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School of Creative Arts, Wrexham

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Coordinates: 53°02′52″N 2°59′58″W / 53.04789°N 2.99958°W / 53.04789; -2.99958
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School of Creative Arts
Ysgol y Celfyddydau Creadigol (Welsh)
Other names
College of Art
North Wales School of Art and Design
TypeUniversity art school
Established1927 (1927) (as an art school)
Academic affiliation
Wrexham University
Location
Wrexham
,
Wales
Building details
Map
Location in Wrexham city centre
Former namesWrexham Infirmary
Wrexham Hospital and Dispensary
General information
TypeInfirmary (1838–1926)
Technical college (1927–1950s)
Art school (1950s–present)
Architectural styleNeoclassical
Coordinates53°02′52″N 2°59′58″W / 53.04789°N 2.99958°W / 53.04789; -2.99958
Opened1838
ClientWrexham Infirmary (1838–1926)
Denbighshire Technical College (1927–1975)
North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (1975–2008)
Wrexham (Glyndŵr) University (2008–present)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Edward Welch
Listed Building – Grade II
Official nameFormer Wrexham Infirmary
Designated22 March 1990
Amended 31 January 1994
Reference no.1804[1]
The building from the corner of Regent Street and Bradley Road. The grounds were replaced with a widened road in the 20th century.

The School of Creative Arts (SCA; Welsh: Ysgol y Celfyddydau Creadigol) is the art school of Wrexham University on Regent Street, in Wrexham, North Wales.

Situated in the former Wrexham Infirmary, a Grade II listed building built in 1838 to the designs of Edward Welch, the building operated as a hospital until 1926. The modern school houses a studio, workshop space and art shop in the building.

Description

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The building is Grade II listed.[2] It was designed by Edward Welch,[1][3] in a Neoclassical style.[1]

The building has a Neo-Classical front and entrance. When built, it originally was set in its own grounds, surrounded by gardens and trees, however these were removed in the 20th century for the widening of roads following an increase in traffic in the area.[4] The building has a stone portico on its front, which was a financed gift from Thomas Taylor Griffith, who has played a role in the infirmary's establishment and served as the hospital's physician.[3][5]

The two-storey building is ashlar faced and has a slate roof, with the later additions being largely brick. There is plain overlight on its centre double doors.[1]

History

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The institution of the Wrexham Infirmary preceded the construction of the building. The Wrexham Dispensary (later the Wrexham Infirmary) was founded in May 1833 on Yorke Street[6][5] by Watkin Williams Wynn, following the efforts of Thomas Taylor Griffith, a local physician who had attended Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria) who had taken ill during a visit at Wynnstay.[5][7][8] The Yorke Street infirmary lacked facilities for in-patients, which increased the need for a new infirmary to be built to replace it.[6][3] In 1837, a three-day bazaar was held in Wrexham to raise funds for its replacement, with £1,053 (equivalent to £120,860 in 2023) raised.[9][10]

Building

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The building on Regent Street was built in 1838–39[1][11] as The Infirmary,[7][8] at the cost of £1,800 (equivalent to £204,712 in 2023), which was raised from charitable donations. The building aimed to address the growing demand in Wrexham for more health care, especially following the establishment of the Wrexham Dispensary.[4][7][8][12]

In its first year, the infirmary received support from the public, and financial help from benefactors of local businesses.[5]

In 1840, a new in-patients ward was opened in the building, followed by various other additions such as another ward in 1844,[5] an operating theatre in 1862–63, fever wards in 1866–67 and a children's ward and convalescent ward in 1887. By 1848, the infirmary became known as the Wrexham Hospital and Dispensary.[1][6][11] One of the wards was named the "Victoria Ward" named after Queen Victoria following her ascension to the throne. By 1844, an estimated 12,000 were treated at the infirmary.[5]

In 1847, the first general anaesthetic to be applied to a patient in Wales occurred in the infirmary. It was applied by Dr. Dickenson, on a patient who had their leg successfully amputated.[5]

The building opened to students in 1887.[2] By the end of the 19th century, the infirmary struggled with finances, and but this was relieved by another public subscription which helped the infirmary add a children's ward in the same year.[5]

In the 20th century, more wards were added to the building, including one named after benefactor Benjamin Piercy (Piercy Ward), one after Edward VII for men, and one after Alexandra of Denmark, Queen consort, for women.[5]

In 1920, the building received a royal visit by King George V, Queen Mary, and Princess Mary.[5]

The building served as an infirmary until its closure in 1925, due to the opening of another hospital in Wrexham.[4][5] Although by 1918, it was decided the hospital would be moved to a new location to act as a memorial to those lost in World War I. In 1926, the Wrexham and East Denbighshire War Memorial Hospital opened, replacing the Regent Street infirmary, and the Maelor General Hospital, now known as the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, opened in 1934.[8]

