Blackpool is bursting with creativity

Louise Ashcroft introduces Blackpool’s newest pop-up art gallery – artBURST!

As the buzz about the Blackpool art scene is increasing, it would appear that more local artists are working in collaboration to share their art with each other and the residents of Blackpool. artBURST is the latest in one of these ventures. It has been created by local artist, Laura Brennan. She had found it difficult to source local venues to showcase her work and had also met with other artists who have had similar problems. Therefore, Laura decided to create a pop-up style exhibition herself and artBURST was born.

artBURST will consist of a series of pop-up exhibitions, in a variety of locations across Blackpool. The plan is that there will be a different themed exhibition in a different location every 3 months. The project will utilise disused shop spaces and community venues to provide opportunities to access art within the town centre and the wider community. This will make gallery space available to a wider range of local artists, whilst also making the exhibitions more accessible to the public. Laura hopes that by taking the exhibitions out into community spaces, people would be more comfortable to engage with art within their own environments. This would promote the ideals of ‘art for all’ and attempt to break down the barriers of elitism that can be synonymous with established galleries and the art world in general. It is hoped that the nomadic, pop-up nature of the exhibitions would provide access to art to people who would not usually go to galleries and an increased appreciation of the arts within the local community and consequently, support for local artists.

The first exhibition will be held from 16th – 18th August at NW Baseline, Victoria Street Blackpool. All artists have submitted work on the theme of ‘Locality’ in a wide range of mediums from screen printing to ceramics and photography. Local artists include Robin Ross, Carlito Juanito, Yappers Chappers, The Crafty Squirrel, John Marc Allen, Linda Hoey, Paul F Harding, Tim Wells, Red Fox Pottery, Punk Rock Cartoons, Emily Grace Smith, Brendan Bunting and Elizabeth Ward. The preview is on Thursday 16th August from 5pm-9pm with refreshments provided. The rest of the exhibition is Friday 17th August 10am – 4pm and Saturday 18th August 10am – 4pm. Admission is free.

There is a huge wealth of artistic talent within Blackpool and it is good to see the local artists working together to promote each other’s work and to be a given a forum to showcase their talent. artBURST provides a unique opportunity to see the wide ranging work of our local artists and the chance to meet them at the preview evening to discuss their inspirations. Alternatively, if you are in town over the weekend, pop in and soak up some culture in between your shopping! Perhaps even invest in a piece of local art. Blackpool really is bursting with talent and this project will really give our local creatives a chance to shine.

For more information or to submit a piece of work into subsequent exhibitions please email [email protected], or visit the Facebook page; www.facebook.com/artburstblackpool