Wysing Arts Centre re-launches on Friday 18 January 2008 after a 17 month closure.

Matthew Collings, art critic, curator and broadcaster will officially open the new Wysing Arts Centre (WAC) on Friday 18 January. Matthew will also be attending the event’s Press Preview and be on hand to talk about the significance of WAC within an international art context.

The new WAC offers state of the art facilities to 24 professional artists working at the top of their profession, who are regularly exhibiting nationally and internationally, as well as selling to regional and national art collectors. A special showcase of their work will form a key part of the re-launch, with work including the traditional media of sculpture and painting as well as video, animation, installation and performance.

“WAC is a magical place to visit, but the re-launch event will show it off to its best. Beautifully lit, with an art band playing throughout, the site will be populated with artists, artworks and events,” said Director Donna Lynas.

Over the past year WAC has spent £1.7 million on creating some of the most beautiful studio spaces in the UK today. Sensitively designed by London based architects Hawkins-Brown, the new block features studio spaces for nine artists alongside a state-of-the-art ‘new media’ suite and an education space that surpasses the needs of today’s schools and colleges.

The nine new studio holders were selected by an international panel of critics and curators, with applications coming from Germany, France, and Italy as well as London and the UK. After four years hard work and extensive fundraising from public and private sources the building project re-launches with not only extensive new studio space for professional artists but a second building – a large new reception building with café facilities and an improved gallery and exhibition space acting as the new heart of the 11 acre Bourn site.

WAC’s re-launch programme will celebrate our re-opening with a Special Open Weekend for the public, when visitors are invited to see the new buildings and meet the artists, suitable for all.

Exhibition launches Friday 18 January and runs until Sunday 24 February 2008.

Open Weekend with the artists Sat 19 January and Sun 20 January 12 – 6pm

The Centre is Open daily Monday to Sunday throughout the exhibition 12 - 6pm

Admission is Free. Wysing Arts Centre is a Registered Charity.