ARTISTS in Clonakilty are celebrating after the town’s community arts centre secured a temporary home.

Cork County Council has given the go ahead for the centre to have its base at No 8 Kent Street for at least six months. Meanwhile equipment from its former home at Astna Square is still in storage and a moving-in date to the new premises has yet to be confirmed.

Mark Whitesides said he was happy he will get his job as curator back once the move is over the line, along with two other staff.   

‘I feel ecstatic about it because I’ve been unemployed for three months since we had to move from Astna Square at the end of February,’ he said. ‘We will be putting up art around the town for a cultural week and also for Clonakilty Guitar Festival to let people know we’re still in existence.’

It is believed the arts centre will be on the lower floor of the former council building. The upper floor is still being renovated. Artists have had to find interim studio and gallery spaces while still meeting on a weekly basis at the town’s Community Resource Centre on Western Road. Clonakilty councillor Isobel Towse said she was over the moon the arts centre had been given this opportunity.

‘At the same time, we must remember it’s also of benefit to the wider Clonakilty community, and the council, to have this space utilised by artists,’ said Cllr Towse. ‘It’s good for everyone. Getting the place going will take time and effort by the arts centre community but I have no doubt that they will thrive in this process.’

Cllr Towse added the leasing of No 8 Kent Street was a pilot project based on a successful motion she made to develop a Meanwhile Use policy for the county to open up vacant buildings around the county to communities.