We want to use empty shops as an opportunity to explore, discover and celebrate what makes a place special – and where the arts can help. It might be the people that live there, the heritage, the skills people have.
Empty shops in Boston’s Strait Bargate and Holbeach’s West End are being brought to life throughout August. It’s part of Transported, a programme which aims to get more people in Boston Borough and South Holland enjoying and participating in arts activities
The Transported shops have been developed in collaboration with the Empty Shops Network, whose founder Dan Thompson is author of Pop Up Business for Dummies. Dan says: “Empty shops are spaces full of potential and Transported is going to unlock all of that. Local people are going to learn skills, take over the high street and experience a great range of activity in coming months.”
The activity programmed in both shops includes sketching, demonstrations on how to draw and paint on iPads and tablets, craft activities, upcycling, and drama workshops such as putting on a ‘Play in a Day’. All activities are completely free and all ages and abilities are welcome. The programme has been devised by artist Carol Parker, working with Transported’s community arts team.
The shops will also showcase work created for other Transported projects, such as the beautiful letters made by local artists that were originally displayed all over Holbeach, Carol Parker’s pom pom wheels, the stunning kinetic mosaic wheels made in the “Mosaic on the Market” project, the beautiful Strawberry Glass stained glass composite pieces also made in their events in local markets, and Tim Denton’s fascinating drawing machines. There will be the opportunity to see films made during the project, such as the Migration animation project. Also, from the local Woolly Spires project, the Boston shop is proud to be hosting The Stump and the Holbeach shop Unique Cottage Studio’s St Nicholas’ Church. You can download the full programme as a pdf – for either the Holbeach Transported Shop and the Boston Transported Shop.
Transported is a strategic, community-focused programme, managed by a consortium from artsNK, Lincs Artist Forum and Lincolnshire CVS. It is funded by the Creative People and Places fund from Arts Council England.
Empty Shops Network 