THE wraps are finally off and Coventry University’s new Hub is open for students – but one part still being hidden from the world is the Lanchester Gallery.
Ironically the most prominent part of the building on a glass-walled corner is still a building site, with handover planned now for December.
But when it is open it will give a whole new focus to Lanchester Gallery Projects, which until now has held exhibitions in its much-smaller gallery in the university’s School of Art. There’s always been the problem there that although its exhibitions are officially open to the public it’s often hard to get into the building unless you have a university card to open the door – hopefully this new gallery won’t have that problem.
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Have fun amongst the balloons in the Tate St Ives exhibition
IF you’re lucky enough to be in Cornwall this summer then don’t miss a truly hair-raising exhibition at the Tate St Ives.
The gallery is showing a series of independent one-room displays from different eras, concentrating on the theme of space, structure and light.
Queer eye on art in Coventry
THERE’S still (just) time to see an exhibition I’ve only today been alerted to, in the Glass Box, in Earl Street, Coventry.
The 1st Annual Queer Art exhibition in Coventry is being staged there, but is taken down on Saturday. It was set up by The Queer’ists Project, which was founded by Coventry-based freelance photographer Marta Kochanek, who graduated from Coventry University this year.
It is a follow up exhibition to the official annual exhibition which took place in Birmingham last month. Marta said it shows work of 13 Queer artists representing artists from the UK, US and Poland.
Marta formed The Queer’ists Project in March to be a platform to emerging and established Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender artists and art lovers.
Peering through the windows this evening it looked an interesting mixture of works and art styles and worth having a proper look if you’re in the area.
Anyone for tennis? Barber Institute exhibition reveals art on court
So where is the true birthplace of lawn tennis – Royal Leamington Spa or Edgbaston in Birmingham? Those with a view on the matter could bat that debate about all day, and it’s something that’s looked at in a wonderful exhibition at the Barber Institute in Birmingham.
It seems that Thomas Gem and his friend Jean Batista Augurio Perera played on Perrera’s lawn in Edgbaston in 1859 – but both moved to Leamington in 1872 where they formed Leamington Lawn Tennis Club with two local doctors.
Gem himself drew a sketch of their first match as a foursome, at the Manor House Hotel, at the first club in the world formed specifically for playing lawn tennis. The exhibition features a photograph of the sketch which was presented to the Manor House in 1957 and sadly subsequently ‘lost’.
As the original club is no longer going, the Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society is now the oldest surviving lawn tennis club in the world – but on the strength of this exhibition and accompanying catalogue I can forgive Birmingham its boasting.
Lake District scenes on show in Rugby
SCENERY that will be beloved of many Midlanders from their holidays can be seen in a new exhibition later this month.
Original prints of landscapes and seascapes are on show at Rugby Art Gallery’s Floor One gallery from 16-27 August.
They are the work of Iain Hodgkinson, who was born in Blackburn and now lives in Northamptonshire, and is a member of Milton Keynes Printmakers.
Iain said: “The work is inspired by the beautiful scenery of the Lake District and I hope people will find them soothing to look at.”
The prints are limited editions and will be for sale.
Kenilworth Wine shop showing for Andrew’s art
ALCOHOL and art often go together, and Brink, a ‘not-for-profit’ arts organisation based in Kenilworth, is presenting its third Vino Veritas artist showcase at Kenilworth Wines.
In this one you can browse for a bottle while admiring the works of Andrew Christopher, a graduate of the London Guildhall University who currently lives and works in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The works are a mix of acrylic on canvas and pen and ink drawings on paper, and are described as having a dreamlike quality, “combining imagery of children and animals in what can only be described as a fantastical dance of the macabre”.
There is a narrative running through the series, relating to childhood, storytelling and games. All the works on show are available to buy as originals or prints.
Lock exhibition showcases photography students’ talents
STUDENTS from an evening class in Coventry are showing the high standard of their work at an exhibition in t.he city.
The Lock in the warehouse at the Canal Basin has an exhibition, called Through Our Eyes, of works by 16 adult students on a Level 2 City and Guilds course at City College, taught by Richard Pearce.
Meter Room is exciting new Coventry venture for city artists
AN UNUSUAL and exciting exhibition space has opened in Coventry – but you have to be very observant to find it.
The Meter Room is at 58-64 Corporation Street in the city centre – just round the corner from the bottom of The Burges, with the entrance in a side alley between the pub and a charity shop. It says Meter Room above the door and also the name of the building’s previous occupier – the CVSC.
Go up a couple of flights and the doors open into a corridor which at the moment has various exhibition spaces off it, and also studios for lots of local artists.
Join Art Fund event in Lord Leycester Hospital
AN ORGANISATION which raises funds to help out galleries is holding a cultural evening in a lovely historical setting in July.
The Art Fund is having its summer evening at the Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick on July 20. On arrival, visitors will have wine and canapés in the courtyard of the 14th century timber-framed building which in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I housed old warriors, and is now an independent charity housing ex-servicemen.
Coventry artist George Shaw on Turner Prize shortlist
The shortlist for art’s most prestigious award, the Turner Prize, is due to be announced tonight – and Coventry-born artist George Shaw is among the contenders.
The list is due to be announced on Channel 4 news from 7pm tonight, but several leaks on Twitter and on various websites name Karla Black, Martin Boyce, Hilary Lloyd and George Shaw as the names up for the award this year.
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