Wigan art venue keeping going during lockdown

The venue, which is a collective run by members of the facility, did not close after the first national lockdown came to an end but has been able to stay open as a workplace.

Since then, a handful of artists have been able to work alone in their individual studios while strictly maintaining social distancing and other restrictions in communal areas.

At a time when other areas of the arts, such as the music industry, theatre and cinema, has more or less come to a halt, the ability to continue working at Cross Street has been a major relief for those who have been going in.

Trustee Jane Fairhurst said: “As a committee we made the decision that we would stay open. We can each stay in our studio space and we go into the kitchen one at a time to make a drink or wash brushes.

“We also have a big project space which we are able to sit in well apart from one another.

“For the people coming in it has definitely helped with mental health issues. It’s nice to see other people and to work in your studio rather than having to find somewhere at home and struggling with places to work and making a mess.

“It’s also good for the flow of your work to be in your studio with your art all around you. It’s important to us all.

“We feel very lucky. My son is a musician and he’s tearing his hair out wondering whether he’s ever going to be able to get going again.”

Cross Street Arts has 43 members in total, with 15 artists having their own studio spaces and others having associate membership status.

Many have decided not to continue going into the facility due to age, health conditions, vulnerability or worries about spreading Covid from their families to the studio or are waiting until they have been fully vaccinated to return.

Some of those who have continued working include Brian Whitmore, whose calligraphy art has been placed around the borough throughout lockdown and the Covid-19 pandemic to raise people’s spirits.

Even when they have been able to carry on working, though, the Cross Street artists have faced considerable uncertainty and worry due to the pandemic.

Jane had a solo exhibition of her work in a St Helens gallery which had to be shut down after a fortnight, while others have work in art facilities in other parts of the country they cannot visit or had workshops or other events cancelled.

However, some art facilities have managed to adapt to the current unprecedented circumstances and have arranged virtual exhibitions.

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