ARC - Arts Residency Cairo

New Creative Writing Courses

2011-12-26T05:24:00.000-08:00

At Diwan, Heliopolis
Creative Writing Course
by Linda Cleary

The Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills.
We will work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts, as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week (2 hour session) on Mondays
Starting 16th January
from 7:30 pm till 9:30 pm
at Diwan Heliopolis

Price: 480 L.E
Limited number-please register at any Diwan store in advance
Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

----------------------

At Darb 1718, Old Cairo

Creative Writing & Short Story Course

Darb 1718 for Contemporary Arts is organizing a 'Creative Writing & Short Story' Workshop operated by Linda Cleary and starting from 7.30pm Sunday 8th January 2012

Course Description
This course uses various master class techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing. The latter sessions focus on work on character, voice, atmosphere and plot and we read published short stories for discussion and understanding format and focusing on the necessary elements for each student to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.
Workshop targets
Improves, consolidates and opens creative writing and writing a short story through various masterclass exercises, specific techniques and discussion
Terms of submission
Places limited to 12 people
Duration: 8 sessions of 2 hours each
Start date: 7.30pm Sunday 8th of January 2012
End date: Sunday 26th of Feb 2012
Fee: 1000 LE
For Registration
*registration must be accompanied with a 50% deposit to secure your place

Please call the mobile number 01117409697

The Month of the Archer

2011-12-09T05:18:00.000-08:00

Helllllloooooooo!!!!

Yes, another long dip out from blogging, what can I say dear readers.. other than the truth - Life takes hold!!! :)

Soooo... OK OK OK since last writing to you all the dancer Leena Vaswani stayed, danced, glittered and then left for India some weeks ago, Florin Dan a Romanian poet came to stay (links on side) and we will hopefully engage in an exchange project next year. Two veritable and interesting artists; Ronnie Close and Yvonne Buchheim (links on side) visited ARC and were introduced to several writers and artists - Ronnie will be coming back to live in Cairo in a month's time and take up a cool job as Professor of Photography at AUC (we bow down..) :)) and Yvonne will do lots of groovy things here - watch this space. And next Wednesday Leena Chauhan will come for a month's residency and work on a project. Looking forward*** ;))

I finished a load of courses, am now starting new ones up and will also be managing workshops, events and arts initiatives with Darb 1718. I also started wearing day-glo nail varnish, went to Wadi Hitan (Whale Valley) and after a huge stint of Russian literature followed by Camus I decided to come into the decade with Irvine Welsh. I also got a lovely blue bag ;))

My new courses are, first one first - starting Saturday 10th December (tomorrow!):

Creative Writing Course

The Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills.
We will work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts, as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week (2 hour session) on Saturdays
Starting 10th December
from 7:30 pm till 9:30 pm
at Diwan Heliopolis

Price: 480 L.E
Limited number-please register in advance at any Diwan store
Age group: for adults (17 yrs +)

Hello Again & The 4th Floor Project!!!

2011-11-03T00:08:00.000-07:00

Hello All!

Yes, it has been a long time but that's the Cairo bubble that sometimes happens!

So I am back (not that I went away) and I have moved again, now in another spacious and lovely new abode which you can read about on the page link All About ARC & Your Stay at ArtHome at top of this one or follow this:

http://artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com/p/all-about-arc.html

So - new news.. well I moved house again, I've been giving 5 writing courses a week, Leena the Indian dancer came back to stay, I've been exploring expansion opportunities and various art initiatives, Up On the Roof has continued to shine - what else... well, that's quite a lot! :))

And now I am up horrendously early as I am excited about my new project The 4th Floor.

The 4th Floor is the latest art space and residential available via ARC. Situated in a classic featured original building opposite The Egyptian Museum, Downtown Cairo - The 4th Floor comprises of a large 3 bed room with balcony, high ceilings and wooden flooring and its own conservatory style studio/workspace adjacent to the room with a bank of windows allowing a flood of light and a downtown view into the studio. Shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. The cost of staying at The 4th Floor is 70 LE per person per night or 200 LE for the private use. The cost includes the studio use and free wireless.

So!!!! Book in and be in the downtown groove!

*ARC continues to accept guests at ArtHome as usual.

Creative Writing course in Alexandria!!!! Yalla!!

2011-07-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Sabah el foll ya Alexandrians!!!

For those of you living in Alex or visiting, I am running a 3 evening course in Creative Writing - 24th to 26th July at Diwan Alex.

Please see the link for all details and register via Diwan

http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/136937

The Hothouse بيت الفن

2011-05-24T06:57:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon, World! Sabah el eshta ya Donya!

Ahhhhhh the things on my list are never ending!!! I need a secretary, begad, really! Sooooo, the Hothouse is happening - a multi discipline artistic cooperative currently with a start base of about 20 artists and growing, like jungle flowers :)

We have had 2 meetings so far and already there are numerous projects beginning and a lot of networking happening - it is all exciting, wonderful and expansive.

The Hothouse will compliment the residency as it allows a total immersion (if desired) into the Cairo art scene. NOW is the time :)

Other than this; courses at Diwan, at Darb 1718, Up On the Roof Open Mic event, my own writing (!!) and developing the company with an Egyptian partner with outreach in Alex.

There are enquiries from a number of highly interesting artists looking at staying at ARC in July and then in September onwards, as August is taken up here with Ramadan - a time when the city more or less closes down, practically everyone is fasting and arts events are not available.

Soooo, come to ARC and be part of the flowering! :)

NEW NEW

2011-05-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

All is well, all is busy!!!

New courses starting at Diwan Maadi (follow the links)and all enquiries and registration through Diwan:

Creative Writing course http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/132232

Short Story course http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/132256

I Am the Egg Man, I Am the Walrus

2011-04-24T06:53:00.001-07:00

Hello World!

It's Egg Day for some - myself I don't celebrate anything other than birthdays and Life in general - but whatever turns you on (albeit non harmful to others) I hope you're having a groovy time ;)

So.. what of today? Well, it's a fresh and lovely day here in Cairo and I am trying to work my way through my list of tasks but keep avoiding the biggest one which is to create a new website for Creative Writing online; so that people can follow my tutorials from anywhere and have a forum to share ideas. Across the work table is Ismail who has just returned from Libya and is editing his photographs (war photojournalism) and I had one peppermint tea and one coffee so far and am now thinking about pasta and aubergine/pepper/tomato sauce.. yes you can see how productive things are today at ARC :))

BUT - actually things are happening - upcoming events are:

Up On The Roof - Open Stage Night at Darb 1718 May 5th 7.30pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103173313102828

The Hothouse - a new multi discipline artistic initiative - a cooperative company (much more on this soon!)

New Creative Writing courses at Diwan and Darb 1718

-------------------------------

I didn't get the funding to go to Romania :( but I am thinking of either going to Siwa and hanging in the alchemy of the desert oasis or swimming with Dugongs in Sinai.. hmmmmmm..

Bye for now! Xs

(Definite) Article

2011-04-05T09:31:00.001-07:00

Tings are BUSY!!!! But here is an article on me and what's happening, out today!!!

http://www.thedailynewsegypt.com/art/linda-cleary-speaking-truth-in-poetry.html#

Birthday Teas

2011-03-14T14:44:00.000-07:00

Dear World

Well, well, well - there are many developments taking place here in Egypt (please read the personal ARC blog for details - link to the left) but we continue to be here and shine as we can.

