Our Big Move Fundraising Update, by LPW Director Lucy Phillips
Our quest to establish a flagship for fine art printmaking in the heart of Leicester, a centre that is fully equipped, expertly staffed, accessible and welcoming is coming along well. The architects are visiting fortnightly and holding site meetings with our builders, engineers, contractors and with me. I really thought we had covered every detail in the robust planning and preparation that has preceded this stage, after all we have been value engineering and making the project leaner for over a year now. But there does seem plenty of detail still to tie up.
The two storey office/toilet block has been demolished, the roof has been removed and a new one has been fitted, the foundations have been dug and the steel structure that holds the mezzanine floor has been installed and block walls have been built to create the various rooms within the studio. Unfortunately, we found evidence of a cellar and a well which has led to some remedial foundation works that have resulted in more expense.
We continue to look at detail but the architects, builders and engineers have worked with me to produce a cost for the build that allows for the foundations problems and a new roof. We will see a bill that is £14,000 more than our initial calculations which means our fundraising target needs to go up to meet the cost. So, whilst our last update on the tumblr said £4,107 our next one will go up, taking into account this extra £14,000.
Fundraising wise we continue to submit applications to trusts and foundations, sometimes successfully, sometimes, unfortunately, not and we continue to plan for our pop up print sales. We still have Our Big Move Mugs and have added a new design by LPW Artist Peter Clayton. We raised £2,500 at our Summer Bazaar, which we are thrilled about, and we’re working towards creating an opportunity to buy donated prints online.
Even when progress slows and problems come along, we continue to move in the right direction and if all goes to plan we plan to move over a three week period in September/October. We’re planning launch events in early November and hope you can join us and celebrate with us then.
Meanwhile, if you can help by making a donation, please do.