THE official launch of the Artists Workhouse in Studley has been hailed a stunning success after more than 250 people dropped in on the former needlemaking factory to celebrate its rebirth last Friday.
Such was the impression made by the centre that it has now been chosen to launch the annual Warwickshire Open Studios event which is likely to bring a major business boost to the village, in particular to local pubs, restaurants and takeaways.
Open Studios runs from June 18 to July 3 and showcases the work of artists right across the county and pulls in thousands of visitors to Warwickshire every year.
“The launch exceeded all our expectations,” said Dawn Harris, a Studley resident who developed the Artists Workhouse, “and we made a tremendous number of contacts and to hold the launch event for Open Studios is fantastic.”
Not only that but the Workhouse has also been chosen as the venue for a symposium on the dissertations of Fine Arts students from Gloucester University who will exhibit work for their Masters degrees in May.
There are also plans afoot to make the venue a facility for local people to use to develop their own artistic talents.
“There are lots of really exciting things happening and the great thing is that as a working environment it makes a change from the usual gallery setting,” said Dawn.
The Artists Workhouse is on the Redditch Road in Studley opposite the Victoria Works pub.
It’s opening exhibition ‘AWE1’ is running until this Sunday (February 7) and everyone is welcome to go along and take a look between 11am and 4pm.
