Exhibition opens Friday 4th June 2021 – Saturday 25th September 2021

Gallery opening hours:
Wed – Sat – 10.30-3pm

Presenting ‘IN SHIPSHAPE’ Exhibition and Summer Events Programme

Raven staging recreates 1980’s iconic large-scale props from the Titanic, Chinatown and Paris Thornton parties. Re-live life at South Square through the years.

Following an eight-month capital renovation and international pandemic South Square Centre has been preened and polished and is in shipshape and ready to set sail. One of the largest investments South Square has seen from National Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council amongst others, will ensure that this valuable community asset stays sea-worthy for the next 99 years.

Our inaugural exhibition and summer activity programme takes inspiration from South Square’s roots as a DIY, community-led arts space born in 1982. Originally renovated by unemployed graduates on a Manpower services scheme, South Square Centre’s early years were defined by three eventful parties with distinct themes; Paris Thornton, Chinatown and Titanic – being the event which sticks in most revellers’ memories. Large-scale props such as a giant iceberg, lighthouse and ships funnel hoped that the maiden voyage of South Square would not end in a similar fate to the infamous ship.

Nearly 40 years later, we revisit these personal stories recollecting early memories of South Square as an arts centre presented as audio mixes set against a backdrop of recreated party props. We also present audio recordings from former cottage residents, exploring South Square’s long heritage as a home for working families in Thornton. Heritage Activities Officer Alice Withers uncovered these intriguing accounts of life at South Square, whilst working with volunteers trained in oral history collection throughout 2020. You’ll hear about the family connections and strong community bonds, laughter and friendship, which have become the lifeblood of South Square today. Listen in to conversations from yesteryear of Thornton, a meeting of friends, the starting of something new.

Full length audio works featured in the exhibition will be, for the first time, available to take away and listen to at home.

A summer events programme of workshops, wellbeing activities and music to follow.

South Square Centre
Thornton Road
BD13 3LD
01274834747
southsquarecentre.co.uk

Raven staging recreates iconic large-scale 1980’s props in our garden and courtyard spaces. Interact with our Titanic themed props including the ships wheel, lifeboat, and lighthouse.

Play the part in a photo-opportunity backdrop which pays homage to South Square’s famous Titanic party which took place in 1982.

Drop-in garden activities throughout our normal opening hours. Refreshments available from Plenty at the Square and The Watchmaker available to enjoy in our garden and courtyard. Exhibitions also open during these times.

No booking required.

Jacqui started her working career as a Graphic Designer after a Datec Diploma in Art but then followed her childhood dream of becoming a Beauty Therapist. After a period, during which she established her own business and won the award for Business & Salon Management, she moved to West Africa and remained there for 6 years. Upon returning to England Jacqui acquired a First Class Hons Degree in biomedical Science followed by a Masters Degree in Molecular Vascular Genetics. These endeavours furthered her understanding of the human body which plays an integral role in the success of her Beauty and Holistic Therapy business Quintessence. 

Art has always been a mixture of passion and sanctuary for Jacqui and will continue to be an integral part of who she is. 

Jacqui works with a variety of media including resin pours, acrylic swipes, alcohol inks and pen work. She is strongly influenced by biology, cellular structure and the natural world and her art work often reflects this. 

Exhibition opens 3rd September 2021 – 31st October 2021

Plenty opening hours:
Wed – Sunday – 9.30 – 3.30pm

Artists Sue Hayes and Patricia Calver exhibit jointly in this exhibition. Having agreed working together could be fun, their shared passion for simple pleasures provided by an unassuming garden soon emerged as offering both the opportunity to do justice to the focus in their own ways. 

Exhibition opens 3rd June 2021 – Saturday 26th September 2021

Gallery opening hours:
Wed – Sat – 10.30-3pm

Jacqui started her working career as a Graphic Designer after a Datec Diploma in Art but then followed her childhood dream of becoming a Beauty Therapist. After a period, during which she established her own business and won the award for Business & Salon Management, she moved to West Africa and remained there for 6 years. Upon returning to England Jacqui acquired a First Class Hons Degree in biomedical Science followed by a Masters Degree in Molecular Vascular Genetics. These endeavours furthered her understanding of the human body which plays an integral role in the success of her Beauty and Holistic Therapy business Quintessence. 

Art has always been a mixture of passion and sanctuary for Jacqui and will continue to be an integral part of who she is. 

Jacqui works with a variety of media including resin pours, acrylic swipes, alcohol inks and pen work. She is strongly influenced by biology, cellular structure and the natural world and her art work often reflects this. 

