inspiring your sketches.
After a break for afternoon tea, provided by local cafe Lishe, you’ll have the chance to view works inspired by the Tamar Valley from Ley Roberts and Gill Mannings Cox, in our pop-up exhibition, which will be installed in the Gallery Bar & main auditorium.
To cap off the day, you’ll be invited to an exclusive screening of Samuel Bestwick’s ‘Dowr Tamar / Great Water,’ a short film that uses archive footage to explore the evolution of the Tamar through time, diving deep into the river’s landscape.
Our local cafe, Lishe, will provide afternoon tea for the event. A range of delicious freshly baked cakes and scones will be available.
Event Capacity: 15
Samuel Bestwick is an artist and filmmaker currently based in Cornwall. Primarily employing the use of moving image, his practice explores narrative in conjunction with place and social history, often recontextualising these ideas within a modern context. Created for Bridge the Tamar, a group exhibition hosted by MIRROR at Arts University Plymouth and curated by Hannah Rose and Elaine Sinclair, Dowr Tamar / Great Water’ explores the evolution of the Tamar river’s landscape through time. With a musical score composed by The Worm, the film catalogues humanity’s technological progression, commercial expansion and environmental exploitation through the 22 bridges that cross the river. Starting as humble footbridges hidden amongst greenery, the widening river soon features concrete constructions capable of carrying vehicles. From here the bridges become metal. Humanity’s influence continues to become more apparent, small settlements make way for hamlets, hamlets become villages, villages become towns. Eventually, the river reaches the industrial revolution’s Royal Albert bridge and 20th century’s subsequent Tamar bridge, before finally opening up to the mass of water beyond. We are waiting to confirm, but it is likely that Sam will be available to answer questions about his film after the screening.
Ley Roberts is a member of Drawn to the Valley and also runs the Limekiln Gallery in Calstock. Her figurative pen and ink drawings, prints and etchings are inspired by the beautiful Tamar valley.