Extensions of the building to the Regent Street and Bradley Road elevations appear to date to the early 20th century, possibly inline with its change of use.[1]

There were approved plans to construct student accommodation next to the building, that were due to start in 2019, for a 2021 completion.[13]

As of 2022, the building houses a dedicated studio, workshop spaces and an art shop.[2]

The building completed a refurbishment in February 2022, which started in 2021, as part of the university's Campus 2025 programme. A new Starbucks cafe was created within the building, and the sandstone front portico was repaired.[2][14]

Art school

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The building opened to students in 1887.[2] Following its closure as an infirmary in 1925, it remained closed and vacant for years, until the newly established Denbighshire Technical College took over the building in 1927,[1][3] in which the college used the building to run a School of Creative Arts from 1953,[5][10] following the opening of the college's campus on Mold Road (Plas Coch).[3] The college became NEWI in 1975, and later Glyndŵr University in 2008 (now renamed Wrexham University). At present it continues to serve as the Wrexham Glyndŵr University School of Creative Arts which houses the university's art department for its art and design courses.[3][15]

In 2011, the university considered closing the school in the building and transferring students to the new Centre for the Creative Industries building on the university's main Plas Coch campus.[16]

The school held a final degree show in May 2016, open to the public.[17]

In June 2016, the school was ranked as the 1st in Wales and 12th in the UK in a list of art and media schools in the 2016 The Guardian University Guide. It previously ranked 43rd in the UK, so a 31-place improvement.[18][19][20]

In June 2017, the PERICLO art project by Oriel Wrecsam since 2015, was moved to the school. The project encourages students to be risky and experiment in contemporary visual arts. The project also includes skill building classes.[12]

In June 2018, the school held a summer show of work by its students open to the public.[21][22]

In 2022, the school was ranked 1st for satisfaction with student feedback in the UK by The Guardian. It was ranked 2nd in Wales, and one of the top 10 in the UK for teaching quality by The Times.[2]

Exhibitions

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In 2016, it held the "Material Matters" exhibition.[23]

In 2023, it held the exhibitions "Faction Unthemed #FU23" and "Overture".[24][25]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Cadw (22 March 1990). "Former Wrexham Infirmary (Grade II) (1804)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Major refurb of Grade II listed Arts School building completed". Wrexham.com. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Regent Street - Wrexham Art College". buildingsofwrexham.co.uk. 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "School of Art (Old Infirmary)". reesjeweller.co.uk. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Healing the community: history of Wrexham Infirmary and the Dispensary". The Leader. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b c "Wrexham Infirmary and War Memorial Hospital, records of - Archives Hub". archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b c MacDonald, Andrea (29 April 2014). "The History of Wrexham's Hospitals". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d "Wrexham Hospital". coch.org. Archived from the original on 10 March 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Wrexham Town Walk: The Infirmary". Wrexham County Borough Council. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012.
  10. ^ a b Ebsworth, David (2023). Wrexham Revealed: A Walking Tour with Tales of the City’s History. Compact Cymru. Wrexham Carnival of Words. Carreg Gwalch. ISBN 9781845245245.
  11. ^ a b "Wrexham Infirmary (96145)". Coflein. RCAHMW. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  12. ^ a b Roberts, Joanne (6 June 2017). "Old dispensary just what doctor ordered for new art at Glyndwr University". North Wales Live. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  13. ^ "Regent Street, Wrexham". Day Architectural Ltd. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  14. ^ "Here's what's inside the revamped historic Arts School building in Wrexham town centre". The Leader. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Wrexham Campus". Wrexham Glyndwr University. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Wrexham's old art college building could shut". North Wales Live. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Community Invited to Art School's 'Final Degree Show 2016'". Wrexham.com. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Wrexham School of Creative Arts Ranked Number One in Wales". Deeside.com. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  19. ^ Roberts, Joanne (28 June 2016). "Why Glyndwr University arts school ranked number one in Wales". North Wales Live. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  20. ^ Echo, Liverpool (27 June 2016). "Delight as Art School leaps up league table". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  21. ^ "University students' work goes on display in Wrexham exhibition of art". The Leader. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  22. ^ ""High level of teaching and creative ability" on show at university's summer show". Deeside.com. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  23. ^ "New Exhibition Marks Craft & Design Month in Wrexham". Deeside.com. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Photography and film students showcase 'uniqueness' in Wrexham exhibition". The Leader. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  25. ^ "University to exhibit 'vibrant mix' of students' work". The Leader. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.

Further reading

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  • Cadw – For a full architectural description
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