Town vision group seeks to turn old garage into artists’ studios (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Town vision group seeks to turn old garage into artists’ studios

12:45pm Friday 18th December 2009

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A DISUSED former car showroom will be given a new lease of as an artists’ studio if plans are approved.

Barnard Castle Vision has submitted a planning application to transform the former Dorants garage in Newgate.

Local artist Rennie Hamilton, who ran a studio across the road from the garage, had the idea to use it to display paintings and sculpture in October.

She received good feedback when she temporarily opened the garage during the Teesdale Open Studios event in the autumn.

Mrs Hamilton is working with Barnard Castle Vision to establish the studios, which would act as a central location in the town’s artisan quarter around The Bank, Newgate, the Witham Hall and the Bowes Museum.

The former garage would be called The Showroom and have a mix of traditional gallery space and digital and creative studios linked to Middlesbrough’s DigitalCity as its first rural satellite.

There would be a café, storage space, plinths for sculpture, a hanging area for paintings as well as studios, offices and stores.

Anne Allen, of Barnard Castle Vision, said: “Through acquiring and converting the Dorants Garage site, Barnard Castle Vision plans to establish an open studio workspace especially for artists in the town centre, which in contrast to a traditional gallery space, will be an animated space with artists on hand to talk about their work, effectively on show at work.”

Ms Hamilton said: “The open studios event was a very good exercise because it gave people a chance to come into the space and get a feel for it.

“I have been working as closely as possible with Barnard Castle Vision and things are progressing.

“We are trying to sense the feel and look of the place, but it will be very contemporary.”

Ms Hamilton would like to hear from artists interested in using studios in the new gallery, as well as art and design students who could help furnish the space by displaying work.

She can be emailed at rennie hamilton@btconnect.com.

The application will be assessed by planning officers at Durham County Council in the coming weeks.

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