BEYOND: Bi-monthly Artist Social Gathering - 7th October 2026
Beyond The Mainstream is YVAN's bi-monthly artist social gathering which will be led by multi-disciplined artist Michael Barnes-Wynt
ers.
We’ll be sharing alternative ways to plug into a sea of creativity and provocations. This is an open and safe space for artists and arts workers to make connections, friendships, request feedback on recent work and a place to share resources whilst being encouraged to test out ideas or shared experiences from the creative sector, to find peer support and brainstorm challenges.
The next meeting: Wednesday 7th October, 6-7:30pm on Zoom. Sign up for free here!
About this session
This month's Beyond welcomes two Yorkshire based artists who will be exhibiting in Bridlington's Old Town hidden gem, Meka (pronounced Maker) Gallery.
Scarborough artist whose new immerse art show, The Thinking, is based on the lives of women, represented by spirals, transformed, collected and constructed. The piece includes movement and sound as she will be inviting all to bring phones or tablets to participate in the augmented reality elements, and become part of the work. Preview date Saturday 23rd October 1pm-3pm, ending Saturday 21st November.
Self-taught, Hornsea based Abstract Expressionist creating a sense of place and atmosphere with mixed media. Tom feels his creative nature has been passed down to him from his grandfather, Colin Rawson of Hornsea Pottery as his collections move through his abstract adventure, through feelings, connections and beyond. Tom's exhibition opens April 2027.
More about our BEYOND facilitator, Michael Barnes-Wynters:
Having recently relocated his studio to The Old Lifeboat Station on Bridlington's South beach, Michael is a multi-disciplined taste maker, audio visual artist, mentorist, mischief maker and instigator. Originating from Bristol of Jamaican parentage, his long-term artist collaborations broadcast at the intersections of immersive experiential film installations and provocative durational action performances. He is a passionate ambidextrous user of analogue and digital technologies which he employs to explore his childhood sensory experiences.
Being a cultural connector and enabler, working with people from all walks of life and abilities is at the heart of Michael's activities. He continues to use socially engaged, performance and participatory-based strategies to make work that explores historical narratives and omissions, especially from his African diaspora, working class communities and migrant experiences in the UK.
Accessibility
We operate a Safer spaces agreement during all meetings and events: Safer Spaces doc. Captions/transcripts are available to access from the menu in Zoom. This meeting won’t be recorded. If you would like to make us aware of any access needs or have any questions please email info@yvan.org.uk or complete this accessibility form.
About YVAN
YVAN is an infrastructure body for the visual arts in Yorkshire and the Humber. We are founded on the creative vision of individual artists and arts organisations. We prioritise individual practitioners, artists networks, small-scale initiatives and the artist-led.
YVAN are one of nine regions that make up Contemporary Visual Arts Network (CVAN) England who are part of a national alliance of visual arts networks from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We look forward to having conversations with you and connecting!