2:10pm Saturday 21st November 2009
By Martin Lea
AN AMBITIOUS fundraising target of £13,000 has been set to enable an arts centre on Portland to open in the new year.
Organisers are keeping their hopes up they will raise the money and are appealing for the community to support a forthcoming exhibition.
Portrait artist Katherine Bryan-Merret, 24, and photographer Samantha Polley, 37, plan to breathe new life into the Old Laundry building in Brymers Avenue, Fortunes-well, by turning it into an arts centre and studios.
Acting as a showcase for local artists, it will also feature gallery space for exhibitions, events and teaching sessions.
Following an open weekend, 11 artists have been secured to work from the studios. To help raise funds, a black tie reception is being organised at the premises on Saturday, December 5, before an art exhibition which runs from December 6-19.
So far 48 artists have said they will display work at the event. 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.
Katherine said: “We are still in the process of organising the exhibition and have room for more artists so if you would like to display works we need your names as soon as possible and work in by November 25.
“We need to raise £13,000 from the exhibition so the arts centre can open in January.”
She added: “We still have studio spaces available but they are going fast so if you would like to come and visit Portland Arts Centre and view the available studio spaces get in touch as soon as possible.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside a wide range of other artists, have your work actively promoted and be a part of Portland Arts Centre.”
Tickets for the reception are £10. Visitors will receive a glass of champagne on reception and will be able to see the art works before it is open to the general public. There will be live music in one of the gallery rooms and a fully stocked bar.
To donate to the fund, tickets and for more information contact 07518-346310 or visit the website: www.portlandartscentre.co.uk
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