Middlesbrough art lovers continue to enjoy work , by fingerz on Sept 4, 2013 19:19:28 GMT 1, Middlesbrough art lovers continue to enjoy work of up and coming artists

A GROUP of up-and-coming artists is continuing to give Middlesbrough’s art lovers a treat.

The Gilkes Street Artists were formed last year at the former Cleveland Crafts Centre and have drawn an enthusiastic following.

The voluntary association focuses on providing affordable studio and exhibition space and support for emerging artists and creative professionals.

The majority of studio holders are recent Fine Art graduates from Teesside University, with some involved in teaching workshops at the studios and elsewhere.

Gilkes Street Artists founder and co-director Emma Bennett said: “The popularity of our exhibition programme is a clear demonstration of the need for this type of art space.

“The recently extended gallery space is now suitable for larger exhibitions, giving individual artists and community art projects a high quality display area for their work.

“We have some great up-and-coming artists in Middlesbrough, but there’s currently a lack of suitable exhibition space in the town to help them raise their profile and engage with local audiences.

“We’re now on the look-out for new premises which will enable us to access further grants and funding opportunities to develop the studio and gallery spaces.

The group will have an exhibition by TEWV (Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust) Arts running from Saturday, October 5 to Saturday, October 19 in celebration of World Mental Health Day.

For more information on Gilkes Street Artists and the current programme of exhibitions, visit www.gilkesstreetartists.co.uk or visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gilkesstreet.artists