It was a joy having Monika Nguyen stay for the week and now we are preparing for:

4 new creative writing courses starting next week at Diwan and Darb 1718
the next Up On the Roof open stage night on April 7th at Darb 1718 (the last one on March 3rd was a fabulous success and received a great review in one of the notable papers here)
working with several private students on novels
collaborating with film maker Marouan Omara and creating poetry films
a birthday tea with two octogenarian writers from Cornwall who will revisit Cairo sixty five years after they celebrated their 21st birthdays here!!!

I am also waiting to hear about funding for my trip to Romania in May for an International Poetry Festival - here's hoping!

New Resident Artist

2011-02-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

Dear World

Well, ARC is currently listening to some Linton Kwesi Johnson and taking in that strong upright spirit as there are more fun and games with the post-revolution situation here and an ongoing massacre in Libya.

However.. creativity happens and we are looking forward to our next resident artist arriving in a few days; Monika Nguyen - a stage designer and artist from Austria working in the fields of spatial installation and photography.

More soon!!!

Revolution & Rabbits

2011-02-13T09:54:00.000-08:00

Mabrook Masr!!!!! Aiwa, Masr Horreya!!!!!!

Congratulations Egypt, yes free Egypt!!!

And hello World :-)

Well here I am, still here in Cairo and watching the post Mubarak events unfold.

Friday night (after Mubarak was ousted by the military coup) was one of the most amazingly happy occasions of my life! I have never been amongst so much happiness. It was insane downtown due to the crowds and celebration but a remarkable event.

Well here I am, still here in Cairo and watching the events unfold. For more of a personal account of the revolution please go to my personal ARC page on:
http://arc-theroadtoithaca.blogspot.com/

So, we are awaking each day to a new Egypt; unfortunately the events here meant that several artists could not come; Madeleine Aleman and Florin Dan Prodan will hopefully join us later in the year. Florin has kindly invited me to the Borsec arts residency in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania to take part in their arts festival in May; so I shall be applying for funding and hopefully stepping foot in that amazing country.

Everyday life here seems to be returning to a reasonable normality; we can move around the city, curfew is greatly lifted and many venues are opening again. This means arts events can begin once more; my creative writing classes are now fully back on track and I will be staging the postponed open stage night 'Up On the Roof' soon at Darb 1718; Revolution Roof & Rabbits!!! :-))

Talking Bout a Revolution

2011-01-26T12:32:00.001-08:00

Dear World

Hopefully Egypt is on the point of change as huge numbers of people are marching for political and social freedom. Yesterday took maybe even Egyptians by surprise at the volume of protesters out there and it goes on, in spite of severe attacks by police and intimidation tactics. This is a country where 'worra el shams' /'behind the sun'has a sinister meaning; where there is still a list of 'the disappeared' growing. Listen to this audio clip by Jack Shenker, a journalist for the Guardian living here in Cairo and a friend of mine. It is chilling stuff.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/26/egypt-protests?intcmp=239

More New Residents at ARC

2011-01-06T04:25:00.000-08:00

The novelist Sherry Jones and the classical composer Robert Spittal left early this morning after a stay of 12 days. We didn't see much of them in their time here as they were out and about so much but I held a literary salon for Sherry with a host of Egyptian writers and we also had a trip down to the Zar at MAKAN.

The next guests will be:

Zsofia Balogh - a dancer from Hungary
www.sayedastudio.blogspot.com

Christina Stjernholm Nygaard - a dancer from Norway
www.magedanserinne.no

Madeleine Aleman - an artist from Sweden
www.aleman.se

Monika Nguyen - a stage designer and artist from Austria working in the fields of spatial installation and photography.

Please also see links at the side of this page and stay tuned for further news!!!!

My One Year Anniversary With Cairo

2010-12-17T10:49:00.001-08:00

Wellllllllll, today marks one year that I have been in Cairo and I am still happy to be here! Elhamdulillah!!! :-))

I am genuinely pleased to feel that I have succeeded in my goals; of course there is onward expansion and so much more I want to achieve but essentially I came to Cairo to expand my own creativity, to write and to hang out with writers and artists. And this is what I have been doing and still am. There have been several down times along the way, but mostly it has been and still is a good and groovy thing.

My aims with ARC are continuing to bear fruit; I hope the next year sees a bigger residence with the ability to take more people at one time and on-site or near sited bigger workshop space. Also to be able to get funding, so that selected artists can receive an actual stipend to come. I understand so much now about what kind of people benefit the most here; they are self motivated artists who are not looking for 5 star comfort but understand that Cairo can offer them so much experience and inspiration but that it is a developing African city and all that that means.

I will continue to run writing course, adding new courses to the menu and also running the associated events such as Salon and Open Stage. I also want this next year to see production of writers' monologues on stage, screen and radio. I continue to be blessed with wonderful students who emerge as talented writers and often blow me out of the water with their work.

My own work will continue, with my continued foray into prose as well as poetry and performance and gigs with my band. I want continued creative exposure, opportunity and outlets.

I have had several heart relationships this last year and I see this year with me having a steady, beautiful, nurturing and consistent relationship.

Other than this - to continue to be in this crazy city of constant change and be open to receiving and keep on giving - Oh yes, that alchemical circuit!!!!

All GoGo

2010-12-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's been all go as usual.. and another long period of time has elapsed since last posting!

Sooooo.. there have now been three Up On The Roof events at CAV, each one being well attended and new work being platformed. The next one will be the first Thursday in January.

Christian Schink, the photographer and ARC resident left us Monday morning and last night Ana Cruz Blanco arrived, she is currently beside me eating pizza :-) Ana intends to study dance during her stay and generally get into Cairo life.

The novelist Sherry Jones and the classical composer Robert Spittal will arrive on 25th of this month for a stay of 12 days, you can read about them via their sites linked to the left of here. Sherry will be giving a talk and reading at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28 at Al Kotob Khan bookstore.

Other than this I am soon to be running more new courses, more gigs with my fab band, will be working towards a performance of new monologues and plays, hosting salons, writing, eating, going on feluccas and kissing pandas..

Happening Happenings

2010-10-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

Hello, hello - I'm back again :-)

Woooooooooooow, that was a long illness I had!!!! Over 3 and half weeks and I got to the point that I thought I would never be well again!!!

Anyway... here I am and I'm soon to be rocking Cairo out with my new band; details to be released in very near future!!!

Apart from this new venture, I am continuing to learn Arabic (slowly), getting ready for the next Up On the Roof at Cairo Art Village on 4th November (about 10 acts will perform and I will do a debut track with my band)and I have several other plans in the bag.

I've also been doing a fair bit of writing, developing storylines for my novel and another article for El Dustor.

ARC will be joined by resident artist Christian Schink in late November, check out his work on: www.hc-schink.de

Bye for now!!!!! Mwah mwah :-)

In The Land of the Lotus Eaters

2010-10-16T07:18:00.001-07:00

Dear World

Is it really so many days since I last posted?? Time, as I have said before, is another reality here. And neither an enchantment nor a bind. Just another dimension.

