ArtSpeQ Gallery on the move?

By Colin Serjent

The ArtSpeQ Gallery, a newly refurbished and impressive exhibition space based in the Quiggins Centre in Liverpool, opened its doors again during the summer following a long-term closure, but their future there looks uncertain.
With the ever growing threat surrounding Quiggins, as a result of the Paradise Street redevelopment plans which are shortly to be implemented, they are unlikely to remain in the building based on School Lane beyond 2006.
"By then, in all probability" said artist in residence at the centre, Ken Henshaw , who along with Quiggins owner, Pete Tierney, set up ArtSpeQ, "we will have moved, along with the many retailers within the centre, to the building currently occupied by George Henry Lee. By doing this we will have four times the space we currently have, and therefore it will allow us to stage much bigger exhibitions than we do at present.
"Quiggins has always had a connection with the arts scene in Liverpool and used to stage exhibitions there several years ago.
"Although not exclusively, we do place a strong emphasis on catering for a lot of degree students," added Henshaw," and with this in mind, the first exhibition of our re-launch, featured the work of a group of artists, under the heading of Myrtle, who have completed their final year at the Myrtle Street Community Art College."
No commission is charged by ArtSpeQ for any work sold during an exhibition, but instead they select and keep one piece of art from each show.
"We want to build up a body of art work through this method," stated Henshaw," and perhaps in the future we will stage an exhibition of them."
Forthcoming exhibitions at ArtSpeQ include 'The Long Journey Home (part 2) (10-31 August), featuring over twenty artists; installation work by Claire Warren (1-15 September); a group show by Creative LETS (16 September - 16 October); a group show under the heading 'The Ten Commandments' and abstract paintings and abstract photography exhibited by artists from Red Dot Exhibitions (13 November - 13 December).

ArtSpeQ welcome proposals for exhibitions - contact Ken Henshaw on 0151-709 1051 or www.quiggins.com