Arty rumblings on the Boulevard herald an exciting new gallery project, according to our suburban exhibitions correspondent Angus Young.
Take a stroll along the Boulevard and you might notice something new about Hull’s oldest public library. Western Library opened in 1895 and was the first library in the city to be paid for by public funds. Now it’s started a new chapter by hosting an art gallery within the building.
The HUFree Gallery opened recently on the first floor in a collaboration between local residents, organisations and businesses led by The Encyclopedia of Us, known as EofUs for short. A community-based arts group, EofUs had been working in the HU3 postcode for a couple of years, co-producing projects and events with people who live in the neighbourhood. They have included mini-festivals, a flower-arranging club at Rayners pub and a regular local newspaper.
The HUFree Gallery is the latest initiative in a link- up between EoUs, arts company Three Ways East, artist Kate Genever and Hull Libraries. “This brand new gallery space will showcase and celebrate the photography, film-making and print that arises from working class life in HU3 and Hull,” EofUs told us “we will take a closer look, together, at the people and lives, past and present, that are often hidden or paid scant attention. We will also explore the national and international links that reflect our beautifully diverse HU3 community, and shape who we are.”
“The gallery is an experiment, a beginning, a work in progress. It will grow and adapt and we hope you join us as it does. It will be programmed with, by and for HU3 residents, creatives, businesses and schools and it will welcome visitors from everywhere. Alongside exhibitions there will be workshops, talks and activities and we have ambitions to generate a range of training and skills development opportunities to benefit the HU3 community.”
“We have developed the gallery with Western Library who are, like us, keen to celebrate the area, utilise their assets and generate relevant cultural experience for residents and wider communities.”
The gallery recently featured an exhibition of photography by Curiosity collaborator and Mr HU3 himself, photographer George Norris. A new exhibition by Alex Kalogerakis called Poverty of the Imagination will open on August 28. The gallery’s opening times mirror those of the library. They are: Monday 1-6pm; Tuesday 9.30am-1.30pm: Thursday 1-6pm: Saturday 10am-1pm. Admission is free.