Well, what a busy year 2011 was! I feel like my Christmas rest could perhaps have done with being a little longer. 2011 was probably our biggest year at Soma in terms of events, exhibitions and projects. Some of the ideas that were in our heads were actually realised this year and we had our first ever events in our gallery space.
Going backwards a little bit... In August 2010 we moved to our new building, which really kick started things with actual storage space (instead of none!) and a lovely big light filled gallery space. Following this in November came our new, easy to operate website to replace the one I had designed and built (poorly by current standards) way back in 2005 and was on its last legs as well as being a pain to keep updated. So we had a good platform to kick 2011 off from.
Some of the great things we've done this year are highlited below.
Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration at Soma
We started in May with our first event, the Bristol leg of
Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration book tour. Amelia gave a talk and signed copies of the book whilst Lahloo Tea, Juiceology and Harts Bakery provided the refreshments.
You can read about it on our blog
here
And again after the event on the blog
here
Or see photos on Flickr
here
And view the book online
here
Lesley Barnes Tote for Soma
Also in May, we comissioned
Lesley Barnes (who we worked with a few times in 2011 - more to come!) to design an exclusive promotional Soma tote bag. She came up with this fabulous dancing bear design. Lesley designed loads of other little characters for us which we have on badges for online orders.
You can buy the tote on our website for £5
here.
Andy Smith's Sunny Side Up Exhibition
The next event was
Andy Smith's fantastic 'Sunny Side Up' solo exhibition. This show featured brand new silkscreen prints on both paper and wood plus hand painted pieces from Andy. This was the first time a solo artist had shown in the first floor space and fortunately Andy is quite prolific as there was a lot of space to fill!
This show ran from 24th June and was due to end on 20th August but by popular demand was extended!
Most pieces from the show are now sold out or are just about to sell out. You can view Andy's page on our website
here.
You can read about it on the blog
here
And a review of the show and private view on the blog
here
And see the photoset of the show on Flickr
here
Gemma Correll Exclusive Tote Design
In August we comissioned
Gemma Correll to design a tote for us. She came up with this great cat on a scooter design 'Au Revoir'.
You can buy this tote for £10
here
Crispin Finn's Pack Rat Exhibition
The next exhibition was 'Pack Rat' from the fantastic
Crispin Finn which opened at the end of September.
You can read about the show on the blog
here
And more on the blog
here
And see the Flickr photos
here
Soma for Not Another Bill
We put together the October Mailout for Not Another Bill which was released at the start of the month.
Bristol based
Peskimo and
Tom Frost created exclusive prints and badges for this and
Lesley Barnes designed an exclusive tote bag.
You can read a bit more on the blog
here
And see photos on Flickr
here
Tatty Devine Workshop and Book Signing
Then in November
Tatty Devine came to Soma to host a workshop and book signing for their new book 'How to Make Jewellery with Tatty Devine'. They taught people how to make a tape measure rosette, one of the projects in the book. Lahloo Tea also were there to provide delicious refreshments once again.
Read about this on the blog
here
And
here
And see the photos
here
Lesley Barnes Wrapping Paper Design
Also in November we launched this beautiful wrapping paper by (yes, her again!)
Lesley Barnes. We sell this wrap in sheets and use it for gift wrapping online orders.
You can view this wrapping paper online
here.
Christmas Exhibition
And finally at the end of November we had our annual Christmas Exhibition which went down really well, with original pieces from
Andy Smith and
Gemma Correll selling out as soon as they went on sale!
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