Looking for a creative escape during the chaos of Freshers Week? A haven of imagination is not as far from the city as you might think. In fact the Exeter Phoenix lies hidden right in the middle of Exeter. Take a turn by Urban Outfitters on the High Street and you’ll find the cobbled pedestrianised Gandy Street (famed for being J.K Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley). At the end of this small street you’ll find the stairs up to the Phoenix.
If you consider yourself a creative person, there is bound to be something that you will be interested in inside. For me, the art galleries are a great (free) chance to catch up on some culture. This autumn sees the return of a contemporary art competition called the Contemporary Open now in its seventh year. The selected works that are on display are the shortlisted pieces chosen from submissions from across the globe.
It offers viewers the chance to encounter some of the best new talent in the world of contemporary art. The exhibition is free to visit, however there’s a big cash prize for the winner. This year’s selected artists are; Chloe Brooks, Anita Delaney, Nisha Duggal, Aly Helyer, Brendan Lancaster, Olivier Lariviere, Ruth Piper, Siobhan Raw and David Theobald. So if you are looking for a free fun and artistic way to spend an afternoon in Exeter, then look no further than the Contemporary Open at the Exeter Phoenix.
The show opens on 13 September and runs until 1 November. Exeposé are always keen to hear feedback from its readership, and we love publishing new writers’ reviews. Sign up to Exeposé at the squash and you could be reading your own review of the show published in the next issue!
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