Have You Dreamt of Exhibiting Your Artwork?

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…If you have then this could be an opportunity for you…

Each year, artists around the area have used our Open Exhibition to showcase their work, to launch careers, show their latest style or just to dip their toe in to test the waters.

To apply to be a part of the exhibition, click here to be taken to our Contact Page and we will send you an application pack.

Successful applicants will be notified in the week beginning 23rd August for work to be delivered to West Studios at a pre-arranged time.

What are you waiting for? We’d love to see your work!

Running from 6th September until 27th September.

Below are a few examples of previous years’ work.

Our Summer Workshop Event is Coming!

Due to the success of our Christmas Workshop Event, we are presenting another set of sessions with adults AND kids in mind.

I’ve put together a bit more information for you below…

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Arabella Walker - Wire and Bead Trees

Arabella will provide everything you need to make beautiful wire trees. She’ll guide you through the techniques she uses to make these incredibly popular trinkets from her exhibit at the ‘Young Contemporaries 2019’ show in May.

One hour sessions. 10am-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, 12:45pm-1:45pm, 2pm-3pm

Price: £10

Click here to book your place.

[Under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult due to the techniques and tools used}

Deb Langner of ‘Drawn and Fired’ - Piggy Banks

Deb will be helping you to make ceramic, animal money banks; either piggy banks, or a different animal, if you choose to! There will be a choice of white gloss glaze or transparent gloss glaze.

One hour sessions. 10am-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, 12:45pm-1:45pm, 2pm-3pm

Price: £12

Click here to book your place.

Please Note: There will be a 4-6 week wait for drying, glazing and firing the finished item.

[Under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult due to the techniques and tools used}

Martha Bramwell - Coil Pots

Martha will be showing you a slightly different technique in ceramics by making coil pots and vases and planters.

One hour sessions. 10am-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, 12:45pm-1:45pm, 2pm-3pm

Price:£12

Click here to book your place.

Please Note: There will be a 4-6 week wait for drying, glazing and firing the finished item.

[Under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult due to the techniques and tools used]

Petitbooche - Felt Wall Banners

Make your very own summer themed felt pennant banner to brighten up your home. Choice of designs and both sewn and glued options available. Jonathan of Petitbooche says, “This workshop is suitable for both littles and bigs alike, but all littles must have a big with them!”

One hour sessions. 10am-11am, 11:15am-12:15pm, 12:45pm-1:45pm, 2pm-3pm

Price:£10

Click here to book your place.

[Under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult due to the techniques and equipment used}

Ray Castleton - Introduction to Writing

West Studio based playwright and actor Ray Castleton offers a writing workshop which shares a simple technique he uses to "get past the blank page" to write "history for performance". It is also a technique that can get you started on novels, short stories etc.

All you need to join in is a pen/pencil and a note book and bring the story of how your parents met, where and in what year.

One hour session: 11:15am - 12:15pm

Price: £5 - with all proceeds going to the Alzheimers Society.

Click here to book your place.

[Please note that this workshop is Aged 14+]

Sparky Ink Studios - Stop-Motion Animation

Jane from Sparky Ink Studio will be guiding mini-sessions for Under 9’s and Over 9’s who would like to learn the basics of stop-motion animation and editing. Jane from Sparky Ink Studios says…

Films will be published and promoted on our social media and YouTube channel. Participants can also have the MP4 copy if they bring in a usb memory stick or I can make it available for them to view online and copy to their own PC.

…how exciting is that?! You can share your animation with your friends and family.

Under 9’s: 45 minute session £7.50

  • 10.00am-10.45am (1 child), 11.15am-12.00pm (1 child), 12:30pm-1.15pm (1 child), 1.30pm-2.15pm (1 child)

Over 9’s: 1 hour session £12.00

  • 10.00am-11.00am (2 places available), 11.15am-12.15pm (2 places available), 12.30pm-1.30pm (2 places available), 1.30pm-2.30pm (2 places available)

Click here to book your place.

[Please Note: Adults responsible for the children attending must stay in West Studios whilst the workshop is running.]

