Not a good week in some ways for Coventry art world last week.
The Roots Gallery in Earl Street was broken into, and some electrical equipment used in two of the pieces of work was stolen.
The gallery had to close while police investigated and the council who own it were apparently going to put in extra security measure. However it’s not the first break in at the gallery – when it was just known as the glass showcase it was broken into a couple of years ago I think, and tools and other easily saleable items were stolen. You would think somewhere that is mostly glass-sided would put off burglars – but obviously not. Let’s hope this time the security measures work or it will limit what is used in exhibitions.
Emma O’Brien also announced she would be closing the Lock Gallery in the Canal Basin warehouse after a final exhibition in August.

She has decided to spend more time on her own artworks, though also seems to be carrying on running some of the art activities she had been running.
Lock openings have always been fun, with their generous glasses of wine, and samosas or cupcakes, and the Lock in its current venue is a character-filled small room, but there can’t have been much passing traffic in the days exhibitions were open.
As the Fishbone gallery in Longford also found you need people to come in and ultimately to buy, and it seems it’s hard to get people outside the Coventry ring road however pleasant the owners, the venue or how good the art.
The final exhibition at the Lock is If You Go Down to the Woods, running from August 14-30, described as “an exhibition featuring cutting edge works from the world of LumberJackJoe including installation and print”, with a shop so you can take a piece of Lumberland home. The opening party is from 3pm on Saturday, August 18 with a chance to see art being made, and meet the artist.