HIDDEN ART GALLERY

This empty space in Plymouth city centre has transformed into a vibrant pop-up gallery showcasing the work of some of the city’s most exciting up-and-coming artists.

The vacant retail unit at 71 Cornwall Street became the ‘Hidden Art Gallery’ – a gallery run by curator Billy Finch dedicated to promoting the work of Plymouth’s blossoming art scene.

The pop-up gallery will be in place during August 2022 and is part of the Meanwhile Use scheme brought to the city by Plymouth Culture and is part of and funded by the Historic England Heritage Action Zone Culture Programme and Interreg’s C-Care programme.

Billy is a local artist whose in-demand work has been commissioned across Plymouth. He’s the brains behind Plymouth-based Flying Head Studios and is passionate about promoting the city’s street art and tattoo culture.

The Hidden Art Gallery starts by featuring three local artists:

• Isis – a newly professional artist who has been studying in Plymouth with a new studio with very unique work.

• Tom Bird – a landscape artist based at a studio on Plymouth’s Barbican.

• Cormack Reid – an artist whose work can be spotted across the city including several murals.

Billy said: “I started the gallery to showcase local professional artists and people who want to make a living out of being an artist to the people of Plymouth.

“Last year I heard about the Meanwhile Use scheme through Plymouth Culture, aimed at filling empty spaces in Plymouth and I thought that a gallery space would be an excellent way to fill an empty shop.

“I managed to get in and be selected and I feel really lucky that it’s happened – big thanks to the Meanwhile Use project by Plymouth Culture, come down to see us, we’d love to see you.”