Raising our glasses to The Python Gallery’s third birthday
A PICTURE perfect Teesside gallery celebrated its third birthday in style when it invited past and current exhibitors to celebrate its success.
The Python Gallery, which began as a partnership between developer Python Properties, Sponsors Club for Arts and Business and Middlesbrough Council, opened in July 2007 and has since hosted 28 exhibitions.
To celebrate the occasion, the curator and the gallerys owners, Martin Johnson and Peter Broome of Python Properties, arranged a get together for the artists, writers, and musicians who have helped to make the gallery a success.
And Middlesbroughs deputy mayor, Councillor Dave Budd, was on hand to unveil a plaque to commemorate the big day.
Peter Heselton, curator at the gallery which is based in Royal Middlehaven House on Gosford Street, said: Over the last three years the Python Gallery has hosted 28 exhibitions ranging from solo shows through to group shows of a completely diverse range of work and mediums.
Add to this the many book and magazine launches, poetry readings, recitals and performances, the gallery has played a part in supporting over 400 people in their creative ambitions.
So we wanted to get together as many contributors as possible to celebrate the importance of creativity to Middlesbrough and the wider region.
The gallery is a testament to the exceptional creativity in the region, and to bring together these people shows just how important it is.
Art a key factor in Python Properties' success
COMBINING art with the world or work has proved to be a winning combination for Middlesbrough-based Python Properties.
It’s three years since the property developer opened an art gallery in its Middlesbrough office block, Royal Middlehaven House.
Today, despite the tough economic climate, the building is fully let with bosses citing its arts strategy as a key factor in its success.
Meanwhile at its site in the North-west where lettings have proved tough due to recessionary pressures, Python is about to launch its second art gallery to drive business forward.
It has established smaller exhibition spaces in some of its other buildings as part of its Artwork Placement Scheme.
And its first Python Studio is providing a home for creative companies to nurture their talents.
“The last 12 months have been our best period to date,” said Peter Broome, partner with Python Properties.
“In the last year we’ve let 50,0000sq ft of property - and that’s in the teeth of a recession.”
He added: “Our arts strategy is certainly a key element of that success.”
In the last three years the pythongallery, based at Royal Middlehaven House, has hosted more than 200 exhibitions.
But adding in writers, poets and other performers, more than 500 artists have showcased their work at the venue.
And earlier this year the pythongallery was nominated for The Arts and Business Community Award for the support it has given to artists.
Martin Johnson, partner at Python Properties, said the gallery concept was now being adopted at its site in Warrington, Cheshire.
“We’re launching a second gallery, this time in the North-west.
“Warrington is an area that’s been hit hard by the credit crunch, but we know that art and regeneration work together.
“The Gallery At Bank Quay House will be very similar to Middlesbrough’s pythongallery. We’re hoping it will have the same effect,” added Mr Johnson.
But architectural excellence is also key to the Python team.
It has restored the former Cooperative Building on Middlesbrough’s Linthorpe Road to its former Art Deco glory.
Last year the building was named Best Commercial Property at Middlesbrough Council's Urban Design Awards 2009 and winning the Evening Gazette's readers' choice award.
Most recently solicitors Williamson Hill have moved into the building.
After an unsuccessful property search the firm had contemplated moving out of the town centre until it visited the Cooperative Building.
Python will soon turn its attentions to the redevelopment of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s former home, the Cargo Fleet Business Centre on Middlesbrough Road.
The building was put up in 1916 by the Cargo Fleet Iron Co Ltd, and has become an industrial landmark in the area.
Forging links with Teesside University, the building will include a heritage centre - looking at the history of the local area.
“We’re hoping to start on the building later this year,” added Mr Johnson. “It will be a £1.5m refurbishment programme - including the cultural offer. We want to bring the building back to its former glory.”
Exhibitions in Teesside this week
A NEW exhibition in Middlesbrough is showcasing fresh new Teesside artistic talent.
CORROSION OF TIME is on show at pythongallery until Friday, July 2, and features work by students of Stockton Riverside College’s Btec National Diploma in art and design.
Pythongallery is based at Royal Middlehaven House in Gosford Street and since launching three years ago, the gallery has hosted more than 200 exhibitions.
Adding in writers, poets and other performers, however, more than 500 artists have showcased their work at the venue.
Earlier this year the pythongallery was nominated for The Arts and Business Community Award for the support it has given to artists.
The latest show features a host of artistic styles and methods.
Gallery curator Peter Heselton says: “The show features paintings, drawings, sculpture and 3D work and is a vibrant and exciting display that celebrate their achievements as they come to the end of an inquisitive and productive year.”
Unique sculpture to be unveiled at gallery Teesside gallery
A WORLD first is to be unveiled in a Teesside gallery. Staff from the School of Computing at Teesside University are renowned for teaching computer animation.
But now two faculty members have created what is believed to be the first ever 3D print of a Mandelbulb.
A Mandelbulb is a shape that continues to give detail, no matter how much you magnify it. It was made based on mathematical calculations published on the Internet by Daniel White.
And it was created using a 3D printer by Gary Quinn, a technician at the School of Computing.
Gary was inspired to make the Mandelbulb after seeing Maggie Parker’s works Infinity and Torus, which are also on display at the exhibition.
Maggie, a senior lecturer in computer design animation, said: “We believe we have created the first real representation of a computer Mandeldrot algorithm. Its an amazing high to think we have made it.”
The sphere, which has a bumpy surface and can fit in the palm of your hand will be on display at the Python Gallery, Gosford Street, Middlesbrough.
And the exhibition will also include the artwork of 21 staff from the School of computing including photography and sculptures. Maggie, who is also a fine artist, helped to organise the exhibition.
She said: “This exhibition has been formed to showcase the work of the School of Computing staff.
“The cross over between art and science is getting narrower all the time.
“It shows we’re part of the local community and highlights our high standards.”
The retiring Dean of the school, Derek Simpson said: “This exhibition, is an excellent opportunity for both academic and ancillary staff to consolidate their status as artists in both the public’s and students’ eyes and disseminate this work into the larger community”.
Peter Heselton curator of the Python Gallery, said: “It’s a very eclectic mixture of work, covering a range from drawings to conceptual design. Because it’s so wide ranging, there’s something for everyone.
“The public will find it an intriguing exhibition and exciting that the school is a creative place, not just a scientific place.”
The exhibition runs until March 12, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. Entry is free.