Provided in collaboration with Quay Arts, these are bi-monthly group Crit Sessions for creatives working in disciplines such as visual & performance arts, animation, moving image, photography, craft.
Crit session coming up: Monday 29th September 2025, 6-8pm (please note change of date)Quay Arts - Seminar Room, Newport, FREE
A crit is a critique where one creative will be invited at each session to share their work with a group and speak about their work, idea or a project they are pursuing, looking for honest, constructive feedback from other artists. These sessions will be limited to max 20 places within each group.
Chaired by Alys Scott Hawkins:The group Crit Sessions will be chaired by Alys Scott Hawkins. Alys is a specialist in Artist Support, providing guidance and advice to overcome barriers, plan projects and make funding applications. She is a member of the Artist Council: the advisory panel for a-n: the UK’s largest membership organisation for visual artists. Previously she led the Artist Development programme at 'a space' arts, Southampton, drawing on her long-standing networks within the arts sector across the region.
To find out more about Alys and her work, please click here.
Alys Scott Hawkins, photo by Maria Bell
Presenting on Monday 29th September 2025: Visual Artist, Kathy WilliamsKathy Williams is an artist whose practice is based in the present moment and is responsive to context- place, space, people, themes and ideas. She identifies her methodology as play and is currently putting together an interchangeable toolkit where she can rock up to places and make / co-create work that can only be assembled in that way, at that time and in that particular format.
Kathy has always worked with process and is now expanding her knowledge by exploring the "doing" of her practice which she affectionately refers to as "the middle bit". As process hints at a system and end point, doing focuses on the action of making.. the middle bit between idea and outcome.
Join us for this Group Crit Session to hear more about Kathy's practice, gain insight into her creative process, and take part in an open discussion on her work.
To learn more about Kathy's work please visit: www.kathywilliamsartist.co.uk / @kathywilliamsartistThis is a unique opportunity for Isle of Wight creatives to gain valuable feedback, share insights, and develop their practice in a supportive group setting. All creatives are welcome!
What others have said:
"It's the first step for me in becoming a little more relaxed about sharing my work in a verbal way! I've realised having an event, exhibition, crit or showcase is a really good way to to create focus and the deadline made me pull together ideas I'd had for a while but really didn't know how to express." - Vicky Wilson, artist.
"These sessions provided a unique space where I could openly share my work with a diverse group of creatives, gaining feedback that was both insightful and constructive. This supportive environment encouraged me to explore new perspectives and approaches I hadn't considered. The chance to discuss my ideas was instrumental in shaping the direction of my project, offering guidance that continues to influence my work as I push 'Drip Splatter Smear' into new phases. This experience not only strengthened my current practice but also provided me with tools and insights that I’ll carry into future projects." - Laura Hathaway, artist.
The event will take place in the Seminar Room, next to the cafe at Quay Arts.
MON 29 SEPT 2025 SESSION - BOOK HERE!
If you would like to be considered for future group Crit Sessions, please email georgia@creativeisland.org a brief outline of what you’d like to present, along with any links to your work and technical requirements to show your work.
Light refreshments will be available at these sessions and there will be a chance to network with other creatives after the discussions. We’ll also hear from the Quay Arts team about opportunities coming up at the Centre.
Venue address: Quay Arts, Sea Street, Newport Harbour, IW PO30 5BD(access via side terrace entrance door).
Parking available via two car parks on Little London Rd and Sea Street. Buses also regularly come into Newport from all areas of the Island and is a 5 min walk from the bus station.
