£1m plan for art gallery

by John Eccles

THE Trust behind plans to open Lewes first public art gallery has launched a 1 million appeal to take over the Star Brewery building in Castle Ditch Lane.

The Lewes Millennium Gallery Trust announced the appeal at Anne of Cleves House last night (Thursday).

The Trust, established in 1999 by the then Mayor of Lewes, Dr Graham Mayhew, was behind an earlier unsuccessful scheme to convert the town hall basement to an art gallery.

After that scheme was rejected, Dr Mayhew was sacked as Mayor and later resigned from Lewes Town Council.

A year on, the Trust, with Dr Mayhew as its secretary, has the opportunity to buy the Star Brewery, which has more than 9,600 sq ft of floorspace, including 20 arts and crafts studios, gallery, courtyard and a large vaulted cellar which could be converted into a multi-purpose arts venue.

The plans provide for phased renovations to offer better access for the disabled, affordable studio space and an exhibition area of around 2,000 sq ft.

The cost of purchase and renovation is 1 million, but the Trust s immediate need is to raise the purchase price of 600,000.

To achieve this the Trust needs to raise at least 300,000 in private and business donations and grants in the next four months.

Said Dr Mayhew: The Trust is asking for financial support to enable it to realise its ambition of securing the future of the Star and providing Lewes with a permanent centre for the visual arts.

Lewes is perhaps unique among county towns in having never had an art gallery of its own.

Indeed the town is notorious for its councillors having rejected Rodin s The Kiss and other major art collections over many years.

This is despite the many artists and collectors who have been and still are associated with this historic town.

Yet it is undeniable that arts and tourism will need to play an increasing role in the local economy if Lewes is to prosper in the 21st century.

Lewes is a small but vibrant community with limited financial resources but a substantial historical and architectural heritage and a lively artistic community, for which the Star Brewery is a major venue.

All donations or offers of support should be sent to Penny Brown, trustee responsible for local fundraising, Lewes Millennium Gallery Trust, 1 Montacute Road, Lewes, BN7 1EN. Cheques should be made payable to Lewes Millennium Gallery Trust.