Well, I have been sick for over two weeks now :( I came back from the fantastically successful Fayoum residency and got an ear infection, then a weird neck rash, and absolute physical and emotional exhaustion. At the same time I was starting 3 new writing courses and launching the first Up On The Roof event. So.. these last weeks have been busy professionally (and successful) but personally a bit challenging. I have cancelled seeing some very dear friends several times due to my exhaustion and illness. Anyway, I will be better soon, inshallah *

New news in brief:

- 3 new creative writing courses underway
- a fabulously attended first Up On The Roof open stage night and people already on the waiting list for the next on 4th November
- Marte has been back for some weeks and is still in Danceworld
- some collaborations coming up joining ARC other arts organisations here; a meeting with one today
- the launch of Salon BonBon; a monthly writers' and artists' salon
- the launch of Cairo Writers www.cairowriters.blogspot.com

and more and more and more :-)

Stay tuned!

Ahhhhh.. and the post title... I just LOVE that story; on the journey to Ithaca...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus-eaters

Harvest Moon

2010-09-22T05:27:00.005-07:00

Hello World!!!

Ahhhhhhh - and I am resurfacing at full moon, harvest moon in fact, bounty, riches, fruits - inshallah!!!!

It is SO busy.. I have lists in triplicate. So let's ring the changes:

Dearest darling Marte has left for Alexandria and I shall be going on mini trips to see her. She got a lucrative deal and can now shimmy away in her Sahars; I am so happy for her but miss her tooooooooooo!!!!!

The first oasis course happens this weekend and I am taking the 10 participants to Fayoum for 3 days of creativity and natural surroundings - exciting!!!

I will then come back and the week after start a busy autumn of 5 Creative Writing courses, Open Stage night, Film Night and more!!!

Various artists are booked in to ARC throughout the following months; more details soon.

I may also be taking part in a festival in Alexandria which will take place in Cavafy's house; the very writer who wrote The Road to Ithaca!!! I am VERY excited about this prospect!

For now.. it is coffee and sorting out exercises for the oasis and awaiting my lovely friend Lorna who will visit between her dance shows on the Nile.

Enjoy the moon XXX

'Up On The Roof' Open Stage at Cairo Art Village

2010-09-11T09:16:00.001-07:00

'Up On the Roof' Open Stage at Cairo Art Village
www.cairoartvillage.com

Thursday October 7th then monthly

A new creative platform for both established and emerging artists using either Arabic or English language.
Live poetry, spoken word, music and performance. Each act will be a maximum of 10 minutes with a longer guest spot for an invited artist. This is a space to try out new material and take risks as well as present shaped work.
People interested in performing should contact Linda Cleary: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

A joint venture by CAV and ARC

Aywa to Cairo

2010-08-21T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hello Beautiful People!

Well, another stretch of time has elapsed since my last post. I have truly stepped into the time paradigm of Cairo and life is as busy as ever.

I thought Ramadan would be quiet but I have been running a new course at Diwan, a monologue and short play course privately and also a novel writing workshop as well as my own writing and social situations.

I am now in the process of preparing several new courses to run at Diwan, Darb 1718 and a residential course at Sobek Lodge, Fayoum. And continuing with private students working on their own novels, monologues, plays and other writing.

Arts Residency Cairo is still hosting Marte Kjoell, the dancer, and soon to welcome Susan Vanhinsbergh, a life coach from England. Later in the autumn we will be saying hello to several international artists and writers; details to be posted soon.

We have been truly happy to have spent some time these last weeks in the presence of Mamoun Eltlib and Mazin Mustafa; two Sudanese writers of prominence.

Aywa to Cairo, aywa to Life :-))

Understanding Venus and Mars in Your Life

2010-08-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

4 session course - 2 hours per session
Starting 8th August
7pm to 9pm
(times can be changed during Ramadan)

Women only

Cost: LE 800
at
Massar Lodge,
15B, Road 198, Ground Floor
Degla, Maadi

Course Location, registration & payment at Massar Lodge
Phone: 025175727 or mobile 0109608012

* * *
Venus and Mars are two major planets that affect our relationships and our 'will to act'.
Venus, the goddess of love, reveals much about the way we approach relationships, romance, and love. Learning about Venus can go a long way towards understanding relationships.

The placement of Mars in a natal chart reveals what motivates and energizes individuals, how they express their drive, what they want, and how they go about getting what they want.

* * *

The Course

We will explore the dynamic of these important planets in our lives and how we can empower ourselves through working with their energy.

The sessions will use discussion, guided pathworking (meditation) and various creative mediums and we will also look at several mythological archetypes from various cultures; goddesses such as Aphrodite, Athena and gods such as Aries that can aid us in our understanding.

Places are limited to 10 people and each person will receive a natal chart so that we can look at the individual placement of their Venus and Mars in order to work with it.

* * *

The Facilitator

Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer – artist currently running adult creative writing courses in Cairo as well as developing her poetry, writing and performance work.

She began working with theatre as a transformational tool in '89 where she assisted with facilitating a creative writing and psycho-drama course. She then went on to train in '91 at Manchester Polytechnic in Recreational Arts in the Community. This enabled her to successfully set up and run a variety of community courses in creative writing and also theatre; working in Holland, Australia, Spain, UK and the prestigious JAMU academy of performing arts & music in Czech Republic.

Linda has many years of experience working with astrological and archetypal subjects, meditation and spiritual development.

Short Story Course at Diwan, Maadi

2010-07-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

Short Story Course
(8 hrs in-class tuition)

4 sessions of 2 hours each

Mondays 7pm to 9pm

starting Monday July 26th

420 LE

Working with further expansion techniques, reading published short stories for discussion and understanding format and focusing on the necessary elements to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

Registration and payment to be made at any Diwan store. Please note that spaces will be limited.

Astro Drama in Cairo

2010-07-18T13:10:00.001-07:00

Hello World, how are you?

Here in Cairo things tend to be Cairo-centric and we are in the time of NOW all the time. I've never known a place like it. I thought that I would be stepping into a quieter time as my Diwan and Darb courses came to a close and Ramadan approaches but actually things are moving along at break neck speed all the same. This Wednesday I will start tutoring a monologue and short play course and next Monday I will begin a short story course at Diwan, then I am still organising the residential oasis courses and today I met with Massar Lodge, Maadi and arranged to start an astro drama course; looking at the power of the planets and goddess archetypes in our lives and how we can use them to empower ourselves (details to be posted soon).

I will also be continuing to work with private students and small groups in novel writing.

On top of this I am writing an article with Talal Faisal, a journalist for Al Dustour paper and a novelist.

Aikaterina, one of the artists in residence, is in Alex at the moment and will return Tuesday for a day then leave for Greece Wednesday. Marte, the dancer in residence, will be going to do some cat sitting end of this week and then will hopefully return because we love her :-)

3 Day Creative Writing Course - Residential in Oasis

2010-07-11T03:31:00.001-07:00

Friday July 30th 10am to Monday August 2nd 11am

The Course

3 Day Course in Creative Writing – LE 1000
An extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.

There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

The Place

The course take place at Sobek lodge, Tunis village, Fayoum.
(Transport from and to Cairo can be provided)

Sobek Lodge is an ideal Western Desert Gateway situated in the quiet and picturesque village of Tunis in Fayoum, 104 km from Cairo, surrounded by Olive and Palm Grows, melding smoothly into the breathtaking surroundings of the Western Desert.

