Pop up art gallery to open in town

The Town Centre BID has collaborated with students from the Arts University Bournemouth to turn an empty town centre unit into a free-to-enter pop up art gallery this spring.

The new attraction will be filled with interesting and challenging pieces of artwork from the students and the exhibitions will change each week. Housed on two floors in the former Blacks shop on Gervis Road and to be known as the Drop Project it is being run by the Student Union and is all about showing off – for free – some of the fantastic work created by the students and attracting more and different people into the town centre, rather than to rival retail and leisure destinations.

Everyone is welcome and the artistic treasures on display will range from traditional two dimensional works such as paintings and photographs, to film, theatre and more experimental conceptual pieces.
The gallery will be open six days a week and the creators of each piece of work will be on hand to present the artwork to the public.

Ashley Peevor, Student Union President said: “There’s huge breath and depth of talent at the Arts University Bournemouth, and the gallery will showcase something for everyone. It’s great that more people will see the work, and that by transforming an empty shop into a place where people can enjoy the arts, we can also help the town.”

The Town Centre BID believes this project will help support the town centre and the businesses located there. New BID Chair Lisa Tucker explains why the BID got involved:

“Bournemouth Arts University attracts the most creative young artists in the country. We’re showcasing their work right here in the town centre so that everyone can enjoy it. It’s a fantastic way of encouraging more people into town, and it’s something special and extra you can only get from coming into Bournemouth.”

Gregg Dunnett, Town Centre BID manager went on: “This is part of a wider project to turn some of the empty shops into something a lot more exciting. We’re really grateful to Goadsby estate agents, and the landlord of the shop in Gervis Place for allowing the students in with their artwork, and we hope lots of people come along and have a look.”

You can drop in to the Drop Project during normal shopping hours, and keep a track on what you might expect in there on www.dropproject.co.uk or on facebook.