The plans for the Embassy and ‘Artistic Republic of Garston’ were unveiled with a press release and launch party in November 2007. There were fireworks, music, Trotsky-esque speeches, open-top bus tours, and “lots of Ferrero Rocher”…
The Artistic Republic Of Garston
Garston Is declaring Independence
People of Garston, join the friendly revolution, we need YOU!
Friends, locals and Garstonians lend us your ears, the plans and proposals for the garston Embassy will be exclusively revealed to you at a special Event………..
The people of Garston are cordially invited to an embassy party with ceremonial bonfire celebrating the launch of ‘ The Artist Republic Of Garston’
Come along to the Wellington Street School building on Saturday 3rd November from 2pm to 7pm All Welcome
There will be:
Balcony performances
Bonfire and fireworks
Presentation of the Embassy installation plans and proposals for the long term permanent use of the building
Launch of promotional scheme for local businesses
Lots of Ferrero Rocher
Opportunities to join up as ambassadors and volunteers
Food and drink fit for a garden party bonfire…..Garston is to get a major art installation by artist Michael Trainor that will see the disused Wellington Street School Garston transformed into “The Garston Embassy” as part of plans to develop the school into a Community Arts and Creative Business Centre complete with its own mini revolution from May to December 2008.
As part of the year of the Capital of Culture, this project is one of three ‘People’s Palaces’ for Liverpool, Metal Kensington, and Rotunda Kirkdale. The Artistic Republic Of Garston is based on Garston’s its historic spirit of independence.
Artist Michael Trainer says “This is a major opportunity to focus attention on Garstons potential as a creative centre and the long term plans for a cultural village with its physical and cultural regeneration”.“Its going to be about bringing together artists, creative businesses and residents to kick start the artist republic of Garston” He Contd ” Lets declare the area’s independence and create a stronghold for the future of The Garston Cultural Village”
The Revolution will focus on Garston’s potential as a creative centre with a view to the longer term physical and cultural regeneration of the area.
Alex Corina, Artist Campaigner who has led the campaign to declare Garston a cultural Village says “the ‘Artistic Republic of Garston’ is about declaring the area’s independence to create a unique approach to the regeneration of Garston through the arts and creative industries.”
Alex contd “The Garston Embassy is the culmination of a 4 year campaign to bring derelict buildingsback into use in Wellington Street to create a permanent home to an artskills schools and Community arts project”
“Garston will be at the heart of the Capital of Culture Celebrations in 2008. There are a lot of talented and creative people in our community, we have to give young people the belief that they have a future in Garston”.
see the story also on:
The Liverpool Echo (Liverpool’s main daily paper)
Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008
Liverpool Art and Culture
Liverpool Art and Culture (post-event)
1 Comment
February 16, 2008 at 2:52 pm
[...] It was also good to see Michael Trainor’s model of his proposed ‘Garston Embassy’ Pavilion installation for the Biennial. Complete with palm trees, oil derricks, oil fountain, weapons of mass attraction, lawned gardens, visiting dignitaries in limousines, balcony statues of notable Garstonians [a pirate, a bear, and Les Dennis, among others], and lots of flags. More about it here. [...]