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Immerse yourself in a mesmerising world of art, music & performance at Weymouth’s historic Nothe Fort.
The Friendly Society of Artistic Labourers, made up of more than 100 students of visual arts, performing arts and music at Weymouth College, will take over the historic Nothe Fort for their annual festival.
All are welcome at this free showcasing of the students’ collective creativity for one night only on Friday, 1st March.
The festival, named ‘Layers and Traces’, is the culmination of radical work experience led by artist Simon Lee Dicker with staff and students from Weymouth College, who are currently busy preparing work for the exhibition.
Working across the creative disciplines, the Nothe Fort has become a site for artistic experimentation, revealing ‘Layers and Traces’, new and old, etched into the fabric of this renowned heritage site.
Mary-Anne Edwards, Nothe Fort General Manager, said: “One of the highlights in Nothe Fort’s events programme is working with Weymouth College amazing art department.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with this dynamic group of local young creatives and are looking forward to when they ‘Take Over Nothe Fort’ for the evening – it is the wonderful to see young people owning the space!”
The Friendly Society of Artistic Labourers (FSAL) project provides a rare and fantastic opportunity for students to work with practising artists and gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields, under the guidance of lead artist Simon Lee Dicker, who runs Od Arts Festival in West Coker, Somerset, and inspired by presentations, screenings and workshops from visiting professional artists.
During the two weeks of planning and creative workshops, students work collaboratively across courses and disciplines producing new work for the public exhibition at Nothe Fort. One of the most thrilling aspects is that no one has any idea what the outcomes of this exploration will be.
As with previous FSAL projects, the artistic labourers were given freedom to explore and shape the direction of the exhibition, allowing students to become fully immersed in the production of a live arts event.
First Year Foundation Degree student, Ruta Skrinskiene, said: “The process of creating, learning new skills and collaborating with other students and artists and its inherent unknowns and surprises has been a source of joy for me.
“I loved working alongside other students, pushing the boundaries of our projects with each passing day. It is truly inspiring to be encouraged to go bigger and bolder in our artwork.”
The event will start with a procession from the Pavilion car park to the Nothe Fort at 5.30pm on Friday, 1st March. The parade will weave around the Harbourside and up through the Nothe Gardens to the entrance to Nothe Fort, arriving at 6pm for the opening of the festival.
The showcase will then be open for one night only from 6pm to 9pm, and drinks and refreshments will be available.
Book your free tickets at https://www.artisticlabourers.co.uk/
Artistic courses at Weymouth College
Incorporating visual arts, performing arts, music and media, Weymouth College creative arts and media department provides full-time and part-time courses from level 2 to Degree level in its dedicated and specialist facilities close to both Weymouth Beach and Weymouth train station.
Find out more about Creative & Visual Arts here: Creative & Visual Arts Archives – Weymouth College
Find out more about Performing Arts & Music here: Music, Music Technology & Performing Arts Archives – Weymouth College
Find more information about Creative Media here: Creative Media Production Archives – Weymouth College