Mayor opens exciting and ever-changing exhibition
The Mayor of Winchester was joined by dozens of guests for the official opening of textile artist Alice Kettle's exhibition at the Guildhall Gallery.
A local artist with international success, Alice Kettle will reside at the Guildhall Gallery on the Broadway for the next six months until her 16.55m long by 3m high commission for Hampshire County Council is complete.
As Mayor Sue Nelmes cut the ribbon to mark the opening on Tuesday, she said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that we've got Alice here with all her work so we can watch as it comes into being.
"I'm stunned and delighted that we'll be provided with something for posterity for the City, and as her ward councillor I'm even more proud."
Eloise Appleby, head of cultural services for Winchester City Council, added: "The sheer size of the work is the reason she's burst out of her studio in Hyde and into the gallery, and we're very glad to have her here.
"We can't wait to see the finished product when it goes up in the Discovery Centre, with all the bright colours and references to the City's past.
"The great thing about Alice's work is that it will set the tone for the excitement and quality of the new building."
Alice Kettle's commission will hang in the foyer of the new Discovery Centre when it opens in Jewry Street at the end of this year. The centre will include not only a full range of traditional library services, but also a multi-purpose hall, an art gallery, computer training facilities, workshop rooms and a space dedicated to changing exhibitions about the history and culture of the Winchester district.
The City Space will be programmed by the City Council and draw on its extensive and fascinating museum collections as well as featuring work by artists living and working in the area.
Follow the Thread: Alice Kettle -- Work in Progress will be featured in the gallery from January 23 to the end of July 2007. It will include Alice's tools and machinery, examples of previous works she has created and information panels about the project.
Whilst Alice may not always be present in person, she has offered to be available each Tuesday at 11am for a short, free, informal talk about her work, and gallery staff will also be on hand to answer questions about the artwork.
Special interest groups may also be able to book a short private talk on Tuesday afternoons, depending on the stage of the project which Alice has reached. Contact gallery staff for availability.The gallery will be open during its normal hours as follows:
November to March Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday noon - 4 pm
April to October Monday- Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday noon - 5pm