A NEW art exhibition in the former Poundworld store in Chester city centre has opened.

The new space will celebrate the talents of staff and alumni from the University of Chester’s department of art and design has opened in Chester city centre.

The Contemporary Art Space Chester [CASC] Gallery, will play host to several scheduled exhibitions over the coming year in the former store, in the Forum Shopping Centre.

With the help of the university’s department of art and design staff and the estates department, the empty shop unit has been transformed into a contemporary gallery in a few short weeks.

The inaugural exhibition Nice to See You, to See You, Nice, celebrates the art, design and photography work of current and former department staff along with its alumni.

The department prides itself on maintaining communication with its past students, and more than 50 alumni responded to the call to exhibit work. Sam Hutchinson, a fine art student between the years 1994-1997, was able to be reunited with some of the staff that taught him during his degree course more than 23 years ago, including John Renshaw, former head of department, whose paintings hang alongside work that he inspired and encouraged over a distinguished career.

The exhibition has something for everyone, with work covering media ranging from audio and video, projections and installations to illustration, photography and paintings, alongside examples of the skilled design work of product designers and graphic designers.

The opening week has been an incredible success, with more than 2,000 visitors admiring both the work and the new space. On the opening night, stall holders from the Chester Market donated samples of their food and it is hoped that the CASC Gallery will add to the amazing popularity of the market space.

Associate Professor Bernadine Murray, head of the department of art and design, said: “The department at the University of Chester sees this venture as a means to make contemporary art and design accessible to all, enabling us to engaging with all sectors of the public, enhancing and supporting the growing visual arts culture in Chester.”

More details and images of work can be found on the CASC website www.cascgallery.co.uk or on the CASC Facebook and Instagram pages.

Nice to See You, to See You, Nice runs until March 12 and is open:

• Mondays 10am – 4pm

• Wednesdays 10am – 4pm

• Fridays 12pm – 6pm

• Saturdays 10am – 4pm.