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. 

Feeding the Creative Soul – Book Reviews

Writers need reviews; they need feedback from readers, they want word about their books to spread and what better way than by word of mouth via a review? 

But of course writers are readers too. Reading feeds creativity and so does reviewing. There’s something about thinking in depth about a good book that can spark ideas almost from nowhere. Many of the best reviewers are also successful and prolific writers. Indeed, writers more than most should be conscientious about reviewing what they read.

As a writer I know that all too well. Do I live by it? I’d love to say an unequivocal yes, but I can’t. One reason is time. If I’m going to review a book, I want to write something about it, not just tick a random number of stars*. I tend to ‘stack’ my reviews, save them up until I get into a proper review mood and then catch up the backlog. It doesn’t always work. Sometimes I leave it just a bit too long and as I sit down to put pen to paper I realise that I don’t remember enough about the book to say anything coherent, so it has to return to my read-again pile and hope that I’ll catch it next time round.

I’m just in the middle of a bit of a review frenzy at present. Not expecting to clear the entire backlog, but HERE is a recent one.

*more on the tiresome star system in a later post.