As well as daily classes, you will receive accommodation and two meals per day. Sobek Lodge is a wonderful place to 'just be'. You can explore the village around the lodge such as the Pottery School and walk to the lake and the orchards and also choose a number of optional extras such as: desert excursion, horse and camel riding, waterfalls, Whale Valley excursion and on-site reflexology and massage treatments.

The Tutor

Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from UK. She has been delivering workshops in creative writing, related arts and theatre for many years; working in Holland, Czech Republic, Australia, UK and Egypt and is currently the director of an artists' residency in Cairo.

Her own performance poetry and style has been seen as unique, strong, raw and challenging; 'Powerful, uncompromising, rhythmic verse. Tough, lyrical beauty. Packs poetic punches with aching sensitivity. A unique new voice. If you need a comparison, think; a young Joolz Denby, laced with Patti Smith overtones.' (Apples&Snakes – UK)

For all information and booking contact Linda Cleary

email: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

Oasis Residential Creative Writing Courses

2010-07-06T03:34:00.000-07:00

Creative Writing Courses
Residential courses in Fayoum

The Place
The courses take place at Sobek lodge, Tunis village, Fayoum.
Sobek Lodge is an ideal Western Desert Gateway situated in the quiet and picturesque village of Tunis in Fayoum, 104 km from Cairo, surrounded by Olive and Palm Grows, melding smoothly into the breathtaking surroundings of the Western Desert.
As well as daily classes, you will receive accommodation and two meals per day. Sobek Lodge is a wonderful place to 'just be'. You can explore the village around the lodge such as the Pottery School and walk to the lake and the orchards and also choose a number of optional extras such as: desert excursion, horse and camel riding, waterfalls, Whale Valley excursion and on-site reflexology and massage treatments.

The Courses

3 Day Course in Creative Writing – LE 1000
An extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

5 Day Course in Creative Writing and Writing a Short Story – LE 1700
*the Creative Writing course with an added section of : working with further expansion techniques, reading published short stories for discussion and understanding format and focusing on the necessary elements to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

5 Day Course in Monologue and Short Plays in Various Formats – LE 1700
We look at the format of writing monologue and plays for stage, screen and radio and how to capture a character's authentic voice, find the central message of the text and prepare it for presentation.

Please note other residential courses are also available in;

Presentation of written word; bringing developed pieces of text to peformance level; working on voice, rhythm, projection, stance and movement, character, direction, re-writes and edits.

Work on review and critique; getting past our own opinions to be able to appreciate what is valuable. We read several published texts for discussion and written comment and explore the steps to be able to review and critique work. Participants can also apply this to their own work.

Poetry; from a plethora of ages and movements. We discuss content and form and work on writing poetry that emulates certain styles as well as looking at one's own poetic expression and the form, rhythm and imagery that it takes.

The Tutor
Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from UK. She has been delivering workshops in creative writing, related arts and theatre for many years; working in Holland, Czech Republic, Australia, UK and Egypt and is currently the director of an artists' residency in Cairo.

Her own performance poetry and style has been seen as unique, strong, raw and challenging; 'Powerful, uncompromising, rhythmic verse. Tough, lyrical beauty. Packs poetic punches with aching sensitivity. A unique new voice. If you need a comparison, think; a young Joolz Denby, laced with Patti Smith overtones.' (Apples&Snakes – UK)

For all information and booking contact Linda Cleary

email: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

http://www.artsresidencycairo.blogspot.com/
www.lindacleary.co.uk
www.facebook.com/linda.cleary

Oasis Residency and Courses

2010-07-06T03:02:00.000-07:00

Well... a LOT has been going on as usual! ARC has been busy with Aikaterina, Marte, Renate and friend and as well as more demand for writing classes, several opportunities have arisen for expansion for ARC. Please look at my new page Oasis Residential Creative Courses for ongoing details of Sobek Lodge; situated in the Fayoum oasis. It is now a sister residency where artists staying at ARC can choose to spend some of their residency and I am also running residential Creative Writing courses there.

There are other situations opening up which I will detail at a later date.. keep looking!!

Good Morning, Cairo

2010-06-28T00:28:00.000-07:00

Well it's a rather hot morning actually, perhaps the temperatures are creeping, or rather zooming, back up to their 40s.

Aikaterina and her friend Elena got up super early and went to Alexandria for a short trip; they will look around the city and I put them in touch with an artist who also runs an arts organisation there.

Marte is currently pet sitting for a lady who has gone back to UK for one month. She is down the road in a 16th floor sumptious pad with dance studio and views across the city.

Two Norwegian girls arrive tomorrow for a short stay of 3 nights; they are both dancers and are here to network and absorb the place where Raqs Sharqi came from.

The balcony is pretty much done, although I still have to get cushions. I will upload new photos soon!

Other than all this I have been teaching writing class, editing for the newspaper, seeing some excellent dance over at the Egyptian Modern Dance Festival, having some very cosmic times with lovely friends and certain sages, writing some new work and feeling the full moon eclipse energy.

Time for peppermint tea I think!

New artist in residence: Aikaterini Gegisian

2010-06-07T04:47:00.000-07:00

Aikaterini Gegisian, a mixed media artist of Greek nationality and currently living in Bristol, England will be the next artist in residence to visit ARC throughout June.

Please take a look at her work: www.gegisian.com or click on the link to her on the left side of this posting.

Marte Kjoell, a Norwegian Raqs Sharqi dancer continues with her long stay residency at ARC and will be performing at the Nile Dance Festival from 14th June at Pyramisa Hotel, Dokki, Cairo.

An Article on Me in This Month's Community Times!!!

2010-06-07T04:10:00.001-07:00

Please take a look at this feature on me after an interview with Sankalita Shome.

http://www.communitytimesmagazine.com/component/content/article/47-arts/105-linda-clearys-poetry

New Creative Writing Course at Diwan!!!

2010-06-07T04:01:00.000-07:00

Creative Writing Course

By Linda Cleary

4 weeks (8 hour course)

One session per week (2 hour session) on Mondays

Starting Monday 14th June

Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm

In Diwan Maadi

Maximum 10 people per class

Price: 420 L.E

Please register in your nearest Diwan branch

The 4 week Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts, as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

On completion of the first course other short courses available such as:

Writing a short story, Monologue and short plays in various formats, Presentation of written word, Work on review and critique, and Poetry

Full Moon

2010-05-27T05:01:00.000-07:00

Marte Kjoell, a Raqs Sharqi dancer from Norway, has come to stay at ARC for an indefinite amount of time! She arrived yesterday and we had about one hour before I had to leave for writing class but then I brought us tameya and fuul sandwiches home when I got back :-)) She has an audition tonight for a dance spot on a well known boat here and she is in a flurry of mascara and fabrics getting ready for it. Monday night Seni Seneviratne will arrive and Amira Hanafi and her friend Elizabeth; a house of poets and dance!

Gigs!!!

2010-05-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

Soooooo... hello hello hello :-)) Well it is all go in Cairo, as ever. I am now running 5 writing courses a week as well as private students and working towards a project to facilitate Egyptian women fusing text with image. Apart from this life continues to dance (see my personal ARC blog page via the link opposite and I have two more gigs coming up on 3rd and 4th June.

