The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Arts hub aims to create new buzz elsewhere
Buckhaven: Beehive hopes to use other more suitable buildings for its project
A cultural hub in the heart of Levenmouth is closing due to a lack of funds.
Buckhaven Beehive has been a hive of activity since it opened five years ago and has played host to a number of successful art exhibitions and classes.
With money in short supply, however, those behind the project have been unable to renovate the College Street building to a suitable standard.
The absence of heating in particular means the premises cannot be used during the winter.
Blair Denwette, who helped set up the Beehive, said organisers are bitterly disappointed but vowed the loss of the building would not mean an end to the project.
“We want to get the news out there the building is going to have to go but we want to continue to deliver the project as we have done over the past five years,” he said.
“We’ve tried umpteen things to get funding and we’re at a point where it’s driving us into the ground.”
Mr Denwette said the group needed around £1.5 million to transform the premises.
Project members bought the former Free Gardeners Hall from Fife Council in 2012 for a knock-down price of less than £3,000.
Since then, it has hosted an autumn art exhibition known as Fall For The Arts, a successful photography exhibition and various classes.
Members also work closely with local environmental charity Clear to create works of art to brighten up the town’s streets.
The Beehive will soon lead a £10,000 shutter art programme involving Levenmouth Academy art students to upgrade shop fronts in Buckhaven and Kennoway.
Mr Denwette said they would find other premises to work from.
“The Beehive has given local people opportunities that would not have been there,” he said.
“It’s a disappointment we’re having to let the building go but we don’t want it to be seen as a negative for the area to a huge extent.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to deliver projects from premises where we don’t have to apply for funding.
“We’ve been working with organisations and tried to use buildings outwith the Beehive anyway so people don’t always have to come to us.”
We’ve tried umpteen things to get funding and we’re at a point where it’s driving us into the ground. BLAIR DENWETTE