Anniversary Celebrations at The Ropewalk
A Barton art gallery has been described as a “beacon of artistic brilliance” at the celebrations which marked Ropewalk Contemporary Art & Craft’s first 10 years.
Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Cleethorpes, Shona McIsaac, said she had followed with great interest the transformation of the quarter-mile long Grade II former ropewalk by the Waterside Artists’ Co-operative into what is now a regionally acclaimed centre for the arts.
“At that opening night 10 years ago I think everyone was impressed by the way this part of the building had been transformed so sympathetically,” she said. “And I think Barton residents are so lucky to have such heritage on their doorstep. In the past few years buildings which have been renovated include not only the Ropewalk but also the Wilderspin National School.”
North Lincolnshire Council’s Head of Cultural Services, Neil Jacques, praised the “stalwart members of the Co-operative” for their tenacity and foresight in converting the former Hall’s Barton Ropery ropewalk into what is now a regionally acclaimed centre for the arts.
He said the two-phased renovation of the building had been a true partnership between North Lincolnshire Council, the owners of the building the Proudfoot Group, and the Co-operative.
“It started as an idea with the Co-operative approaching Ian Proudfoot to convert the building and it is now a fabulous facility both for Barton and the whole of the region,” he continued.
And Tim Needham of the Waterside Artists’ Co-operative, recalled the early days when the initial idea to establish a gallery and artists’ studios received the support of North Lincolnshire Council and Ian Proudfoot, as well funding from the European Rural Development Fund, Single Regeneration Budget, Yorkshire Forward and The Proudfoot Group.
“Together we were able to give the project wings and in this remarkable building we were able to create this,” he said.
