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| Cornerstone |
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Who would have thought that an incredible cultural and community treasure lay in the heart of Didcot, not 20 minutes’ drive from Oxford? I certainly didn’t, and was more than pleasantly surprised when I discovered this cutting-edge arts centre looking like something dropped in from Barcelona or Paris. Cornerstone plays host to an amazing array of live performances including theatre, music, and dance, as well as adult and children’s workshops and classes for ceramics, ballet, yoga, hip hop dance, guitar, acting and more.
The Cornerstone Arts Centre is part of a development plan for Didcot and funded by South Oxfordshire District Council. The £8 million project encompasses an auditorium, café and restaurant, a dance studio, workshop and multipurpose rooms and an art gallery. The building is an absolute treat, meant to be beautiful, welcoming and accessible – and it really fulfils its commitment to the residents of Didcot to give them a place for the arts to be proud of. More than 50,000 visitors have come through the door in this first year alone!
My partner and I visited the centre for the first time for an evening anniversary performance in the theatre. The building was lit up in all of its glorious splendour, accenting the modern panels of the ‘Window Wall’ designed by Britain-based artist Richard Layzell working with a local school. The place was already filled with patrons who couldn’t wait to show their support for the project.
Councillor Bill Service, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism for the South Oxfordshire District Council and the man responsible for the venue now introduced the performers over a massive cake (complete with candles, and as I found out later, very delicious). The Pasadena Roof Orchestra took the stage and began to play vintage big band and jazz tunes that filled the room via artfully placed and designed acoustic panelling. The evening was a delight, and I will certainly be back again.
I also returned to take a tour of the building on a weekend day with Arts Centre Director Emma Dolman, who has been with Cornerstone from brainstorming and stakeholder surveys to the launch and the year since. Her enthusiasm both for the centre and for Didcot as a growing and thriving town that supports the arts was infectious, and the innovations in accessibility and attention to detail in the building were truly impressive. I can’t help but think that the mixture of professional and amateur acts, community workshops and classes, and inspiring art exhibits will continue to be a hit. There is absolutely no excuse not to take the short drive or easy train ride to Didcot to be a part of it.
Reviewed by Kimberly Manning |
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