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This month's cover artist Dizzy Ink's Craig Proud tells us about his work and inspirations

This month’s cover art was designed by Nottingham zine and print maestro Craig Proud. We asked him a few questions about his inspirations and what he gets up to at Dizzy Ink Studio

Sneinton’s Backlit Gallery to receive almost £500k in funding from Arts Council England

Fantastic news for Nottingham’s creative community as Sneinton’s Backlit Gallery is set to receive Arts Council funding to secure and develop their building.

Elevating voices of the Global Ethnic Majority with Transform, a city takeover by New Art Exchange

With aims to celebrate and amplify the leadership, creativity, and broader cultural stewardship of the Global Ethnic Majority in Nottingham through music, film, talks and more, pioneering Forest Fields art gallery New Art Exchange is soon to launch Transform, a City Takeover. We spoke to CEO & Artistic Director Saad Eddine-Said and Associate Artistic Director Saziso Phiri, about this new festival.

We Hear the Story Behind Luminarium Inventors Architects of Air

If you have ever agreed with the phrase ‘there’s nothing new under the sun’, respectfully, you are mistaken. Tucked away in one of Nottingham’s many old lace factories, Architects of Air are once again busy building a wondrous world-class experience like no other. The Luminarium: Luminimax has its international premiere at Lakeside Arts at the end of May, so we went down to the workshop to hear more and see exactly what it takes to build such a strange unique experience.

Theatre Review: Janet

Becki Crossley checks out Janet at the Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts...

Back with a Boom: The Return of Nottingham Artists amillionsons

When it comes to talent spotting, Pete Tong isn’t often wrong – and amillionsons, an act he first picked out years ago, is back on the scene with a very special release. We caught up with the Nottingham-based artists on Misti Blu Two, featuring vocals from legendary soul siblings Taka Boom, Chaka Khan and Mark Stevens.

We Went to the School of Artisan Food to Try One Of Their Delectable Cooking Courses

Nestled in the expansive Welbeck Estate in north Nottinghamshire lies the School of Artisan Food, a hands-on cooking school dedicated to traditional processes and proper craftsmanship. Catering to everyone from the hobbyist hoping to perfect their puff pastry to budding professionals seeking the tricks of the trade, it's a haven of all things homemade and an antidote to a food culture dominated by the mass-produced and ultra-processed.

Nottingham Residents Invited to Take Part in World-First Citizen Assembly Initiative at New Art Exchange

New Art Exchange (NAE) is setting a global precedent for community-led arts delivery with the launch of the VOICE Assembly, a permanent citizen assembly to be included within the diverse arts organisation's leadership structure. The initiative invites forty local residents to represent the wider community and directly shape NAE’s neighbourhood strategy and investments. NAE is developing a blueprint for cultural institutions worldwide, championing citizen-led decision-making in arts and culture.

Our April Cover Artist Rebecca Evans Talks About Her Inspirations and Process

We sat down with Charlotte Thomson-Morley to ask about her ideas, inspiration and other work.

Our wonderful cover art this month is by Charlotte Thomson-Morley, a South Notts illustrator and printmaker who makes work based around folklore and Paganism. We sat down with Charlotte to ask about her ideas, inspiration and other work.

Local Nottingham Artists Have The Chance To Play Legendary Rock City Main Stage @ Dot To Dot Festival

The Future Sound of Nottingham is returning for 2024. FSN gives Nottingham and Nottinghamshire musicians the opportunity to play the iconic main stage of Rock City. 

From Romeo and Juliet to Art Exhibitions: Here's What's on This Week 18 - 24 March

If you are looking for some classics in stage and theatre in the next few days, Romeo et Juliette and The Motive and the Cue both bring the past successes of playwriters to the forefront of the cinemas this coming week. Additionally, the creative works of artists and musicians alike enter the city of Nottingham with exhibitions until 4 May. 

Theatre Review: DARKFIELD's Immersive Arcade Experience at Lakeside Arts

ARCADE is the latest immersive theatre experience from DARKFIELD, a choose-your-own-path experience full of binaural sounds and sensory effects in a completely pitch-black shipping container. We went down to Lakeside Arts and gave it our best go. 

We Spoke to Artist Martin Rayment about Whipping Imagined Worlds Onto Canvas

Within intricately layered large-scale collages, Martin Rayment whips imagined worlds onto canvas. We sat down to chat with Martin about his creative process, merging music and art, and staying curious as an artist.

