Kennington News

Press Release


PUSH THE ENVELOPE
FURTHER


Wednesday 25 July 2007
From 1.30pm
Free ­ all welcome

BEACONSFIELD ­ RCDT ­ LMHS

A cultural quarter in Vauxhall/Kennington?  How likely is that?

The truth is, it¹s not so far fetched. When plans for an Artisan School, an Arts and Crafts Museum and Damien Hirst¹s proposed Newport Street development are positioned against galleries, art spaces and studios already flourishing in the area, the idea is not only a distinct possibility, but almost a reality.

Push the Envelope Further picks up from discussions at last year¹s Push the Envelope symposium to focus on local initiatives already underway.

A local walkabout will be followed by the first public presentation of the Kennington Quarter proposal and a panel discussion about the future of Leftbank Artists¹ Network.

Push the Envelope ­ the publication will be launched at 5.30pm.

Push the Envelope Further is jointly organised by Beaconsfield, Riverside Community Development Trust and Lady Margaret Hall Settlement.

For further information please contact Rachel Fleming-Mulford on 020 7582 6465 or at rachel@beaconsfield.ltd.uk.
Beaconsfield, 22 Newport Street, Vauxhall, London, SE11 6AY
www.beaconsfield.ltd.uk


Editors notes:
RCDT is the community owned and led promoter of sustainable regeneration in the North Lambeth area. Manager Sean Creighton will lead a guided walk around the Vauxhall/Kennington  area looking at its arts and cultural heritage and opportunity sites including the sites of the former Lambeth School of Art, the former Doulton Factory, the former Lilian Baylis School site and the Beaufoy Institute.

Kennington Arts Quarter proposal is the plan to re-energise the arts and crafts by linking the Beaufoy Institute, former Lilian Baylis School site and Newport Street arts hub development, including an Artisans School, and an Arts & Crafts Movement Museum. The proposal will be presented by Jeffe Jeffers, Director of Lady Margaret Hall Settlement.

Push the Envelope ­ the publication records a discussion with Peter St-John, Anna Harding, Tony Carter, Jeffe Jeffers, Sheena Wagstaff and Richard Grayson which took place at the Beaconsfield symposium Push the Envelope ­ sustaining arts communities on the left-bank, July 2006. The debate addressed a range of issues including: the impact economic Œregeneration¹ is likely to have on existing art communities in North Lambeth and the lessons to be learned from arts-led regeneration in other areas, such as London¹s East End; the project to reconnect craft skills with art practice in a hostile climate and the pros and cons of running small-scale operations in the shadow of Tate.  The event also launched a new North Lambeth arts network: Leftbank Artists.

Programme:
1.30pm ­ walkabout: meet outside St Peter¹s Church, 310 Kennington Lane, SE11 5HY
3.15pm ­ arrive at 22 Newport Street (Beaconsfield)
3.30pm ­ launch presentation: Kennington Arts Quarter
4.30pm ­ panel discussion: Developing Leftbank Artists Network
5.30pm ­ publication launch: Push the Envelope