The writer Seni Seneviratne is coming to stay from 31st May and at the same time Amira Hanafi is returning for a few weeks along with a poet friend of hers; so we will be a house of poets! I organised a reading for Seni and then decided to get some other poets involved and myself and then managed to get 2 gigs;

Poetry Reading by:

- Seni Seneviratne (Sri Lanka - England)
- Linda Cleary (England)
- Amira Hanafi (Egypt-USA)
- Marwa Abu Daif (Egypt)
- Mohamed Salem Obada (Egypt)

3rd June at Diwan Heliopolis 7pm
www.diwanegypt.com

4th June at Darb 1718 Fustat Old Cairo 7pm
www.darb1718.com

Teenage Writing Class at Diwan

2010-05-12T03:57:00.001-07:00

Teenage Creative Writing Course
For 12 – 16 years
By Linda Cleary

Start Date: 23/05/2010 6.30 pm
4 weeks (8 hour course)
One session per week (2 hour session) on Sundays
Time: 6.30 pm-8.30pm
In Diwan Maadi
Maximum 9 people per class
Price: 420 L.E
Please register in your nearest Diwan branch

The 4 week Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts, as well as free writing.
There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

Temple of the Heart

2010-05-09T12:59:00.001-07:00

Last night I went to Sama'Khana next to Prince Taz Palace in the Citadel area and saw the wonderful Iva Bittova, who is a renowned singer from Czech Republic who works with a lot of gypsy and world songs; and Anwar Abudragh a singer and musician from Iraq presenting classical Arabic and Sufi music. It was totally amazing. I felt like I was in a healing temple of sound; there were times I wanted to cry, times I wanted I was smiling from deep within, times I wished to crawl on the ground and writhe and times of bliss and divinity. The venue itself was beautiful;practically all wood with carved Arabic design and in a round with balconies. I was stunned that anyone managed to find the place though as it was tucked away down a small, historic street but then this is Cairo and when one is lost one becomes found.

There are performances on throughout the next week; all part of the Spring Festival 2010 including the poet Benjamin Zephaniah and many other international performers.

I begin another new writing class tomorrow; it will be weekly at Diwan for one month and then I start a second class at Darb 1718 as demand was high for the 1st one. I also hope to start my copy editing work for a new publication and not forgetting my post as 'writers' recruiter' for The New Hermopolis situated in Middle Egypt.

The family have been here for one week and will stay until 16th and I then hope to be accommodating a film crew who will be making a piece on The City of the Dead; an area here where people live in tombs. The poet and writer Seni Seneviratne will come end of May and Amira Hanafi will be also staying (she liked it so much the 1st time) :-) with a poet friend of hers. I am organising a reading to hopefully take place at Darb 1718 in early June and this will be Seni, Amira, myself and also Mohamed Salem Obada and Marwa Abu Diaf who will be reading in Arabic.

Soooooo... it's all go!!!! :-)

DIWAN Creative Writing Course

2010-05-04T02:15:00.000-07:00

Please see www.diwanegypt.com and read on for details of my 4 week (12 hour) Creative Writing course beginning Monday 7pm May 10th at Diwan, Maadi.

Registration is through Diwan and must be done before the course start date with payment in advance at any of Diwan's branches (Zamalek, Heliopolis, Maadi.

Diwan's website calander of events: http://www.diwanegypt.com/en/node/88004.

There is maximum student space of 15 people. Cost 420 LE for entire course.

Creative Writing Course at Diwan Bookstore, Maadi.

One 3 hr session a week for 4 weeks (12 hr course). Maximum 15 people per class.

The 4 week Creative Writing course will act as an extended masterclass looking at various techniques and exercises to open up and improve writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing.

There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

On completion of the first course other short courses available in:

Writing a Short Story

We work with further expansion techniques, read published short stories for discussion and understanding format; focusing on the necessary elements to produce a final draft of a 1000 word narrative.

Monologue and short plays in various formats

We look at the format of writing monologue and plays for stage, screen and radio and how to capture a character's authentic voice, find the central message of the text and prepare it for presentation.

Presentation of written word

For bringing developed pieces of text to peformance level; working on voice, rhythm, projection, stance and movement, character, direction, subsequent re-writes and edits from further developing the pieces.

Work on review and critique

Looking at the process of reading work for review and critique; getting past our own opinions to be able to appreciate what is valuable. We read several published texts for discussion and written comment and explore the steps to be able to review and critique work. Participants can also apply this to their own work.

Poetry

Reading the work of known poets; from a plethora of ages and movements. We discuss content and form and work on writing poetry that emulates certain styles as well as looking at one's own poetic expression and the form, rhythm and imagery that it takes.

Linda Cleary – Artist Biography
Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from Manchester and now living in Cairo. Seen as being in the vanguard of young female performance poets and emerging as a radical nouvelle vague Romantic Poet. Her former drama training lends her performance a certain theatricality and she has performed in a variety of bands, theatre & performance groups.

Linda works across disciplines; creating non traditional, diverse work of spoken & written word at times fusing performance, music and image. Her work often carries an urban and contemporary thrust ; some themes may be timeless, universal, but carry a modern twist and juxtaposition in delivering the tale whilst carrying a definite honouring to classic influences.

Her performance poetry and style has been seen as unique, strong, raw and challenging; 'Powerful, uncompromising, rhythmic verse. Tough, lyrical beauty. Packs poetic punches with aching sensitivity. A unique new voice. If you need a comparison, think; a young Joolz Denby, laced with Patti Smith overtones.' (Apples&Snakes)

Education Biography
Linda has experience of working with children, young adults and adults with differing needs and delivers workshops in creative writing & poetry for schools, colleges and community groups; those from isolated or rural areas as well as regeneration or urban.

Having left school and becoming immediately involved with theatre her community work began with a placement with NACRO in '89 where she assisted with facilitating a creative writing and psycho-drama course. She then went on to train in '91 at Manchester Polytechnic in Recreational Arts in the Community. This enabled her to successfully set up and run a variety of community courses in creative writing and also theatre; working in Holland, Czech and Australia as well as the UK. Between 93 – 94 she was invited to Czech Republic to work at the prestigious JAMU Academy of Performing Arts & Music in Brno where she delivered theatre workshops to two adult actor groups; one an audibly impaired group. She runs creative writing courses and a script development for presentation course and teaches general literacy as well as her poetry, writing and performance work and has just set up an artists' residency in Cairo.

Full Moon

2010-04-28T04:08:00.000-07:00

The full moon looks so sublime; even in the city's skies; it transcends the urbanity.

Today I start the new writing course at Darb 17 18 and it is fully booked so that is wonderful!

Tomorrow I will meet with Diwan bookstore who are interested in me delivering writing classes from their stores and I am also working on a project to deliver to the British Council which will be working with emerging female Egyptian writers towards live literature and printed material.

This Friday sees the arrival of a family of four from Cornwall; Adam Roberts is on a round the world gap year with his sister and their parents will join them here at ARC for just over two weeks. So it will be a busy household!!

