Woo-hoo – the Camberwell Arts Festival 2013 Kicks Off


Camberwell Arts Festival is an impressive nine-day event that’s been going for 19 years. But we bet loads of south Londoners outside SE5 don’t know much about it. So, on the eve of its launch Camberwellian, Michael Armstrong, shares five reasons to pop along

camberwell arts festival 2013 launchOver the next 10 days and kicking off tomorrow on Camberwell Green, the 19th Camberwell Arts Festival brings together through typical Camberwellian eclecticism, a smorgasbord of artistic styles and personal passions for ten days worth of what Camberwell is known for; put simply a love of and dedication to the area, the people who live and work across SE5. Impossible to narrow it down, but I’ve selected the five things you’d be foolish to miss.

tumblr_mns2stXPNe1ssuhjmo1_1280Picture the Block
Tom Leighton, photographer, foodie and all round local area defender takes his neighbours and the estate he lives on as collective muse and gallery for this unique exhibition. Never short on humour, Tom’s work reflects his personal love of the place he lives in and the area through a series of elegant, often amusing and – well, neighbourly – photos. Belham Walk, the D’Eynsford Estate, off Kimpton Road SE5 Read more about the exhibition here
the big stitch up camberwellThe Big Stitch Up
Taking centre stage for the festival launch on Camberwell Green this Saturday, The Big Stitch up started with a simple vision: to create Camberwell’s biggest picnic blanket. Unscripted and open-ended, it’s exceeded all expectations and has evolved into a vast and impressive collaboration. From kimono to kaftan the rug symbolises the areas diversity and sets the scene for an afternoon of food, music, workshops and much more.
invite front for webSheep’s Brains and Fried Cucumbers
Surely the name alone is enough to warrant a visit to Gabriela Szulman’s exhibition. Hanging in local eatery, Johansson’s, the exhibition draws from a 1932 encyclopaedia, using collage using digital and printed media. Gabriela’s work will also be on view at her Open House event throughout the first weekend, which she’ll be hosting along with five other rather talented sorts. Find out more at Gabriela’s website. Johansson’s, 2-4 Grove Lane
palace of varietiesThe Palace of Varieties
Putting the “port” in this years theme of “Transported”, music hall revivalists, Palace of Varieties take you into the evening at The Recreation Ground (65 Camberwell Church Street); not known for their modesty, they’ve invited the Mrs Mills Experience all the way from Brixton to lead the night along with Mr Grant Sharkey, escapology from David Harry and ably hosted by the nervous Charmaine Hughes. Locally, not known for discretion, the show opens at 8pm. Entry is free. More details at the Palace of Varieties website.
camberwell arts festival 2013The Lucky Dip
Set across SE5 in some rather unlikely contexts (think blackboards to telephone boxes), the Lucky Dip gives ten artists the chance to exhibit and install as they see fit, with varying budgets, some of which wouldn’t get you anything in the 99p shop. I kid you not. Installed throughout the area and in place for the full festival, pick up a copy of the art map to find out where they are. Diverse, unpredictable and often hidden, it’s what Camberwell is all about. Sometimes you just need to look a bit harder and opt for the less obvious.

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The festival brochure is available to download at the Camberwell Arts Festival website. Michael Armstrong is a board member of the festival and co-founded the Palace of Varieties. He lives in Camberwell.


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