THE Old School in Fairfield is throwing open its doors throughout October as part of Warrington’s Contemporary Arts Festival.

Since 2014 Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project has hosted a ‘fringe’ festival to showcase how the former primary school has become a thriving hub for artists and community groups and provide an alternative venue outside of the town centre. This year will also be a celebration of the life of Ian Smith who launched Fairfield Fringe Festival and was an integral part of The Old School’s success since it opened a decade ago.

The well-loved former architect died on August 10 just days before his 75th birthday.

Padgate resident James Goodison, who now leads the festival, said: “Ian started the festival in response to the Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival and thinking it was quite insular and focused on the town centre. He did a fringe event to show what we put on down here and it went from there.”

James, who used to work at Culture Warrington, met Ian in 2015 when he started renting a space for his band Klaut’s equipment at The Old School.

The 38-year-old added: “At the time I was doing the Contemporary Arts Festival so I got the opportunity to cross-promote the events. I did an event for the fringe last year and early in 2018 I was asked to take it on.”

Some of the guests at the festival’s launch on Saturday include abstract expressionist artist Morris Riley, who founded The Old School’s Iron Shed Artists, and South African artist Janice Lazzarich whose portraits are influenced by African landscapes and wildlife.

On October 13 there will be a screening of Metropolis as remastered by electronic pioneer Giorgio Moroder before the return of Neutral Space on October 20 which is a contemporary music and spoken word evening.

Guests for Neutral Space include vocal looping musician Fran Bundey, Terry Caffrey, poet in residence at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and the Citadel Theatre in St Helens, and James’s band Klaut.

Fairfield Festival Fringe concludes with a family-friendly interactive art day on October 27.

James said: “We’ve got dance groups, U3A photography, ukulele group and art groups.

“I don’t think it was intentional but they’re all based around art and being creative and with this being an old school coming here to learn and take part fits in perfectly.

“Initially the festival was to highlight the work of the Iron Shed Artists who have a studio space upstairs.

“The idea was to draw people in, see some of the other groups that take part here and see what goes on.

“But it’s also become a time when we can test out new stuff and see what works. For example I’d like to look at doing a bit more film programming so we’re seeing how Metropolis goes.”

James also hopes to particularly attract new faces during the interactive art day where youngsters can get stuck in.

He added: “We’ve got some people from Beamont Academy’s Fab Lab coming over to do some Lego robotics. Caroline Keep is part of Penketh Spark. They do loads of coding stuff so she’s going to come and help do some of that. And we’ve got this other guy with a kaleidoscope light box that changes objects into patterns so it’s just fun interactive stuff and it’ll give me the chance to chat to families.”

REMEMBERING IAN SMITH

 

Fairfield Fringe Festival’s organiser has paid tribute to its founder Ian Smith who died on August 10.

Ian had been involved with The Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project since its launch and he established the fringe festival in 2014.

James Goodison first met Ian in 2015 and he became one of The Old School’s trustee 18 months ago.

He said: “Ian was a community pioneer, poet and retired architect who spearheaded the Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project.

“His legacy has been felt throughout the area, helping to establish a thriving community hub for artists and community groups at The Old School in Fairfield Street.”

Ian asked James to step in as organiser of the fringe festival earlier this year.

James added: “His passion was wanting The Old School to be a creative centre for excellence.

“But he was 74 and he didn’t have the energy to start developing and pushing that a lot.

“We were chatting about that a lot which was why he gave me the responsibility for the fringe festival. I’ve stepped in to help at the minute and I’ll just see where it goes.”

To celebrate the life of Ian, who was inspired by poets like Simon Armitage and John Cooper Clarke, there will be a free evening of music, poetry and comedy this Saturday from 7pm.

James said: “The night will feature Warrington poets, some performing Ian’s eclectic back-catalogue as well as stand-up comedians, singer-songwriters and contemporary music and spoken word.

“Ian’s family will also be fundraising to self-publish some of his work to raise money to support The Old School.”

Fairfield Fringe Festival launches this Saturday with events every weekend until October 27. For more information search for The Old School on Facebook