By Tyler Wright
Artists are enjoying each other’s company in a monthly group at Upwey’s The Fat Goat bar, sharing their experiences of life as a creative in the Hills.
Performer Toni Main started Where Artists Meet, or ‘WAM’ sessions, back in 2019 when she discovered artists were struggling to socialise outside of exhibition openings.
“Exhibition openings have a whole different social engagement in them, and you’re quite often talking more about the art than about being an artist in general,” Main said.
“I decided to have a play around with making a space where artists can come together and just be social, that there’s no kind of professional development involved, there’s no expectations involved, that it’s just a really casual space.”
After its initial success, WAM was brought to a halt throughout pandemic restrictions and was not moved online, but has once again returned this year to a an intimate crowd of artists.
“It’s really lovely to have artists from all different mediums come together and talk about what life is like as a creative… there’s so much variation,” Main said.
“Last time I was there we had an author, a painter, a musician, and installation artists, and it was just really nice to have those commonalities of how hard it is to do your artwork, how to have that artwork, life balance and income balance, and then also sharing inspiration.”
“A lot of us were on our phones out and like sharing images or sounds of things that we’ve gone and experienced or our own work, talking about what we have in common in that aspect, or what is different between us all as well.”
While conversation can sometimes get political, group members also discuss performances they have experienced together or simply chat about what they have been up to.
“The other week, [WAM] coincided with an exhibition opening of local artists….then they came afterwards, joining in a little bit at the end of the day,” Main said.
“Sometimes the sessions are a bit smaller, but the intimate ones are really nice as well because you get to really know the other people at the table.”
Whether you are “crocheting socks or painting the next Renoir,” you are welcome to step out of your studio space and connect with fellow artists.
“You’re making art in your own little bubble, so it’s really nice to step out of that bubble and find other people that are in a similar situation as you, and just have you ‘Friday night drinks’.”
WAM sessions are held on the last Thursday of every month at The Fat Goat, at 2 Morris Rd, Upwey.