The Show

2010-04-25T03:23:00.001-07:00

Sooooooo.. last night was the show at Darb 17 18 and it was great to be on stage in Cairo and also to be doing my Cairo track here!!! I hope to get hold of some of the photos taken of my show last night and I will post some up. The exhibition itself at Darb is great and I will go back to see it properly later this week; ohhh actually I will be there Wednesday as I start tutoring the new Creative Writing course that will be taking place there each week. After the show I had some vodkas and then went on to party at Cairo Jazz Club with a big bunch of friends and artists. I got to bed about 3.30am and then had to get up before my usual early afternoon as I had some things to attend to and Azumi was leaving :-(( She has been an absolute adorable resident and we had some lovely times. She wrote in the guest book that she now feels inspired to work on her novel; so Cairo has given her some fire. My flat is filled with red roses; a 'good luck for the show' from some dear friends. Today should have been class but one student needed to cancel so I will go instead to see a friend and then tonight I will go to a stage play version of 'Death and the Maiden' being put on by a writer/director friend of mine Muhammad Marros at the Rawabet Theatre, Downtown. Later this week I have my Tuesday class, then begin the new course at Darb on Wednesday, I need to work on the project outline for the British Council and then on Friday the next four residents arrive for a stay of 16 nights!

New Writing Courses

2010-04-20T14:39:00.001-07:00

I am now collecting registrations for people interested in joining 3 new courses. Please note that the Creative Writing Course (the 1st one listed) will be held on Mondays at 12noon and start in early May, so please register for this one as soon as possible:

Creative Writing Course

The 10 week Creative Writing course will look at various techniques and exercises to open up & improve writing writing skills, work with metaphor and imagery, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing. The end goal will be to write a 1000 word short story. One session a week for 10 weeks. Maximum 10 people per class.

Monologue and Short Plays in Various Formats

We look at the format of writing monologue and plays for stage, screen and radio and how to capture a character's authentic voice, find the central message of the text and prepare it for presentation.

Live Presentation of Written Word

For bringing developed pieces of text to performance level; working on voice, rhythm, projection, stance and movement, character, direction, subsequent re-writes and edits from further developing the pieces.

Private Study

Working one to one with individuals on their personal goals and creative writing projects eg: novel, short story, poetry, plays.

If interested in any of the above courses please email me on: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

Azumi is here!

2010-04-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Azumi arrived yesterday and last night we went out downtown, saw a good Romanian film at the French Institute, ate fuul and tameya, and later drank Omar Khayyam and discussed literature and life until 4am. I finally found out the correct way to pronounce one of my favourite writer's names; Haruki Murakami but have only now half remembered. Other news is that I will be having several interesting meetings this week.. more news later.. but let's say I hope they lead to expansion for ARC. Ohhhh and don't forget my show at Darb 17 18 on Saturday 24th!!!

Busy Bee Creative Bee

2010-04-14T03:35:00.000-07:00

My day started with a giant bee coming in through the open windows! A lovely and hopeful sign :-)

ARC is looking forward to receiving Azumi Hasegawa, a Japanese writer, on Saturday for her stay of one week. Her arrival will be into a flurry of activity; as there will be a small party happening for the students who have just completed the 10 week writing course.

Over the next three days I am devoting my time to memorising my set for my performance at Darb 17 18. I will happen to go see a few films though also :-) This time it is Italian cinema over at the Italian Institute.

The next few weeks will be busy; not just with residents and the show but also setting up several new writing courses; privately and also one that will take place at Darb 17 18 on Wednesday evenings and a meeting with the British Council and getting links and support for some longer term projects that I am setting up to work with emerging Egyptian female writers.

Inshallah!!!! :-)

Now to work!!!

Performance at DARB 17 18

2010-04-06T05:49:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone

Sooooooo.. Theopisti and Sheridan left yesterday after 11 days; it was a pleasure having them here and Theopisti accomplished a lot during her time. Azumi doesn't arrive until 17th, so the interim time is going to be busy with organising new writing classes and NEW NEWS FRESH OFF THE PRESS... I have a performance at Darb 17 18 on the 24th April for the opening party of SPLIT; the new show at Darb. I will be performing some existing work and writing new pieces and have to find a guitarist to work with on few numbers. It will be an exciting night! The opening parties at Darb are always fantastic and busy. Then at the end of April I will be running writing classes from Darb twice weekly; Mondays and Wednesday evenings.

Anyway.. I have a private student in a few hours and have to read through her work and then I have class tonight and need to prepare the lesson. Tomorrow I will go to Darb and talk about the performance and then go over to Artellewa and see what that's all about!

Bye for now!!!!

Mabrook, Theopisti!!!

2010-03-31T04:55:00.000-07:00

Sooooo.. ArtHome at ARC news.. Theopisti has landed an exhibition at Darb 1718 in April!!!! Mabrook Theopisti!!! I introduced her there and Moataz liked her work and thought it would fit in with an upcoming show. Her and her husband, Sheridan, have gone to Alexandria for two days now and I am musing as to whether to go to the oasis.. hmmmmm.. Other than this there will be a Japanese writer, Azumi, coming to stay in April and inbetween artists I will be scoring more funky bedsheets, household plants and fairy lights :-)

I met Hamdy Reda from Artellewa a few days ago. Amira (Hanafi - artist who stayed weeks ago) brought him round and we had a great chat. I'll go over there in a few days with Theopisti; maybe she'll get another show! Maybe I will! But it was good to talk with Hamdy about the residency as he is experienced in the arts and venues (having one of his own)and I left the conversation feeling that expansion for ArtHome at ARC is definitely available.

DOGMA screenings have been at Darb 1718 all week and I only managed to see the first one; if there is one tonight I think I will go!!!

Rooftops, Fire & Leopard Spots

2010-03-24T12:21:00.001-07:00

Last night I went to the Rooftop Studio downtown with mon amour and the two resident artists staying here at the moment; Thomasina and Roland. It was a Collaborative Multichannel Video Installation called 'Windows'in collaboration with the Townhouse and AUC. The space down at (or should I say 'up at')the Rooftop is fantastic; really spacious with a big roof terrace and various indoor studio spaces. Ahmed Hosny, the initiator of this project, and I, talked about mutually beneficial ways of working as the Rooftop has studio space but is non residential and I have residential space but limited studio space. 'Windows' was presented well and gave a feel of something edgy; the Rooftop is one to watch most definitely.

As we were about to leave (wanting beer at Stella bar)I noticed a fire and smoke coming from the roof a building opposite; it was the Hyatt and I have no idea what the story was but it certainly led people's attentions away from the video screens and towards the city skyline!

Next week sees a week of DOGMA films being screened at Darb 1718; an event I am looking forward to attending and the next ArtHome at ARC residents; Theopisti and Sheridan arrive midnight tomorrow; their leopard print bed awaits them!

Cairo Variations

2010-03-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

Cairo! If it doesn't kill you it will make you :-)

Thomasina and Roland are on the 3rd day of their residency and yesterday I took them over to Darb 1718 and after looking at the latest exhibition and the art space they then walked around the potters' area (they themselves are potters). They are uncoiling to the pace of Cairo; it can take time; and another hot water plumbing problem here at ARC has been a 1st hand taste for them in Cairo infra-structure and working practice :-)

Theopisti Stylianou - photographer and her husband, Sheridan, a writer arrive Thursday night for a stay of 12 days. You can look at Theopisiti's work on: www.theopisti.com

Last night I went to a dinner hosted by the director of the arts division of the British Council in Cairo and met some great people and built some links for ARC. The wine was also good and a lovely change from my usual Omar Khayyim brand :-)

So... I sit waiting for the plumber.. and working on editing a private student's novel and tonight I have my Tuesday writing class and then an opening show at Rooftop Studio, downtown.

