Final Friday, Gab returned for its fortieth version at Barras Artwork & Design in Glasgow. Should you’ve by no means been, Gab is the town’s massively widespread design and creativity occasion sequence, based and run by the staff at Jamhot.
For greater than a decade, they have been pulling collectively talks from designers, illustrators, animators, and makers of all stripes, staging them in a number of the most surprising venues – from ballrooms and breweries to music halls and former church buildings.
It is grassroots, not-for-profit, and run purely to provide one thing again to the inventive neighborhood. Any revenue is donated to charity, which makes it really feel all of the extra real in a time when many occasions can really feel stuffy and company. That ethos has carried Gab by way of to its milestone fortieth night time, and it exhibits. As a result of I used to be proper there, celebrating with them.
After spending a day exploring the town with Chloe Marie Doyle, aka The Chatty Freelancer, I rocked as much as Barras Artwork & Design – a becoming area that is uncooked, buzzing, and proper on the coronary heart of Glasgow’s inventive neighborhood.
Doorways opened at 7pm, however I used to be there somewhat earlier to satisfy the staff and chat about all issues Gab and what they’ve deliberate subsequent. On lastly assembly the well-known Graeme McGowan, co-founder of Jamhot, I needed to know why Glasgow is particular for creatives. “It is a tremendous pleasant crowd,” he informed me with a heat smile. “There is not any competitors by any means. Everybody is aware of one another, and all of us look out for each other. I am undecided if it is like this elsewhere, however Glasgow’s inventive scene has all the time felt like a close-knit household. It is actually one thing particular.”
That was the impression I would acquired, too. It felt massively welcoming. After consuming pizza with Graeme and studying extra about his hometown, the room shortly full of acquainted faces and newcomers alike, bringing with them a quiet power that felt each welcoming and electrical. It is the form of occasion the place you stumble upon previous inventive friends whereas additionally discovering somebody new doing good work.
Inspiring Audio system
After we would all grabbed a pint and greeted these sat round us, we settled down for the talks. Kicking off the night time was Studio Blup, with co-founder Dines taking us inside their world of boundary-pushing design. Daring and loud, unapologetically experimental, their work set the tone for a night of inspiration.
Subsequent up was a trio of Glasgow-based expertise – Orla McAuliffe, Columba McCallum, and Lucy Stevenson – who completely blew us all away with their confidence and keenness. The gifted trio made a rallying name to the native business, asking everybody to take an opportunity on a graduate or college leaver, eager to get their first foot on the ladder. It was much less a chat, extra a manifesto – a strong reminder that recent voices want backing if the business needs to thrive.
After a brief break, Animade‘s Ed Barrett took the stage. As co-founder of one in every of London’s most revered animation studios, Ed introduced sharp insights into collaboration, play, and what it takes to maintain a studio’s inventive spark alive over the lengthy haul. I particularly cherished listening to about current initiatives, comparable to their Additional Good work for It is Good That (who?), and their social marketing campaign for LEGO, which helped convey individuals collectively. Simply good.
Lucy Stevenson, Columba McCallum, and Orla McAuliffe
Columba McCallum, Lucy Stevenson and Orla McAuliffe
The Extras
One in every of Gab’s strengths has all the time been the best way it avoids being “simply talks”. This time, the night was hosted by Lisa Henderson of Ilka Studio who did an superior job of warming up the gang. After which there was the band: Hugh Reed & The Velvet Underpants. Should you have been flagging after three talks, you were not anymore. The music, usually hilarious and shocking, injected a correct Glasgow twist, reminding everybody that Gab is as a lot a celebration as it’s an business night time. Large flying boxing glove, anybody?
Photographer Eoin Carey, whom we have featured on Inventive Increase earlier than, was readily available to seize all of it. The sense of event felt palpable – Gab at 40 was each a milestone and a marker of what makes Glasgow’s inventive scene so particular.
Hugh Reed & The Velvet Underpants
Why Gab Issues
Persevering with my chat with Graeme McGowan, it is clear the sequence was by no means about self-promotion. It was about neighborhood – creating area for creatives to satisfy, study, and be impressed. Forty occasions in, that mission hasn’t modified. “It is lots of exhausting work, sure, however we love doing it. Nothing beats getting creatives in the identical area.”
In a metropolis that has given a lot to Jamhot, Graeme and the staff see Gab as a manner of giving again. And it really works. Each time you allow, you aren’t solely impressed by the audio system but in addition reminded of the richness of Glasgow’s inventive scene. “Why would not we wish to do that?” mentioned Graeme cheekily, gesturing to the area, whereas the band’s humorous lead singer clambered over tables, virtually knocking over pints. It was an evening I will all the time bear in mind.
The subsequent Gab hasn’t been introduced but, however it’s price preserving a watch out. (Signal as much as the mailing listing!) When it comes round, do not overthink it – simply go. Present up, seize a pint, and let the night time unfold. You will go away with recent concepts, new contacts, and perhaps even a narrative or two price telling. I do know I did.
