LOVERS of art and culture are being enticed back into the centre of Bicester by a new pop-up art gallery at the old M&S store in Sheep Street. 


The work on display includes paintings, print work, photography, pottery, and sculptures from more than 30 participating artists, including artwork by Cooper School students. 

 

READ MORE: Hundreds of fans line up to meet Michael McIntyre in Oxfordshire

 

For shoppers looking to buy Christmas presents, much of the curated art will be available to buy. 

 

thisisoxfordshire: Hundreds of people have already visited the pop-up gallery on Sheep Street, which opened on Saturday. Picture: Ed Nix.Hundreds of people have already visited the pop-up gallery on Sheep Street, which opened on Saturday. Picture: Ed Nix.

 

The two-week temporary exhibition, which opened on Saturday, was made possible through a successful bid for funding, by Cherwell District Council and Bicester Town Council, to the Government’s Welcome Back Fund. 

 

Graham Perryman of the Bicester Art Network, who organised the pop-up gallery together with Bicester Village, said: “We were thrilled to have the funding for this event, but the biggest issue was finding a suitable venue in the heart of the town.

 

“Fortunately, landlords WE Black Ltd came to the rescue and generously offered the former Marks & Spencer unit in Sheep Street at no charge. The space is simply fantastic.”

 

thisisoxfordshire: 16-year-old Jess Lyn from the Cooper School is one of the artists whose work is on display at the gallery. 16-year-old Jess Lyn from the Cooper School is one of the artists whose work is on display at the gallery.

 

The pop-up gallery will remain open until December 5, with late night opening until 8pm on November 27, the night of the town’s Christmas lights switch-on. 


Councillor Lynn Pratt said: “This prominent space has undergone a real transformation, showing off the creativity of local people to anyone who visits Bicester town centre.” 

 

One of the artists whose work is on display is Casimira Mostyn, who painted the Bicester Street Piano.

 

thisisoxfordshire: The Welcome Back Fund has also enabled a makeover of empty units with illustrated vinyls now covering shop windows in some of the most prominent parts of the town centre. Picture by Eddie Xi Gong.The Welcome Back Fund has also enabled a makeover of empty units with illustrated vinyls now covering shop windows in some of the most prominent parts of the town centre. Picture by Eddie Xi Gong.


Casimira, who became a full-time artist after quitting her job due to mental health issues 10 years ago, said she was grateful for a ‘wonderful’ opportunity. 


She added: “The response has been absolutely amazing. People are coming into Bicester to see the gallery, so that’s really nice to know, and it’s coming up to Christmas, so people are buying Christmas presents.”

 

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