PLANNING PERMISSION has been secured, funding is in place, and as soon as the paper work is completed, building is expected to start on Creative Code, a dedicated contemporary arts facility for Gorey, which will host exhibitions, workshops, leading digital arts training, children’s art camps and much more.

The site for this wonderful facility is Mary’s Ward, on the old Loreto site off St. Michael’s Road, and close to Gorey Community School.

In 1994, the Gorey School of Art, (GSA), was founded as a limited company and registered charity with a Board of eight Directors.

The organisation provides a source of income for visiting lecturers, facilitators, and tutors.

It currently delivers a wide range of art programmes for different user groups including children, youth, adults, and visitors in the area.

It also hosts public events, festivals and professional training for the creative art sector.

This will be located in Gorey town and will offer innovative and bespoke training programmes specific to the booming creative industries such as; event/festival management, web and mobile app. development, gaming, animation, photography and video production.

It is designed to up-skill individuals for current and future demands within the business and the creative industries and will be available to all sections of the community.

Last August, planning permission was secured for a new 3,600 sq. ft. building and construction quotations have been sourced through e-tenders.

The GSA is seeking a 75% grant under the NRDP 2007-2013 and the Board have an active fundraising campaign to secure the required €50,000 matching funds.

This project has been developed in consultation with the Gorey Town Council, Wexford County Council, Arts Council of Ireland, local artists and community groups.

Full report in the New Year’s Day edition of THE GOREY ECHO, on sale in the shops since Saturday.