Exhibitions and events will be staged in the city centre venue
From left: Jackie Goodman and Jayne Jones of Feral Arts; Neil Sunlay, HCC markets manager, Linzi of Bou Beauty, and Dan Watson, HCC events officer.(Image: Hull City Council)
A new agreement linking a Hull-based art school and the city’s oldest covered market will see the venue host installations and artists at work. Hull City Council has agreed a partnership with Feral Art School which it says will transform the historic Trinity Market into a “vibrant hub for contemporary art, creativity, and community engagement”.
The programme will see the school and its community of artists and students, work from and within the busy Trinity House Lane building. The council says Feral Art will use the market as a “living, working and inspirational environment” in which artists will create and exhibit new works.
It will also serve as a venue for experimentation and public-facing practice. Artists are expected to respond to the heritage, character and daily life within the market, which was built in 1904 and underwent refurbishment in 2017.
As part of the partnership, Hull City Council, Trinity Market and Feral Art School will collaborate on exhibitions, events and installations. The council says the commissions will animate public spaces throughout the year for the benefit of residents and visitors.
Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for Culture & Leisure at Hull City Council, said: “Trinity Market has always been a place where Hull’s creativity thrives. This partnership builds on that by opening space for the next generation of artists to test ideas, make work and connect with new audiences.
“It’s an investment in talent, in innovation, and in the cultural life of our city centre.”
Feral Art School founder, Jackie Goodman, said: “Working within a market environment is a huge creative catalyst for our artists. The sights, sounds and rhythms of Trinity Market create a dynamic environment to explore creatively.
“This partnership helps artists we work with to develop professional practice while contributing to the cultural ecosystem of Hull.”
Those who frequent the market can expect a rotation of exhibitions and Feral Art School student showcases throughout the year, including interactive events by emerging and established contemporary artists. The aim is to bring local people in the creative process with the initiative supporting Hull City Council’s commitment to championing culture as a driver for place-making, talent development and city centre vibrancy.
The council says the first exhibitions and commissions will launch in early spring, with programme details to be announced shortly.
Feral Art School describes itself as offering high quality learning experiences people aged over 18 with a curiosity for engaging with and making art work. The not-for-profit cooperative is made up of professional artists, designers and educators and no previous experience is required to access its courses.