Garston - A Cultural Village?

By Colin Serjent

Like in many cities, Liverpool's arts and cultural scene tends to be mainly concentrated within the city centre, but local artist Alex Corrino has launched a bid to reverse this trend, setting-up a campaign to designate Garston a 'Cultural Village'.

But what is a Cultural Village? "It can be whatever you want it to be," said Corrino. "My vision for Garston is for public and private investment to be used to create low cost business accommodation for the arts and cultural industries, and for it to become a new breeding ground for new creative talent. Imagine graphic designers, photographers, architects, musicians, alongside recording studios, artists' studios and galleries."

"There are already a lot of very talented and creative people in the community and involved in businesses in Garston. This campaign will bring them together."

Corrino, who took over a derelict building in Duke Street in Garston last year, turned it into a studio space and gallery, called Art Works.

"If you live or work in Garston, you are aware of the dereliction that there is within the area, due to the lack of investment there has been over many years. I want to tackle this problem, and with Liverpool winning the European Capital of Culture award for 2008, there is now the opportunity to do something about the problems it has."

"The award must give hope to all areas of Liverpool, not just the city centre, and allow communities such as Garston the opportunity to fulfil their true potential in terms of creativity, and to regenerate their local area."

Corrino believes that many young artists are leaving Liverpool because of the prohibitive costs of renting a studio and living space.

"Garston could provide an answer to stem this loss of talented creative people," he stated. "Many buildings, which are lying empty there, could be renovated, and used for studios, galleries, as well as living accommodation."

Any artist who wants to support Alex's campaign, please e-mail him: Alexatartworks@aol.com or phone him: 07763 388509