Uncertain future for Wrexham Independent Gallery as they call for ‘friends’ to come forward

The Wrexham Independent Gallery (tWIG) trustees have relayed a stark message over the future of the charity – stating that unless new funding sources are secured, the entity would cease to exist at the end of May.

In a letter to friends and interested parties of the Gallery the trustees outlined the predicament the group are in, crystalised after a meeting yesterday.

tWIG started life in the People’s Market, and then moved to the South Arcade and more recently found home in the Butchers Market.

In a statement issued less than 24 hours before Wrexham sees the multi million pound Tŷ Pawb centre ‘formally’ open, trustees said: “Despite having negotiated a very favourable arrangement on a long tenancy with the markets manager for our current premises, we are still having problems bringing in enough money to cover the rent and utilities.”

Financial details released explain the level of costs involved, around £200 a month deficit, with the statement continuing onto say: “We have come no where near this in recent months. Hangings have dropped and for some reason we have lost several artists who have been the backbone of tWIG in the past. This is both sad and worrying.

“We are attempting to arrange a programme of workshops but response from potential leaders has been slow and limited; also, past experience has shown that people are unwilling to pay even a nominal sum to attend our workshops, leaving us in the position that we increase our deficit.”

tWIG received some funding from Together In Wrexham last year but added: “Our last few applications for funding have been refused. We are running out of places to which we can apply.”

The grim result of the issue is summed up as: “Our financial projections show that unless there is a large and sustained increase in income we will have no alternative but to wind up the charity and cease trading at the end of May. We have no choice in doing this and it is a last resort.”

Due to the setup of tWIG the trustees themselves are personally responsible for any debts incurred by the entity, and by their projections the line is being drawn at the end of May if the situation does not change.

The trustees said: “Needless to say, we are deeply disappointed and upset by this; unfortunately we seem to be the victims of apathy on the part of the very people we are trying to help.”

Two options have been proposed, with a relaunch of the ‘Friends of tWIG being the first preferable one.

The Friends take the form of a regular low donation (eg. £10 a month), however uptake has been in the low single figures so far. That was contrasted to the hundred strong list the message was sent out to.

The second less favourable option is to wind up tWIG as a charity and re-form as an ‘artists cooperative’, again with a collaborative funding model.

Trustees have said their statement is ‘as simple and open’ as possible, adding: “Unless one or other option is taken, tWIG will cease to exist after May 31st.”

Those interested in being involved, or contributing as a ‘Friends’, or part of an Artists/Crafters Cooperative are urged to get in touch with tWIG via their Facebook page here, or email [email protected]