West Studios is a gallery, studio and meeting space situated on Sheffield Road, Chesterfield. We believe in being a space to drive creativity and business growth. We offer a contemporary and relaxed environment which is perfect for a range of events, workshops and networking activities. All three of our event spaces can be booked for larger events and exhibitions, with a natural flow from one room to another.
I am Lindsay Parker a married mum of two from Clay Cross in Derbyshire who took up photography after becoming disabled after failed spinal surgery. After such a huge life change it meant many things were no longer possible for me but photography has given me a way to express myself to experience and accomplish goals despite my limited mobility.
I took my diploma in photography online in 2018 and one of my photos was featured in the Monochrome Exhibition at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography in March 2020.
The main areas I work in are monochrome, landscape and animal photography as well as recently exploring working with a light box but I’m always trying to learn or experiment with new ideas and techniques.
The photography featured in “Life through a Lens” is a mixed bag of subjects from my time in Wales to local area landscape photography and monochrome shots of varying subjects as they are my main areas of interest but all of them are snapshots from my life experiences and things have caught my eye in a creative way.
To me photography gives you a new way to look at the world and really see the details that you simply miss and don't experience the beauty of and that is what I hope you will see within this exhibition.
More of my photography can be seen on instagram on my page Lindsay Parker Photography.
June. The month marks the official start of summer. The sun is shining and the days are longer. Summer can be a time of change, inspiration and creativity for many. It’s a time for fun, excitement getting involved! West Studios is a hub of activity this summer with plenty of ways for you to get involved with your local creative community.
Derbyshire young artist of the year
The submission deadline has now passed for this years Derbyshire Young Artist of the Year. Public voting will be taking place shortly to provide a shortlist for our judging panel. Keep an eye out on West Studios’ and Chesterfield College’s social media platforms for the link to vote!
Shortlisted entries will be on display in West Studios for one week, dates TBC.
Open Exhibition
West Studios annual OPEN exhibition returns in September! The exhibition is a celebration of art in all of it forms. For this exhibition we welcome 2D and 3D submissions in any medium. Artists, creatives and makers can submit up to three entries for the exhibition. There is a £20 submission fee for successful applicants.
Click here to download an application form. Deadline for applications is Thursday 30th June.
The exhibition will run from 5th - 23rd September.
The official open evening for the exhibition will be on Thursday 8th September 6pm - 8pm.
This Woman’s Work - An Exhibition by Sue Dickins
Sue decided this year to exhibit her work for the first time at West Studios Chesterfield . She has been working on a number of new figurative oil paintings that will form part of the exhibition. This is a collection of portraits that each tell a story that she aims to portray through her painting rather than words; she uses different fabrics and clothing to do this. You can find out more about Sue in this blog post.
The Exhibition will take place from Monday 8th - Friday 26th August.
Sue’s exhibition will be on display Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm from Monday 8th - Friday 26th August.
LIFE THROUGH A LENS - AN EXHIBITION BY LINDSAY PARKER
My exhibition is called Life Through a Lens it is an expression of things that inspire me.
From exploring in wales to monochrome, local landscape and animal photography the detailed landscapes as well as the small details and lighting in the photos are what I try to convey the beauty of that's so easily missed in daily life.
Monday 4th - Friday 22nd July. 10am - 4pm.
You can find out more about Lindsey in this blog post.
Young Contemporaries
The Young Contemporaries project was run as a competition within Chesterfield College’s Art & Design department in 2022. 30 Students entered the competition and were given 8 weeks to create a piece of work around the theme of ‘Stack’. The winning group exhibited their work at West Studios from 16th May to 20th May 2022.
You can see some of the winners work and find out more about the project in this blog post.
Make sure to come down and take a look at our gallery-shop for a range of cards, gifts and quirky items. Our stock comes from a range of small independent businesses, many of which are from Derbyshire & South Yorkshire.
The gallery-shop is open Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm.
We also have a small selection of cards, notebooks and pin badges on our Etsy store with more to be added soon.
Click here to go to our Etsy shop.
JAZZ TECHNIQUE
Our ever popular Jazz Technique aims to further dancers training, focusing on dancing for fun, fitness and self improvement.
It is aimed at people with previous dance experience- whether you've danced throughout your childhood and are wanting to reintroduce yourself back to the dance world or whether you are a dancer working professionally in the industry wanting to maintain technique- we will accommodate to your needs.
It is ideal for dancers just wanting to dance without the added extra costs of shows and examinations.
Mondays and Wednesdays - 7:20pm – 8:20pm
SASS & HEELS
Sass & Heels embraces nothing but female empowerment and girl power!
A brand new routine is learnt each week aiming to increase confidence of walking and dancing in heels whilst bringing out your inner sass to a playlist of all your favourite diva hits!
Grab your girls, bring your heels and get ready to strut your stuff in the class with the ultimate girl gang vibes! Guaranteed to kick those midweek blues and leave you feeling good and oozing with confidence!
