Garter Lane Arts Centre’s newly renamed Studios building has had an eye-catching make-over.
Síle Penkert, Executive Director of Garter Lane Arts Centre said, “having the outside of the building finished to such a high standard signifies three years of incredibly hard work on the inside of this iconic building where we have brought large hitherto unused parts of this building into use and salvaged areas that were once thought beyond repair. We are so looking forward to unveiling this enormous project and welcoming artists, creators, community groups and the public alike into this longstanding creative environment.”
Once the tallest on the street Garter Lane Studios is thought to be a former property of Samuel Barker, a prominent quaker merchant whose legacy is synonymous with the centre of
Waterford and the O’Connell St area. Originally opened in 1984 as the city’s Arts Centre by actor Niall Tóibín “with a rousing speech from the front steps of the building” (Annual Arts
Council Report 1984), the building then operated a two roomed gallery space at the front of the building. Now the Studios building comprises 10 Visual Arts Studios, a Project Studio, a Dance
Studio, a Children’s Workshop, a Theatre Development Centre and is home to Children’s Theatre Co. Little Red Kettle along with the Arts Centre’s administration team. It also boasts a beautiful secret walled garden to its rear. The refurbishment and repurpose project brought back into use the basement which spans the entire footprint of this the large Georgian town
house. Complete with a stronghold the basement is not only a glimpse into the past but also, the Board and Management of Garter Lane are confident, will be of significant use in years to
come.
The project was funded by the Dept of TCAGSM, Waterford City & County Council and Clann Credo.
Síle Penkert said, “perhaps its fate, we get to launch (or re-launch) this wonderful facility officially in the very same year as we celebrate 40 years of Garter Lane Arts Centre and all that theArts Centre has brought to the sector, to the community and to the region in those years. We are lucky to be in a place where we are acknowledging a tremendous past and envisaging a bright future simultaneously”.
