March Newsletter

Image from Migrant Journey, Border Control

Hello March!

We’ve got a quick round up of the going’s on at West Studios. As always we‘re really busy - today, we have Ian Judson from Killamarsh Arts & Minds setting up his imminent exhibition. I am absolutely blown away by the volume of work and how emotive the pictures and sculptures are. I cannot wait for this exhibition to open as I think it will speak to a lot of people. We have an interview on our website with Ian - click here to read it.

Migrant Journey, Border Control runs from 8th March until 29th March.

The Recital Room in College has had a refurb!

We are letting people know that they are able to hire it out for events, performances, film showings and dance shows. What else can you bring to our venue?

To book a viewing and get a quote, please contact either Joby or Annie on (01246)500799 or email us on hello@weststudios.co.uk. Alternatively, we have our Contact Page here.

Our Recital Room is ready for your event.

2 week, Photography Short Course, £60

Creative Courses

Get those creative juices flowing with our Studio Photography Course. This two week short course starts on Monday 18th March and continues on the following Monday. In it, you can gain a greater understanding of your camera or learn right from scratch. Your tutor will take you through topics such as shutter speed and white balance. The workshop will also go through aperture, ISO Exposure and Studio lighting.

All you will need is a notebook and a USB stick to save your photos on. All other equipment can be provided but you’re more than welcome to bring your own camera. This course costs just £60.

For more information and to book a place on this, please email hello@weststudios.co.uk

New Stockists Coming Soon!

We have some beautiful new items in our Gallery Shop and we also have some on their way!

Cognissart are already selling here. Alison Wake brings us scenes that we all know and adore, from around the Peak District - but she embroiders them - what a talent!

Keep an eye out on our Instagram and Facebook pages for announcements of new stockists.

Youth Theatre

Gekkota Arts/Pomegranate Youth Theatre have had a successful performance of their play, ‘Salt’ by Dawn King at the beginning of this month. They will also be performing it at the Crucible Studio Theatre on Wednesday 27th March at 7pm. Why not buy a ticket?

If you have any questions about events, room hire, short courses, items in our Gallery Shop, our tenants and their work, please just drop us a line here and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Wishing you all the best! See you soon!

Monthly Edit - March

Lets get straight to it… IT IS MOTHER’S DAY ON 31st MARCH! Consider this your fair warning!

I have selected some more unusual gift ideas for you to celebrate your lovely Mum.. partner, sister, grandma… this month. Let’s have a look…

The Full Edit

The theme is ‘Spring-time Colour’. I’ll take you through the items from left to right.

Handmade art doll, by Dolls with Attitude, £38

Here we have, Rita. She is beautifully stitched by Jane of Dolls with Attitude. Being an art doll, she isn’t for young children as she is jointed with small buttons. Don’t you just love her hair?

Next to her, there is a bright and beautiful ‘Flutterby’ by Emma Louise Made These. Made from fabric origami on an embroidery hoop, these will bring colour to your home through out the year.

‘Flutterby’ by Emma Louise Made These, £20.

Also seen: Laser Cut Coaster by Bec Ashford, £4.99

Bec Ashford’s work is evocative of the henna designs that she creates on her clients. The swirling patterns and motifs are both intriguing and soothing.

Laser cut coasters and keyrings in a variety of styles by Bec Ashford, from £4.99

‘Spring’ Cushion by Rollerdog, currently reduced to £13.

Rollerdog designs fantastic fabric to create these fantastic faux-suede cushions. Soft, squidgy and incredibly tactile, this is actually the last cushion we have in this design! Hurry! Come and get it! (Did I mention it is also reduced?!)

‘Home Sweet Home’ Upcycled Plate by PIxie Drew, £10

Many of us feel like ‘Home’ is where Mum is, hey? This sweet plate has been ‘funkified’ (yes, that is a word!) by Pixie Drew for a modern slant on an age old motto. All of our Pixie Drew plates are hand written so all are totally unique - just like your Ma!

Loads of cards! Prices range from £2.50 - £3.00

Bestest Mum Ever Trophy, Death by Tea, £2.50, There’s No Place Like Home Print, Jemma Banks, £20 or £32 framed, Tea Solves Most Problems, Death by Tea, £2.50, You Deserve A Medal, Death by Tea, £2.50, You Are A Magical Creature, Duck & Peach, £3.00, There’s No Place Like Home, Duck & Peach, £3.00, Pug Love, The Illustrated Wisp, £2.75, Heart Bouquet, Tilly Fudge, £2.50

As always, most of these items are unique or one offs so if you would like to reserve anything from this edit, please just call us on (01246)500799 or email us on hello@weststudios.co.uk

Also, a shout out to my little helpers… Thank you, Ladybirds!

A Quick Chat with Ian Judson Ahead of his Exhibition, 'Migrant Journey, Border Control'.

Before each exhibition, I really like to meet with the artist to find out a bit about them, what inspires them and how their exhibition came about.

Ian Judson of Killamarsh Arts and Minds is a regular face at West Studios with his work within the community and bringing us items to sell in our Gallery Shop. It has been fascinating but also humbling to find out more about his incredible journey of self-discovery and struggles with his own mental health.

For more information on the exhibition, click here.

Hello Ian! Could you tell us the name of your exhibition?

Migrant Journey, Border Control.

What materials have you used to create the work in the exhibition?

Material used- Plywood sheeting, mount board sheets, oil pastels, permanent felt tips, highlighters, acrylic paints, chalk, photo copied photos from previous works for backgrounds, architect plans, copying machine for A1 black and white images. Sculptors- recycled materials e.g. cardboard, paper, plaster etc.

