The Turnpike, Leigh - Q&A w/ Helen Stalker
First, for those who don’t know, could you tell us a bit about The Turnpike - how it came to be and where it's going next?
The Turnpike is a brutalist art space in the heart of Leigh Town Centre. It was opened in 1971 as a council-run library and art gallery – a place for learning and creativity and a bold statement for the town’s ambition. It has a fantastic 50- year history of innovative exhibitions by some of the UK’s leading artists. Now it’s an independent art space and a community interest company. Since establishing the CIC in 2017, we have built a reputation for world-class art exhibitions and commissions that are rooted in a sense of place and community. We’ve established an extensive cultural education, community engagement and young people’s programme and alongside this have continued to facilitate daily use of our studio for other local community organisations.
Prior to lockdown we were about to enter a new phase of growth and had 2-3 years of exhibitions planned. Since Covid, however, not only have we found ourselves without the level of funding we anticipated, but have taken the opportunity to actively re-evaluate how we would be best deployed to support our local community. Although it isn’t always an advantage being a small organisation, it has meant we’ve been able to act quickly to changing circumstances, needs and uncertainties. We’ve remained in a position to be nimble and responsive to new priorities and we’re returning with a revived vision, a clear plan for recovery and a new era of arts-led innovation.
We’re expanding our Activations programme which is where we connect artists to community to develop ideas for a positive, ambitious and environmentally sustainable future. Since lockdown began we have been working with 7 artists from the world of visual arts, sound, design and digital innovation to develop these projects locally. We’ll also soon be starting the Making of Us; a major partnership project with The Together Trust, True Colours CIC and Wigan Youth Services to develop innovative ways of working with young people 13-25years who are facing adversity across Wigan, Salford and Stockport. We’re really concerned about the disparity of opportunity for our local young people and remain committed to developing their huge creative potential. We’ll also continue to offer 4 paid work placements each year for under 25s and support our local schools to ensure children and young people are fully supported back into creative learning, are future-focussed and have an understanding of their own potential. We’ll remain open and flexible to these ever-changing circumstances but we’re really excited about the work we have ahead.
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| Turnpike interior (digitally manipulated) |
Recent years have been, at the very least, politically turbulent. Since re-opening in 2017, has The Turnpike had to adapt to these turbulent political and cultural conditions?
Yes, absolutely. It’s been a rollercoaster few years! Leigh is a bit of a microcosm in terms of how various political agendas are played out. That’s why it has been under the media spotlight throughout the election, Brexit campaign and beyond. Leigh is often presented as a supposed indicator of political and social attitudes in small towns but there is always another story, another perspective that isn’t presented in either the right or left-wing media. In a way, seeing this myopic representation of Leigh spurs us on to continue creating opportunities for people to find their own voice, develop their own ideas and challenge these patronising preconceptions.
Small arts organisations in small towns have always faced the challenge of sustainability so we’re climatized to working doubly hard to lever cultural investment into Leigh. Ever-shifting political and cultural priorities don’t make it easy, but riding out turbulence is something we’re used to.
The more recent COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause uncertainty for industries across the board. Being in one of the greatest affected sectors, what reassurance can you give those who want to pursue art and creativity?
Culture and community have both led the way in responding to crisis and we believe they will continue to play a vital role in our recovery and the future of society. I believe this is a moment for community and place-based action like never before and that the arts will provide opportunity to regenerate the soul as well as the economy here. Change will happen most quickly and effectively with responsive, independent organisations who work alongside their communities. The arts has absolutely taken a battering, but it is also a time of real debate and change of direction for the sector. If you think of the arts as a tool for community activism, digital innovation, climate action, exchange of ideas and a way of visioning an alternative future then it’s an incredible industry to be involved with. What we need to ensure is that the arts becomes increasingly broad, inclusive and diverse – that it is a viable option for everybody to thrive and for their voices to be heard, and there’s still an awful lot of work to be done there.
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| Workshop at The Turnpike (credit: Livia Lazar, livialazar.com) |
What is it about Leigh that makes it a great place for art?
Leigh is an extraordinary place for art and is buzzing with grass roots activity, talent and ideas. Its heritage and green spaces are amazing sources of inspiration. After working in major arts organisations for over 20 years, it’s such a privilege and a joy to be able to work in my own community, and I can honestly say some of my best arts experiences have happened here. There’s a brilliant ‘can do’ attitude which means things happen despite the odds. That’s down to the passion and commitment of groups such as the Pete Shelley Memorial Campaign, Everything Human Rights, Leigh Music Society, local choirs and drama groups, Leigh Film Society and many more. The talent and spark of our young people in particular hits me every day, both professionally and as a local Mum and It’s our job to make sure there are pathways and opportunities for their voices and creativity to be amplified and grow.
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| Entrance to The Turnpike - Derby Room |
Lastly, for those wanting to visit or volunteer at The Turnpike in the near future, what can they look forward to?
The Turnpike is essentially becoming more of a live testing ground for arts-led action. Although general public access to the building is limited at the moment, we’re looking at the entire town as a gallery space – woodlands, wetlands, high streets, empty shops, heritage sites will all be places for creativity and engagement. We’ve been working with architecture students from Liverpool John Moore’s University to develop initial ideas for a beautiful community roof garden and outdoor learning space for local children which we’d love to make happen.
We’re so dependent on the people that make things possible; volunteers, community co-creators, staff, artists, project partners and we exist thanks to this spirit of reciprocity and exchange of ideas. We’re open to anybody getting involved with any aspect of our work. Hopefully people will see this as a really positive move forward in terms of the role of culture in our town and get involved.
The Turnpike, Civic Square, Leigh, WN7 1EB
questions
Pete Mercer, STAT
answers
Helen Stalker, Director of The Turnpike
images
Pete Mercer & Livia Lazar (see credit above), livialazar.com