A Lenton shopping precinct might not be the first place you’d expect to find an art gallery - but for almost a year now, the Crocus Gallery has blossomed into a centre for the community and a chance for young artists to gain valuable work experience. We spoke to manager Allyn Mullholland, Exhibitions co-ordinator Alice-Georgina Thickett and curator Marie Drouin on the eve of the gallery’s first anniversary…
How did the Crocus gallery come into being?
Allyn: It was partly started to help regenerate Church Square in Lenton, which hadn’t seen any new business for around four or five years. We initially persuaded the Council to help pay the rent, but now we’re getting a stronger group of people involved and we’re in the process of going independent.
What were the challenges when you started?
Actually giving the people who volunteered the chance to get involved. As those of us who work in the arts are aware, you are often charged to enter work into an exhibition and then get turned down. A lot of people are fed up with that. Many people were coming to us from an art background and wanted to organise exhibitions or to curate. Luckily, they had a vast range of experience, so we thought; “Yeah, let them do it.” Those who didn’t know a lot about curating could learn the ropes from those who had already done it.
How have the locals reacted to it?
Alice-Georgina: We really pride ourselves on the gallery not being elitist. We want everyone in the community to get involved and for people to appreciate the things we put on. We’ve had a great response - once people walk past and realise what we are, they say how nice the gallery is and how it’s brightened up the area.
Marie: It’s about working as a team more than anything else, as well as working with other galleries. One of the things we have done is exhibit the work of some of our volunteers in a pub in Derby. So there’s an exchange of skills, and an exchange of art.
Allyn: What we wanted to do was help the local community, and to work with local art groups looking to exhibit. We had a show for kids from local schools, and we made a real effort to curate it as a proper exhibition. A lot of the kids who came in then still come and visit now because they see our gallery as a space they’re comfortable in. A lot of people might not understand what art galleries are for, feel art’s not for them, or worry they’ll get hassled because of what they think.
Is Crocus a gallery that reflects community art only?
Marie: We’re a little broader. We’ve had a lot of contributions from people from other cities – people bringing their work from all over, including a massive oil painting that had to be brought down on the train!
What’s your relationship with galleries based in the city?
Alice-Georgina: We do have a completely different motive to other galleries across the city. We know volunteers are going to come in, and that they’re going to leave too because they’re going to find paid work. We’re not specifically an artist’s group; we just want to give people the best experience while they are here.
What have you enjoyed most about working here?
Allyn: Actually seeing the exhibitions when we’ve spent a week or so putting the work up, and it comes together and looks good. We put just as much effort into all the exhibits to make them look as good as each other. The other thing I’ve been really pleased with is how some of our young volunteers have grown in confidence; that’s been really pleasing.
Marie: I like the atmosphere, I like how we work together, and I like the quality of the exhibited work. There’s a real commitment to each piece exhibited and to giving the best space possible within the limits of the gallery even though it’s not a massive space.
What’s been your favourite exhibit over the past year?
Allyn: The piece we had for The Big Draw last October. It was a one-off event where we would cover the walls and floor in wallpaper and invite anyone to come in and draw all over the gallery. We had to have staff in for 24 hours, but there was only one who stayed the whole night. We had almost 100 people coming in to draw - from kids from as young as two to people in their sixties - and the whole place was covered.
Alice-Georgina: Our last exhibition was work from refugee artists, while in the back was an exhibition about identity, so the two were very complementary. I think it was one of the best things we had done, simply down to the sheer amount of people that came. It was a very positive response and it was the first time we had a performer at the gallery, which was really exciting too.
And your least favourite?
Allyn: Probably the schools one - not because of the children and not because of the work but because it was a nightmare to put together. Communication-wise it was quite difficult - but then again, it’s something to learn from and work on to improve.
What’s the future of the gallery?
Alice-Georgina: I think it’ll be a combination of working with volunteers and working to create exhibitions that are different – especially with Trent students.
So why should people come to the Crocus?
Allyn: Because we have very strong artwork and it’s a friendly atmosphere. We’re not pretentious - we’re happy for anyone to come in. The exhibitions always look good because we’re always setting up and making everything look right.
Marie: It’s really worth the trip out of town because of the sheer quality of the work, the friendly atmosphere and the food at the café next door.
The Crocus Gallery, 1 Church Square, Lenton, NG7 1SL
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