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The lack of plans for a Visual Arts space in the new Theatre and Conference centre proposed for the present site of the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre in Newry is causing quite a bit of consternation as proposals for the facility seek Planning Permission. Over 20 people have already expressed their concerns on the planning portal. The facility which will be physically linked to Newry Town Hall includes a theatre for 255 people, dressing rooms, plant rooms, bar and cafe facilities, studio and an external performance space as part of public realm work. What it doesn't contain is a dedicated facility to host art installations, exhibitions, visual arts etc.
Objecting to the lack of such facilities one person said "I object to the lack of a dedicated facility for the visual arts in the new plans for Newry Art Centre. It is recognised that Visual Art as a medium is life-enhancing as well as beneficial for mental well-being. Not to include it in the plans would be a missed opportunity and a real insult to the many visual artists who make Newry and The Mournes ,their home."
It had been suggested that a corridor area could be used for the facility but this has been seen by several people as devaluing the importance of visual arts. One person objecting to the lack of the facility said "It is not acceptable to demolish the City of Newry’s only visual art gallery and replace it with a conference Centre & Theatre, nor is it acceptable to offer hanging space in conference rooms for artworks. This insulting offering devalues the visual arts and really sends a message out to all those artists living, working and paying taxes in the Newry area that their profession is of no significance or value. The visual arts is not simply painting on a wall as decoration. It is painting, print, sculpture, installation, sound art, performance art. The list goes on! NMDDC should be utilising this opportunity to represent all the citizens in the area and ensure that the proposed arts space is inclusive, forward thinking, of a high standard, exerting quality and bringing artists of all disciplines and audiences from across this island. This space has the potential of putting Newry on the map as a progressive and forward thinking creative hub on the gateway to the north. Newry has a thriving artist base with a fantastic arts facility in the SRC offering students degree level qualifications in fine art and design. It is very unfortunate that this emerging local talent is not being supported and encouraged. To visit and take part in high quality art exhibits locally they must travel to Dundalk, Bandbridge, Drogheda, Armagh, Downpatrick, Belfast, Dublin. how unfortunate that their own city dose not support their chosen profession"
Another commented "I have a concern that after the removal of 2 exhibition galleries and an Art Room that the new build has no dedicated space for visual Arts. This space needs to be dedicated and not in a hallway or in the cafe area."
Arts Centre
Perhaps the secret is in the name of the facility the council are replacing - The Sean Hollywood ARTS Centre. The centre opened in February 1982 and had two galleries, the Carroll Gallery on the ground floor and the John Bell Gallery above, as well as an Art Room. One comment on the planning portal said "Given that this proposed development is in part a replacement for the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre, the *only* dedicated visual arts space in the Newry area, this development is actually a step backwards for visual arts in Newry and the Mournes. This is a missed opportunity to put Newry firmly on the map of a city embracing cultural and creative development as well as an insult to anyone interested in or practising visual arts in Newry and the Mournes."
Another comment said "I am shocked to discover the visual arts have been ignored in the plans for this huge investment. In fact Newry City already has a conference centre which as far as I am aware is not about to be demolished newryconferencecentre.com Yet, Newry City is the only City in Northern Ireland/Ireland/the UK which does not have a contemporary art gallery. This needs to be rectified in the coming weeks in close consultation with visual artists and other experts prior to planning permission being granted for this building. According to the Culture, Arts & Heritage Strategy 2022-2027 for Newry, Mourne & Down, “The Council is currently progressing ambitious proposals to invest £10 million in the redevelopment of Newry Town Hall and the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre to transform them into an internationally recognised arts, theatre and conference facility” Somehow, since this strategy was produced the first word, arts, has been eliminated from that statement and the conference facility brought to the fore. The new building needs to be an arts centre at the core and although this should have been at the foreground of planning all along with the visual art gallery designed as a key piece of the building, it is not too late to include a functional gallery in these plans. Thank-you for taking my objection on board. I hope it is not too late for this surprising exclusion of a quality purpose built visual art exhibition space within Newry City to be rectified."
Another sees it as an insult to the creative industry "This is a missed opportunity to put Newry firmly on the map of a city embracing cultural and creative development real as well as an insult to anyone interested or practising within the area of visual arts and creative industries."
Speaking of reimagining the nighttime sector another said "I have had the privilege first hand to see the transformation production facilities and multi purpose gallery spaces can bring to the community. The plan is forgetting that not all citizens are interested in the live arts and conference facilities are a dated concept in attracting revenue and footfall. Nighttime sector could be reimagined so much better and put Newry on the map as an innovative city to enjoy the very best of arts and culture."
Pointing out the benefits of such a facility one commented "Newry has been lacking gallery space for professional visual artists for decades. It will be a grave error and a terrible missed opportunity for the new 'Arts centre' not to have dedicated gallery space solely for displaying visual art. My suspicion is that the council is planning on using this building primarily as a conference centre in order to generate revenue, I sincerely hope that this will not supercede badly needed arts space and facilities. Professional arts and cultural events are needed to generate visitors and raise the profile of the city."
Another expressed their dismay and said "You need to learn from our neighbours in Dundalk, which is a cultural hub."
Sean Hollywood Arts Centre wasn't reopened by council after the Covid-19 pandemic and the lack of a dedicated visual arts facility is sorely missed.
Check out the Theatre/ Conference Centre proposal at planningregister
