Some of the first work I did after leaving college was to teach photography classes at Open Eye Gallery. At that time it was housed in what had been a rambling old pub in the centre of Liverpool.
Since then its moved several times and now its on the move again. This time to swanky custom designed premises in the new waterfront development, adjacent to the Liver Building, where Liverpool’s latest museum is being built.
Construction and fit-out of the new space begins in early 2010. It’s part of a bigger mixed-use development on Mann Island – a group of three new blocks between the Port of Liverpool building (on the Pierhead) and the Albert Dock. Architects RCKa have been asked to design the new space for Open Eye Gallery. The total area will be 400m², more than twice the size of the current premises on Wood Street, including a mezzanine level of about 125m² and up to 150m² of exhibition space.
It’s an ambitious bid to create a more vibrant and popular gallery and play a bigger role in the city’s cultural life.
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