Exhibition opens 3rd September 2021 – 31st October 2021

Plenty opening hours:
Wed – Sunday – 9.30 – 3.30pm

Exhibition opens Friday 1^st October

Exhibition closes Sunday 19^th December 2021

Curated by Chloe Moreton

Artists include Jenny Dalby, Zoe Eady, Martha Madden, Gaz Roberts and Chloe Moreton 

People are Resilient.

This is certainly true of Thornton. Once a remote village; narrow streets and poor sanitation proved a breeding ground for disease and infection.

Prior to the development of the NHS, a hyper localised healthcare system boasted its own surgeons, midwives, and hospitals and even an entrepreneur who could have changed Thornton’s future.

Reflecting on a poignant year for healthcare, ‘Remedy & Resilience’ puts the heritage of our wellbeing under the microscope. Artists respond to the trying times of the nineteenth century when population spiked and cholera, smallpox and tuberculosis were all commonplace in Thornton.

In this new exhibition, Activities Assistant Chloe Moreton explores the resilience of Thorntonites from 1800’ onwards:

–    Meet Harry Mack – Thornton’s very own quack ‘Soothsayer’ and fortune teller whose incantations can heal all your aches and pains.

–    Read the story of the ‘Maggotorium Sanatorium’ where you could purchase a pint of maggots to cure your tuberculosis. At the time – one of Thornton’s biggest exports!

–    Learn about the natural remedies developed to fix almost any niggle. Indigestion? Suck on a piece of coal, Toothache? Eat some fisheyes!

The exhibition presents a set of visual treats which bring to life a body of research from the Thornton Antiquarian Archive. Artists present responses to these unusual and often bizarre remedies and the journey of Thornton’s campaign for better healthcare.

Exhibition opens Friday 1^st October

Exhibition closes Sunday 19^th December 2021

Curated by Chloe Moreton

Artists include Jenny Dalby, Zoe Eady, Martha Madden, Gaz Roberts and Chloe Moreton 

People are Resilient.

This is certainly true of Thornton. Once a remote village; narrow streets and poor sanitation proved a breeding ground for disease and infection.

Prior to the development of the NHS, a hyper localised healthcare system boasted its own surgeons, midwives, and hospitals and even an entrepreneur who could have changed Thornton’s future.

Reflecting on a poignant year for healthcare, ‘Remedy & Resilience’ puts the heritage of our wellbeing under the microscope. Artists respond to the trying times of the nineteenth century when population spiked and cholera, smallpox and tuberculosis were all commonplace in Thornton.

In this new exhibition, Activities Assistant Chloe Moreton explores the resilience of Thorntonites from 1800’ onwards:

–    Meet Harry Mack – Thornton’s very own quack ‘Soothsayer’ and fortune teller whose incantations can heal all your aches and pains.

–    Read the story of the ‘Maggotorium Sanatorium’ where you could purchase a pint of maggots to cure your tuberculosis. At the time – one of Thornton’s biggest exports!

–    Learn about the natural remedies developed to fix almost any niggle. Indigestion? Suck on a piece of coal, Toothache? Eat some fisheyes!

The exhibition presents a set of visual treats which bring to life a body of research from the Thornton Antiquarian Archive. Artists present responses to these unusual and often bizarre remedies and the journey of Thornton’s campaign for better healthcare.

Exhibition opens Friday 1^st October

Exhibition closes Sunday 19^th December 2021

Curated by Chloe Moreton

Artists include Jenny Dalby, Zoe Eady, Martha Madden, Gaz Roberts and Chloe Moreton 

People are Resilient.

This is certainly true of Thornton. Once a remote village; narrow streets and poor sanitation proved a breeding ground for disease and infection.

Prior to the development of the NHS, a hyper localised healthcare system boasted its own surgeons, midwives, and hospitals and even an entrepreneur who could have changed Thornton’s future.

Reflecting on a poignant year for healthcare, ‘Remedy & Resilience’ puts the heritage of our wellbeing under the microscope. Artists respond to the trying times of the nineteenth century when population spiked and cholera, smallpox and tuberculosis were all commonplace in Thornton.

In this new exhibition, Activities Assistant Chloe Moreton explores the resilience of Thorntonites from 1800’ onwards:

–    Meet Harry Mack – Thornton’s very own quack ‘Soothsayer’ and fortune teller whose incantations can heal all your aches and pains.

–    Read the story of the ‘Maggotorium Sanatorium’ where you could purchase a pint of maggots to cure your tuberculosis. At the time – one of Thornton’s biggest exports!

–    Learn about the natural remedies developed to fix almost any niggle. Indigestion? Suck on a piece of coal, Toothache? Eat some fisheyes!

The exhibition presents a set of visual treats which bring to life a body of research from the Thornton Antiquarian Archive. Artists present responses to these unusual and often bizarre remedies and the journey of Thornton’s campaign for better healthcare.