What is the theme for the exhibition; what have you taken inspiration from to create this exhibition?

The theme for the exhibition is to look into the simplicity of the images to find your own thoughts and story; to feel the pain, the journey risking their lives, the unexpected, suffering, lost souls, lost identities to lose family and friends, desperation to find a new home and safety, hope at the border controls and, if accepted, into a new world and life… Is their real journey just about to start?

Being a lost soul and lost identity in my own way within mental illness for many years, wandering and out of sanity and mental health hospital wards. People looking like lost souls, lost identity not wanted by many. I became the same. These lost souls became the most special family I have ever had at the time. Some of us thankfully survived to find some of the wellbeing and recovery. My eyes were opened forever. I now look at life in such a different way hence the voluntary work I now do. The workshop community we now run is so many people’s sanctuary. 

What made you chose West Studios when deciding where you should exhibit your work?

I chose West Studios because in our community wellbeing and art therapy workshop, named Art and Minds, myself and dear friend Barry (a fellow artist with a history of acute depression) supported and helped to run a mental health recovery clinic with Chesterfield NHS Mental Health Occupation Therapists that was based at West Studios for six weeks last year.

When I first took ill having a breakdown 20 years ago, I started my own journey to recovery by being supported by the Hartington Mental Health Wing Art Occupational Therapist to attend the west block art college (now West Studios) on a mature student 2 year access course. Eventually, I did Fine Art Sculpture at Sheffield Hallam Uni. The tutors and staff were brilliant with such caring friendships and they still are. This became the first start of my recovery drive over the future years. To be back and support West Studios is an amazing privilege.

I realise now when developing my art and expressing myself through the teachings at West Studios, it has helped big time in saving my life. I owe Chesterfield Art College so much.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to tell us about?

Yes our community workshop in Killamarsh Art and Minds, has many ongoing projects to support others with mental health, social isolation and loneliness. Our new project, which we have already started, is to encourage our volunteers who enjoy artwork to have exhibitions and selling their works in the West Studio gallery. One volunteer has already started an art foundation course in the main art college.

We try to help build their self-esteem, motivation and confidence, to support them eventually having a possible career in art. We couldn’t do this without West Studios team. If we all work together, care, listen and understand, we all are on the right path. Thankyou.

An example of work from Ian’s imminent exhibition, ‘Migrant Journey, Border Control’.

If you would like to find out more about Ian’s work with Arts & Minds, S41Local magazine has a brilliant article. Find it here.

This exhibition will be on from 8th March until 29th March. We request that visitors call West Studios ahead of viewing to make sure you can have access to all the rooms that the work is displayed in. Our number is (01246)500799 and our email address is hello@weststudios.co.uk

This Month's Top Ten 'Must Haves'

We asked our work experience student, Chibesa, to do a mini edit for us! This is what stood out to her in our shop.

“These items that I have picked out are perfect for any home. The simple warm-toned colours are a perfect reflection of the upcoming season. Any of these items will add a personal, home-made feel to any space. Perfect for anyone, whether it’s for you, your kids or a friend!

On the left side we have some knitted items which are great as decoration, and simple too. Maybe this will inspire you to get into knitting. Trust me, it’s fun! Further to the back is a hanging ornament. Get yourself some felt fabric, string, a needle, thread and some beads and you have a perfect home activity to keep yourself busy!”

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Handspun wool from £6

Dolls £24

Moon Phase Mobile £26

Vase £45

If you’re an artistic person then why not draw or paint something personal to you. If you’re not then go with the next best option which is buying something from our shop!

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I really like this Edit! What do you think?

Left to Right above:

Handspun Wool covered Jar by Hooked on Joy £9

Moon Phases Mobile by Fiona Gypsy Bunting £26

Lantern Parade Print by Martin Davis £65

Ceramic Vase by Peter Swailes £45

Crocheted Necklace (shown draped on vase) by Hooked on Joy £16

Laser Cut, Wooden Keyrings by Bec Ashford £5.99

Hare in Moonlight Notebook by Fiona Gypsy Bunting £4.50

Cherub in a Woolly Jumper by Dolls With Attitude £24

If you see anything in this mini-edit by Chibesa that you would like to buy, please email us or call us on (01246) 500799 to reserve and collect.

A Quick Chat Ahead of 'Firecracker Art by Denise'

This month, we have Dr Denise Glover exhibiting with us. We got together to have a quick chat with her ahead of her debut exhibition.

‘Hope’ by Denise Glover

‘Firecracker Art by Denise’ is the debut exhibition of Dr Denise Glover, a local GP. Denise has been painting for little over a year after just being inspired to pick up a paintbrush one day. Denise has been inspired to paint and document her travels around Africa - just last month, she reached the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, climbing to raise money for cancer research!

‘Kilimanjaro’ by Denise Glover

‘Firecracker Art by Denise’ is a colourful and vibrant journey through Africa and beyond as seen through the eyes of an inspired and motivated person.

Denise uses a variety of different media ranging from acrylic paint, watercolours and markers to explore her art and her travels.

‘Pomegranate’ by Denise Glover

We are very pleased that Denise chose to exhibit here at West Studios and wish her the best of luck with her artistic endeavours.

‘Firecracker Art by Denise’ runs from Monday 11th February until Friday 1st March with a private view on Saturday 9th February, to which the public is invited. If you would like to view this exhibition during the week, please call (01246) 500799 to make sure you are able to have access to all of the rooms.