A Paisley community art gallery owner is planning to launch a brand new project targeting local people, once the necessary funding has been found.
Garry Byars is an artist who runs the Sunshine Gallery. This space, which was opened back in 2009 and seeks to get Paisley residents involved in arts and creative projects, is based at the Paisley Centre, but has been closed for the past year due to the Covid-19 lockdowns. Rather than waste this period, Byars opted to pursue funding for a bigger community scheme.
He contacted Social Investment Scotland and managed to secure a place on the retail training programme it runs. This is a demanding course that lasts for two weeks and provides those who attend with a crash course in management.
Having successfully completed this course, Byars is now working on a business plan so that he can get the financing needed for his ambitious arts-based project. He is hoping it will create jobs and other opportunities for local people, telling the Daily Record:
“Being in lockdown helped me focus on the future. I know how I want to take this forward now. It’s about putting a contribution back into society.”
Printing services based in and around the Paisley area can help when it comes to artistic projects by providing high-quality prints of completed work.
