Karlovy Vary Association Protebe live wants to turn public toilets into a gallery

Karlovy Vary - The Karlovy Vary civil association Protebe live wants to convert the public toilets under the intersection near Becherovka into a gallery. The exhibition spaces would be intended for the presentation of various artistic styles and non-profit organizations. The costs of realizing the project are estimated at around half a million crowns. The director of the association, Tereza Bredlerová, informed ČTK about this today.
    The association obtained the long-closed and non-operational toilets last year on a ten-year lease. They pay the city a symbolic rent of 500 crowns per month for them. Now, preparatory construction work and clearing of the space have begun. Bredlerová considers the location for the gallery to be strategic, as hundreds of people pass by daily. "We are aiming for a gallery in the public space where we can present interactive exhibitions," she stated.
    The success of the project now largely depends on whether the association can secure enough funding. Currently, they have about 100,000 crowns available. Approximately half of the money comes from the association's own resources, while the other half was obtained as a grant from the Vodafone Foundation. "We will try to approach potential sponsors. If we do not manage to secure the necessary half a million crowns, we would have to adjust the gallery according to a more economical variant," Bredlerová noted.
    However, the Protebe live association is concerned that their plans may be jeopardized by the upcoming reconstruction of the entire area of the intersection and Chebský bridge, under which the gallery is to be established. The current intersection is set to be replaced by a roundabout. Therefore, the association wants to negotiate with the city. "We would be pleased if there was still space for the gallery in the future area. Including part of the underpass, where we are already exhibiting artistic works now," Bredlerová added.