<p dir="ltr">Portrait Clinic originated in 2019 at Ocean Studios organised by studio holder Mark Fielding. Explore the artwork created by the Portrait Clinic community in the Portrait Clinic Exhibition. What initially began as Mark’s plan to sketch portraits has blossomed into a close-knit community of artists, sharing their creative odyssey.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://royalwilliamyard.com/whats-on/portrait-clinic-the-exhibition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1 - 5 February @ Ocean Studios</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">The More Than Numbers business conference, part of the Grand BAME Business Gala and presented by the Diversity Business Incubator, shines a spotlight on the pivotal role of BAME entrepreneurs in shaping Plymouth’s economy. This event, featuring key speaker Professor Monder Ram OBE from Aston University, a leading scholar in ethnic minority entrepreneurship, alongside Dr. Laura Wallis from Plymouth Marjon University, offers enlightening discussions on diverse entrepreneurship and its impact on the local fabric. The conference will unfold a series of panel discussions with notable local business figures, delving into the challenges and triumphs faced by BAME entrepreneurs in Plymouth. An accompanying exhibition will showcase local businesses, providing a tangible insight into their contributions and the challenges they navigate. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://billetto.co.uk/e/the-grand-bame-business-conference-tickets-932563?fbclid=IwAR3lWgYSayMPA1XEZGblr7Q-ykAfDeh10cPpZAKr4vyO0Ch4HjFLRpvYy_4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2 February - 10am to 4pm @ AUP:SU</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Are you an LGBTQ+ identified writer who would like to meet other LGBTQ+ writers and write in the community? Join us on a Sunday morning to keep your writing practice regular. After introductions at the beginning, the rest of the time is for writing - whether you want to chat during or at the end is up to you! Some people may come only to write, some to share their work, some to read and some to swap their work for praise or critique. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/queer-writing-group-tickets-571710871607?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4 February - 9am to 11am @ Boston Tea Party</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Royal William Yard’s popular Good Food &amp; Craft Market will be taking place inside the iconic Melville building and surrounding area outside. Enjoy the freshest local produce from the South West’s top suppliers and unique arts and crafts by artisan makers, while also having the opportunity to explore one of the Yard’s oldest buildings.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://royalwilliamyard.com/whats-on/rwy-good-food-craft-market-melville" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4 February - 10am to 3pm @ Royal William Yard</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">DJ Simon S and guests invite you to a Sunday of soulful sounds at Hub Plymouth. Record collectors - there will be quality new and used vinyl for sale, as well as great food, drinks and company.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://royalwilliamyard.com/whats-on/pop-up-record-shop-with-futuristica" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4 February - 12pm to 5pm @ Hub Box, Royal William Yard</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Find out more about local wildlife and what you can be doing to protect it with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) pop up in the SU. The RSPB is a charitable organisation that was founded in 1989. It works to promote conservation and protection of birds and the wider environment through public awareness campaigns, petitions and through the operation of nature reserves throughout the United Kingdom.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1262480021097613/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">6 February - 11am to 3pm @ AUP:SU</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Come along to the Students' Union to get to grips with juggling! There will be juggling balls and bean bags, and Beth will be (attempting to) teach you the basics, so don't worry if you're a complete beginner. This event is part of the "Anti-Burnout Initiative" by Beth Evans, the Student Union President, helping to keep the pressure off and your work on track.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/860048332535613/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">7 February - 3pm to 3:30pm @ AUP:SU</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Visit Theatre Royal Plymouth for an enriching week of LGBTQIA+ events, starting with the Pride Pop-Up: Archives at The Gallery Café, a unique drop-in session with Pride in Plymouth that offers a deep dive into the South West’s LGBTQIA+ history. Participants are encouraged to explore archival materials and contribute their own stories to the ever-growing historical narrative. The conversation continues at The Drum with The Importance and Power of Community Archives, where Dr Alan Butler and Donna Maughan (MA) lead a presentation and discussion highlighting the vital role of community archives in sparking intergenerational dialogue. The week progresses with the Queer Voices Platform, an evening that celebrates LGBTQIA+ joy through monologues and short performances by local artists, providing a vibrant platform for expression and connection. The festivities culminate in the Crème de la Crème Cabaret, an exhilarating evening of Queer theatre, spoken word, comedy, and live music, showcasing the dynamic spectrum of LGBTQIA+ artistry.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/pride-in-plymouth-takeover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">8 to 10 February @ Theatre Royal Plymouth</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Join in the fun in the SU for a chilled evening mixer event, so you can get to know the LGBTQ+ community at Arts University Plymouth. With plenty of alcohol and non-alcoholic options available, with something for everyone, but this is an 18+ event due to licensing. Valid photo ID will be required on entry and the bar operates a Challenge 25 policy.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/694931969424305/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">8 February - 4:30pm to 7:30pm @ AUP:SU</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Hosted by Plymouth Laureate of Words Dr Rosemarie Corlett, accompanied by special guests, Creative Writing and the Planet will delve into creative writing, nature and animals, with a mixture of nature writing readings and reflections of the climate crisis. Rosemarie will also read from her collection, Flightless Bird, as well as sharing some new poems and will reflect upon species extinction, how we negotiate loss and how we write about and through animals.