Est 1752....

 

Originally a Methodist chapel, the globe at hay has come a long way from its original purpose as inaugurated by the priest C. Williams.  Yet since its inauguration in 1752, the space has been a meeting place for inquisitive minds.  After a spell of disuse in the 1980’s it was rescued from decay in 1999 when it took on a new lease of life as an art gallery. 

 

Today, the globe at hay is a much loved centre of arts, ideas and performance.  From the outside, the historic chapel façade remains, but inside visitors will find a colourful fusion of antique furniture, a Work-In-Progress scaffolding balcony, and home to several video art installations. 

 

Split across three levels, the globe at hay offers a mixed and dynamic arts programme; from exhibitions to comedy, live music to quiz nights, Dj sets to debate and free film screenings.  At the heart of the main gallery space is an upbeat café, open 7 days a week, from 11am to 12:30am Friday and Saturdays and 11am to 11:30pm on other days. The café serves only the best locally sourced, home-cooked food and offers a good selection of quality tea, coffee, Wye Valley ales, fine wines and lots of delicious cakes and treats. 

 

There are three distinct spaces in the globe at hay.

The primary space, known as the Chapel, is a grand triple height space with large windows.

The Lower gallery is accessed by stairs down from the chapel. It is the same size as the Chapel with a flagstone floor and a lower ceiling.

The Upper gallery can be reached either from the entrance or from steps in the Chapel and has a mezzanine wing which extends into the Chapel space.

 

All of these are available for hire individually and it is also possible to hire the whole of the globe for a special occasion. Please contact Mandy Houghton at: mandy.houghton@globeathay.co.uk

 

the globe at hay is also home to the Institute of Art and Ideas - a charity whose aim is to promote all forms of creative expression.  The IAI is founded on the principle of openness and the attempt to expand our world from the limitations of its everyday narrative.  With this spirit in mind, the globe at hay celebrates all forms of creative expression: from poetry readings to fashion shows, from children’s workshops to video art, from philosophical talks to music and dancing.

 

Far from being about art with a capital A, the IAI is about creating a space of discovery, a place that is enjoyable and fun to be in, a place that is open.  the globe at hay is the physical manifestation of this ethos.  The IAI aims to build on and reflect the independent spirit that typifies the remarkable town of Hay. 

 

 The upper gallery and the chapel both host video paintings from the open gallery, encoded by online post production london.