In March 1996, the former Regency Holy Trinity Church in central Brighton was transformed into Fabrica, a visual arts organisation founded by a group of artists from Red Herring Studios. The church had closed the following year and was at first intended to be repurposed as a local history museum. When this did not happen, the Red Herring artists, supported by several organisations including South East Arts and Brighton Borough Council, were able to use the space to realise their vision of a “focus for contemporary visual art practice.” Serving as one of the city’s only major exhibition spaces for contemporary art, Fabrica commissions “art installations specific to the building” and their first exhibition took place in 1996.

To reflect the spirit of creation that they wanted to be the space’s founding principle, the name Fabrica, which means “factory” in some European languages, was chosen for its etymological connections with the English “fabricate” and French “fabriquer”, meaning “to make”. As well as offering a space and support for artists to create daring work, Fabrica encourages “an open dialogue between artists and visitors.” They also endeavour to facilitate audience access, engagement and understanding of the work showcased through workshops, talks and screenings as part of “an integrated programme of education and audience development activity.”

Continue North up Ship Street to North Street and cross the street at the pedestrian crossing. Walk westwards up the hill towards the Clock Tower. Before you reach the Clock Tower, turn right into Windsor Street and walk to the end. At Church Street, cross over and go into the small gardens of the Brighthelm Church and Community Centre. Stop outside the centre’s main entrance.