CREATIVES have described the closure of one of Glasgow’s key cultural sites as “frustrating” and “devastating” as they spoke out against tenant evictions at a protest.
Hundreds of professionals and supporters gathered to highlight the loss Trongate 103 on Friday, with one telling The National the loss will leave a “huge hole” in the city’s art scene.
Opened in 2009, the space has hosted several major art institutions and functions as a collaborative hub for exhibitions, workshops and artist studios. City Property have sparked anger after terminating existing leases for tenants using the space, charging more expensive rent prices.
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As a result, the rent hikes imposed by Glasgow City Council have “forced” artists with no option to vacate the property.
“This is devastating, all the organisations at Trongate 103 are non-profit charities,” Kerri Douglas, a screen printer and book binder at Glasgow Print Studio said.
“All the money we make goes back into being able to offer these open access studios with specialised equipment which majority of people cannot afford back in their homes and have space to have in their homes.”
She added: “If any of the organisations had to close, it would cause a huge hole in Glasgow’s arts scene.”
Douglas went on to say that the local authority’s cultural strategy “reads like a joke” and does not help to provide the vital support creatives in the city need.
Organisations including GMAC Film, The Glasgow Print Studio and Streetlevel Photoworks all have been evicted as of today, which has sparked a large protest.
Sam Orr, animator and filmmaker said: “It's frustrating and really quite disgusting because art and culture is what makes Glasgow an amazing place.
Oor continued to say that she feels “disrespected” and that the art culture has been “vandalised.”
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She added that the art within Glasgow is what makes the city “awesome”, and it an aspect that makes tourists want to come and visit the city.”
Following the loss of Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh Building, the Centre of Contemporary Arts, artists of Glasgow fear losing yet another strong part of their cultural identity.
Another artist Roslin Teergate, multi-disciplinary artist and textile designer feels strongly about what is happening to the Trongate 103, saying it is really “saddening” for the city.
Teergate also stated that the venue is the “cultural hub of Glasgow” and it would be a great “loss” for the people.
Joy Vain, a former teacher and volunteer of the venue said: “Trongate was specifically designed for artists within Glasgow” and stressed that the city would be losing a part of their heritage.
She added: “I was a member of the Glasgow Print Studio in the 90’s and after I finished my degree, it was the only place you could practice print making.”
Vain is also a volunteer for Project Ability, a visual arts charity and gallery situated within the site.
Adding that the building is a part of Glasgow, Vain asked: “Without Trongate 103, what have we got?”.