Backing for fire station arts centre plan
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 17 Sep 2009 08:15
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PLANS to transform Dunfermline Fire Station into an art gallery have been given an enthusiastic initial reaction.
Last week's Press broke the story exclusively that voluntary body Dunfemline Arts and Media (DAM) had commissioned a viability report into converting the station into an arts centre.
There have been concerns that when the fire service moves to a new station in Pitreavie Business Park next year it will be turned into another super-pub or nightclub.
Councillor Gerry McMullan, chair of Fife Museums Forum and on the board of Fife Art and Theatres Trust, said, "I think the group behind this - DAM - is excellent from what I've seen of it and I believe that this would be a superb use of the building.
"To have an art gallery based in this striking art deco building in the centre of the town would be great for Dunfermline.
"With the new sports facilties nearby it would create a good spread of assets and prevent visitors simply congregating down at the Abbey or Abbot House.
"We certainly need a museum to display Dunfermline's collection and similarly we need an art gallery.
"At the time of the Carnegie Arts Festival there was an idea to try to get the Andy Warhol painting of Carnegie over here.
"I simply asked where we would display it. There is no suitable place for security and other considerations so it was pie in the sky.
"I think the size of the fire station building would allow space for classes to be held as well.
"It is certainly a more appealing prospect than for it to be turned into another superpub.
"It could be that somebody could suggest to Tesco that it would be good public relations for them when they're planning to build a supermarket next door to put some money towards a community facility such as an art gallery at the fire station."
Jean Smith, secretary of Dunfermline Art Club, said, "We would welcome an art gallery as we have nothing at the moment and it would be good for the town.
"However, we're not sure how beneficial it would be for the amateurs as the talk so far seems to be about professional and semi-professional artists.
"We have a problem finding suitable venues in the town. We recently had an exhibition in the Kingsgate and we get good support from the public.
"It's not all about selling your work but obviously it gives our members a boost if they do sell a painting."
With a £6500 grant from the Big Lottery Fund, DAM has commissioned a study into the creation of an arts centre somewhere in Dunfermline and it is understood the fire station is seen as the favoured option.
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