Image Source: Rachel Banning-Lover
A multi-purpose venue which opened last Saturday hopes to appeal to stay-at-home parents with a programme full of daytime events.
The Proud Archivist on Regent’s Canal will host events from art exhibitions and life drawing classes to comedy nights and singles’ yoga.
Hector Proud, the founder, said: “We want to host exhibitions that are really inclusive, rather than over in east London where it’s pictures on a wall and it feels exclusive and intimidating.
“Stay-at-home parents are one group that have been traditionally excluded from London cultural events as most are geared towards evening programming. We want to bring in people with a passing interest in art and develop it into a passion.”
So far the venue’s restaurant, which celebrates Hackney’s culinary traditions with locally sourced food, has proved popular. Visitors will soon be able to dine next to photo exhibitions on what Mr Proud says is London’s largest digital projection wall.
Betsy Sore, CEO of Wondermento.com, has already signed up to host two events a month, with the aim of combining crafting with her company’s new app.
“We picked this venue because of its proximity to Silicon Roundabout, but also the fact that people can stay for dinner afterwards and socialise. We’re going to teach people to crochet for Christmas.”
Amanda Timberg, visiting from West Hampstead, was impressed by the building’s versatility.
“There are people enjoying a dinner with friends, but there are also people coming in for a pint with their laptop.”
Mr Proud agrees that diversity is the ultimate goal: “We want many different people to think of it as many different places.”
The first exhibition, showing the work of the English graphic designer Storm Thorgerson, will open on 22 October.
