7th June 2021

Cabin Fever Artist Residency

Nicki Dennett

A Reflection

I think it was the first day of the residency, everything was ‘colourful’. It was a sunny day, for once, the outside of the cabin had been sprayed with a multitude of coloured phrases by Dan Webber, it was open and there were people mingling around the cabin collecting their ‘Derby Witness’ books.

Sitting alone in the cabin I sometimes felt I was on show to the passer-by, people would read the words around the cabin and look through the windows just out of curiosity. Fortunately, days soon became filled with bookings for the workshops. All the participants who offered to create in the cabin and take part in my project stayed and made for at least two hours, often creating many pieces to choose from. A little display was soon up on the wall.

As the lockdown eased cafes and bars opened up, creating a lively atmosphere around the cabin. It was exciting that so many people were happy sharing their story and creating artwork for my project. I am so grateful to all of you because without you there would be no project. so thankyou. I would also like to thank the designers and staff at Artcore for all the help and support in putting the work together.

Below is also a link to the book I created, with the help of artcore, displaying participants art they made in and for the cabin along with their stories.

Nicki Dennett Artist Book

https://artcoregallery.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Nicola-Dennett-Artist-Book.pdf

Some of my own lockdown experience was on display inside the cabin June 4^th including these two short films, (below) which I learnt how to edit (somewhat crudely, as I am still learning) in lockdown, one of a new regular walk discovered during lockdown and another creating cyanotypes at Elvaston Castle.