New News

2010-03-12T05:42:00.000-08:00

Hello, World!

Yesterday I met with Amira and accompanied her on one of her walks for her project. We met at 6pm and a dusty wind was granulating through the streets; a contrast to the stationary heat that day. I think I was too preoccupied by all the things I have to do to fully 'be' on the walk but it was lovely to step out of the clamour of downtown and onto Zamalek and relative quiet. Remmember you can keep up with Amira's walk via her web page.

Other than this I have been working with my writing groups (see my other page for more personal info: http://arc-theroadtoithaca.blogspot.com ) and then next Saturday two potters from Cornwall; Thomasina Bates and Roland Bence arrive for one week's residency and then the Saturday after Theopisti Stylianou,a Cypriot photographer, and her writer husband will come for two weeks. They will be followed by Anne Devine and Tinka Bechert who will work throughout April on their project involving walking and text inspired by the Giza plateau. Then May brings a family of four who will be exploring Cairo for two weeks as part of a grand tour.

Busy times ahead indeed!

7 Days On..

2010-03-08T05:46:00.000-08:00

and Amira Hanafi leaves tomorrow after her one week residency. She has been taking some brilliant photographic documentation of the city during her walking art project and meeting some real characters.

I have been beautifying ArtHome ARC and working with existing and new writing students; as well as dealing with a plethora of day to day domestic issues concerning the flat.

I will take photos soon and upload them and the next artists arrive 20th March!

Moving In Day

2010-02-28T12:32:00.000-08:00

I am sat here with my red polka dot suitcase and a very large other one (that I cannot possibly move) and various other bags and boxes... waiting for mon amour and we will go to the new flat!!! Yes, it is Moving In Day.. finally!!! I am excited and also a bit nervous and thinking about the things I have to buy to prepare the place for guests and to beautify it.. oh I love ambience and aesthetics.. my Venusian leanings.. The long awaited one week lie in however looks set to be interrupted here and there.. the telephone man comes tomorrow (possibly in the morning which could be tricky as I don't 'do' mornings so much anymore and also the doorbell is a very lovely rush of light bird song.. not so audible me thinks!) and the first guest arrives at ARC on Tuesday!!! Amira Hanafi, an American Egyptian poet/photographer/artist: www.amirahanafi.com So.. I need to at least get bedsheets and towels for one!!! (and then of course do a 'big shop' soon). Other than this I will be starting two new creative writing classes as from week beginning March 7th.. so it's all go go go!!! Inshallah :-))

Creative Writing Classes in Cairo

2010-02-20T08:57:00.000-08:00

The Creative Writing course consists of one 3 hour session a week for 10 weeks.

Maximum 10 people per course.

For booking your place & more information: email: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

10 week courses with set tasks designed to trigger & expand the writing process. As well as ongoing writing expansion work we explore various genres and work towards an end task of writing a 1000 word short story.

The aim of the course is to foster enjoyment, build skills, stretch ways of working, set challenges & learn techniques whilst introducing the writer to several areas of writing practice.

Alternative courses in:
writing plays, poetry, review & critique, performance, oration, delivery and drafting texts towards presentation as well as further writing practice are available.

There is no criteria other than a willingness to open up one's writing; the course is designed that people of varying writing experience can participate and each draw their individual benefits.

Linda Cleary – Artist Biography
Linda Cleary is a poet - writer – performer, originally from Manchester and seen as being in the vanguard of young female performance poets and emerging as a radical nouvelle vague Romantic Poet; presenting a different type of work for the UK. Her former drama training lends her performance a certain theatricality and she has performed in a variety of bands, theatre & performance groups.

Linda works across disciplines; creating non traditional, diverse work of spoken & written word at times fusing performance, music and image. Her work often carries an urban and contemporary thrust ; some themes may be timeless, universal, but carry a modern twist and juxtaposition in delivering the tale whilst carrying a definite honouring to classic influences. Her performance poetry and style has been seen as unique, strong, raw and challenging; 'Powerful, uncompromising, rhythmic verse. Tough, lyrical beauty. Packs poetic punches with aching sensitivity. A unique new voice. If you need a comparison, think; a young Joolz Denby, laced with Patti Smith overtones.' (Apples&Snakes)

Education Biography
Linda has experience of working with children, young adults and adults with differing needs and delivers workshops in creative writing & poetry for schools, colleges and community groups; those from isolated or rural areas as well as regeneration or urban.

Having left school and becoming immediately involved with theatre her community work began with a placement with NACRO in '89 where she assisted with facilitating a creative writing and psycho-drama course. She then went on to train in '91 at Manchester Polytechnic in Recreational Arts in the Community. This enabled her to successfully set up and run a variety of community courses in creative writing and also theatre; working in Holland, Czech and Australia as well as the UK. Between 93 – 94 she was invited to Czech Republic to work at the prestigious JAMU Academy of Performing Arts & Music in Brno where she delivered theatre workshops to two adult actor groups; one an audibly impaired group. She runs creative writing courses and a script development for presentation course and teaches general literacy as well as her poetry, writing and performance work.

NB for details, audio, video, written work, news and more please go to

www.lindacleary.co.uk

ArtHome

2010-02-12T06:26:00.000-08:00

ArtHome is the first step of ARC.

The residency is also my home and intended as a heart centre for developing artistic work and providing a landing mat for those seeking to absorb Cairo and hear its many stories as well an opportunity to be linked in with the art scene. Downtown is bustling with creativity; artists and writers gather in the numerous coffee houses and bars and radical and exciting work can be found in the galleries and venues. The city is full of paradoxes of old and new, traditional and contemporary.

The premises are situated in Dokki, near to the Nile and Cairo Opera House. One can reach downtown Cairo by two stops on the metro or by a 20 minute walk.

ArtHome accommodates up to 4 artists at any one time; with two people sharing each room (or you can book a bedroom to be private if you wish). The flat has wooden floors throughout and lots of light and a great view where you can also see the Nile. There is one living room, two bathrooms, a kitchen and one shared studio/workspace with good light and one of the bedrooms also has available workspace. It is not noisy as it is on the 7th floor.

I can link you in with other arts centres and bigger studio space if you felt you needed more space to work other than what is available with me. I am interested to help create links between artists locally and internationally and with venues and centres.

I am a writer, mainly a poet but currently working on prose. I also work with film and audio and create performances and installations. It is is intended that ARC will blossom into a larger venue; accommodating more artists at one time and providing larger workspace in-house, once it and I have found our Egyptian feet.

I look forward to sharing this springtime beginning of ARC with you.

http://arthome-arc.blogspot.com

Awards List 2010: "Without further ado..."

2010-01-24T23:40:00.000-08:00

Dear All

First of all we wish to thank all applicants for your time and effort in applying to ARC for a stipend award. As I believe you are aware, there were many high calibre applications for the two full 2010 stipend awards and the selection process was not easy. Due to the volume of applicants we decided to also award some other types of awards and we have also chosen two artists to be the recipients of two part stipend offers. We also decided to award several discounted places.

Once again we wish to thank everyone that applied and wish you all the most success with your deserving work. In a perfect world all artists would receive the funding, support and recognition to enable them to blossom; if your name does not appear below please do not see it as a reflection of your skill and talent.

