19 November 2009

The Arts Bank

Following the Newcastle / Gateshead Art Fair I have been invited to be one of the featured artists to exhibit in this new project in Saltburn. It will be my first exhibition of original art work for 2010.


A BOLD new £500,000-plus exhibition centre coming to Saltburn is set to be a major investment for arts and culture.An empty former bank at Milton Street is being transformed into the new arts exhibition space, called ArtsBank.
There will be five floors including film, fine art, photography and performance.
Extensive gallery space will feature visual media along with studios for local artists-in-residence.
The elegant Victorian building will also host live music, theatre, talks, poetry and classes.
The scheme was sparked by a chance meeting between Middlesbrough businessman Bryan Goodall and Saltburn film-maker Craig Hornby, of A Century in Stone fame.
Bryan, 60, of Nunthorpe, is financing the scheme. He said: "I've lived all my life in Teesside and wanted to get involved in something positive for the area. I was inspired by Craig's films having found them on YouTube. We got on a storm and soon started coming up with interesting ideas."
Craig, 42, of Saltburn, said: "Bryan liked my more recent films and wanted to get more projects off the ground.
"I suggested a space to show films as well as make them and also to exhibit local art and photography and put on events."
Within weeks, Bryan bought the bank.
Soon after, Bryan and Craig were joined by Paul Ingram, 52, of Brotton, a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Ideas were expanded and plans for the first year of events and exhibitions were underway.
Paul said: "Something like this has been needed for decades in our area.
"There's a legacy of local talent that hasn't had the breaks or the backing and the public have missed out. We're going to change that and uncover local talent".
Craig said: "We'll have a landmark building with genuine commitment to the local area, people and culture.
"And with a comprehensive website, we'll be exporting to the world."ArtsBank will open in April 2010.