Preston’s artists at the heart of Harris reopening

Local artists can display their work at The Harris (Credit: Heather Bancroft)

The reopening of the Harris is giving local artists a place to display their work following the museum’s £19 million renovation.

The second floor, which is currently home to the popular Wallace and Gromit launch exhibition, will be solely for Preston’s independent artists in the new year. 

Timothy Joel, assistant director of the Harris museum and head of arts and culture at Preston City Council,  believes that this will be extremely beneficial to these artists.

He said: “It provides a platform for emerging artists to present in a regionally significant museum with a national reputation. 

“It isn’t paid but it is an opportunity as a career builder for artists to present work here.” 

The museum has proved popular for visitors coming to see what has changed since it closed over four years ago. It has seen more than 15,000 visitors per week, exceeding expectations, rising to 32,000 during the October half term school holiday.

These visitor figures are not only good news for the Harris, but also for the smaller artists who have their work on show within the museum, getting the chance to be seen in what is already a very crowded and competitive industry. 

The temporary displays within The Harris are not the only way that the project is supporting local artists.

Mr Joel said there had been a number of commissions with local artists for the design of the displays and any activity sheets. 

Mr Joel said a lot of support is being shown towards both the professional and emerging Preston artists, and the Harris has laid out a clear vision for how it plans to continue to do so in the future, with the second floor being dedicated to special exhibitions and local artists.

He wants the Harris to allows new and emerging artists to “work with a really experienced collection team [and] creator team to help you put on that exhibition and get that experience”, something that without the Harris most independent artists would not have access to.