Compound Interest
FIONA MCGARRY and ROD WEBB finally visit The Compound and find a hidden gem
‘Pay as you can’ workshop
There are so many interesting things going on in Hastings that it’s not easy to keep up. HIP has been meaning to write about The Compound since it opened in 2023, but it took Edible Open Gardens, organised by Town Grown, to finally take a look.
W.Ave Arts, who run The Compound, was set up in 2020 as a grassroots arts exhibition, sparked by a group of neighbours who had “generously offered up their parking spaces in a humble alleyway”. Since then, they’ve come a long way.
What started as a local effort to showcase creativity has grown into a movement – transforming derelict buildings into vibrant, freely accessible art spaces (two of which got brief mentions in the paper!). “But that wasn’t enough,” says Carol Cook, founding member and co-ordinator. “Inspired by the power of community, we felt called to do more – support more, share more, and build something lasting for everyone.”
Three years later, they found the perfect building to expand their horizons, a building that was due for demolition, at 161 Bexhill Road: “Safe to say we managed to stop that from happening.” After lengthy discussions the landlord gave them a chance to refurbish the building with a year’s free rent. The idea was to be self-sufficient and not rely on funding.
They named the premises The Compound to reflect their vision, “composed of multiple elements, mirroring our desire to be a diverse collective of creative minds”.
Clearing and renovating the space on a modest budget was a “labour of love”, symbolising the beginning of a new chapter for W.Ave Arts. But Carol says that their journey at The Compound is still only beginning, and that there are still people who don’t know “who we are and what we do”.
So to clarify, W.Ave Arts envisage The Compound as “a hub of positivity, impacting the community in myriad ways”. Carol acknowledges that although this is ambitious, it is grounded in their core values. “We aim to offer ‘pay what you can’ workshops and events, breaking down financial barriers and fostering growth, confidence, and empowerment… we believe its impact will ripple through the community, ushering in an era of creativity, collaboration, and communal well-being.” Ambitious indeed.
But since opening in August 2023, The Compound has indeed blossomed into a vibrant hub of creativity and connection. And their gallery showcases a rich tapestry of moments and milestones in their journey, reflecting the organic growth shaped by the community’s vision (wavearts.org/blog).
Carol explained that, despite being located in an often-overlooked area of West St Leonard’s, The Compound “continues to surprise newcomers with its cool, unexpected charm”. We were certainly seduced by its charm during our visit.
To add to the charm, a secondary area was opened, called ‘The Depot’. This is a bus refurbished thanks to funds from Arts Council England; a delightful space that can be used for exhibitions, co-working space at £5 a day, workshops and meetings.
A visit is certainly recommended.
For more on W.Ave Arts take a look at their blog at wavearts.org/post/we-just-can-t-stop (scroll down past the first seven entries)
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