ARC, as some of you know, has been going through some re-structuring. We decided however to honour ALL awards made; for if an artist cannot be truthful to vision; who can?? ARC is at present a non-funded residency and therefore is suspending any decision on further stipends for 2011 until much later in 2010; so no more enquiries please until you see a posting!

ARC will be operating on a booking in structure; artist rates are very affordable and living costs are low. Contact me for all information and prices and come and create!!!

The 2010 Awards list follows:

The two full one month stipend artists selected are:

Laila R.El-Sissi – writer
Aikaterina Gegisian – multi media artist

The two 14 day part stipend artists selected are:

Theopisti Stylianou - photographer
Santa Spilberga – photographer

The artists awarded residency via separate deals due to inclusion of artistic partners are:

Anne Devine – visual artist

Tavia La Follette – Performance Art

BiNeural – MonoKultur – Performance artists

The artists awarded 50% discounts are:

Zaynab Hassim – ceramicist & poet

Andrew Salgado – painter

Amira Hanafi – poet & artist

Andrea Inocencio – Performance artist

Kelly Warman – writer/performance artist

Marie Francoise Theodore – writer/screenwriter

Jennifer Martin – painter

We wish you ALL creative wellness!

How to Book a Residency at ARC

2010-01-06T07:51:00.000-08:00

We have had quite a few enquiries from artists who are unsure as to how to apply to come to ARC. We realise that there is a lot of information to read through and therefore artists may miss the parts that inform them or still be left with questions. Sooooooo.. here is what to do:

There is no formal application process. If interested in staying at ARC we ask that you email and tell us a little bit about yourself, your artistic practice, reason for wanting to stay and the dates that you would like to come.

Contact me for artist rates.

Resident artists have use of all areas; including work space, living areas and kitchen as well as their room.

Visiting Artists

2010-01-06T06:04:00.000-08:00

We greatly enjoyed having our first artists at ARC; the percussionist Maurizio Murgia and his partner Christina. Maurizio played tablas high up on the roof and linked in with the inspiring MAKAN music venue in Downtown, Cairo. They have now left for some days to visit the White Desert and then Alexandria.

Shortly after their departure we had a cup of tea with Dinah Kelly; a British visual artist with a strong background in Islamic Art and her partner John who is a mixed media artist and Antarctic researcher. We look forward to working with Dinah in the future.

The sun is shining and we are creating!!!

ARC - All Essential Information

2010-01-06T05:53:00.000-08:00

ARC is an international artists' residency situated providing artists with a rich sustenance to create. Established by artists for artists this is the perfect place to work on artistic projects or simply take some time and space to foster awareness and enhance your creative process. ARC is open to visual artists, writers, mixed media artists, sculptors, dancers and performance artists for stays of two nights to one month.

Cairo has a strong cultural heritage and is also producing new exciting contemporary work; during your stay you will find many opportunities to connect to the resources, traditions and community; artistic and otherwise.

ARC operates as an open residency and our aim is to celebrate art, culture and consciousness and provide visiting international artists with a comfortable, friendly atmosphere and the space to create.

Artists can book their time at ARC for working on projects or simply to take time out of their busy lives. There is no formal application process. If interested in staying at ARC we ask that you tell us a little bit about yourself, your artistic practice, reason for wanting to stay and the dates that you would like to come.

We are an international artistic community where people stay for differing lengths of time. We are on hand to support guests with any issues that they need resolving for their project; ie sourcing materials, networking, cultural visits etc.

Cairo is a fabulous city and a vibrant mix of culture; traditional and modern. The artistic community in Cairo is producing inspirational and radical works and we can put visiting artists in touch with various contacts.

Various creative short courses also run from ARC provided by visiting artists; details are uploaded onto our sites.

Linda Cleary, ARC director is a writer / poet / performer (British / Irish) and has travelled and stayed in other international residencies; so is am aware of the needs of artists and the mixture of ambience, inspiration and stimulation required.

If interested in staying at ARC we ask that you tell us a little bit about yourself, your artistic practice, reason for wanting to stay and the dates that you would like to come.

Many thanks
Art and solidarity

The ARC profile on FB is here:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php? # / profile.php? id = 100000385839395 & ref = profile

Many thanks
Art and solidarity

Linda Cleary
ARC Director

First Artists Arriving

2010-01-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Dear All

We are very pleased to announce that our first artists will be arriving tomorrow night; Maurizio Murgia; an italian percussionist who plays Egyptian and Brasilian drums and has studied with an Egyptian master; Tarek Awad Alla. Maurizio plays ancient music, sometimes for theatre and has a a project called SimbiotiKa, with another percussionist,a pianist and a singer. He is accompanied by his partner.

We are still making the final decisions on the stipend awards but we have invited several artists to take up residency to make other projects and I will post details of all awards and invited artists very soon. So keep checking in!!!

10 week Creative Writing Course at ARC

2009-12-24T03:08:00.000-08:00

Linda Cleary will be running a 10 week Creative Writing course at ARC from February 2010. The course will look at various techniques and exercises to open up & improve writing writing skills, work with metaphor and imagary, create texts and narratives to given themes and word counts as well as free writing and the end goal will be to write a 1000 word short story. The course will consist of one 3 hour session a week for 10 weeks. Maximum 10 people. Please email me for more information and booking: lindawildfire@hotmail.com

Stipend Update

2009-12-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

ARC would just like to say a big thank you to all the artists that applied for the stipend and to let you know that we are going through the applications daily and still hope to be on target with a decision by the end of this month; meaning that we will inform everyone by the beginning of January.

The standard is high and we received over 60 applications for the 2 awards, so I am sure you can all imagine it will be a difficult decision.

It is inspiring and energy giving to read through so many wonderful proposals and feel linked in with so many international artists. We are looking forward to opening our doors and living creatively and artfully with all our resident artists of 2010.

Art & solidarity, Linda

Come and Create

2009-12-08T03:13:00.000-08:00

ARC wishes all its prospective resident artists of 2010 a warm welcome!!!

Room rates are very reasonably priced at ARC and include use of work space. Artists wanting to book in their time at ARC only need to tell us a little bit about themselves and their practice and the dates that they would like to come.

Come and create!!! Or indeed; relax, unwind and be inspired!!!

Deadline Over - Applications Now Closed

2009-12-08T03:09:00.000-08:00

Well.. we have received many inspiring and wonderful applications for the two stipends available in 2010 and we wish to thank all the artists who have applied. We will look over them carefully and make a decision at the end of December 09. All applicants will be notified in early January 10.

Applications for the Stipends

2009-11-17T03:55:00.000-08:00

We are still receiving proposals for the two stipends available and due to the volume of applicants we have brought the deadline forward to December 1st.

We will look through the proposals in detail over December and inform all applicants of the decision in January.

The proposals are coming thick and fast from the most interesting and inspiring international artists of various artistic mediums and the quality is high. It will be a very tough decision to choose only two from the applications.

We wish to remind all artists that they can book in to ARC at any time at very reasonable rates and for that there is no deadline or application process other than letting us know a bit about yourself and what you would like to achieve during your stay and the dates that you wish to book. Of course some artists may be wanting to book some necessary rest & relaxation time and we will be pleased to accommodate you in that wish.

Art & Love

Linda Cleary
ARC Manager