In the heart of the city, down a dubious-looking brick alleyway, you’ll find Centrespace. A semi-industrial gallery and two floors of studios, it’s run co-operatively by a mixed-bag of artists, illustrators and craftspeople. There are works of all forms here, created by established professionals, early-career artists, students and charities.
The gallery itself comes complete with exposed steel girders and a much-painted concrete floor – no pristine walls or commercial shows in sight. Centrespace – which has been around in one form or another since 1977 – aims to provide a platform for artists who might otherwise be overlooked, especially those just starting out.
Programming is done by application; anyone can submit, so there’s no way of knowing exactly what the year’s exhibitions will hold. Whatever it is, you can guarantee it won’t be predictable. If you can just remember how to find that alleyway…