Isle of Man Post Office Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Creative Network

Isle of Man Post Office takes great pleasure in presenting this set of ten stamps, designed by Carola Rush and assembled from ten pieces of artwork from a collective of talented local artists, part of the Creative Network, to celebrate Manx art and their tenth anniversary. 

The Creative Network is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2012, run voluntarily by artists. It consists of around seventy members, with the aim to provide support to creative individuals, whilst promoting appreciation and involvement in the Manx visual arts for the benefit of the Manx community and further afield.

The ten stamps in this collection showcase a wide variety of creative endeavours and styles that include: ceramics, glass-making, embroidery, wood-turning, digital illustration, photography, textile art, drawing and painting for the first time in a single set of stamps.

There will be an opportunity to meet some of the artists and learn more about their work at the opening of ‘Tenth Anniversary of the Creative Network’ exhibition on Friday 12th August, at the Artreach Studios in Peel. The event will start at 6:30pm with Marlene Maska, MLC and Chair of the IOM Arts Council officially opening the accompanying exhibition at 7:00pm. This exhibition will feature the stamp artists plus the varied work of Creative Network members and will be open to the public over the weekends of Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th and Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. each Saturday and between 2.00 and 5.00 p.m. on the Sundays.

Myra Gilbert MA (RCA), current chair of committee of the Creative Network said: “At the Creative Network (IOM) we are truly delighted to be celebrating our tenth year since we formed an artists’ network. The icing on our birthday cake has been the generous opportunity to work with the IOM Post Office on this stamp issue to showcase the range of our member artists’ work to the wider world.
Beginning with the Western Open Studios and Art Trail (WOSAT) in Peel on Mayday weekend in 2012, the network has come of age over the years with the Island-wide Isle of Man Art Festival where up to 7O Manx artists open their studios and pop-up galleries to welcome the public in. This seems like the perfect time to be taking our reputation beyond these beautiful shores in this way.”

Carola Rush, Co-ordinating Creative Network member and stamp designer said of the stamps: “Taking on the design and co-ordination of this stamp issue from the Creative Network’s perspective, was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, Isle of Man Post Office offered a not-to-be-missed opportunity to showcase the wealth of artistic talent amongst the Creative Network membership. On the other hand, it presented the daunting challenge of how to select ten pieces of work from such a huge pool to feature on the stamps themselves. I am extremely grateful to IOMPO for both the opportunity to mark and celebrate the tenth anniversary of this Manx collective and the endless support of their team throughout the selection and design process. Thanks also have to be directed at the artist-members themselves who have kindly put forward their work to feature on the stamps and the supporting stationery. It has been a joy and a challenge to see the issue come to fruition.”

Maxine Cannon, General Manager Isle of Man Stamps & Coins said: “It was a pleasure to have been part of this beautiful and multiple art-style collection, working closely with the Creative Network and their large array of artists on this project and I am sure our collectors worldwide will be thrilled to place the stamp artworks in their Isle of Man collection”.

The collection will be issued on 28th of July 2022 and is available as a Stamp Set, Sheet Set, Presentation Pack and First Day Cover. All products including detailed descriptions can be found by visiting: www.iompost.com/creativenetwork

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