Artists and photographers have long hired space at The Witham’s gallery, at the front of the building. Now the art centre’s recently appointed visual arts co-ordinator, Sarah Mayhew Craddock, is to curate a series of exhibitions as the centre seeks to takes its art to the next level.
The Witham says there will be a special exhibition every month. It is being launched this week when three tenants at The Witham’s studios, off Hall Street, showcase their creative talents.
Sarah Gent, from The Witham, said: “We’re taking the art gallery at The Witham and will really make it sing. Sarah will be our first full-time curator of the gallery – it’s really exciting. We’ll still have artists who can hire the space but it’s going to be curated and looked after in a way it has not been in the past.
“We don’t want The Witham to be just a venue where people buy a ticket and experience an act.”
This week’s art exhibition features Hotch Potch House Upholstery, creators of the story chair used in The Witham’s recent Roald Dahl exhibition; Wood Works, which create imaginative items for the home; and leatherworker Nik Hutchinson. The Witham is also planning a Christmas art fair in December with artists from across the region due to showcase their work.
Ms Mayhew Craddock’s main focus will be to look after the gallery, which will also hold workshops in the future.
She said: “I feel passionately about presenting uncompromisingly good and engaging art experiences and opportunities in the region. I want to see The Witham develop the economy and ecology of art in Barnard Castle and the surrounding area – in doing so helping to retain artistic talent in the region, and drive cultural tourism to Barnard Castle. The standard of work that The Witham presents is reassuringly ambitious, and first class – I want to bring The Witham’s visual arts offer in line with that.”
The Gallery at The Witham is open from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday.
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