Pop Up Arts Centre To Breathe New Lease Of Life Into Town Centre

Artists, Musicians and Performers from across the UK are set to revitalise Wrexham Town Centre, through the opening of an innovative new arts centre in the heart of the town.

‘Un-Deg-Un’ will be transforming the former JJB Sports Store into an arts centre, which will play host to exhibitions, projects, performances and workshops by artists and musicians from all over the UK.

The non-for-profit venture is a collaboration between local creative organisation THIS Project, and East Street Arts, a contemporary arts organisation based in Leeds with a national reputation for transforming empty retail spaces.

The pop-up project aims to raise awareness of the arts and local events, along with engaging a wider section of the community in arts activities.

Dave Gray, owner of The Foundry, Wrexham’s creative industries hub (and home of Wrexham.com!) , and the joint project manager for ‘Un Deg Un’ feels this is a real opportunity to bring the town centre back to life. Speaking about the project, he said:  “It’s a first in Wrexham. Hopefully it will be used as a model. It allows people to see shops in a different light. It has a benefit for the wider community and the arts community.

“The aim is to establish a community hub in the heart of Wrexham featuring the best of local music, art, culture and creativity.

“The advantages to pop up spaces have been seen throughout the UK. The temporary, yet impactful nature of these projects carry benefits to landlords as an alternative to leaving properties empty; instead of having unused voids in the middle of town centres these properties can be temporarily repurposed for communities and can make a positive economic impact on the towns where they exist; and they are invaluable to the creative communities they serve.”

A total of six studios are available for artists to rent out for £15 a week, with four studios remaining for hire. A social space with Wi-Fi is also available, along with hire-able space for bands and choirs and the like.

THIS Project, which works with Wrexham County Borough Council and is supported by the Arts Council Of Wales, are also working on an ongoing community garden project in the town centre and have worked with Oriel Wrecsam to deliver the innovative ‘Reimagine Wrexham’ exhibition last year, but this represents a new vision for the team as they hope to collaborate with a diverse mix of groups, organisations and businesses in the town.

Since launching in January 2012, they have built up some important relationships and partnerships in the area. One of the most important of these has been with the staff and students of the North Wales School of Art & Design, who will be working with the team over the coming weeks to install the first exhibition which will showcase the best of this year’s degree show and celebrate the town’s creative young talent.

“There’s a good mix of third year graduates and Masters students.” said Dave. “It’s a chance to show them at their best.”

The centre is currently being revitalised, and set to open to the public at the end of the month. A few weeks ago Wrexham.com were fortunate enough to have a tour round the old JJB store, Shown below is how the store looked then and how the space is being used now.

A private launch will be held on Thursday July 25 for students and staff at the university, along with town centre traders. On Saturday July 27 the exhibition will open to the public, and will include live music and various events / activities on the streets.

The exhibition will be open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until September, then there will be an ongoing programme including masterclasses that will cover film, the arts and the spoken word.

“It’s important to try and be involved in as many disciplines and artists as possible” said Dave.

The team behind the redevelopment of the store would like to hear from members of the public who might like to donate furniture or arts equipment to the project; from people who might like to get involved as volunteers to help run the centre; or from individual artists and creative groups who might like to use the space.

Speaking about the importance of volunteers to the project, Dave said: “We acknowledge that the success of the project will be in using the space to benefit the wider creative community of the town and we’re hoping to get as many people and interested groups involved as possible”

To find out more, you can go to the THIS Project website, www.thisproject.co.uk – to find out more or email [email protected]