Local artists release music video in support of Pugin’s Granville Hotel
Local artists release music video to support the regeneration of Pugin’s Granville Hotel in Ramsgate
Thanks to a grant from Arts Council England, Heritage Lab CIC commissioned a group of internationally renowned local artists to produce a music video about the history and memories of the Granville Hotel to support their bid to create a new creative centre for Ramsgate.
The building has not been seen by the public for more than 30 years and Heritage Lab wants to open Pugin Studios in the Spring of 2021.
Like many others, the creative sector has been particularly hard hit by COVID-19 and in a small way, Heritage Lab wanted to be able to support a number of local artists at this difficult time.
The idea behind the film called “I remember you as you were” is that it invites people into this derelict heritage space, respects the past whilst also opening up thoughts about how it might be used in the future.
Helga Dorothea, the filmmaker behind the project said: “As a remembrance piece, it’s an artwork that will touch and inspire people to be part of the future of the space. It’s a love letter of sorts to the Granville Hotel's past history, and to the beauty, which is its promise and heritage. We hope that the film will transport the viewer to a very different time and place whilst evoking the future visions of what The Granville could be.”
The team also included, composer and singer Donna Mckevitt, the poet Jan Noble and collage artist Sophia Schorr-Kon.
Working on such an ambitious project during lockdown brought a number of difficulties. The team initially had fears over the challenge of not being able to meet up or work with the collaborators. Those concerns were quickly brushed away as everyone worked very well and fast independently.
Earlier this year Heritage Lab launched an ambitious project to save the public rooms in Pugin’s Grade II listed Granville Hotel in Ramsgate from obscurity and create refurbished spaces for exhibitions, community events and conferences has been launched by Ramsgate community interest company Heritage Lab.
Heritage Lab has a legal agreement with the owner to buy the 999-year leasehold and needs to raise just under £500,000 to complete the deal and kick start plans to transform the site into a thriving creative hub and world class events space.
Rob Kenyon, CEO and Founder, Heritage Lab CIC, said: “Like so many others, our work has not been immune to the enormous impact that COVID has placed on the creative and heritage sector. We’ve had amazing support from our volunteers, partners and members and we believe that our curiously creative projects can play a really important part in supporting local creative entrepreneurs recover from COVID. We hope that this beautiful film and composition will remind people of the amazing talent we have locally and support our bid to open Pugin Studios at the Granville Hotel."
Hedley Swain, Area Director, South East, Arts Council England, said: “Ramsgate has strong potential to be an important creative hub for the region and so we’re very pleased to support Heritage Lab’s work. Covid-19 has had a significant impact across all sectors, but particularly arts and culture. And so it’s wonderful to see Heritage Lab continuing to make creative work during this time and using it to inspire people and illustrate Ramsgate’s creative potential.”
Emma Wilcox, Project Director, Creative Estuary, a new project looking to deliver culture led growth to communities along the Kent and Essex coastline, said: "Creative Estuary, a partnership of public sector and cultural organisations, is transforming 60 miles of the Thames Estuary across Essex and Kent into one of the most exciting cultural hubs in the world.
“Working with a range of organisations we will bring underused buildings into use for cultural and creative production. Despite the effects of COVID-19, creative practitioners are continuing to find new ways to work together and reach their audiences. We're delighted to see such a diverse range of local artists with an international reach collaborating on this exciting film showcasing one of the new potential creative hubs, offering new space and opportunities to support culture-led growth.”
You can see “I remember you as you were” on the Heritage Lab website https://heritagelab.org.uk where you can also sign up for updates to find out more about this ambitious project.