New exhibition space for art in Derby
Derby's milk shake bar Shake Out to display local art in shop windows
The owners of popular Strand Arcade milk shake bar Shake Out, faced with empty spaces as neighbours, have acquired the rights to display local art in shop windows. "Wherever there's a vacant space, you may as well turn it into something visual," says Vance, co-owner of Shake Out and one half of Art In The Heart curative team Vanson. They're already well on their way, with four previously empty windows now exhibiting and another two on the way.
Ever since the opening of the Westfield Centre last winter, Vance and Jason from Shake Out have been passionate about keeping the Cathedral Quarter alive, and quickly gained the support of landlords in the area. City Centre Management and the Cathedral Quarter team are now helping to spread the eye candy to Sadlergate and Irongate.
It's not just about filling up space though. Vance says, "the art has to work with the location," and you can tell. Not only do the Strand Arcade displays suit their location, the live music photography of Matt Spalding fills a window previously home to cds and vinyl, at Fat Jacks Records on The Strand.
The Art In The Heart project, as well as creating vibrancy in a quiet area of town, offers artists and public alike to view art and location in a different way. Jason Spiller, Vance's business and curative partner, says,"Sometimes members of the public see it and they think it's a window display, so they're not afraid of it in the way you might be in the four walls of a gallery."
Vance and Jason are continually expanding Art In The Heart, if you're interested in putting your work forward to Vanson the best way is to go and say hello to them at Shake Out (11 Strand Arcade, Derby).
