Why are artists attracted to markets? What are the benefits and drawbacks of working in public spaces such as these? What types of projects are successful in these settings? What role do artists play in the gentrification of markets and other public spaces? 

On Saturday 3rd December Open Empty Spaces held a very successful Seminar attended by 25 people in Buffalo Bar, Cardiff to discuss issues such as these.  The guest speakers (listed below) discussed these in reference there own projects that have taken place in Markets and the wider public realm.

Inga Burrows is an artist/ film-maker based in Cardiff. She discussed her 12 month residency in Cardiff Central Market in which she made a new body of work in collaboration with stallholders(more information here).

Trevor Pitt is an artist/ curator based in Birmingham who is interested in showing socially engaged work in galleries and the public realm. In 2003 he curated 'Art Market' where a number of artists were invited to produce work in markets in the West Midlands. Trevor discussed how his practice has been influenced by his curatorial work in the public realm and how he has brought aspects of this side of his practice into a gallery setting.
www.podprojects.org 

Ania Bas is an artist whose practice is socially engaged and is both research and production based. She discussed her residency in Ridley Road Market, Hackney, London in which she created an A-Z of the market based on objects, stories, conversations and events in the area. This work culminated in tours of Ridley Road. Ania also discussed previously made works in Petticoat Lane Market and Plymouth Market.
www.aniabas.com 

Ania's residency was part of Open Empty Spaces' project Stalls & Traders which took place during April and May 2011. As part of this, artists Jeff Pigott and Julia Warin (collectively known as ArtSpark) were also commissioned to create an installation entitled 'Kiosk' in an empty stall in Newport Indoor Market, South Wales.
www.openemptyspaces.co.uk 

This seminar is supported by Elbow Room with financial assistance from the Arts Council Wales.