Govanhill: Portrait of a Community review Pat Byrne

The Deep End – Govanhill Baths Arts Space

21 Nithsdale Street, Glasgow G41 2PZ

Jim and I had a great time at the Govanhill Carnival on Sunday at Queens Park so I though I would venture back across the Clyde to catch some more of the festival. I went to Strathbungo (my first time there ever) to check out Southside based photographer, Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert’s exhibition at The Deep End. His black and white images are very atmospheric and capture the energy of Govanhill community at the outset of their wonderful campaign to save Calder Street Swimming Pool in 2001.

Eighteen years is a long time but the pool is now closed for major refurbishment. It will be fabulous for everyone in Govanhill to have their swimming pool back. Along the way Govanhill Baths Community Trust has shown how effective communities can be when they pull together to improve their neighbourhood, promote inclusiveness and tackle racism. We were very impressed when we went to Govanhill Baths for Denise Noone’s exhibition Bathing Bells. That was last September, when the baths were about to close for refurbishment work to begin.

(Work getting underway creating Artists’ Studios and Community Meeting Rooms at The Deep End)

The Deep End is yet another example of how community initiatives in the area contributing to cultural and artistic activities, educational opportunities and wellbeing. When I popped into the exhibition I was lucky enough to bump into Eddie, who explained how The Deep End will incorporate a new arts space and operate as a social enterprise. Work is ongoing creating Workshop Spaces, Meeting Rooms – Artist’s Studios will be available to rent. Additionally The Deep End will accommodate some of the local projects already up and running including: Govanhill Baths Arts Space (GBArt) , Rags to Riches Studios and Govanhill Baths Ceramics,

Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert’s photographs capture an important aspect of social history in Govanhill showing how these fantastic achievements started with the Save the Baths Campaign in 2001.

“The Deep End is a new arts space and social enterprise developed by Govanhill Baths Community Trust (GBCT). ”

“Creativity has always been at the heart of the local campaign to save Govanhill Baths and will be the focus of this new, vibrant, making and learning space. Our aim is to provide our programmes, artists, makers, creators and community groups from the local area with inspiring spaces and places to work. The Deep End space has been designed with the aim of meeting the needs of contemporary arts practitioners and makers, providing an accessible and welcoming venue promoting interaction between the creative industries and audiences.”

“Nestled down a lane in Strathbungo, with its own driveway, The Deep End is a safe and secure space of 900 square meters with a sheltered urban courtyard of 130 square meters. It is a short walk from Govanhill Baths and with excellent public transport links.”

Studio spaces available for creative people

Six self-contained 14 square meters lockable studios are available, and two larger (16.5 square meters) ‘shopfront’ studios with their own front door and window. All studios have 24-hour access and unlimited Wi-Fi. All services are included and there are reduced rates for accessing the Rags to Riches studios, workshops and Govanhill Baths Ceramics studio.

Monthly rental for the smaller studios is £230 and for the shopfronts £430 and includes Wi-Fi and all utility costs. We will rent on a month-to-month basis. You may decide to share your studio but each studio will have only one lease holder.

To apply for space with us, get in touch with the following information:

Why you want to join Govanhill Baths at The Deep End?
What sort of tools or equipment you would use in your studio?

Send all this information to: [email protected]

Please get in touch to arrange a viewing of the arts spaces be emailing the previous address or calling 0141 433 2999.

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