WESTON’S Odeon cinema is opening an art gallery in its newly refurbished foyer for local artists to display their work.
The Odeon in Weston is celebrating its 80th birthday this year and has undergone a £250,000 facelift to restore some of its original features.
The pictures will be displayed in the upper foyer of the cinema, which is now boasting a new look after a recent refit and now acts as a waiting room and lounge area, so people can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer with friends before the film.
General manager Dawn Fisher said: “The idea is we have now got this blank canvas and we want to encourage local artists to display their pictures and photographs on our walls.
“We want to get the word out that there are some really great artists here in Weston.
“Artists can exhibit their pieces and people would be able to buy them if they wish.
“If I can encourage local artists to show their work I am more than happy to do that. If it does them a favour to help get their name out there then that’s great.”
The idea came about when long-standing Odeon fan Sara Redding, who has been visiting the cinema since she was a girl, decided to commission a painting of the building.
She said: “I commissioned a local artist I know to paint me six pieces of my favourite places in Weston for my home.
“My great granddad owned the Electric Theatre which stood on this site before the Odeon was built, and I’m just a massive fan of art deco.
“We have got a great cinema here and I don’t understand anybody going out of town when everything here is perfectly wonderful.
“I decided to get one print made of the painting of the Odeon to display here.”
The print has been also been signed by the artist, Alison Hurden.
Ms Fisher says she hopes to fill the wall with work from Weston artists, adding: “The more the merrier.”
Artists who wish to show their work for free at the venue can contact Amy Melhuish on 01934 625282 or email odeon.westonsupermare@odeonuk.com
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