The new pop-up creative art space on Midland Road is opening this Wednesday (12 July) for a summer-long programme of creative workshops, artist workspace and exhibitions for the people of Bedford – most of which will be free.
POP Bedford is the first major project of ‘Pride Of Place’ (POP) led by creative producer, Talia Giles. Its aim is to utilise empty shops across Bedford’s town centre for creative community projects – and its first location is the former Virgin Media store at 5 Midland Road.
The POP Bedford unit will be home to a lively and engaging six-week programme of events produced by local artists, creatives and community groups – from exhibitions and performances to poetry slams and kids activities.
There will also be a chance to join POP Bedford’s artists-in-residence to co-create work for a final exhibition titled ‘This Is Bedford’, with the aim to bring people closer together and help reimagine where we live.
Mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootton will be in the town centre on Wednesday afternoon to officially open the unit by cutting the ceremonial ribbon to unveil the first exhibition – a pop-up museum curated by the Cultural Roots Sound System alongside a display of memorabilia and co-created artwork from LOWD (Legacy of Windrush Descendants).
Visitors will also be able to take part in the first free activity: High Street Explorations – an interactive drawing project for people of all ages in association with the Beds Urban Sketchers.
The space will then be open to the public between 10am – 5pm Wednesday to Sunday until Sunday, 20 August, with full details added to the Pride of Place Bedford website here.
Mayor Wootton said: “We are delighted to see this project finally come to life.
“POP Bedford will be a great addition to Midland Road during this time of transformation for the high street and as it falls mostly in the school holidays, an excellent place for families and young people to gather and try out one of the many workshops and activities.
“I’m looking forward to seeing more vacant shops being filled with art, studio space and pop-ups like this one and would encourage landlords to consider their own empty premises for the project.”
Read: POP Bedford comes to life on Midland Road
Talia Giles, founder of Pride Of Place, said she couldn’t wait to welcome residents and visitors to Bedford.
“We’ve achieved so much already in our short timeline, and we can’t wait to open the doors to the community of Bedford and the visitors to the town centre,” she said.
“This space is for everyone, and a chance to engage with each other via conversation, exciting exhibitions, art workshops (many of which are free), and activities such as drawing and live performance.
“This is a pilot project, so we are looking to meet as many people as possible and discuss ideas for the future.”
POP Bedford is delivered in partnership with Bedford Creative Arts and freelancer producer Kaye Mahoney.
It is made possible by the support of Harnan Real Estate with funding from Bedford Borough Council Town Centre Priority Fund.
