During 2020 there was no activity other than organisational, exchange residencies were planned but these had to be postponed due to Covid and lockdown. Coventry/Dresden Arts Exchange had to extend its activities beyond the two year programme established with the Arts Council grant.
By 2022 we were playing catch up and had four residencies in the one year. Originally we intended to use our partnership with Class Room Gallery as a project space to host our residents and use for exhibitions. Unfortunately the pandemic closed Class Room as a venue. So other studio spaces and gallery space were sort. We were able to use the Meter Rooms studios and LTB Showrooms (a pop-up community cultural venue above the Litten Tree Pub)
Dresden artist Falk Töpfer was our printmaker resident at Coventry University for the pilot print exchange and Sharon Baker at the Grafikwerkstatt in Dresden both taking part in the printmaking exchange programme coordinated by City Council of Dresden. The residency at Coventry University was extremely successful, with the personal engagement of the lead print member of staff who appreciated having a professional artist working in the print room, Falk Töpfer was also inviting towards the students for artistic advice.
Matthias Bausch was the resident artist at the Meter Rooms in Coventry and Michael Gyetvai at Zentralwerk in Dresden. Matthias has exhibited with Coventry Dresden Arts Exchange since 2013 and Sharon and Michaela where selected from an Open Call.
There were 4 artists in resident exhibitions, 3 in Coventry and Sharon Baker exhibiting at the Alte Feuerwache in Dresden. At the end of each AIR (artist in residence) it was always planned that there will be an exhibition and artist talk, particularly if the activity takes place in Dresden it is important that there is a exhibition, showcase or some form of presentation in Coventry. During Falk’s and Matthias’ exhibition at the LTB Michaela and Sharon made a presentation on their residencies in Dresden. Falk also showed some of his animations at the event.
