Harbour Gallery's Grand Re-Opening

Wednesday, 26 April 2023 09:30

From one harbour to another, a charity-run art gallery has opened its doors again but in a new, St. Helier location.

The gallery, run by the Art in the Frame Foundation, has moved to 19 The Quay - the first house ever built in Commercial Buildings in 1818.

It closed its doors in St Aubin on 24 December 2022 after 20 years because the lease at the old harbour-front site had ended.

Pat Robson, who runs the gallery, says it has been a very stressful and worrying time but - after a lot of hassle, disappointment and then excitement - the gallery is finally ready.

"We loved being down at St Aubin but it was a darker premises. I mean, St Aubin is beautiful - but here the light is absolutely amazing.

It's just perfect and we've also got all of this light in the centre which just shines everywhere!"

Artist Maureen Osborne working on a new piece (left) and Pat Robson (right).

His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd and Dr Karen Kyd, who is an Art in the Frame Foundation patron, unveiled the gallery in a ceremony yesterday (25 April).

More than 80 artists from Jersey are being featured at Harbour Gallery in a series of rooms, with artwork covering almost every inch of the walls.

The gallery also has two new workspaces for workshops of up to 14 students.

Six other charities will be involved in the art classes so they can be run more frequently.

Their first workshops will take place this weekend for the Jersey Boat Show, themed around pirates and portholes.

Harbour Gallery features a new Genuine Jersey shop which showcases 20 producers and 33 makers and an art supplies shop.

Pat wants to encourage islanders to come and buy crafts and goods made locally from the island's produce.

"I sit on the board with Genuine Jersey and I just thought how nice it would be to have both produce and makers so I hope people come and use it because there is some lovely stuff here."

The gallery also has an alcohol licence to sell on the premises though visitors must take it home; they are alternatively invited to make a hot drink for £1.50.

Despite the new building bringing a lot of promise for Harbour Gallery, there were many hidden costs during the move.

Building inspectors recommended the old office space be fireproofed, along with other structural changes, totalling almost £100,000. That was double what was expected.

The government and other donors have helped Art in the Frame Foundation towards the cost of construction work.

Harbour Gallery is also working towards making its new location more accessible for visitors with disabilities and has just converted a conventional toilet into an accessible one.