HIS ROYAL Highness the Duke of Gloucester was on hand to take the wraps off the University of Worcester’s new Art House.
The new venue has seen one of Worcester’s most iconic buildings given a new lease of life.
Built on the site of the former city jail, the Castle Street building was first developed as Austin House, which was the car showroom and garage for Lord Austin’s Austin Motors. After many decades as a showroom/garage it became the shop for home interiors company, County Furnishings.
The University has sympathetically restored the building, including its iconic clock tower, which can be seen across the city when it is lit at night. The interior has been transformed into handsome high quality creative art and exhibition working, teaching and learning space.
The official opening was performed by the University’s Chancellor, His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO, in front of several hundred students, staff and dignitaries last Wednesday (February 6).
Professor David Green, the University’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “HRH is a trained architect and highly knowledgeable on matters of art and architectural history. He was most interested in the history of the building, its design and the restoration which has been carried out.
“As always, our Chancellor enjoyed meeting students and staff of the University as well as the representatives of those who worked on the restoration. He was most encouraging to all and enthusiastic for the possibilities created for students and community alike in this magnificent new facility.
“In the years to come it is sure to be an inspiring venue for students of Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Art Therapy and more. It will be a magnetic centre where children can have their creativity inspired and where new talent can find a home.”
Artists and civic leaders have welcomed the new facility.
“I’m confident that the Art House is going to become a great asset in Worcester,” said artist David Birtwhistle. “As President of the Civic Society may I applaud what the University has done to re-vitalise this interesting building.”
Laura Worsfold, Chief Executive of Severn Arts, said: “I think the addition of the Art House to Worcester’s cultural scene offers huge potential for arts and communities to work together more closely to develop projects and work that invigorates and animates this part of the city.
Professor Green added: “The Art House site is rich in history. From the Victorian Prison to Austin Motors, it has gone through many transformations over the past 150 years, from the days of Dickens. We are proud to now be taking it into the future as a first class, environmentally sustainable, wholly inspiring building for the whole city to enjoy.”
