Rye Creative Centre set to enterexciting new phase in its history

The Centre, in the empty Freda Gardham School at New Road, recently secured its future with East Sussex County Council’s approval of a three-and-a-half-year extension to the lease and the successful application to the Arts Council England for a capacity building grant.

To help realise its vision for the future, The School has recently appointed Michael Smith as creative co-ordinator.

Graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in 2010, Michael has spent the past two-and-a-half years working on diverse projects, in Glasgow as well as Poland, the Netherlands and China. He brings to the centre a new energy and fresh perspective and is already working on some dynamic initiatives while continuing to develop the existing programme of events.

Michael’s first major task will be to co-ordinate the annual Open Studios and summer Symposium, running from 4-6 July.

He says: “The theme for the 2013 Symposium will be ‘Art and Science’ and I am eager to create an event that will be both exciting and thought provoking, hoping to push the thoughts and perceptions of everyone, including the resident artists.

“Running alongside will be the ever popular Open Studios - when the resident artists will open their spaces for the public to view their work and even make a few savvy purchases.

“The Open Studios provide a great opportunity for the local community to share in the success of the centre.” Michael is also keen to develop the centre’s role as a lead arts organisation in the county and to promote the vibrant art scene in Rye to the wider public.”

Another new arrival at the School Creative Centre is a bespoke etching press. The School will be setting up a dedicated print room on site, providing a valuable resource to both the resident artists and the local community. The press will be installed and ready for use in July and will be managed by the artists.

This exciting new acquisition will allow residents to create limited edition prints.