Rugby Artists and Makers SIXTH annual exhibition (at Floor One, RAGM)

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Way back long ago (specifically five years ago in during the latter part of the COVID lockdown of 2020/2021) 36 artists and makers, gathered together by Jenny Ball via her Rugby Artists and Makers Instagram account and newsletter/website, held a zoom meeting to explore whether local artists and makers would like to form a network. This was to support each other, to raise the profile of local artists in the town and share information about opportunities. No funding, grass roots and artist-led and with many of us never having met before.

The idea was one that took root and by the end of the year we had stepped in to run an exhibition at short notice (4 weeks!) at Floor One Gallery at the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum. We later that year had a pop up shop in the old Thornton’s shop in Rugby Central (aka Clocktowers). Both opportunities came via Joanne Crawshaw at RAGM. We have not looked back and this community has now grown nearly seven-fold. We now hold two events each year (one at Floor One gallery in the Spring and on in the Summer at Art at the Alex. It feels like such a milestone to have a hub here where we can meet and plan our sixth exhibition. Called Pick up Six (poster below) you will recognise many of the artists on show if you already visit us. (Scroll down and look at the past catalogues, quite an achievement).

There is a website which provides information on the history of the group and information about many of the artists. There is a private facebook group which shares support information and consults members of the network. There are monthly meetings at Art at the Alex. If you are a professional/semi-professional artist who would like to become involved email rugbyartistsandmakers@gmail.com to find out more. You will need to live/work within 15 miles of Rugby or have strong links to the town as we take that ‘local’ artist and maker label very seriously.

  • 2025: Transformations (Art at The Alex, 6th June – 6th July)
  • 2025: Five senses (Floor One gallery, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum)
  • 2024: Go Fourth (Floor One gallery, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum)
  • 2023: Full Spectrum (Floor One gallery, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum)
  • 2022: Movement (Floor One gallery, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum)
  • 2021: 1st Exhibition (Floor One gallery, Rugby Art Gallery and Museum)

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