12:00pm Tuesday 27th October 2009
By James Tourgout
AN old factory building on Portland is set for a new life as an arts centre for the island.
A red brick building in Fortuneswell which started life as a Victorian steam laundry is to become a base for up to 36 artists.
It will also feature gallery space for exhibitions, events and teaching sessions.
The ambitious scheme is the brainchild of portrait artist Katherine Bryan-Merret, 24, and photographer Samantha Polley, 37. Both live at Fortuneswell.
They met only last year, when Katherine needed someone to take photographs of her work and Samantha was looking for studio space.
They got talking about the lack of a focal point for artists working on the island and the idea of creating an arts centre took off.
They heard about the Old Laundry in Brymers Avenue standing empty.
Samantha, who also works as a teaching assistant at Southwell Primary School, said: “We got in touch with the owners, had a look round the building, and decided we were going to go for it.
Katherine added: “The arts centre and studios will help to bring the arts community together. We’re liaising with the tourist board and with other galleries to publicise the centre, and we hope to team up with local hotels and B&Bs to offer holiday packages which include drawing, painting and other activities.”
The centre is planned to be open for business on January 1 next year, and co-directors Katherine and Samantha still need to raise a considerable amount to get the project off the ground.
They are organising an exhibition in December to help raise the money they need, and are appealing for other artists to get involved by entering their work.
All of the money from work sold by Katherine and Samantha will go to the project, and other artists will be asked to donate 40 per cent of what they receive from sales.
The show will go on from December 6 to 19.
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