Arts Features

People walking past the empty Woolworths store in Plymouth may glance in the window and briefly lament the loss of the city's premier pick 'n' and mix establishment then carry along their way.

But what artist Steve Clement-Large sees when he walks past the abandoned shop front is an opportunity.

Because if he had his way shoppers in the city would become accustomed to seeing impromptu art galleries and studios taking up residence in the centre's empty shops.

And the old Woolies is - Steve believes -  the perfect location.

Empty shops: full of opportunities?

"It stands out because of its size and position.

"I have this lovely idea of it being full of artists, you could have really big exhibitions - there is masses of wall space in there.

"I think it could become a really major attraction in the city centre."

Steve has now set up a project called PlymSlackSpace - he discovered the Slack Space movement while trying to find a studio space for himself in the city.

He rediscovered painting less than a year ago and needed somewhere to work.

"I currently paint in my garage," says Steve, "and it was while I was researching studio space in Plymouth that I came across the Slack Space idea."

The movement started in Berlin and in the UK it has been successful in places like Brighton, Colchester and Margate.

"It's in the very early stages at the moment - we are hoping to meet with some of the city's key players; people like the Plymouth City Centre Company, the city council and the university and the art college.

Steve's work could be on show in the city centre

"As well as adding vibrancy to an area it would also give young and up-and-coming artists a place to exhibit their work.

"We've identified three pilot projects; one would be an artists' gallery and studio space.

"The other thing is an art market - along the same lines as a farmers' market.

"And the third thing is expanding the use of some of the shop windows as temporary exhibitions space."

But what happens once the economy picks up and city centre retail space is at a premium once again?

"Well, in some models when shops are taken over it is agreed with the landlord on a month by month basis so if the shop is let the artists can move out quickly."

So would a return to economic prosperity spell an end to the ad hoc artistic communities he envisages the project will create?

"My hope would be that out of this would come a couple of permanent sites," says Steve.

"That would be my ideal."

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