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creative-writing-and-the-planet-tickets-807181019157" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">8 February - 7:30pm to 8:30pm @ Plymouth Athenaeum</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">As part of our commitment to raising awareness about Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), we're inviting everyone to be a part of the Trevi 'Reclaim the Night' march starting at 6pm from Arts University Plymouth. We are hosting placard-making workshops where you can design signs to help raise awareness about VAWG for the march. This is a creative opportunity to support a safer city for women. Details will follow, but mark your calendars. Together, let's make our voices heard and stand against violence..</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reclaim-the-night-with-trevi-tickets-772979702097" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">9 February - from 5pm @ Arts University Plymouth</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Join Anne Morgan, The Box’s Senior Archivist, for an exclusive look behind the scenes. Learn how staff at The Box manage, maintain and move the collections across the site and discover more about why they decided to bring some of Plymouth’s most historically important archives together under one roof.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/events/talks-and-tours/behind-the-scenes-collections-tour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">9 &amp; 18 February @ The Box</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Iris on the Move 2024 marks a collaborative celebration of LGBTQ+ cinema by Arts University Plymouth, Plymouth Arts Cinema, and the Iris Prize. This unique event will showcase ‘The Best of Iris 2023’ and ‘Falling in Love with Iris’, a curated selection of award-winning and love-themed short films introduced by Seth Edmonds from Iris Prize. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://plymouthartscinema.org/event-attribute/lgbtq/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">15 February @ Plymouth Arts Cinema</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Did someone say merch? Head to Tavistock Place Reception for all your merch needs. This is your last chance to get your hands on hoodies, t-shirts, totes and more with the current design, so stock is limited.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/377554264920995/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">15 February - 10am to 4pm @ AUP:SU</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">This major touring exhibition explores how the traditions of South Asian miniature paintings have been reclaimed and reinvented by modern and contemporary artists. Beyond the Page includes a fantastic selection of historic works featuring battle scenes, love affairs, spiritual parables and exquisite depictions of the natural world drawn from major collections, with many rarely displayed due to their fragility. They are shown alongside modern and contemporary works by artists from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, the Netherlands, UK and USA.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com/events/exhibitions/beyond-the-page-south-asian-miniature-painting-and-britain-1600-to-now" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">17 February to 2 June @ The Box</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">The Imperfect Orchestra (TIO) is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special performance of its inaugural score, Home, alongside TIO alumni musicians and surprises. This exclusive event not only commemorates a decade of TIO’s innovative projects, but also marks their first performance at the iconic House venue, promising a remarkable audio-visual experience with a phenomenal sound system and large screen. The celebration also includes two exciting support acts, including the premiere of Patrycja Loranc’s film Flat, with a TIO score, and the live debut of Maglennow by ABBERATE (Lee Gerrard &amp; Jack Harris) showcasing new works by Plymouth and South West artists.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1400112327610897" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">17 February - 7pm @ The House, University of Plymouth</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">AUP:SU is hosting Rectory Vintage and Pickle Deli &amp; Market for a pop up shop, so you can shop their wares. Want to shop them beforehand or get an idea of what you’ve got in store when they’re on campus? Find them on Mutley Plain! Pickle Deli &amp; Market are bringing high quality local food, drink and authentic produce from abroad to Arts University Plymouth, bringing the farm to the city and stocking the best produce from across the South West and beyond in their Mutley Plain store. Inside the Deli, you can find Rectory Vintage, a vintage clothing stall offering a sustainable option to bag some great fashion items.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/930491518642057/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20 February - 10:30am to 4pm @ AUP:SU</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Create a fabulous piece of living art that you can hang on the wall with Nook Houseplants. Using a range of succulents and cacti, they’ll show you step by step how to make a lush frame full of botanical beauties to take home with you.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.nookhouseplants.com/product-page/living-art-workshop-weds-21st-feb-6pm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">21 February - 6pm @ Nook Houseplants, Ebrington Street</a></p>

<p dir="ltr">Create your very own enclosed ecosystems at a Nook Terrarium workshop. Learn about the science behind the different substrates they use and choose the best foliage to fill your mini jungle with. You'll create three smaller terrariums during this workshop - perfect for gifting or just keep all three for yourself!</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.nookhouseplants.com/product-page/mini-terrariums-workshop-weds-28th-feb-6pm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">28 February - 6pm @ Nook Houseplants, Ebrington Street</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">For many great artists the garden has long been considered a desirable subject for the expression of colour, light and atmosphere. Claude Monet is perhaps the most well-known painter of gardens, but other greats include Van Gogh, Pissarro, Matisse and Sargent. The works of these great artists along with many others, feature in a major 2016 exhibition ‘Painting the Modern Garden’ from The Royal Academy, London. This dazzling film takes a magical journey from the gallery to the gardens, discovering how early twentieth century artists designed and cultivated their own gardens to explore contemporary utopian ideas and motifs of colour and form.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://plymouthartscinema.org/whats-on/exhibition-on-screen-painting-the-modern-garden-monet-to-matisse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">29 February to 9 March @ Plymouth Arts Cinema</a><br /></p>