Kettering community art gallery 'jewel' shortlisted for prestigious county award

A volunteer-run pop-up Art Gallery in Kettering has been shortlisted for the prestigious Northants Heritage Forum (NHF) People’s Award 2021.

Started two years ago, ARTworks Creative Space was set up by the Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum after they were given a large empty unit in the Newlands Centre.

Now the creative hub has been nominated for the NHF People’s Choice Award battling against long-established county culture and heritage providers.

Photographer and committee member of the Friends, Maura Bright said: "It's a splash of colour in the town centre - it's a jewel and to be shortlisted alongside long-established attractions is a real achievement.

"We link in with other Kettering organisations including The Green Patch, Picture the Difference, Wicksteed Park and the Heritage Action Zone. "We are very active in all aspects of the town centre. It's not just a shop, it's a community space."

ARTworks Creative Space is not just a gallery to exhibit the diverse variety of paintings, prints, sculpture, photographs and ceramics by local artists who are all members of the Kettering & District Art Society but the shop hosts creative projects and art classes, craft fairs, a children’s art space and a place for local groups to advertise their work.

In a partnership deal, Tresham College students will be volunteering at ARTworks Creative Space from September to gain experience in running a gallery.

The Friends charity was formed in 1903 to support the work of the Alfred East Gallery and Manor House Museum in Kettering. Funds raised by the gallery go into the charity’s pot to fund conservation of paintings, purchasing equipment, and enabling exhibitions.

With the temporary closure of the Alfred East Gallery for refurbishment under the GLaM project until 2022, ARTworks is now Kettering’s main cultural hub.

The gallery will host the 116th annual KDAS art show from Friday, June 25 to Sunday, July 25, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 4pm.

David Brown, chair of the Friends, added: “We are pleased to contribute to the enrichment and beauty of the town centre, to create a community hub and support local artists.”

Subscription to Friends of Friends of Kettering Art Gallery and Museum is £15 for a single adult for more information click here. For more information on the Kettering & District Art Society click here.To vote in the Northants Heritage Forum People’s Award 2021 click here.Nominees are: ARTworks Creative Space (Friends of Kettering AG&M), Wollaston Museum, Jeyes of Earls Barton, Piddington Roman Villa Museum, Holdenby House, Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum, 78 Derngate House and Galleries, Irchester Narrow Gauge Railway Museum, Lamport Hall and Gardens and Desborough Heritage Centre