Holly V Maslen – Artist, Designer, Illustrator

THE RYDE ART COLLECTIVE

The Ryde Art Collective (a.k.a. TRAC) is quite possibly the most well organised group of Artists I have ever met! I decided to join the group last year when I had a studio space at the Depozitory. I heard that there was a group exhibition booked in upstairs around Easter time and, although the group was called The Ryde Art Collective, I wondered if I would be allowed to join (even though I live in Bembridge). I thought it was an opportunity not to be missed….I had all my work in the studio space downstairs and there was an exhibition to be held upstairs….which meant that all I had to do was run up and down the stairs a few times and “Hey presto” I’d be set up, which seemed like the easiest exhibition set up ever! Luckily the group, which had already established itself with members, found space for one more and I was welcomed aboard.

I always think there is something quite exciting about being part of something from the beginning. One gets to see how things evolve and change, progress and grow. The reason for this blog post today is because we have just opened our 1st Anniversary show, again at the Depozitory, which is a fabulous exhibition space. Some of the original members have drifted off in different directions and some new members have joined and there are still lots of the original Artists from this time last year, which keeps things fresh and interesting. TRAC has exhibited in a variety of locations throughout the year however, for me personally, the Easter show is the only one I can commit to due to other exhibitions which are always booked in years in advance, such as Open Studios, Bembridge Beaux Arts and Ventnor Fringe….I also have to find time to create new work to exhibit!

Here are a few photos of some of the work on display this year….the exhibition is happening now, so if you’re on the Isle of Wight or you read this and fancy a day trip, then please pop along.