Blank Canvas Opens Its Doors to Creativity in Hull

Hull has a new creative space with ambitious plans for bringing people, ideas and artistic talent together. Blank Canvas, recently launched in Princes Quay, is far more than just a retail space, it is a hub designed to make creativity accessible and give artists, writers and creators a place to showcase their work and connect with others.

Mandi Allen, founder of The Coffeehouse Writer and someone with more than 25 years of experience in writing, teaching and story craft, has joined forces with husband Mike and an eclectic team of passionate creatives, to build a venue where creativity can flourish. Already stocked with books and games, Blank Canvas is what its name suggests: a space full of possibilities waiting to be explored.

A dedicated exhibition wall has been created to showcase artwork, while a spacious event area offers opportunities for workshops, talks and community events. Mandi and her team also have ambitious plans for larger events using an accessible ground-floor venue complete with stage, bar, catering facilities and professional AV equipment.

Blank Canvas has already begun building connections with local writers and creatives. Through author Shellie Horst, who introduced Hornsea Writers to the opportunity, several members of the group will have their books showcased within the new space.

Penny Grubb and Joy Stonehouse attended the launch day on Saturday 16 May, taking the opportunity to see their books on display and enjoy a tour of the new creative hub. Their visit offered a glimpse of a venue with clear enthusiasm for supporting creative communities across the region.

The programme of events is already underway, with a regular games night, Wargames Wednesday, planned. 

One of the board games on sale at Blank Canvas

Children's fun days are one of the team's specialities. The first of these under the Blank Canvas banner was held on Saturday 23rd May, with adults admitted free when accompanied by a child.

Situated on Level 3 of Princes Quay, one of Hull’s busiest shopping centres, Blank Canvas looks set to become an exciting destination for writers, artists and anyone interested in creativity.

Mandi and the team have a simple message for the area’s creatives: “All great art starts with a blank canvas.”

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Follow Blank Canvas on Facebook to hear about future events. 

BOOK LAUNCH: "The Boy With The Mussel Shell Eyes" by Joy Stonehouse

The new historical novella by Joy Stonehouse, The Boy with Mussel Shell Eyes, is set in Regency period Filey on the Yorkshire coast. 

‘My inspiration came from my love of the area, its rock pools, cliffs and fishing heritage; I thought such a setting would be perfect for a story. When I heard the folk singer, Eliza Carthy, perform ‘The Bonny Fisherboy’, I began to think about writing a romance, rather a change from my extended family farming sagas.'

Factual research has always been the foundation of Joy's fictional work, and the initial spurt can come from anywhere, as Joy explains:

‘As soon as I came across a footnote in an old Guide to Filey — just a snippet of information about a young man and an event — then I had a definite historical period in mind. From there the story of an unusual romance began to take shape, and I decided to write it entirely as letters from a young woman on holiday.’

Back-blurb:
In the summer of 1819, 18 year-old Kate travels from Halifax with her prosperous, mill-owning father to spend a two-week holiday on the Yorkshire coast, ostensibly for his health.

At first, she hates Filey for its squalor and fishy smells, but then she meets a young fisherboy with amazing eyes the colour of mussel shells.

As she writes home to her friend, Sarah, describing daily events and conversations, she becomes obsessed with the boy. And everyone in the close-knit community notices.

 

The Boy With The Mussel Shell Eyes is available as a paperback and ebook from Amazon and selected bookshops. A launch and signing will be held on 16th June at Clutterbooks, Hornsea.

Joy's five-book series of family farming sagas based on the parish records of Reighton in the 1700s, is available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and various bookshops.