ARTISTS have revitalised an empty shop by launching a temporary gallery.

Paintings, photography and ceramics from 12 Oxford artists have gone on show at Templars Square Shopping Centre, in Cowley, as part of a new scheme to make the best of vacant premises.

The Oxford Empty Spaces Arts Project (Toes) is the brainchild of artist Kavitha Paramasivan and her husband Devanand Shanmugam, who negotiated the use of the shop with the centre’s management.

Oxford City Council has backed the scheme financially and helped publicise it. Hundreds of people have already visited the exhibition, which runs until November 28.

Mrs Paramasivan said: “We are delighted with the opening of our gallery and over the weekend we saw nearly 200 people visit the space.

“We think empty shops make a wonderful art space for all parties involved – the participating artists gain exposure, the empty shops and malls benefit from the walk-in crowds generated and it will create awareness and participation in the arts for the public.”

She added: “We hope that this is the start of displaying our work in empty shops and that Toes can move from one empty shop to another and get our work out to people in the community who wouldn’t normally see it.”

The Toes project is the fourth to launch in Oxford.

The others are Notfamousyet in St Clements, Launch Collaborative in High Street and OFVM Film Oxford in Westgate.

Councillors hope the scheme will combat graffiti, improve city shopping areas, generate local pride and promote young artists.

Council leader Bob Price said: “I would encourage people to visit this exhibition.

“This opportunity means that artists benefit from low-cost or free space on short and temporary contracts.

“Local communities benefit from increased access to art activities on their high street and see their town being brought back to life.

“With the current financial situation, there are increasing numbers of empty shops in the city centre and further afield and we hope that this initiative will revitalise the high street.”

The council is looking for more landlords who are willing to donate their property.

If a commercial tenant is then found, exhibitors have agreed to leave “quickly and efficiently”.

For information call arts officer Laura Worsfold at the council on 01865 252829.

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk