Published on: Wednesday, 7 June 2017
Last updated: Wednesday, 7 June 2017
In what is thought to be the first initiative of its kind on the East Suffolk Line, the disused railway station building at Saxmundham station is being re-developed into a contemporary art space called The Art Station.
The Art Station will breathe new life into the disused, dilapidated building in the heart of Saxmundham. It will roll-out new experiences over the next two years, offering the 3,000 weekly station users and local community, a contemporary art experience and an all ages art education programme. The Art Station will curate high quality, contemporary art by local national and international artists, connecting people to ideas and innovative thinking.
The project is launching on 9th June with an engaging virtual reality installation by award winning artist Emily Godden, reimagining the waiting room experience. It will be located in the waiting room at Saxmundham station and will coincide with the Aldeburgh Festival weekends, June 9 to June 25.
Local artist and project lead Clare Palmier has championed the project from the start.
She said: “We’re looking forward to opening up the building as soon as possible and working with the new franchise holder, Greater Anglia, to turn this exciting proposal into a reality. The first phase will be to get the building stripped out, cleaned up after years of disuse and to get a temporary café up and running and a waiting room for passengers.”
This ambitious entrepreneurial project will offer passengers and the local community access to the following exciting new facilities, in a phased development, once funds are raised over the next 2 years:
- A waiting area for passengers
- A contemporary art exhibition programme promoting high quality art and artists
- An art education programme for all ages
- A garden café offering tasty food throughout the day
- Volunteering and training opportunities for underrepresented groups in the community.
The proposal has support from Greater Anglia, Saxmundham Town Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, and Jayne Knight, Arts Development manager for Suffolk County Council, Arts Council England and SSE.
Paul Oxley, Greater Anglia Stakeholder Manager, said: “We’re delighted to support this exciting scheme, which will breathe new life into Saxmundham station.”