New creative centre set up in Devon

Article Added: 08/05/2009 11:05:45
Duchy Square is a new centre for creativity, which was launched at the end of March to offer advice and support for artistic businesses in Devon. The centre promotes work from emerging local craft makers and artists and is funded by South West Regional Development Agency, Government Office South West, Devon County Council and The Duchy of Cornwall.

The centre contains two galleries featuring changing exhibitions, a shop selling work by both the resident artists and artists who don’t have studios at the centre, a work room which can be hired for workshops and 12 artist studios. Among the artists housed at the centre are Jane Deane, a weaver, spinner and dyer; Jillian Morris, a textile artist; Mary Toon, a felt maker and Jacqueline Welby, a quilter and embroiderer.

Creative centres such as this can be a great option for artists and designers who find working from their homes a very lonely experience. Jane Deane explains, “The big advantage is that there is a very noticeable energetic buzz about the building. There are also several collaborations coming out of the studios as artists get to meet each other. One of the things I do is rear silk worms and one of the painters in the studios saw one of the moths and has decided to do some paintings of them. Collaborations such as this are a great part of working in such a creative environment.”

It isn’t just the artists who benefit from a creative centre such as this and there is plenty for the general public to see too. Jane continues, “The public can expect to see two exhibitions here at the centre, one is usually by the artists at the centre while the other is a travelling exhibition. Exhibitions usually change every 4-6 weeks so there is plenty happening to encourage people to keep coming back. There are also plans for a week of taster workshops in the summer, run by the artists in the studios, and of course there is always someone in the studios for the public to talk to and find out more about our crafts.”

Duchy Square is always looking for new artists from the area to exhibit and sell their work at the centre. If you would like to apply for gallery space then visit www.duchysquare.org and click on ‘Artists and Craft Makers’, where you will find a PDF application form. There is also still one unoccupied artist studio available, so if you would like to arrange a viewing then please phone 01822 890828.