Art gallery to open in empty betting shop
GROUP OF ARTISTS TAKE ON SPACE
AN empty betting shop in the city centre is to be transformed into a new art gallery.
The former Stan James bookies in Market Street is set to become an exhibition venue called Leicester Contemporary.
A group of city artists have agreed a deal to take on the disused space in the Midland Auction Mart.
The Company of Artists plans to open the gallery at some point next month when it has finished preparing the space.
Andrew Birks, one of the artists involved, said: “I had the idea a few months ago, to try to acquire an empty retail property in which to stage an exhibition, as there is so much vacant space at the minute and so few opportunities for artists in Leicester.
“After speaking to the owners, they generously agreed to let me use it as an art gallery for an initial 12 months.
“After that, we will have to see where we are. So far, there is very little financial backing for this, it’s all hard work and goodwill.”
Mr Birks added: “The space is fantastic, beautiful and elaborate on the outside, while it’s a stripped out Victorian hall inside, with clean white walls all around the ground floor level, hard to believe it was recently a betting shop.
“It’s a great opportunity to show some good art, to revitalise a vacant space – in a mostly vacant street, and to show what can be done – and is being done in this city.
“I think it’s really important to try to engage the people of Leicester and bring them in to see what is happening, to provide opportunities for artists and makers, not just the ones already established, but those who are starting out or don’t always get an opportunity to show what they can do.”
Andrew said the schedule of exhibitions is not yet fixed, but will kick off with a group show featuring work by The Company of Artists, who are Tim Fowler, Loz Atkinson, Lucy Stevens, Tom Van Herrewege and Matt Macken.
Other potential developments could include an open call exhibition, large-scale installations, solo exhibitions and events involving non-visual disciplines, such as poetry, spoken word and music.
Andrew said: “Leicester Contemporary is a fairly ambitious title, and nothing to do with the venue in Nottingham, at the moment ‘temporary’ is the key part of the name, but even if this proves to be the case, we will have laid the foundations for more to come.
“The project is being run as a notfor-profit venture, any income will be channelled back into the running of the space, future projects and community initiatives. We do need help and collaborators, so would be keen to hear from anyone who might be willing to contribute financially, physically or morally.”
The Mercury recently reported on the large number of vacant shops along the once-busy Market Street but has been told that, as well as the new gallery opening, more of these could soon be re-let and opened up.
Anyone who could help the venture can contact: