Kingston-based charity Creative Youth has launched a six-month pilot of FUSEBOX, a new space for young artists to showcase their work.
Located underneath John Lewis, the basement was renovated as a joint project supported by the charity, Kingston Council, John Lewis, and the Mayor of London.
Founded in 2008, Creative Youth supports the artistic talent of young people aged between five and 26.
Creative Youth’s Chair Robin Hutchinson MBE said: “It has been a dream for Creative Youth to have a home to support young talent to explore and develop their cultural ideas and practices.
“FUSEBOX gives us the opportunity in a remarkable new space that will be a playground for the imagination.”
As part of the pilot season, FUSEBOX holds scratch nights, named Creative Sparks, for artists to perform their developing projects to the public.
Creative Sparks hosts performances from experimental dance and play excerpts to debut DJ sets.
Creative Youth said FUSEBOX offers young people the space for risk-free experimentation, as well as providing networking and mentoring opportunities.
The basement holds the remains of the 12th century Kingston Bridge, which had been hidden under the department store for 30 years.
FUSEBOX will run comedy nights on April 12, 19 and 26, as well as several art exhibitions on April 20.
