Chester Performs hopes to play an important role in the cultural life of Chester.

Chester Performs hopes to play an important role in the cultural life of Chester. 

By Claire Henderson

Friday 7 December 2012 

Chester Performs hopes to play an important role in the cultural life of Chester with their projects. 

As an organisation that creates innovative art projects, Chester Performs aim to play an important role in the cultural life of Chester. Their work is designed to involve, encourage and inspire. 

15 locations around the city center will be used, including empty retail spaces and shop windows. Rogues’ Galleries will engage Chester’s shoppers, families and visitors thought a range of art works made by local and international artists. 

As well as ten daylong events, Chester Performs will commission artists to work with schools and community groups to make artworks, which will be displayed in the ‘shops’ during the event.  

“We’re hoping the event will play a part in enriching Chester’s cultural fabric, and enhance the public’s awareness of experiencing culture,” said Amber Knipe, Programme Manager at Chester Performs. “We hope it will contribute to Chester’s identity, and promote confidence in those who live in the city. We’re celebrating what is special about Chester.” 

Chester has been a bustling retail town since Tudor times, with a diverse range of shops and trades. Using this as a cornerstone for the event, and using the empty shops as venues, Chester Performs are looking for artworks and projects, which are digital, film, or performance focused which can be set within pop-up shops. 

“Taking names of the old trades, guilds and shops that would have made up the old city as a starting point, artists are invited to create their own trading premises to showcase their work to the public,” said Mrs Knipe. 

The project will to some extent show the struggles the high street has had with homogeneous brands and the effect this has on original thought. 

The projects will be on show from November 14th until November 24th 2013. 

Image provided by Chester Performs.