Former art students run thriving studios

A group of former art students are keeping the skills they learned alive through exhibitions and workshops at the town’s Old Quarry Studios in Queen’s Road

A collection of old industrial buildings was converted for artists’ use in the late 1990s and now there is a thriving group of painters, potters, sculptors, photographers and printmakers - almost all of whom trained at the College - making work there.

The artists have just held a group exhibition at the Rowan Tree tea rooms, next to the studios, and have regular open days on the first Saturday of each month.

Next week a group of current  BA students will be exhibiting at the gallery, and there are plans to run courses for students in the use of a wood-fired kiln, which has been built by studio member Simon Taylor.

Simon is also a Ceramic Lecturer and Course Leader for the mature UAL Arts Foundation programme, and works alongside his dad, ceramicist Sinclair Taylor. Simon has taught several of the studio members and is hoping to inspire the latest generation of student artists with his ‘Anagama’ kiln, which he thinks might be one of the smallest of its kind in the world.

He said: “ I built this kiln not just for personal use as a practicing ceramicist but also for my students at the College.

“Weston Quarry Studios houses many artists and designers who have progressed from the College’s Foundation and Degree Courses and are now working as practicing artists with some flourishing professional businesses. I am particularly proud that I have taught many of these artists who have continue to demonstrate high motivation and commitment to the arts initiated from their original training at the College.”

Vicki Campbell is one of the artists at the studios and is a former College student and lecturer. She said: “My time at the College was very encouraging and stimulating and the staff were great. That experience has led to me joining this studio and pursuing my creativity in a lovely environment.”

Joan Hall is in her 80s, but still loves to paint JMW Turner-inspired seascapes. She said: “the College was a great experience for me and it taught me to explore different techniques that I still use in my painting.”