Bronze figures, Walking Men, by Laurence Edwards who will be one of the artists in residence at Messums East. These sculptures are currently installed at Blenheim Palace.
Image: Pete Seaward
Working with Lowestoft Town Council, the firm is embarking on a building project to turn the Grade II listed former post office building in the town centre into a major arts hub complete with studios, study rooms, classrooms and exhibition spaces. Unoccupied since 2018, the post office has now had its façade restored.
A programme of talks and events launches in June. Among the projects planned is for the windows of the post office to be used as curated spaces for displaying works.
This project, called ‘On London Road’ includes a call for ideas for these displays. While four will be chosen, others will be exhibited online and one displayed at Messums London gallery at 28 Cork Street.
The larger redevelopment for Lowestoft includes the refurbishment of the seafront pavilion and the pier.
Johnny Messum told ATG: “The project at Lowestoft will see a library and research facility for the arts created in the centre of Lowestoft in a building once marked for demolition.”
The new arts hub is similar in spirit to Messums West in Wiltshire, which opened in 2016 and showcases a range of Modern and Contemporary artworks and cultural experiences including painting, sculpture, ceramic and dance.
