Digital Arts Collective to move in to McKenzie Pavilion, Finsbury Park

Image by Oxyman on Geograph. Used under Creative Commons LIcence

Three and a half years after the previous art gallery was sent packing, the McKenzie Pavilion in Finsbury Park is to be opened as a gallery by the digital arts collective, Furtherfield.

Amidst local disquiet and a local petition "gallery:space", the last tenants of the McKenzie Pavilion, were ordered out in July 2008 because the building was apparently needed urgently for a new information centre. 

Now the space is once again to be brought in to use by a local arts group. In February 2012 the Harringay-based digital arts collective, Furtherfield will be opening a public gallery at the Pavilion.

The group aim to use the gallery to exhibit "the best of contemporary work in art, technology and social change in a truly 'public’ space". Furtherfield say that the space will be developed with and for local residents and users of the park, as well as participants and audiences from further afield.

They plan three exhibitions a year. Schools and local community groups will be invited to respond to  open calls for online artworks. The works will be selected for display alongside those by artists of international standing.

Free Saturday morning activities are also planned to offer "enjoyable and unusual ways to contribute to works that reflect their experiences and identity".

Furtherfield Co-Directors, Ruth and Marc, say "Ultimately we are looking for ways for local people to use the space in a way that is imaginative and makes most sense to most people."

So, I guess, if you have any ideas, get in touch with them.

The space is to be launched at a networking event for local community groups on 19th January.

Contact Info:

Alessandra Scapin

Furtherfield Programme Manager and Coordinator

Furtherfield

57C Grand Parade

Green Lanes

London N4 1AF

T: 020 8802 2827

M: 077 17887 923

www.furtherfield.org