Town's art gallery set to welcome back visitors

An art gallery will welcome visitors for the first time in more than five years by displaying a collection of work by local artists.

The Alfred East Art Gallery in Kettering, Northamptonshire, closed to the public in mid-2021 for redevelopment and later required extensive roof repairs following rain damage in 2023.

The gallery is part of a cultural hub, collectively known as Cornerstone, which also includes its library, museum and garden.

North Northamptonshire Council said that the new display, titled Prelude, would be located within the rear extension of the building from 5 September to 2 October ahead of the full reopening to coincide with Northamptonshire Day.

It will be the first exhibition to feature in the new Garden Room extension, with the Reform UK-controlled council stating the space would become "a flexible space for exhibitions, art workshops, and more".

The council said Prelude features work by six local artists "each with their own individual style".

Work by Charlotte Ashman, Samantha Brockway, Serena Durgheu, Rosie Jarvis, Simon Loach and Teresa Williams will be on show, with the council saying it would "bring painting, printmaking, collage and photography together in one space".

Greg Wilcox, the council's Reform UK executive member for communities, said: "This is an exciting moment for the team at the Alfred East Gallery, as well as residents.

"It will be great to see the site being used as it has always been intended – showcasing beautiful art."

Work to repair the Grade II-listed building has cost £4.8m, though was initially earmarked for a budget of up to £6.8m.

The Alfred East Art Gallery is named after Sir Alfred East, a famous landscape painter born in Kettering.

He was knighted in 1910 and served as president of the Royal Society of British Artists before his death in 1913.

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