The first two floors house gallery space, while the third floor is home to an artist in residence. Funding has been provided by Historic England Heritage Action Zone and Cumberland Council.
This former pub had been home to Maryport Maritime Museum since 1975, but the museum will be moving across the road to Christ Church.
The Gallery displays many local artists, particularly Workington-born Percy Kelly whose scenes of Cumbria are famed throughout the world, and Maryport’s own William Mitchell, who has been described as ‘one of the county’s most underrated artists’.
The refurbishment reinstated the building’s corner door entrance and remodelled another door to improve disabled access. New windows, heating system and solar panels will make the building more energy efficient, and the creation of the residential apartment will bring another new home to the town centre. The building was once The Queen’s Head pub and a distinctive mosaic of Queen Victoria will also be restored.
A charitable trust has been set up with a board of trustees to oversee the operational side of the gallery. It is headed up by Maryport residents Dolly and Brian Money, who have invested in the project and will be putting their private collection of paintings on show.
1 Senhouse Street
Maryport
CA15 6AB
United Kingdom