Rochester Square
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About

Rochester Square has been an abandoned and derelict nursery site for over a decade. In early 2016 Francesca Anfossi and Eric Wragge, a local couple, formed and led a partnership to purchase the abandoned and derelict nursery site from the previous owners. Since then, they have secured it, completed extensive remediation and are currently assessing the feasibility of revitalizing the square and bringing it back into use.

A long-term and sustainable plan has yet to be defined but is currently envisaged to restore or replace the buildings on the square's surface and remove the concrete that covers most of the surface to make way for gardens and landscaping.

We are in the process of revitalizing, testing new ideas and working with socially engaging projects. As part of our outreach process, we set up a communal studio for recreational use and collaborative ideas for artists and neighbours where we learn and share knowledge through making.

 

Left to Right: Program & Projects Manager Anastasia Sledkova, Co-Founder and Director Francesca Anfossi and Ceramics Technician & Artist Manager Ewelina Bartkowska

Staff and friends:

We have a lot of enthusiasm and we use all of our energies to develop our dream for the Square, being careful not to distort its authenticity. Since this project started, there have been a lot of people who have collaborated and helped us to make this happen.

Co-founder Francesca Anfossi was born in Italy and lives and works in London. Since her MA at the Slade School of Art, Francesca has exhibited both nationally and internationally, participating in various creative collaborations. She is the artistic director of Rochester Square and together with the team, manages and uses the space for making art every day.

Co-founder Eric Wragge was born in Canada and works in finance in London.

Discover more about Rochester Square through the following articles, interviews and publications in our Press page.