Black - E Gallery (Previously named Blackie)

I have never previously gone to the Black - E gallery I didn’t no that it was open I thought it was being refurbished. I did go and see a piece there during the biennial (a paper house) but I thought the artist was just using a derelict space.

Combination between a contemporary arts centre and community centre/youth centre.

The building was once a wooden chapel built in 1811 which then burned down in 1840. 18 months later it was rebuilt as Great George Street Congregational Church and then opened as the Black - E in 1968 as the UKs first community arts project by Wendy and Bill Harpe with help from Sir John Moore.

It was opened to bring children in and to encourage them to experiment and have the courage and confidence to go out and make something of them selfs. The doors are open to anyone who wants to get involved.

The building is in the progress of being refurbished at the same time as running. I hope while they are doing the work they don’t cover up all the aspects of its previous life because its a very interesting building and very large. The main area which need to be done up is what will be the entrance there is going to be large sliding glass doors into the rounded staircase which is similar to the atrium at the Guggenheim with the stairs spiraling up the sides. This area will also be a gallery space.

The Black - E has various methods of funding city council, independent charity, arts council, donations and charges to people using the spaces for functions ranging from around £50 - 100 for a babies christening to £9000 for a large corporate conference.

The Gallery used to be called the Blackie which originated from the colour of the church, the stone was covered in grime and smoke the mixed race communities that helped open it up helped to also choose the name. They were unhappy when the name was forced to be changed slightly to Black - E. People were questioning wether it was racist especially in America.

In the main exhibition space were the work was on the wall was large and mainly lovely sets of chance drawings and collages done by the communities including children as young as 6 and as old as 70.