Jar specifications

The jars used for Stowage vary slightly in their exact measurements, but these pictures should give a good idea of what to expect. Dimensions are for the exterior and are given in inches. All our jars are made of glass with either metal or plastic lids.

Artists are free to alter or reconstruct the jars as they wish to suit the purposes of their work, but should bear in mind that most works will be shown in confined spaces in publicly accessible positions.

Retailer news

The following Exeter businesses have agreed to host one or more jars containing art in their shop windows in Spring 2010.
Otto Retro (left)
Rochelle's Curtains
Feathers of Isca
tma2
Shaker Maker
Read 'n' Return Bookshop
Off the Hook
Chuckle Shoes
Langans Foam
Brian Fowler

Opus Mosaic
Heavenly Yarns

Reform Records

Exeter Peace Shop

Make Art

Holly Hemmings Herbalist
Moorland Rambler
Isca Models

Co-Op

Photos of the shopfronts of some of the participating retailers in Fore Street and New Bridge Street can be found at our Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/foundspace

We've not been able to speak to everyone yet, so if you are the owner of a business located in Exeter's West Quarter and would like to take part, please email Found Space at found.space[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk

Artists' brief

When: April-May 2010 (work to be delivered March 2010)
What: Work in any media suitable for display in or around old-fashioned sweet jars in a retail environment
Where: West Quarter shopping district, Exeter, Devon (then touring)
Who: Most places are already taken, but if you would like to be considered for this or future shows, please email a brief CV, 3 x images of work and/or website address where work can be viewed to found.space[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]uk
Charges to artists: None

Fee for artists: Dependent on funding

Taking as its focus the classic 1960‘s sweet shop jar, this show is an opportunity to create a piece of artwork to be exhibited in shop windows along Exeter’s Fore Street and New Bridge Street.

This far western part of Exeter's main street has escaped colonisation by chain stores and is home to many small and independent outlets. There is a hardware shop, hairdressers, surf shop, tattooist, book shop, record shop, shoemaker, bridal shop and herbalist, amongst others.

Artists are invited to respond to the jars as entities in themselves (eg as objects of display, nostalgia or containment) and/or to the site (ie the nature of the shops as they are now or were in the past). This local history site gives a feel for the street past and present.

www.exetermemories.co.uk/EM/_streets/forestphotos.php

Jars are approximately 12cm W x 10cm deep x 30cm high, with screwtop lids (the neck is approx 8.5cm in diameter. You can either make work to the jar's specifications or we will post a jar to you for you to fill and return. We hope to be arranging collections of completed work in Plymouth, Durham and Manchester - as well as Exeter.

More pictures of Exeter's West Quarter below.

Pictures from Exeter's West Quarter

Retailers' FAQ

Stowage is a joint venture between independent traders in the West Quarter of Exeter City Centre and artists from around the UK. Found Space will loan you one or more artworks built in or around confectionery jars for display in your shop during April/May 2010.

Below are some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to contact us if there is anything else you need to know.

STOWAGE Q&A

Who benefits?
This is a not-for-profit venture that aims to bring together independent traders and independent artists to promote their businesses and artworks in parallel.

Who chooses the work I display in my shop?
The artists and works included in the show will be chosen and allocated by Found Space.

What does it cost?
Participation is free to independent West Quarter traders. All artworks and display materials will be loaned free of charge and Found Space will fund all publicity.

What do I need to contribute?
To take part, you only need to offer us space in your shop and display the work for the duration of the show.

Am I guaranteed an artwork?
We will do our best to provide at least one artwork for every shop that agrees to take part, but this will depend on the availability of work and suitability of display spaces.

Can I keep or sell the work?
No, the work (including the jar) is on loan and remains the property of the artist.

Will I get paid?
No, this is not a commercial venture, but you will benefit from free publicity for your business.

What we do

Found Space is on the look-out for unconventional exhibition venues - and artists who want to show in them.

Venues could be empty shops, offices and warehouses, as well as private residences, community buildings, caravans, buses, outdoor spaces or temporary structures.

Work might be temporary, experimental, open ended, risky, live or otherwise difficult to show in traditional gallery spaces.

We are building a database of artists who are based in the three regions where shows will be based: the Southwest, Northwest and, Northeast. Found Space will select from the database to create shows, giving opportunities for artists to show their work more widely and to build new networks and connections.