Art - Dialectic at Old Market St Garage (continued)

The art on show is only one aspect of the project the two have planned. “We want to attract people to this space to show what it could be used for,” says Christine. Outside the warehouse is a courtyard, which the two women have cleared of the detritus left from the garage. Here they have planned various events. The first week is aimed at young people. To kick things off on Saturday at 2pm the Nobel-prize-winning scientist Harry Kroto will be leading a sculpture workshop showing how to make ‘Buckyballs’ (molecular models). On Sunday there is an Artmart in which young people aged 14-24 can set up a free stall selling their work. Younger children are welcome with their parents (there are still places available). On Bank Holiday Monday artists of all ages are invited to take a stall for £10: on the same day the Brighton-based group Same Sky will be starting an all- week workshop which teaches skills like mixed media, sculpture and graffiti.

And there’s more. “The three weeks will be loosely themed,” says Christine. “The first week we want to attract young people, the second is for the adults, and the third will be aimed at schoolchildren.” There will be a flower and plant market, a concert by various Starfish bands, a poetry presentation by poets Grace Nicholls and Nicki Jackowska. There will be a circus skills workshop. It’s quite an event. As I leave there is a phone call, and news of some new funding for the project. Both women are delighted, and so am I. It’s refreshing to see such ambition. I’ll certainly be back. AG