Artist Eric Snell was speaking at Castle Cornet yesterday at the start of the three-day Arts and Islands Conference. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0988621)

GUERNSEY is sitting on a phenomenal economical and cultural opportunity through becoming an arts centre, it has been claimed.

In his presentation at the 2010 Arts and Islands conference held at Castle Cornet, Eric Snell told delegates about locations around the world, and through history, which were revitalised by promoting themselves through arts.

‘This is a whistle-stop tour of how art can rejuvenate and give identity to a location,’ said Mr Snell, before arguing Guernsey was ideally placed to do the same.

Mr Snell said that geographically Guernsey was uniquely placed between the art worlds of Europe and the UK and should take advantage of this.

He then said the Bailiwick had both the rich cultural heritage and modern assets necessary to be ideally suited for the role of an island arts centre.

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