A NEW arts space in Bournemouth is due to reopen its doors later this week with its first major exhibition.
Following the makeover of the old T J Hughes department store for its annual arts festival, Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe (BEAF) has now created a pop-up arts venue, which includes a vast gallery space, a theatre-in-the-round, a lounge cinema and a recording studio.
The B.A.D. art space in Boscombe first opened for the nine-day annual arts festival at the end of June.
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Now BEAF is planning a year-round programme of free exhibitions in the space, plus a host of events which will include live music, film and theatre, and a series of talks, family workshops and community events.
This will start with the 2 B Human exhibition.
Festival director Carol Maund said: “Including work from the local to the international, BEAF is filling a much-needed gap in the cultural map, showing that Bournemouth is more than is recently quoted, ‘a cultural desert’.
“BEAF has been programming award-winning arts events since 2017 and now, with the gift of this vast building, is setting out an exciting programme of cultural events right on the high street in Boscombe.
“Recent reports have shown that the arts are an important component in rejuvenating the high street and following the tremendous success and overwhelming local support for opening the B.A.D. space, BEAF is looking forward to opening the doors again.”
To kick the programme off, B.A.D. will open from Thursday September 9 to Saturday October 9 with the exhibition 2 B Human, which was previewed during the BEAF festival.
Carol added: “The exhibition features the work of international South African artist, William Kentridge who grew up amidst the racial turmoil in Johannesburg.
“It is this tension which informs all his art. His work particularly explores the legacy of apartheid, as well as the human condition and the ever-repeating cycle of history and memory.
“Alongside Kentridge’s cinematic animation, Other Faces, the exhibition includes new work from artists commissioned by BEAF, and includes fine art, photography, sculpture, interactive digital work and film.”
Also included in the 2B Human exhibition is the photographic project Seeking Refuge, with work from photographers Lauren Forster, Kitty Gale, Charlie Hall, Carol John, George Maund and Matt Trapp.
Each photographer worked together with people setting up a new life in Bournemouth after leaving their home and country often through desperate and tragic circumstances caused by war, displacement and disputed territories.
Following this exhibition, BEAF will be running pop-up Christmas arts markets throughout December in their new community hub, in collaboration with South Coast Makers Market and Pen Gallery, Poole.
Each Saturday, between 12.30pm and 2.30pm, BEAF are hosting free workshops for children and families, with a free artist’s talk from one of the exhibitors and at 3pm.
All details and how to book can be found on the website www.gotbeaf.co.uk.
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