Art Review: Dora Budor: Again and Paul Mpagi Sepuya: Exposure at Nottingham Contemporary

Nottingham Contemporary’s spring 2024 mixed media installation unearths and dissects the dimensions of modernity, technology and human connection across two distinct artscapes that invite us to re-examine our own opinion of what constitutes modern art. 

Artist Di Ali-Arab Reclaims Feminine Sexuality Via Cheeky Images With Powerful Messaging

With Friday 8 March marking International Women’s Day, what better way to highlight its importance than spending time with self-proclaimed feminist, artist Di Ali-Arab. The 25-year-old is spreading a message; to turn the archetypal objectification of women on its head, and replacing it with empowering graphics of the female form. LeftLion HQ joined her in RSP Studios, where her work is currently being displayed and sold.

Music Reviews: March 2024

This month, we review music from Whisky Stain, Lacey, Otala, Hallowed Men, Blu Syrup, Cappo & Kong Artisan, Bunnie, Albion and Daudi Matsiko...

We Spoke to 'Hedda Gabler' Director Andrew Whittle Ahead of the Premier at Nottingham Arts Theatre at the end of March

With a fresh adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's 'Hedda Gabler' coming to the Nottingham Arts Theatre at the end of March, we sat down with director and writer Andrew Whittle, to talk about developing unlikable characters and what it's like getting into directing in his forties.

Concert Review: Valentine's Day Candlelight Concert at the Galleries of Justice

The atmospheric courtroom of the National Justice Museum was the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine's Candlelight Concert on 16 February 2024.... 

We Speak to Music Artist and Entrepreneur Parisa East as Her Live Music Platform Acoustickle Turns Fifteen Years Old

Parisa East is a music artist and entrepreneur with many years of experience promoting live music events, supporting local talent, and providing quality cultural experiences in Nottingham. In 2009 she launched Acoustickle: a live music platform to spotlight emerging artists, and encourage musicians to share their original compositions with respectful audiences. With decorated venues, and intimate, inspiring performance spaces, the immersive atmosphere captivates all that are present. In 2022, she received an AIM award, as the East Midlands local hero, nominated by Dean Jackson, presenter of BBC Introducing. This is Parisa East, interviewed by Acoustickle’s very own CeCe about her visions for the future and the importance of creating a stage for unknown artists…

Get Your Gladrags On: We Chat to Baby Tap, DJ Boz, Marilyn Sane, and Nana Arthole

Nottingham has a colourful palette of local, committed and diverse LGBTQ+ artists and creatives. Baby Tap, DJ Boz, Marilyn Sane, and Nana Arthole are all part of the Nottingham club night Gladrags, a welcoming space that hosts DJs, live music, drag and burlesque performers, where all people can get their Gladrags on and be authentic without judgement. They told us more about who they are, the events that are happening across the city, and the new wave of LGBTQ+ identifying musicians who are emerging from Nottingham…

February’s Cover Artist Iulia Matei Tells Us More About Her Music-Themed Design

We hear more about the February issue’s cover from the talented illustrator, Iulia Matei…

We Chat to Kenyan Alt-RnB Artist IkeN All About His Debut Album ‘Galatea’

Kenyan Alt-RnB artist IkeN found himself in Nottingham when he moved to the UK to study Business Management. Alongside this, he also makes music, releasing his debut album Galatea last October. We find out all about it...

Artist Harry Mayston on Having His Work Exhibited at Surface Gallery

After graduating with a degree in fine art from Loughborough University, artist Harry Mayston went on to have his work exhibited in Surface Gallery’s recent exhibition Vessel after he, by chance, was asked to give the team behind the gallery a tour of the Loughborough School of Design and Creative Arts degree show. Following the exhibition, he tells us more about the nature of his piece Blue Things, which was made up of 76 cyanotype prints, and the plans he has for the future of his art practice…

From Art Exhibition Launches to Beat The Streets Festival: Here's What's on in Notts 22 - 28 January 2024

This week in Nottingham, enjoy live music in aid of a great cause at Beat The Streets, celebrate the opening of new exhibitions at Nottingham Contemporary, or join the National Holocaust Museum for Holocaust Memorial Day...