Artists give vacant shop fronts a makeover (From Gazette Series)

Artists give vacant shop fronts a makeover

8:00am Sunday 20th April 2008 in Search By Claire Marshall

SCRUFFY, vacant shops in Dursley's high street are being given a makeover by local artists who are keen to exhibit their work.

The initiative called On View' is aimed at regenerating the town centre while showcasing a wealth of local talent.

The project is the brainchild of Dursley town manager Vicky Hancock, town councillor Jon Martin and local artist Karen Hilliard from Uley.

Landlords of shops that are vacant and run down can get their shop fronts painted and cleaned regularly in exchange for use of the space for a local artist to showcase their work.

The first artist to display their work is Joyce Pinch from Stinchcombe who set up her popular still life work in 25, Silver Street, on Friday.

From now on there will be a new exhibition by a different artist every five weeks in some of the town's empty shop fronts.

Miss Hancock said: "Everyone benefits from this initiative. Artists get somewhere to display their work, which helps to raise their profile locally and landlords get their shops shown off to their best advantage.

"Also the town as a whole looks smarter because we paint the shop fronts we use as well as providing stunning exhibitions."

Keen supporter of the On View' project, Cllr Martin, said: "My top priorities when I became a councillor were to do something about the number of scruffy, vacant shops in Dursley and to improve Dursley's image.

"I'm an artist myself so I know how much talent there is locally."

The project, which is being funded by Stroud District Council and Dursley Town Council, was launched on Friday in the Courtyard Café, where owner Carl Ward will be displaying some of the local art work.

Artist Karen Hilliard, who has also been instrumental in setting up the project, said: "I feel that, as a community, if we all pull together we can make a positive difference and make the town the best it can be.

"There is a wealth of quality artists amongst us who exhibit both nationally and internationally and it is wonderful to be able to provide a local platform to celebrate their work."

The team hopes that other landlords with empty shops will get involved with the project and they have enlisted the help of local estate agent Mike Bennett to help.

He said: "This scheme will have an uplifting effect on this neglected part of the town. A more attractive street scene will hopefully encourage others to use the expanding facilities in the town."

The first exhibition by Joyce Pinch is on display until Friday May 16.