a little history

The Great Atlantic Map Works Gallery, St Just, March 1996 - July 2007 The Great Atlantic Map Works Gallery opened its doors for the first time on March 30th 1996 using two refurbished rooms in an otherwise derelict building. Like the 'Palace Flophouse and Grill' in John Steinbeck's Cannery Row, the building had had a chequered history. Built in the 1960's, the place was first a Greengrocers, then a Fish and Chip Shop and then a Greek Restaurant and Takeaway, having become known as 'The Seabird' along the way. Soon after becoming a Greek-Chinese Restaurant it closed and remained empty for several years until Michael and Hayley Jay bought the property for their educational supply business, MJP Geopacks. Among a host of products like river velocity flow meters, weather stations and other contraptions, Geopacks dealt in large quantities of maps. Hence 'The Map Works'. Between 1995 and 1997, the Jay's progressively sold their interest in Geopacks but retained the freehold of 'The Map Works'. Its present incarnation as an art gallery came about after conversations with local artists who suggested that an art gallery would be successful with the right people behind it and "if it was done properly"! Six weeks later, closely advised by a number of artists including Kurt Jackson, Paul Lewin, Mary Stork, Alex Smirnoff and Perry Parkes, The Great Atlantic Map Works Gallery opened with a dazzling show called '40 Years of Art in St Just'. According to the 'The Cornishman' newspaper, "People poured into to St Just on Sunday afternoon to attend the inaugural opening of the new gallery". In retrospect, it was an event waiting to happen. Over the 11 years that it was open we have shown the work of over 100 artists who have lived in, worked in or been strongly associated with St Just and West Cornwall. The Gallery finally closed its doors in July 2007 and the St Just arm of the business was wholly transferred to The Great Atlantic Gallery in Bank Square, at the heart of St Just-in-Penwith.

DIARY OF FORTHCOMING EXHIBITIONS /LINKS
MAILING LIST / ARCHIVE / ENTER THE GALLERY

ARTIST PROFILES / BEYOND THE GREAT ATLANTIC

THE GREAT ATLANTIC ON-LINE BOOK SHOP

The Great Atlantic Gallery, St Just
5 Bank Square, St Just -in-Penwith, Cornwall TR19 7HH
International Tel: 44 1736 788911/786016 (within the UK: 01736 788911/786016)
e-mail: gallery@greatatlantic.co.uk