The History of Quay Arts

 

The History of Newport Quay and Quay Arts Building

Newport Quay where Quay Arts is situated was once a busy, noisy and vibrant place. Barges carried goods up and down the River Medina which was bordered by warehouses. There was also a sliding railway bridge which spanned the river where the dual carriageway is now. This opened to allow the barges through so that they could unload their cargo on to the quayside or leave for the mainland on the tide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Quay Arts building was originally known as the Porter Store. It was used as a bonded warehouse by Mew Langton's Brewery and Island-brewed beers were stored on the ground floor while spirits were stored on the first. In 1884 the Rope Store was built by Robert Croucher.

In the sixties, with the success of the ferries to and from the mainland and the improved road network, the railways closed and later Newport Quay ceased trading. Mew Langton's Brewery sold The Porter Store to Strongs Brewery based in Romsey who sold it on to Whitbred in 1969.

 

The Establishment of Quay Arts Centre

In 1975, Anne Lewington stumbled upon the now abandoned warehouse and thought it would make a perfect venue for an arts centre for the Island. A steering committee was formed in 1976 and they met for the first time in Calverts Hotel in Quay Street. Many Island artists were involved as well as representatives from the Isle of Wight Council and the Island MP Steve Ross.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The name chosen to form a company limited by guarantee was the Isle of Wight Visual Arts Centre and membership was just £5 per year.

Anne Lewington met Christine West, a patron of the arts, who was keen to help raise funds for the Arts Centre. The first fundraising event was held at the West's home, The Garland, in Bembridge. A second fundraiser, an art auction hosted by Mike and Christine West, raised £4,000. In 1976 the Isle of Wight Council bought the warehouse building from Whitbred and leased it back to the Isle of Wight Visual Arts Centre for a peppercorn rent of just £10 a year for 28 years.

Work began on the building to make it safe. The ground floor was cleared of rubbish and abandoned fruit machines to make way for works of art by friends and members of Quay Arts along with six workers from Manpower Services Commission. The first event was The Left Bank Show which was a one day show where local artists were invited to turn up and sell their work.

In 1982 The Quay Arts Centre was officially named by Sir Hugh Casson and the Michael West Gallery was named in honour of Sir Michael West who had helped to raise funds for the arts centre. A bequest of paintings was also received from the Basil Green estate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1987 Quay Arts appointed its first full-time paid director, general administrator and part-time exhibitions organiser. However there were financial pressures and major problems with flooding resulting in the centre being run once more by volunteers. The Basil Green bequest was sold raising around £27,000.

In 1991 a funding agreement was reached enabling the appointment of Anne Toms as Director. Quay Arts was successful in obtaining a grant from the Arts Council England's National Lottery Board for £1,100,500 to redevelop the art centre in 1996. Work soon started on expanding and upgrading the centre led by award-winning architect, Tony Fretton.

In February 1997 Quay Arts was reopened with the upgraded Michael West Gallery, Café, Craft Shop and the new Rope Store Gallery. Anthony Minghella officially opened and gave his name to the theatre on 13 December 1997.

In 1999 the Leaning Curve Gallery was opened to act as an exhibition space for schools and community groups.

In July 2000, a programme of workshops started at Jubilee Stores. Courses in pottery, painting, printing, jewellery and textiles are now offered here in specialised workshops.

On 3 July 2010 The West Collection - A Quay Vision opened featuring artworks collected by Mike and Christine West who were instrumental in raising funds for the arts centre. The Michael West Gallery was renamed The West Gallery during the private view in recognition of both Mike's and Christine's joint contribution.