Sombrero Printmaking - Lino Printed Cards

Dave from Sombrero Printmaking will be guiding you through the process of lino printing. He said participants of his workshop will be able to “design, carve and print a design (approximately 5x5 inches) which you'll be able to re-use afterwards. You'll be able to print it onto cards or paper at home.”

90 minute sessions £10:  10am-11.30am, 11.45am-1.15pm, 1.30pm-3.00pm.

Click here to book your place.

[Under 12’s must be accompanied by an adult due to the techniques and tools used]

So there we have it! Loads to choose from. Please remember to book early to avoid disappointment though…

See you on 17th August!

'Communicate' An Exhibition by Dave Elsom

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Ahead of his exhibition starting on Friday 5th July, I asked Dave Elsom of ‘Sombrero Printmaking’ a few questions to find out what makes him tick and the inspirations behind his work.

West Studios: Hi Dave, can you tell us a bit about your background in art?

Dave Elsom: I attended college to study art in my teens but twice failed to finish the courses. Around 6 years ago I enrolled on courses at Sheffield College and studied drawing & printing, as well as printmaking. I’ve been selling my work since the end of 2017, in local shops as well as online through Etsy.

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West Studios: What is the name of your exhibition?

Dave: ‘Communicate’ I chose this title as there are times when I feel I can only express myself through creating things and running. They are my ways of communicating when I can’t talk.

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

Dave: Mainly Lino and Ink. I also have photography- Digital work based on my photos & artwork.

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West Studios: What have you taken inspiration from to create this exhibition?

Dave: The need to communicate, when words are struggle.

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

Dave: Cos it’s brilliant! I love the feel of the place. I’ve run a couple of printmaking workshops and I enjoy the facilities.

Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for more images and information on the exhibition! ‘Communicate’ will be on at West Studios from 5th July -26th July. A special launch evening will be held from 5pm until 8pm on 5th July. Everyone welcome!

June Newsletter

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Well, hello there!

How have you all been?

We have another Work Experience student with us this month and he has very kindly put a short newsletter together for us. Take it away, Oliver!

June Newsletter

Here is an update on what is happening up at West Studios in June.

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Life Drawing with John King

As always we have another amazing set of evening sessions with John King coming up, these sessions will take place on both the 1st Tuesday & 3rd Wednesday of every month (you choose which you would like to attend). Join John in his working studio as he guides you through portraiture in various media as you develop and progress with your skills in his tuition. Each session costs £17.50 and runs from 6pm - 9pm.

If you do wish to attend these sessions, please contact John King by email: John@wallspacevisualarts.co.uk or by phone: 07795804793.

West Studios Summer Workshop Event

Our West Studios Summer Event will include a range of workshops with Petit Booche, Sombrero Printmaking, Sparky Ink Studio, Ray Castleton and many more to be confirmed.  

It will be taking place on Saturday 17th August 10am until 3pm at West studios, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, S41 7LL. 

The prices are from £7.50 - £12 per session; please book your place early so you are guaranteed a place in these sessions.  

And any enquiries or questions please contact us by email: hello@weststudios.co.uk or by phone: 01246 500799

More details to follow…

More details to follow…

Pomegranate Youth Theatre

The Pomegranate Youth Theatre & Gekkota Arts offer weekly drama workshops at a low cost. If you love acting and preforming this is suitable for you, all participants will develop a range of performance skills within these workshops, including physicality, script, confidence, improvisation and movement. Even if you do not want to take part but love drama why not come down and watch these mind blowing performances.

Here are a few performances that will be taking place

If you have any enquiries about upcoming events and where they take place, please visit their website to learn about everything you need to know.

Derbyshire Young Artist of the Year

Chesterfield college launched their yearly competition where they find out who the next Derbyshire Young Artist of the Year is.

This year, students from Year 4 and Year 13 were invited to have fun and produce a painting, photography, collage or sculpture on the theme “Environment and Me” .

The judging is currently underway and we can’t wait to see who is successful!

The finalist’s artwork will be exhibited in West Studios professional gallery space to inspire and share the wonderful piece to students and members of the public. The young artists will also be invited to a special ceremony where the winners will be announced and presented with prizes to congratulate them on their hard work.

