Storage Pt2

Yesterday we went to see the top floor of Albion Mill that B&E Boys has offered us as free storage for Dave's work while we refurbish the studio. Plenty of space - it's the old Albion extension of Globe Arts which originally housed several painters studios. The lift is small and the larger paintings will have to be carried up the stairs. And that's where the problem lies. The stairs are wide, but the ceiling in places is very low; combined with the fact that the lowest points coincide with the turns on the stairwell. Frustrating as otherwise the Mill would be a perfect solution to our storage problem as it is both dry and spacious. 

I've also designed a 'Certificate of Authentication'. Dave signed very few pieces of work and now we're selling some of the buyers are concerned to have evidence that their purchase is an original. So we, the Dave Pearson Trust, will provide these forms to demonstrate the provenance of the artwork. 

Storage

The issue of storing Dave's artwork while the studio is restored to good condition is now our single biggest priority. Margaret went to Albion Mill and looked at the storage space kindly offered us by Brian and Michael Boys. She says it's a good space; certainly large enough and on the whole dry. The only problem is access as the lift is small, and the storage area on the second floor. Nevertheless it's clearly a potential solution and, so long as we can get a team of at least 5 people to help with a move, quite do-able.  I've promised to cost out more conventional solutions and also look at a nearby shop premises which has been advertised as a let for some time. Then we'll get together and make a final decision. Clearly it would be sensible to do this, and to plan to move back into the studio before next winter arrives.

The exhibition at the See Gallery is now over. The unsold work is in storage there, but I'll have to arrange to bring it all back soon. Julian and Jackie still have the large 'Asylum' relief hanging in the garage/gallery over the road from their main space - so it is still possible for a visitor to see something of the work in a good space. 

Meeting

Yesterday the three trustees of the Dave Pearson Trust - me, Margaret and Chris - met to review things. The exhibition also ended yesterday and we know we have raised perhaps another £5K for the Trust. We agreed that things have gone extremely well for us, and we have been able to pay the rates on the studio; pay for the website and domain name; and pay off all the small bills that have accrued since Dave's death, including the solicitor. We also have enough in the bank account to pay for storage whilst the studio is renovated.

Chris will sell the studio, but the arrangement will mean that we can lease it back and thus it can remain as the main store of Dave's artwork for the immediate future. But before that can happen the building will need to be gutted, and the dry rot treated; woodwork made good; rewiring and plastering done. In other words - an awful lot of work. So the three of us will now concentrate on looking at what storage options are open to us. We've had a generous offer of free storage from a local business, B & E Boys, who have a long tradition of supporting painters locally. But this offer is for the top floor of a mill several miles away, so we need to investigate if there are any other options. Much of the work to be stored are the larger canvases and getting these to the top floor of a mill will be a struggle.

I've also been involved in the planning of an Open Studio weekend which involves all the local artists studios. The Boo will host an exhibition of some of Dave's larger paintings. This will be the weekend of the 6th and 7th of June - and provides another opportunity to keep Dave's work visible.