New Morecambe gallery aims to bring art closer to the people

Award-winning photographer, David Stewart at the opening of his exhibition, Paid Content, at Morecambe's new White Elephant Gallery, on Euston Road.

The White Elephant Gallery, in Euston Road, is run by Paul Kondras and Neil Wilson, both well known faces on the North Lancashire arts scene.

Its original location was in the Arndale Centre and during its 18 months there, it attracted thousands of visitors and the attention of Arts Council England.

Paul and Neil are hoping for even greater success at the new gallery which is currently hosting the Paid Content exhibition by the Lancaster-born award-winning photographer, David Stewart.

The ground floor of the former shop has been transformed into the gallery space and it is hoped that the two floors above can be developed for use by people working in the creative industries.

Paul said: “A town or city without a gallery isn’t a good place to live and the proof of the pudding is that the public were always engaged with the exhibitions we staged in the Arndale Centre. People came who’d never been in a gallery before.

“With Eden Project North on the horizon, now is the right time to open this gallery. I think this street is going to be unrecognisable in 10 years time.”

Paul, who lives in Hest Bank, is an artist and production designer with past experience of running a gallery, as he opened the Living Room above Lancaster’s Sun Cafe about 20 years ago.

Morecambe-based Neil is an artist and therapist who has been involved with Luneside Studios in Lancaster for many years.

The White Elephant Gallery, which is a member of Morecambe Artist Colony, plans to programme a wide range of exhibitions featuring photography, sculpture, film and paintings. It could also become a venue for live events.

The Paid Content exhibition runs until March 21 and the gallery is open Thursday-Saturday, 10am-4pm. Admission is free. For more information, visit whiteelephantgallery.co.uk