Well first off, I don't think that Newbury has enough green spaces for the population.
Secondly I love the park as it is, I have no problem with an Art Pavilion, just not in Victoria park.
Thirdly its construction requires a moving of or a change of shape of the Boating Pond. To me it is a sacrilegious idea, like suggesting demolishing or moving part of Winchester Cathedral. I love the circular pond, and love to see it from the dual carriage way as a land mark when I drive out of or home to, Newbury.
The Art Pav is only really for the use of a few citizens, and is an attraction as a graffiti/ vandalism project to our wasted youth, who hang out in the park after school and in the holidays. (Though if they go vandalise that they may leave my neighbourhood alone, hadn't thought of that!)
Also there is enough going on along the wharf, will an art pav really bring in the tourists? I doubt it, the Desmoulin art gallery in the wharf car park failed, the new one is always empty. Most of the daytime Newbury is full of Mums, OAP's and The Unemployed. (And currently Bob the builders but they haven't time to smell the roses, never mind stare at Art). Not exactly your Saachis.
Who would use it? the old dears of Newbury Art Group? The local Morris Dancers? Any professional gig would use the Corn Exchange..... I've seen the studios up at Greenham they are delicious, and If I had a few hundred quid spare I'd rent me one, so is the pav replacing the studios? ie a place to paint, pot and pose for those who can it afford? If so then why does it have to be in the park???? If it is a rehearsal space for the youth of Newbury, whihc is a fab idea too, then it needs to be out of town with parking for parental drop off and soundproofed. (I suggested a Bunker but the Greenham Common people weren't happy about that!!)
I would welcome updating the park loos and kiosk- which would not change the footprint of buildings on the park and would really be great.
And a boat house/water activity building for the canoeists and co, since theirs is going to be demolished to make way for exclusive waterside flats..... clearly it would need to be on the canal, but why not further out of the town centre? why in the park?
There is a great office space on London Rd that would make an ace art studio site and even more fab gallery (If anyone actually bought art these days, they do, dear reader (yes you hon!) want a print perhaps, but not a piece of original art.)
If anyone does fancy a bit of canvas for their pad I recommend the Affordable Art show or the Summer Exhibition. Hre are a few links..... The one thing in life I regret is not blowing my credit card on a Cumings, it was only a grand at the time,(2001) as he was a relatively unknown..... and would be worth a fortune now! ah sigh.
http://www.fredcuming.com/
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/summer-exhibition/
http://www.affordableartfair.com/
http://www.20-21intartfair.com/
http://www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk/events/
http://www.friezeartfair.com/
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