Events Timetable

To see the D I A L E C T I C  Community Programme of Events click here

About the Exhibition

An exhibition of site-specific works, abstract paintings by C. Morey de Morand and photographic images by Julie Wood, is being held in an old disused garage on a site that was once part of The Phoenix Iron Works.  Founded in the early part of the nineteenth century it was once a vibrant hub of craftsmanship and innovation, responsible for making the railings for St Paul’s Cathedral and the ironwork for Brighton Pier and Lewes Station. The site that was flooded badly in 2000 has now been cleaned up and prepared as a venue for the Dialectic exhibition and community programme. The outside brick walled courtyard is to be used as an arena for art, music and poetry.

Both artists have a relationship with science.  To explore this link we have invited an eminent local scientist and artist, Professor Sir Harry Kroto, to open the exhibition. On the afternoon of 26 August huge versions of his Nobel Prize winning, ‘Bucky Ball’ will be constructed in the courtyard, aided by local people of all ages.

To reflect the interest of both exhibiting artists in literature and poetry, Grace Nicholls, a Guyanese poet who lives in Lewes will give a poetry presentation in the gallery, linking art and poetry with contributions from other local poets. The site itself is a focus for our programme and young people of all ages will have the opportunity to work with community artists, 'Same Sky' to make sculptures out of recycled materials from the old garage and design and paint graffiti on the inside walls of the courtyard. This and other free workshops will link to the art in the exhibition.

Over the August Bank Holiday weekend we are holding Art Mart I, a market for those aged 14-24 to celebrate the creativity of the youth of the town and the surrounding area, and on Bank Holiday Monday Art Mart II for other artists and craftspeople. (See our Call for Artists). We are working with the YMCA, the Lewes Youth Development Service and the Rural Network Fund to involve young people from Lewes and the surrounding villages in the workshops and collaborative activities.

Market Lane Garage is offered as a communal resource for people to enjoy and experience in a new way.

We are very grateful for funding from the Arts Council England, Lewes Town Council and the Local Network Fund. Thanks to Tesco, Homebase, Waitrose and a number of local businesses and funding organisations that have supported the Project and to Angel Properties for allowing us to use the site for our exhibition and events.

Community and Cultural Programme created by Artemis Arts.