My friend Bernard Samuels, who has died aged 89, left his job as a teacher in Devon in 1971 to become the director of Plymouth Arts Centre, and fulfilled this role with intelligence, energy and creativity for the next 25 years. He developed lasting friendships and cultural contacts throughout the UK, and created a space described by the painter Patrick Heron as the “perfect arts centre”. Bernard’s programmes ranged from contemporary art to multi-media events, incorporating exhibitions, performances and concerts, which included Heathcote Williams readings and chamber music by the Brodsky Quartet.
Bernard provided a springboard for the careers of successive art coordinators at the centre who went on to fulfil senior roles in national and regional art and craft organisations. Plymouth Arts Centre became a major venue for both established and contemporary art and performance. He was credited with giving their first solo exhibitions to Beryl Cook (in 1975) and Ben Hartley (in 1977) – who had both been relatively unknown painters living locally. He further developed the space as an arts cinema, refurbishing and extending the premises in the 80s.
