Pickle to Perth?
DAVID BELL - PERTH VOICE
DISPLACED Pickle District creatives could have a new spot over the border in Perth under a proposed arts plan announced by lord mayoral candidate Sandy Anghie.
The Pickle District is in Vincent’s old industrial slice of West Perth, and in the past few years galleries and artists have moved in to repurpose the old warehouses and factories and hold event nights.
Some of the prominent creative businesses that made the Pickle District what it is are currently tenants of a large block that’s soon to be demolished to make way for a Bunnings.
Cr Anghie, who’s running against incumbent Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas in October, has announced her “Arts Means Business” plan to invest in Perth’s creative and cultural sectors.
One prong of Cr Anghie’s five-part plan is to set up creative hubs in vacant spaces owned by Perth council.
“Based on recent media reports, local arts hub The Pickle District looks set to lose their space in the Town of Vincent,” Cr Anghie wrote in her arts plan announcement
“The City of Perth should lead by example and welcome creatives like the Pickle District into vacant City-owned space.
“There are some great examples in the private sector already, such as the Humich Group activating the Liberty Theatre and shopfronts on Hay and Barrack Streets; and the Fragrance Group on Pier Street providing cost effective space to Huzzard Photographic Studios and others. Let’s back this up.”
Cr Anghie said moving in creatives would help revitalise quiet areas.
“It is well known that creativity enables urban development: artists move to inner-city areas in search of accommodation and studio space. They make a place fun and interesting, which draws others in.”
Artist Jon Denaro runs VoxLabs, a studio on Old Aberdeen place that’s having to move to make way for the Bunnings. He’s keen on Cr Anghie’s idea.
“The potential for the Pickle District is very real,” Mr Denaro tells us.
“Getting closer to the centre is vital – we would look forward to making Perth a more interesting place.
“It is a no brainer for people in the know: Perth needs the Pickles.”
Vincent mayor Emma Cole had opposed the hardware giant’s application, but the decision rested with the state’s Development Assessment Panel which voted to approve the $25.5 million plans in November 2022.
Revised plans, which re-design two community spaces to instead accommodate a fresh food market or gym, are currently out for consultation until August 7.
https://perthvoiceinteractive.com/2023/08/03/pickle-to-perth/