The magnificent setting of Halifax's Piece Hall is set to be the backdrop for a series of contemporary art exhibitions. Virginia Mason reports.
Published Date: 09 February 2009
CALDERDALE artist Alice Bradshaw took one look at the former cloth merchants' market and knew it could be the perfect place to stage exhibitions.
And now she and a group of fellow artists are hoping they will have as much success as an event they staged in Kirklees last May.
"There was so much interest in the Huddersfield event and so we decided we would like to do the same in Calderdale," explains Alice, of Halifax, a co-director of a Manchester-based artists' collective, Contents May Vary, established in 2004.
The Temporary Art Show will be staged on the top floor of the Piece Hall and run for six months – but each month will have a different theme, encouraging a variety of artwork.
The independent, unfunded project is being organised by a team of fellow artists – Bob Milner and Tom Senior, who work together as Milk, Two Sugars, and Kevin and Georgia Boniface.
All of the artists have exhibited independently before and realise how difficult it can be to have their work recognised.
"It can be really daunting when you are just setting out so the idea behind this is to give up-and-coming artists the chance to show their work to the public", explains Georgia, who met Alice at an arts fair.
"We all got together and thought what a good idea it would be if we could find space to show off varying kinds of work. There are some very talented people out there and this could help launch the careers of some. We hope so, anyway."
Alice added that the monthly exhibitions would encourage work in any medium, either from established artists or those just setting out. "It is not intended to be intimidating in any way and we are really encouraging people of all talents to submit their work," she says.
"This is a great opportunity for them to show their work publicly."
The first exhibition, which runs in March, has the loose theme of Temporary and will be followed by four more themed exhibitions – North, Beer Mats and Beyond, DIY and as the finale, Salon….
Read the full article here: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/features/Wed-like-…
