Preston’s Newest Art Space
The Hanover Project: Preston’s Newest Art Space
Having already visited their first exhibitions, The Two Hats went to find out about the new Hanover Project itself, and what its organisers hope for the future of the space as a contemporary arts venue in Preston. We spoke with Gallery Co-ordinator Victoria Lucas, and steering group member David Mackintosh.
The impetus for founding the gallery space came in part from students travelling to Manchester and Liverpool to view contemporary art (and then later to apply for exhibitions), the new space hopes to bring some of those opportunities, artworks, and curatorial processes to Preston.
Victoria and David were both keen to emphasise student’s involvement in curating and organising exhibitions within the gallery, and that this space was conceived as a place for students to interact with artists national and international. In working alongside professional practitioners they aim for students understand their process of working within (and relationship to) the gallery space. This is intended to aid them in making connections, understand curatorial practices and negotiate the professional art world which they will shortly enter. These skills and experiences are often overlooked by academic courses, yet are an essential skills base to equip students as professionals, according to the Hanover team. Talks and tutorials between students and artists have been organised with success, giving fresh input to the student’s educations (with many of the lectures and screenings also open to the general public).
The exhibitions, performances and projects running within the space are intended to reflect the wide range of disciplines practised within the university, giving an overview of contemporary work. The Hanover Project was conceived as a project space, specifically not a gallery, meaning that it will be curated and programmed with flexibility. This also allows accompanying lectures, screenings and events to be maintained as a key element of the projects featured.
The space opened with an MA student show, followed by a number of second year BA degree shows, mixing with international artists (Deadpan Exchange) and mid career professionals (Bob Levene). The upcoming program includes a drawing show organised by steering group member Craig Atkinson, an alumni show of recipients of the Tom Buckroyd award, and a show centred around text in art by more established practitioners.
Although the space was conceived to benefit students, members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibitions, and are able to walk in off the street (9-5 on weekdays). The public are strongly encouraged to also attend private views or talks occurring alongside the shows.
In looking to the future of the space, the gallery organisers hope connections can be made between Hanover Project and other galleries and venues within the city, linking both the population and students to a wider art community, for example through taking part in city wide art walks. This attitude of connecting the university’s community of artists to residents of Preston, and its own artistic community, will help to retain these artists post-graduation and establish a stronger contemporary art scene within the city, less at risk to the drains of Manchester or Liverpool as the natural destinations for early career artists. The work shown to date within the Hanover Project space represents a turn for the contemporary, which has previously not had a ‘home’ gallery space within the city, making it a welcome addition to Preston’s artistic landscape.
Bob Levene’s show ‘A Measure of Land’ is open weekdays until 8th February, with a closing event on Tuesday 5th February open to all from 5-7pm. Hanover Project, Hanover Building, University of Central Lancashire, Preston. Images used courtesy of Victoria Lucas.
Preston’s Newest Art Space
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