Projects
A Community Gallery
for Newhaven
AiPS is a founding member of Creative Newhaven (CN), a working group focussed on sustainable renewal and regeneration through the arts, chaired by Towner and Newhaven Enterprise Zone. We believe creative infrastructure is key to thriving communities, in line with the stated strategy of CN and Lewes District Council. But how and when can this be achieved? We formed a subcommittee with other CN members and authored a report identifying the need for creative spaces within Newhaven: a community gallery, workshops spaces and affordable artist studios. In the summer of 2024, the Top Floor of Marine Workshops was turned into an exhibition space BN9 Studio with a further smaller Atrium space on the ground floor, with the work funded by Towner. We are delighted to see the space immediately booked for exhibitions, drawing residents and visitors to the centre of Newhaven. Meanwhile, there is more work to be done, to ensure a sustainable creative future for Newhaven.
Following Ravilious in Newhaven
Sarah O’Kane was a member of the Towner panel selecting four contemporary artists to take part in an exciting public art project by responding to four 1930’s paintings of Newhaven by Eric Ravilious.
Jo Lamb, Emily Allchurch, Charlotte Prodger and Mark Titchner had their artworks displayed billboard-sized next to Ravilious views of the town.
The public art trail took place August to October 2023. Top image: art by Mark Titchner and Eric Ravilious displayed on Denton Island; bottom image: artist Jo Lamb during the installation near The Hope Inn, West Beach in August 2023. Find out and Follow Ravilious here
Bloomsbury at Berwick Church
Berwick Church, set in the South Downs, has undergone extensive restoration work under the direction of The Rev Peter Blee, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project has saved the murals and frescoes painted by Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell during World War II, also the interior features painted post-war by Quentin Bell and Angelica Garnett. In 2021, a celebration weekend took place to mark the new altar reredos commissioned from artist Julian Bell (top of page), grandson of Vanessa Bell, who is represented by Sarah O’Kane.
Adam Wildi consulted to Peter Blee on replacing and upgrading the lighting system, working with his events industry colleagues to transform the illumination of the complex painted interior to a museum standard. The project completed in October 2022.
‘It’s really a great improvement and I’m so grateful for your input and guidance. I think you have really transformed the appreciation of the paintings for worshippers and visitors.’ (The Rev Peter Blee to Adam Wildi, October 2022) Learn more about Berwick Church.
An Affordable Gallery for Lewes
Sarah O’Kane was approached by the owners of a vacant shop, 207 High Street, wanting to turn it into an affordable gallery for artists and creatives. Behind the scenes, Sarah consulted on all aspects of operating a community-minded gallery. Several months later, the empty premises were transformed into the bright and welcoming Gallery 207. The venue opened in September 2022 for the visual arts festival Artwave with a changing exhibition over four weeks by the artist collective Nu Artists and ran for eighteen months when the building was sold.
‘Once the word went out there was a very affordable High Street gallery available for monthly hire, I was inundated by requests from artists and makers,’ says Sarah. ‘It goes to show there is a huge unmet demand for gallery space in our communities. Not only do initiatives like this one rejuvenate high streets, they enable artists and makers to showcase and earn from their creativity.’
Images: (above) Nu Artists publicity artwork; (below) Nu Artists exhibition images courtesy of Caroline Pick, Angela Smith, Sara Grisewood, June Nelson, Nadine Feinson .
Gallery 207, High Street, Lewes BN7 2NS.
