The Art Studio: Extended
memoir 1986-2012
The Art Studio: Extended records more of its members and their artwork. This page is dedicated to everyone who participated in the life and times of The Art Studio, Sunderland.
The Art Studio was artist-led and advanced the arts in the region by fully exploiting the rich culture and heritage it championed. The Studio’s success stemmed from an artistic vision and a refusal to conform to established values or political pressure. It became recognised as an example of good artistic practice by pioneering public engagement and expanding access to art for minorities. It was integral to the Year of Visual Arts UK Initiative and future collaborations throughout the UK and abroad.
Awards: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/awards/?cat=84
Reviews: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/press-reviews/?cat=84
About The Art Studio, visit: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/the-art-studio/?cat=84
Outside The Art Studio: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KqHBQERw1bU2XwtH6
Inside the Art Studio: https://youtu.be/kn-G9lNlUVk
Membership The Art Studio’s membership and sponsorship grew, as did its reputation in the media and the local community. With support from the City Council, the project expanded to larger premises on Sans St. in 1988 before relocating to a three-story, 15,000-square-foot facility on Hind St. in the city centre in 1990. (Cover image). From the City Council, the project expanded to larger premises on Sans St. in 1988 before relocating to a three-story, 15,000-square-foot facility on Hind St. in the city centre in 1990. (Cover image). Progress Within a few years, The Art Studio had transformed into an exceptional platform for discussing and developing effective artistic practices, free from the typically restrictive frameworks of the art establishment. It provided a space where both professional and non-professional artists could collaborate. Here, artists defined what art meant, and their dedication set their work apart. Funding was secured to hire a development worker to support and maintain the sculpture program established by sculptor Chris Sell. Professional artists were then recruited and given the freedom to expand, establish, and enhance the Studio’s activities. They utilised their expertise to engage the community and spark interest in ceramics, printmaking, and technology-based art. An outreach workshop program was implemented to sustain and foster partnerships throughout the city and the region.
Facilities Large open areas inside were converted into individual and communal spaces for people to work in and forge their identities as artists while fulfilling a need for a sense of belonging and fellowship. This collective spirit fed into and formed the overall fabric of the project. It had established fully equipped printmaking and ceramics facilities and a digital imaging suite. There was also a large, spacious gallery on the ground floor for regular exhibitions of studio artists’ work and networking with universities and other professional visual arts organisations. Giant Fish & Jumbos: The Winter Gardens, Sunderland, and Washington Arts Centre: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/giant-fish-jumbos/?cat=84 Creating a New World: the Northern Centre for Contemporary Art, Sunderland; St. Giles Church, Oxford; the Centre for Developmental Art, Glasgow; Barings Bank, Old Bailey, City of London: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/creating-a-new-world-the-art-studio/?cat=84 ‘book’, a commission for the Year of Visual Arts UK: The Central Library and Arts Building, Sunderland: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/item/book/?cat=84 Derek Hill YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@derekhill5586 Inside The Art Studio: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pC8jMevoa46AbhWf2 The Art Studio: Extended
The Art Studio Selected Exhibitions:
