Acclaimed Southport artist Ruth Spillane is the latest creative to take up space in the new The Engine Room in Southport.
The Engine Room has opened in space on the first and second floors at Wayfarers Shopping Arcade on Lord Street in Southport town centre.
The ambitious initiative is a hub for digital workers and creatives aims to “kickstart a regeneration of Wayfarers Arcade and historic Lord Street”.
It is open to anyone with a digital, creative or tech background. There has been interest so far from artists; photographers; 3D printers; journalists; and more.
Ruth Spillane is a talented local artist whose beautiful artworks of scenes across Southport and beyond have wowed her fans.
Last year she published her first book, ‘Southport Illustrated.
One of the scenes she created was of Wayfarers Shopping Arcade, a place where she held a book signing last year at a time the historic arcade was celebrating its 125th birthday. Now she is delighted to be moving in.
Ruth Spillane said: “I am looking forward to working at The Engine Rooms in Wayfarers Shopping Arcade a couple of days a week.
“I am currently arranging with owner Dr Eric Lybeck the days I will be working there. I will be drawing the arcade as my next project!
“The Engine Room initiative is perfect for the space!
Artist Ruth Spillane is publishing a new book, Southport Illustrated. Wayfarers Arcade in Southport
“Bringing creatives together and celebrating the talent we have here in Southport, supporting one another, is a fantastic idea.
“It will be the perfect social and creative hub.
“In this year ahead I will be developing a number of exciting projects, which include working with Southport Flower Show for their 100th anniversary, starting my new project on Wayfarers Shopping Arcade and also further promoting Southport with my book.”
Ruth’s Southport Illustrated book features her unique depictions of scenes from across the town.
They include scenes of Wayfarers Arcade itself, along with various sections of Lord Street, The Grand, The Atkinson, Southport Pier, Silcock’s Funland and Carousel, Churchtown Village, Birkdale Village, Southport Market Quarter, June The Florist, Hesketh Park and more.
The Engine Room is being developed by Dr Eric Lybeck, a Senior Lecturer at the Manchester Institute of Education, who has been working closely with partners including Southport BID and Southport College to bring his vision to life.
He said: “We want to fill our creative Engine Room space with activity – capturing the demand amongst the Southport community for a dynamic space for young and old people to come together for new and exciting ventures, courses, events, meetings and chance encounters – we really do have the potential to kickstart a regeneration of Wayfarers Arcade and historic Lord Street.
“Please subscribe to our The Engine Room Facebook page for updates about what’s on in the coming months.
“Southport BID is installing the fastest internet in town, and the University of Manchester has donated desks while we build out our custom work stations and cafe.
“Please check out our crowdfunder and help us get off the ground.”
The Engine Room adds to Southport’s growth in co-working and creative spaces, with Werksy on West Street having opened in January 2024 and work taking place to create the new Southport Enterprise Arcade on Eastbank Street.
The Engine Room is situated on the first and second floors of the arcade, near the entrance to West Street.
- For more details please visit: www.engine-room.biz and please Like The Engine Room Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/the.engine.room.biz
- Southport Illustrated by Ruth Spillane can be ordered through Ruth Spillane’s Ruthie Illustrations page on Facebook here. It is also available at local stockists including The Atkinson on Lord Street in Southport, Broadhurst’s Bookshop on Market Street in Southport, Lancashire Makers in Churchtown Village and Waterstone’s bookshop on Chapel Street in Southport.
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