Black Swan Arts has been marking its 30th anniversary year in 2016 with a series of special exhibitions and events. This will culminate in the finale this month with an exhibition called ‘30 Years, 30 Artists’.
The winter exhibition will be a fitting end to the arts centre’s anniversary year and will celebrate the talented makers who have worked in the Black Swan Arts studios, including Annette Gabbedey, Chris Lee, Kate Cooke, Christina Oswin and Mel Day. The exhibition will include an eclectic mix of work including ceramics, jewellery, painting, pottery and printmaking, and will be the perfect place to find unique Christmas gifts. The show will provide an insight into the progression of the artists’ careers, while also reflecting on 30 years of Black Swan Arts’ nurturing of local creativity.
The 30th anniversary events have been a resounding success; with overwhelming support and engagement from the local community, Black Swan Arts has raised much-needed funds. Following the hugely popular ‘1000 Postcards’ exhibition, which raised over £10,000 (unsold postcards are still available online), the summer saw 30 artist-created swans hidden in venues around Frome as part of the Secret Swans Art Trail, Frome Festival and Open Studios.
To conclude the year’s festivities, there will be a show of archival photographs in the Round Tower gallery documenting the history of the Black Swan Arts building. This fascinating collection of images will chart the development of the building from an inn from the 1800s to the 1950s to its current incarnation as a thriving arts centre. In the 1970s the building was threatened with demolition as it was in such a poor state of repair, but listed building consent and a sensitive restoration programme has brought it back to life. The exhibition runs from 9th December until the New Year.
The archival show will also include an interactive memory wall, so Black Swan Arts is asking for local people to get involved. If you have any photos of the building or any memories that you would like to share, please pop in to the arts centre and chat to their friendly team of volunteers in the gallery.
