← The Department Grand Opening
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Something exciting has landed in Ryde. The Department has officially opened its doors, and what a celebration it was for us at Turner Works as Shademakers UK, along with their partners, welcomed the community to their brand-new home.
The transformation of this former department store into a vibrant cultural hub has been a magnificent project to work on. What was once a space for production and retail has now become a space for making, performing, learning, and celebrating. But more than that, The Department is a commitment to creativity, community, and reclaiming spaces in ways that serve people, not just commerce.
Shademakers, known for their incredible carnival work (think large-scale kinetic sculptures, dancing installations, and a serious talent for bringing streets to life), have spent over three decades as a nomadic organisation. Now, they finally have a long-term base and it’s one with an open door, inviting Ryde’s creative community to step inside and be part of something special.
For us at Turner Works, this project has been about more than just architecture. It’s about reimagining what our high streets can be and proving that old buildings can have bold new futures. The Isle of Wight has a long history of creativity and celebration (this is, after all, the birthplace of the UK’s first carnival) and The Department continues that legacy. It’s a place that encourages big ideas, playful experimentation, and a sense of belonging.
The opening event brought together local artists, funders, and organisations including Arts Council England, Historic England, and the Architectural Heritage Fund, each recognising the significance of what’s been achieved here. As Phil Gibby from Arts Council England put it:
“Department is poised to become an exemplary high-street regeneration project, one that’s sure to bring positive benefits to Ryde for years to come”.
Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Phil Jordan, summed it up:
“This has been a fantastic project and achievement that enhances the creative opportunities for the local community in Ryde and on the Isle of Wight and offers new access in an area of deprivation for people to engage in creative and visual arts, theatre, digital, and carnival activities.”
With the building open and the first exhibitions and performances underway, The Department is a blank canvas, ready to be shaped by the community.. Ryde Arts, Stitch Department, and Horse Box Theatre, which are just a few of the brilliant organisations based here, are already turning ideas into action, filling the space with creativity.
For us, this project embodies everything we love about what we do: repurposing, reinventing, and designing with people at the heart of it all. The Department is proof that buildings don’t have to sit empty, waiting for a developer to swoop in. With the right energy, collaboration, and vision, they can become something really special.
So, if you’re on the Isle of Wight, swing by The Department. See what’s happening, get involved, and, if you’re lucky, catch a bit of that Shademakers magic in action.
TW Team
Suzi Winstanley - Project Director
Simon Cadle - Project Architect
Sian Wells - Project Architectural Designer
With Support From: Calvin Scherer, Joe Redwood, Michele Rorato
Client
Shademakers
Isle of Wight Council
Collaborators
Ryde Arts
Arts Council / DCMS
Historic England
Architectural Heritage Fund
Modh Design
Deniz Beck
Liz Cooke
Alice Malia
BWC Fire
ERMC
Salvis Group
24 Acoustics
NT surveying
Daniel Stimson
Crown Park