All details are subject to change due to covid for 2021 visits
COUNTDOWN TO...
BUNYAN MEETING
Home to a thriving church, a world-famous museum, and a dynamic community gallery.
ABOUT THE BASEMENT
‘spirituality – heritage – creativity’
The Basement at Bunyan is a flexible and community-orientated arts centre; the newest addition to the Bunyan Meeting complex – joining the church, museum and library in offering spirituality, heritage and creativity to the community in Bedford.
The Basement at Bunyan’s prime objective is to engage with the local community. This unique facility – incorporating gallery space, craft-rooms, and hospitality area – is developing organically into a resource that enriches and inspires the creative, cultural and spiritual life of Bedford.
This is being achieved by working together with local artists and community groups, and through the energy and commitment of our Resident Artist. We offer all creative people a central location to exhibit their artwork, and to facilitate workshops designed for a wide range of interests and abilities.
The space is also available for hire for meetings and other events, and we welcome those of all faiths or of none.
‘largest and most central gallery space in Bedford’
The Basement at Bunyan enjoys the double advantage of being very centrally located (five minutes from Bedford High Street and the River Great Ouse Embankment) and operating within the Castle Cultural Quarter (together with the Higgins Art Gallery, the Panacea Museum, and the John Bunyan Museum). Our 70 square metre exhibition area provides hanging space for approximately 60 medium or 30 large paintings, and the deep windowsills, tables and plinths create further display opportunities. The Basement at Bunyan offers the largest and most central gallery space available in Bedford for the arts community.
‘creative sessions and social interaction’
The Wednesday Arts Workshops, initiated by our Resident Artist, offer a chance for social interaction, as well as learning a new skill or craft. Up to 30 people attend each week.
We have a flexible approach to our gallery space charges and conditions depending on the nature and size of the group who wish to exhibit. Please contact us – details below – to discuss your particular requirements.
‘over 4,000 visitors a year’
Since its opening in October 2016 The Basement at Bunyan has hosted scores of exhibitions and events. In the first year over 4,000 visitors passed through its doors – either to see exhibitions, hear a talk, attend workshops or enjoy one of the evenings of music and poetry.
‘a safe and secure place for supported discovery’
A number of local groups, whose members live with differing social challenges, have exhibited and held workshops in The Basement at Bunyan, and we have been able to develop valuable ongoing relationships with these organisations – whose members appreciate the relative safety and security provided by our basement location.
The Basement at Bunyan
Basement Coordinator
– Anne-Marie Abbate
Contact details:
The Basement at Bunyan
Bunyan Meeting
Mill Street
Bedford MK40 3EU