Previous and Associate Artists and Testimonials
Below are testimonies from previous and associate artists
Bobak Champion, Freelance dance artist, choreographer & theatre maker:
Bobak Champion, Freelance dance artist, choreographer & theatre maker:
“Open Source Arts has been an important space in my career and is incredibly versatile whether you want to develop a dance show, theatre performance or test an event. Costs of hiring a rehearsal space can be a huge barrier in the creative process so the Elevate Residency is an amazing opportunity for anyone with a project they want to take to an audience. It’s an amazing network of artists and activists, the dance floor is fantastic, OSA have loads of useful kit and I always have a productive day there. The energy and vibe of the building is great.’
‘I always have a productive time at Open Source Arts, whether that’s desk work (so important to have affordable workspace out of the house). Or creating in the studio. Being a regular here has widened my network and been an important eye opener on how to create a safe warm and welcoming work environment.’ ‘It can be isolating as a freelancer but there’s so many friendly faces at OSA. It’s really motivating seeing everything that happens in the building.’ I’m brewing a really special project too, watch this space..’
British-Iranian Dance Artist, Bobak Champion, utilises hip-hop dance styles, storytelling and humour to directly tackle the often-negative stereo type of the middle east and Islam shown in the media.
Graduating from Northern School of Contemporary Dance in 2004, Bobak has worked as a performer, facilitator and choreographer across a huge range of projects.
On a journey of self-acceptance and understanding his heritage, Bobak visited Iran; he was overwhelmed by how kind, welcoming and hospitable the people were, not just family but everyone he met. Following this enlightening and welcoming trip to his mother’s country, Bobak embarked on a mission to share a new perspective on Iranian culture and Islam across the UK.
Alison Revell-Huntley, Educator, Artist
I was born in Northern Ireland. My parents emigrated to Canada in the 50’s before returning to the UK in the late 60’s when we lived in Cardiff, Wales before I went to university in London.
My working life has been predominantly in Education, firstly in the Department of Maritime Studies, UWIST, Cardiff, followed by many years in teaching, and latterly with Leeds Development Education Centre, an educational charity focusing on teacher training and raising awareness of global development issues.
I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively all over the world in connection to my work and these experiences have informed much of my art. As an artist and geographer, I like to explore the inter-relationships between people and place, including the interstitial. I also like to write about these things, jotting down impressions, ideas, and random thoughts.
Painting lets me lose myself in the landscape, through the forest, at sea….. Some paintings take weeks or months to finish as they are layered and the more I explore the more I discover and thoughts take me into uncharted territory. I love working with watercolour and pastel but enjoy the excitement of discovering a ‘new’ media and what it can do, what it allows me to express.
Ella Mesma, She/They
Ella is a Choreographer & Coach, CEO of Maya Gandaia Ltd, Published Author of Journal To JOY & director of Ella Mesma Company.
Ella Mesma Company is a British based dance theatre company drawing upon a diverse range of folkloric dance styles & aerial silks to create highly-skilled theatre & bring the stories that they would love to have seen growing up to life. Much of the company’s inspiration is borne out of the Company Director’s diverse training in Afro-Latin, Breaking and Contemporary dance, as well as the diverse skills that each individual company member brings to the company. As the Director of EMC, Ella has choreographed commissions for Sadler’s Wells, Little Amal, The International Women’s Conference (NYC) and more.
Ella Mesma has also performed globally including for Russell Maliphant, The Olympics Opening Ceremony (UK), The Chomondeleys and more.
I have loved becoming a part of the OSA team. It is such a special home and I have made my last two pieces of work at the venue. Every member of the company has also loved the experience: it feels like a family.
Magdalena Górnikiewicz Dancer, choreographer, artist:
How has Elevate Residency helped your art?
“The residency offered me a great amount of possibilities to experiment and play with. I had a chance to dig down into the development of my choreographic practice which requires time and the right space to grow due to its specificity. Open Source Arts provided us with a welcoming and supportive space for laboratory research which helped us to go braver and further with our explorations. As a young artist I am very thankful for the trust that OSA gave me and for the support in finalising my residency.
These days, it is very important to support and listen to young voices and from my perspective, the Elevate Residency programme definitely does that.”
How would you describe your experience?
The most intense and beneficial three days for me as a creator and researcher. I had a chance to unleash my creativity, challenge myself, learn from mistakes and take risks. The OSA community made us feel like home from the very first day which created a very calm and supportive atmosphere in the studio space which myself and the performers that I invited were very grateful for. We all felt ‘limitless’ during the process which was and is a beautiful thing to feel as a performer. Now, a few months after the residency I see how much my practice enriched as well as my awareness of myself as an artist. I really needed this time in a studio with trusted performers to let go and follow the intuition.
Responding to the question; what decisions led to you coming here? Magdalena added: “A desire to learn, to experiment, to feel and make others feel things.”
How has Elevate Residency helped your art?
“The residency offered me a great amount of possibilities to experiment and play with. I had a chance to dig down into the development of my choreographic practice which requires time and the right space to grow due to its specificity. Open Source Arts provided us with a welcoming and supportive space for laboratory research which helped us to go braver and further with our explorations. As a young artist I am very thankful for the trust that OSA gave me and for the support in finalising my residency.
These days, it is very important to support and listen to young voices and from my perspective, the Elevate Residency programme definitely does that.”
Shivani Jatar Kathak & Abhinaya Dancer, Intersectional Artist
How has Elevate Residency helped your art?
I’m a dancer, so I struggle to find the right space to rehearse and experiment. I’m so grateful to have access to OSA’s multi-purpose studio for the 3 days of the residency. It helped me move, try our different exercises and share a little piece at the end of the residency.
How would you describe your experience?
OSA is a lovely welcoming space for all sorts of artists. Artists like me who work in the intersection of many forms or disciplines would feel at home in their space. The space is run by a team of open-minded, helpful creatives who want to support artist development. Overall, I would say that my experience with OSA has been great, and I can’t wait to go back with more ideas.
How would you describe the experience of Elevate Residency to others?
The Elevate Residency is a programme for anyone looking to experiment. There’s no pressure to have a performance ready at the end of it. You’ll have access to their studio, PA system, mats and other equipment too. You can even discuss your ideas with the team. It’s great, and I would recommend it to everyone!
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Amelia Baron: Artist Development Scheme Participant
The Artist Development Scheme for Amelia closed with an informal reflective chat. She described how having access to the Open Source Arts venue, facilities and expertise was a really important resource in continuing her performance work after graduating from the University faculty.
‘‘I thought after uni I wouldn’t be able to carry on with what I’m doing. I wouldn’t have money to rent spaces, I wouldn’t have the confidence to go out and advertise myself or organise things. It all felt a bit overwhelming… so being here has given me a base I can work in with performance art… It’s given me a lot of confidence.”
