A prominent Stoke-on-Trent heritage building is set to welcome visitors again as a free student art exhibition brings it back into use for the first time in almost 20 years.
Re-Form Heritage is working with the owner of One Bethesda, located at 1 Bethesda Street and 39 Albion Street, to transform the Grade II-listed building into a key part of Hanley’s Cultural Quarter.
The building, which is next to Bethesda Chapel and opposite the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, was originally constructed as the headquarters of the Staffordshire Potteries Water Board and the Potteries Central Savings Bank before later becoming a bar and restaurant. It has stood vacant since 2008.
While longer-term regeneration plans are developed, One Bethesda is being opened as a pop-up exhibition space. The first exhibition will showcase work by students from Pinc College, a specialist arts education provider that already operates from Middleport Pottery and is set to become the anchor tenant at neighbouring Bethesda Chapel.
The free end-of-year exhibition will be officially opened by High Sheriff of Staffordshire Pritpal Nagi at 12pm on Monday 29 June and will run until Sunday 8 July. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a range of work from traditional and digital artwork to ceramics, sculpture, photography, animation and film.
Re-Form Heritage CEO Andrew Emery said: “We are really excited to be breathing new life back into this building alongside our work next door to refurbish Bethesda Chapel – ‘the cathedral of the Potteries’ – which we are working with Historic England to refurbish for occupation as an education and events space.
“The two projects are being developed in tandem to revive the beating heart of Hanley’s Cultural Quarter, alongside the Council’s investments in the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery just across the street.”
Himarni Brownsword, cultural connector at Pinc College, added: “Pinc College are delighted to be reactivating the space at Bethesda One with a pop-up exhibition of student artwork. We are so grateful to Re-Form Heritage for enabling us to help bring this amazing space to life.”
