WORK to create a new art gallery in Maryport has begun.
Local couple Dolly and Brian Money have set up a charitable trust which will include having an 'artist in residence'.
They will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the gallery, as well as curating its collection which will include displays of art which have never been seen in public.
A total of £428,000 including grants from Historic England, will be spent on the total refurbishment and establishment of a top-floor flat.
Building owners Allerdale council announced last year that the historic Queen's Head building would be turned into a gallery.
It has been home to the Maryport Maritime Museum, which will eventually be re-opened in Christ Church, the town's iconic harbourside place of worship.
Workington-based contractor Stobbarts Ltd has won the tender to transform the historic building at 1 Senhouse Street, which will now be known as Shipping Brow Gallery.
The first two floors will become a free-to-enter gallery displaying many local artists, particularly Workington-born Percy Kelly whose scenes of Cumbria are famed throughout the world, and Maryport’s own William Mitchell, who has been described as ‘one of the county’s most underrated artists’.
The refurbishment and repair will reinstate the building’s corner door entrance, enhancing its architecture. The existing door will be remodelled to improve disabled access.
New windows, a heating system and solar panels will make the building more energy efficient, and the creation of a residential apartment will bring another new home to the town centre. A distinctive mosaic will also be restored.
Dolly Money has been promoting arts and culture in the area for many years, latterly through her work at the Settlement and has been a prime mover in getting a Percy Kelly and LS Lowry trail established in the town.
Her husband Brian, was a senior partner at Maryport Helth Services before he retired from medicine. He, too, has been a keen follower of the arts.
The couple have invested in the project and will be putting their private collection of Percy Kelly and William Mitchell paintings on public view.
Number 1 Senhouse Street stands on land developed by Humphrey Senhouse who was responsible for transforming vast areas of Maryport and its harbour in the 1700s.
It was once The Queen's Head pub and its exterior still features that original mosaic showing the head of Queen Victoria and her VR initials. It has been home to the maritime museum since 1975.
Councillor Mike Johnson, leader of Allerdale Borough Council, said: “The new art gallery will be a brilliant cultural venue. Being able to see original paintings by renowned artists will give enthusiasts a new reason to visit Maryport, supporting the town’s growing creative movement.
"I look forward to its opening later this year.”
Dolly Money added: “We hope the gallery will be a real Maryport asset. We wanted to put something into the community that would foster and encourage Cumbrian art, and include a slight twist by incorporating the artist in residence.
"This will give a newly-qualified art graduate the opportunity to run a gallery and curate its collections.
“West Cumbria has traditionally been in the shade of Lake District artists but there is a real appetite now for seeing works like this.
"Maryport has a very arty vibe and we are excited for the gallery to play a part in this.”
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