11 April 2008, 08/85
Chapel Gallery refurbishment paints a pretty
picture
Chapel Gallery is set to unveil its brand new look following a
work of art makeover.
More than £80,000 has been spent at the flagship site in St
Helens Road, Ormskirk, to enhance the facilities for customers and
to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.
Work started in January to extend the popular café, improve
access throughout the premises and provide new toilets and baby
changing facilities. New additions also include a family activity
monthly events programme and bespoke lighting features created by
Artist Joanne Vincent in partnership with young people from
Ormskirk School. All the young people who have taken part in the
project have been participating in the Arts Council Arts Award
scheme and will have their own works of art on display called
‘Bright Sparks’.
Now it is about to open its doors again to the public on 19th
April with a string of other exciting features and programmes to
keep the visitors enticed.
A sneak preview event is being held on the Friday 18th April
when the Chapel Gallery will officially be re-opened by the
Chairman of the Council, Cllr William Cropper, and its new website
launched. The young people involved in creating the lighting
features will also be presented with certificates for their
achievements.
Dave Tilleray, Executive Manager for Community Services,
said:"It’s great to have the Chapel Gallery set to re-open once
again as I know that visitors have really missed the facility but
have been very supportive of the improvements at the same time.
These further refurbishments will improve the Gallery’s excellent
reputation within the community and its role as a local and
regional contemporary art gallery and will also provide a better
environment for its visitors too so I’d urge people to come along
and see for themselves on 19th April."
Also at the launch event will be the unveiling of the new
exhibition programme and the opening of the first exhibition -
Small Things - that runs until 17th May and focuses on the small
things in life. The eight UK based artists - Judith Alder, Iner
Azagra, Beccy Benedict, Ann Bridges, Sarah Chamberlain, Robin
Clare, Daksha Patel and Malcolm Tait - encourage viewers to
consider overlooked points of interest and beauty in the world
around us.
The Lancashire Arts and Crafts Initiative will also bring a
jewellery showcase crafted by some of the most exciting
contemporary craft graduates, trained, living or working in
Lancashire
In addition the Gallery’s new website - www.chapelgallery.org.uk
- is being introduced and it will have all the most up to date
information regarding exhibitions, opportunities, the cafe, shop,
education programme, events, facilities, details about the art club
and the holiday activities programme.
The public can visit the Gallery anytime from 10am to 4.30pm,
Tuesday to Saturday. The café is open from 10am to 4pm. Entrance is
free.
This development phase at the Chapel Gallery has been supported
by the Arts Council England, West Lancashire Local Strategic
Partnership, Northwest Regional Development Agency and West
Lancashire District Council.
Related information
> Chapel
Gallery
> Events