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Views on Future Ideas for Guildhall Complex

I moved to Heacham in September of 2015 and soon discovered a brochure for the King’s Lynn Arts Centre. This kind of project is something that one would expect in Toronto or Munich, where I have lived in the past, but how amazing to have a project like this in King’s Lynn. I visited the exhibitions but unfortunately, the course I wanted to attend was full. In 2016, I was dismayed to find the Arts Centre had closed. What a shame. Now, as chair of the West Norfolk Artists Association, I have the opportunity to express the views of our membership regarding the future of the Guildhall Complex. Formerly, the Arts Centre WAS run successfully for many years under the direction of Liz Falconbridge. It was a bright, vibrant hub of artistic and creative activity, full of people visiting exhibitions or concerts but also attending community cultural events. We believe that with the right promotion and organisation it is possible for the Guildhall Complex to be the Cultural Centre of King’s Lynn and that King’s Lynn NEEDS a cultural centre. We believe that shutting the complex and letting it deteriorate is not an option. Maintaining the Guildhall Complex as a Heritage and Cultural site is a combination that has enormous potential. It would be fantastic to see artists studios in the white barn. There could be an artist in residence programme inviting regional, national or even international artists. Perhaps an annual living history event could be planned. Hull has become City of Culture, so there is really no reason why King’s Lynn can’t. A great contribution towards this has already been made by Veronica Sekules of GroundWork Gallery. Norwich puts culture high on their list of priorities saying “Culture brings people and people bring money. ” Last November, we held our Autumn Exhibition at the Fermoy Gallery. At our AGM we agreed that “it was very commendable to put the Arts Centre back on the map by using it. It was very worthwhile to promote the gallery and we, the West Norfolk Artists Association, should continue to do so. ” (John Hughes) We also learnt that not only were the Festival offices in the Fermoy, but the Festival team was now responsible for renting the spaces. Representing the visual arts, we encourage exhibitions in a professional gallery environment. For this reason we plan to hold our Autumn Exhibition at the Fermoy Gallery again this year. We also encourage members to use the gallery spaces for their

• exhibitions. Member, Alison Dunhill, will be exhibiting at the Fermoy Gallery in

the near future.

West Norfolk Artist Association

West Norfolk Artists Association westnorfolkartists@gmail.com

KING’S LYNN FESTIVAL We met with Ema Holman and Louise Benstead of King’s Lynn Festival on the 8th

• f January 2018 to discuss the future relationship and potential of the

re-opening of the Arts Centre. We talked about Heritage Open Day and how this might be a perfect platform for the Association to hold an Art Event in which the public could become involved not only artistically but also historically. Work created could lead to an exhibition in one of the galleries. There could also be demonstrations or crossover events fusing music, theatre and art, and so, generally create a buzz of interest through creative initiatives as the footfall is tremendous. GALLERY HIRE / EDUCATION With Louise Benstead we talked about the future potential for the galleries such as gallery hire, exhibitions, proposals from artists for workshops and so on, in

• rder to create a new hub of creativity and how the Association might play a part

in this renewal. As exhibitors at the Fermoy Gallery we would feel it is necessary to find a way to display events promotion in the Guildhall Complex and on the street without compromising the fact that it is a listed building. There must be a solution to this. We are interested in supporting new initiatives, particularly the idea that artists may hang work freely in the gallery alongside activities, demonstrations, workshops etc, to gain attention, footfall and interest. Louise said she looked forward to receiving proposals from any artist interested in this. SCHOOLS PROGRAMME Before the Arts Centre closed, Helena Anderson was involved in an education programme there. She brought children after school each Wednesday for workshops with various artists. A similar programme could be initiated. Louise suggested that funding might be available for projects like this particularly for Special Needs and Excluded Children. Also, in her experience, parents were happy to contribute. EASTERN OPEN We spoke of the highly prestigious Eastern Open run and curated by Liz Falconbridge that was held at the Arts Centre until 2014. Due to the massive

• rganisation needed for the Eastern Open, we thought a Kings Lynn Open or a

West Norfolk Open could be an alternative as a yearly curated exhibition in the galleries.

FRIENDS / SPONSORSHIP A sponsorship programme such as The Friends of Guildhall could be initiated encouraging businesses and individuals to get involved in saving the Complex. We look forward to a new era and a chance to re-energise the creative spirit of Kings Lynn once more. It would be impossible to support the Council’s “Love West Norfolk” scheme if the Fermoy and Shakespeare Barn galleries as well as the Guildhall were not maintained and evolved. Lady Fermoy’s daughter, Mary Roche, continues to be a supporter of the arts in Lynn, sponsoring a Festival concert each year in memory of her mother who started the Festival more than fifty years ago. Andrew Schumann Presented by Esther Boehm, Chairperson West Norfolk Artists Assiciation 55 High Street Heacham King’s Lynn PE31 7DW T 01485 570506 M 07538 986235