Without Malice or Ill Will; a play by Ray Castleton

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Come and join to see a story about a man working as a coal miner and then becoming a police officer 10 years later, he then faces his old friends across the picket lines during the year-long strike and has to face a dilemma of facing the choice between family, friends, community and the duty to his oath and uniform.

Come down to West Studios to purchase tickets to this wonderful play, tickets will be £10.00 and the play will be on the Wednesday 19th June 2019 and located at the recital room at Chesterfield College with entrance via West Studios.

The start time will be 7.30pm.

Give us a call if you need any further information or to purchase some tickets.

Contact & Tickets: 01246 500799     We do hope to see you there.

Courses starting in September 2019

Here are some courses that will be starting in September 2019 up at West Studios, even if you want to pick up a new skill or if you having been working in the industry for years these courses are fit for you and anyone else at any level (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced)

Here are the courses we offer through West Studios:

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Silversmithing
Ceramics
Video Editing
Visual Effects
Studio Photography
Photoshop
Printmaking
Clothing Making and Design

To find out any dates, prices and any other information that has not been mentioned please click the links above and they will take you to the courses we offer.

…last, but not least…

West Studios Shop has had a little move around

Just a quick update, the West Studios shop has had a little move around and also stocked up on amazing goods, we hope to see you come down and browse the wonderful things we sell and we hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Thanks, Oliver!

Chatty and informative, I’m sure you’ll agree.

The boy done good!

May Newsletter

Its May!

Here's the rundown of whats going on at west studios.

Upcoming Events



Young Contemporaries 2019

 10.5.19 - 24.5.19 10am till 4pm
The young contemporaries are a collective of students from Chesterfield College. They have planned and set up their own professional contemporary exhibition held at west studios. Previous young contemporaries have done their pieces in many different styles of art varying from sculpture, photography, prints and ceramics.
Closing date for all entries: 12pm, 10 June 2019.

Click here to find out more and see previous young contemporaries!

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Derbyshire Young Artist of the year 2019

14.6.19 – 28.6.19
Chesterfield College have launched their yearly competition to find the next Derbyshire young artist of the year, students from year 4 to year 13 are invited to have some fun and produce a painting, collage, photography or sculpture on the theme of “environment and me”. The finalists’ artwork, across a range of age and competition categories, will be exhibited in West studios gallery as part of our Arts Festival taking place from 14- 28 June 2019. The young artists will be invited to a special ceremony where the winners will be announced and presented with prizes!
Click here to find out more information and how to apply.

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'Without Malice Or Ill Will' Play by Ray Castleton

19/06/19 7:30pm
Come and join to see a heart-warming yet  humorous story come to life.
The story of a man gripped by the dilemma of facing the choice between family, friends, community and the duty to his oath and uniform.
Tickets are £10 each, which will definitely be worth the experience!

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Location: Recital Room
Give us a call if you need any further information or to hopefully buy some tickets!
Contact & Tickets: 01246 500799

 Summer Event 2019

17/08/19

 This will be a workshop style event similar to the Christmas event. Announcements will be made in the coming month about the workshops available.

Enquiries: hello@weststudios.co.uk


Courses starting in September 2019

Whether you just want to pick up a new skill or you have been working in the industry for years. These courses are for anyone at any level. Beginner, intermediate or advanced.

Click below to find out the dates, prices and any additional information.
Silversmithing
Ceramics
Video Editing
Visual Effects
Studio Photography
Photoshop
Printmaking
Clothing Making and Design

Chesterfield Grammar school exhibition

9.11.19 – 13.12.19 10am till 4pm
The building of west studios used to be the Chesterfield Boys Grammar School. There have already been a few projects that have been worked on over the past few years with the Old Cesterfieldian Society, a group of ex-students from the school. The latest collaboration together is an exhibition of artefacts from the school that varies from an old school magazine to silverware to elements of the uniforms like hats and ties. More information about this exhibition will be coming soon!

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Exploding Boxes

£12.50

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Belovedly
Zipped Pouches-£8.50
Clip Purses-£15

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Kumihimo Jewellery

Necklaces - £10
Earrings - £5
(Made using a traditional marudai which is made from smooth, close-grained wood).