Arch Art project plan for Market's 200th birthday

Tuesday 15 November 2022

Primary and Secondary school pupils are invited to contribute to the "arch art" project planned to mark the 200th anniversary of Guernsey's Market buildings opening.

This year is the centenary of the iconic building opening - with the section now housing the New Look clothing store the oldest part of the area.

Originally that was the Meat Market which only fully closed in the early 00s. 

Pictured: The view from Market Street towards the Commercial Arcade.

The 200th anniversary of the Market buildings opening will be marked with a number of projects, one of which will be an exhibition in the George Crossan Gallery which is upstairs, above the Inner Street within the main building.

That is due to be held in January 2023 and it will feature various artwork and artefacts charting the history of the market buildings between 1822 and 2022. This will mainly be in the form of photographs from the past 100 years.

This project aims to celebrate local architecture, track how the buildings have changed over time, both inside and out, and act as a reminder of the various tenants the building has housed. 

Members of the public are also invited to contribute photographs or artwork of the market buildings which could feature in the final exhibition.

Sonia Taylor, Director of Bailiwick Estates Ltd, Managing Agents of the Market Buildings, said: "This is a great opportunity for islanders to share their memories and their family’s history of the market buildings over the last 200 years. 

Pictured: New Look is in what was the meat market, which is the oldest part of the Market.

"So far we have had the chance to look through The Priaulx Library and Guernsey Press archives, which have both been a great resource for the curation of this exhibition, however there are some gaps. We would love for people to share photographs from the German occupation period, images of the bonded store, the period when the upper levels of the flower market were utilized as badminton halls and assembly rooms as well as images that capture some of the old pubs in the area such as the Welly Arms and Oscar’s Wine Bar."  

The two school projects will run alongside this community project.

An art competition for GCSE and A level students will ask students to create artwork of what they think the market could look like in another 200 years. Students will have the chance to channel their creativity into the future use of market buildings. The deadline to submit the artwork is Friday 25 November. 

Primary aged pupils will be asked to contribute one item to a time capsule which will be placed in the tunnels under the Market Building. The schools will nominate one or two students to place items into the time capsule in January which it is hoped will be opened in 200 years time.  

The overall Arch Art project will see the four arches in Market Street brought to life with images of a future community, with an inclusive and sustainable theme.

Pictured: The Market remains a focal point of island life throughout the year.

The Market Buildings is working with Guernsey Arts on this part of the project. Art for Guernsey said: "Public art projects of this type brings vibrancy and fun to an area and a sense of place and pride. We were really pleased with the number of entries received and choosing the final four was not an easy process. All four installations will be completed by local artists over the coming months and will be a real celebration of the talent we are lucky to have on island."

Members of the public can send photographs and memories of the Market Buildings, as well as the secondary school artwork submissions by email to krista@black-vanilla.gg or they can be taken to the Black Vanilla office at 7&8 The Grange, St Peter Port, GY1 2PX.  

Mrs Taylor said it's a chance for everyone to get involved.

"This is a great opportunity to be a part of history. The Market Buildings have stood strong for so many years. We want to celebrate its rich history, allow people to reminisce but also look forward to what the future could bring."