The Spanish Gallery, part of the Auckland Project, will be of international significance and host the UK’s largest collection of Spanish art outside London. The site is also the first museum in the country dedicated to this genre.
Housed within a 19th century former bank and an adjacent school building in Bishop Auckland’s Market Place, the Spanish Gallery comprises 15 exhibition areas spread over four floors, along with a Spanish reading room, conference suite and gift shop.
The gallery will display artworks from the medieval period onwards, with particular emphasis on the 16th and 17th century Spanish Golden Age.
Marcon, which will work closely with award-winning designers Studio MB to complete the fit-out, has secured a brief including the manufacture and installation of specialist joinery, setworks, display plinths, showcases, bespoke metal work and mounts, furniture and specialist fabrics, and graphic coordination.
“This is an amazing project to be working on. We are really pleased to be playing such a key role in the opening of this prestigious art gallery,” notes Martin McErlean, Marcon’s contracts manager. “Our team is looking forward to completing this project that will be of significant cultural importance.”
Craig Mann, director of Studio MB, adds: “The Spanish Gallery will provide visitors with a way of seeing Spain through its art, whilst also showing that this is art worth looking at.
“The result will be an immersive visitor journey and experience that offers rewards, surprises and pauses, creating something imaginative and entirely unexpected. We are pleased to be working with a creative, experienced and professional project team to bring the Spanish Gallery to life.”
The Auckland Project’s Spanish Gallery is due to open in Summer 2021.