Wednesdays - 8:30pm – 9:20pm
Pomegranate Youth Theatre & Gekota Arts
The Pomegranate Youth Theatre offers weekly drama workshops that are available to all regardless of their ethnic or social background at a low cost. The Pomegranate Youth Theatre was formed in 2002 from an external drama group consisting of 10 to 15 members. It has grown to an existing group of up to 90 young people ages 7-30, drawn from all around the Chesterfield and outlying area. The fun workshops provide a service to teach all aspects of stagecraft with professional facilitators which promote teamwork, social skills, emotional intelligence, creativity and confidence. The young people involved choose and explore issues relevant to themselves and the area in which they live as well as subjects and events from other aspects of life through research, improvisation, devising, scripting and performing.
Classes
Monday, 10.00am - 10.45am - 18 months - 3yrs (Hatchlings)
West Studios, £32.50 per 6 week term
Tuesday, 6.00pm - 7.00pm - 14 - 18 (Komodo Dragons)
West Studios, £40 per 6 week term
Tuesday, 7.00 - 8.30pm, 18 - 30yrs (Gekota Arts Comedy Club)
West Studios, £30 per month
Details of upcoming shows from the Pomegranate Youth Theatre and Gekota Arts can be found here.
Whether you are celebrating an occasion, want a large space to hold a dance class or simply need a professional environment to conduct a meeting, the Chesterfield College Group has a range of contemporary spaces to accommodate a variety of needs.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT WEST STUDIOS ROOM HIRE CAN BE FOUND HERE.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT FACILITY HIRE ACROSS THE CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE GROUP, CLICK HERE.
TO DOWNLOAD OUR ROOM HIRE BROCHURE CLICK HERE.
Squareco Sustainable Sportswear Store
Squareco is an online, multi-brand, sustainable sports store. Stocking ethical sports and activewear from leading and independent brands to give you a greener choice of sports clothing.
All of our products are made from recycled materials to relieve waste from landfill sites and oceans. These products could be running apparel made from recycled plastic bottles to raincoats made from discarded festival tents.
Shop consciously and affordable sportswear today. Use code LAUNCH10 for 10% off!
Style. Purpose. Sustainability.
Junction Arts
Work for Junction Arts
Junction Arts are recruiting. We are looking for an experienced office manager to provide general administration duties, HR, monitoring, scheduling and supervision of the office. The ideal candidate will maintain a pleasant work environment, ensuring high levels of organisational effectiveness, communication and safety.
Salary: £28,000 per annum (FTE), Pro rata (30 hrs per week)
Closing Date: 11:00am Tuesday 12th July 2022.
Interviews: Wednesday 20th July 2022.
More information can be found on the Junction Arts Website.
Next Gen
Join an innovative new group for artistic 16-24 year olds who are interested in pursuing a creative career, who want to meet with like-minded people and explore opportunities in the arts. Free, relaxed meet-up once a month at West Studios where young people will get to choose the workshops, guest speakers and cultural trips!
First meeting: Tuesday 21st June 5:30pm-7:30pm
Find out more information and sign up now: https://junctionarts.org/events/next-gen/
Volunteer With Junction Arts
Contact hannah@junctionarts.org to find out the latest volunteering opportunities available.
S40 Local & S41 Local
Did you know you can read the latest copies of S40 Local & S41 Local online!
Healthy Living with Annie French
90 Day Planning
Over the years of working as a Business Manager and running my own business, I have found that managing my time was essential to living a healthy well-balanced life. We all have the same 24 hours, how we use them will influence the quality of our life. Planning and setting goals is essential if you want to fulfil your dreams, goals and ambitions. Join us each month and I will guide you on this journey of planning and creating the life you have always dreamed of.
Yoga Classes
I first began teaching yoga in 2020, and I'm eager to share the beauty of this technique with others. Based in the Chesterfield area, my intention as a professional Yoga Teacher is to help my clients listen to their inner selves and find the courage to step out of their comfort zone. Just like playing an instrument, yoga teaches you to be present in the moment. I hope that my students experience the joy that this practice gives to me.
You can find out more information on Annie’s website.
Sue Dickins is a Chesterfield artist who works from home where she lives with her son, Ben who is 17 yrs old . He helps and supports Sue as well as attending college himself.
Sue retired from Derbyshire Police force several years ago after struggling with mental health issues; she has a bipolar condition that is now managed with the help of medication and a local Bipolar UK support group. She still has manic episodes but these c are now manageable and she admits are when her best pieces of art work are produced!
Broken Hearted-abandoned by her lover
Oil on linen. 90cmx60cm
Available as original or limited edition of only 50 copies
Sue decided this year to exhibit her work for the first time at West Studios Chesterfield . She has been working on a number of new figurative oil paintings that will form part of the exhibition. This is a collection of portraits that each tell a story that she aims to portray through her painting rather than words; she uses different fabrics and clothing to do this. A typical example of this is an oil painting titled Tree of Life. The model for this piece is shown with a beautiful Tree of life throw draped over her which symbolises strength and growth, something that her friend has shown in abundance over the past few years. The women who very kindly pose for her are special friends who all have a story to tell and have agreed to help and offer their support with this project that Sue wants to share by means of an exhibition. Sue strongly believes that art can bring people together and tell a story that words alone cannot do.
Several of the paintings, all completed using quality oils on stretched linen will be professionally framed by a local company ,Abi framers , Chesterfield and available to buy. Also available will be signed and numbered limited edition giclee prints that have been reproduced by an award winning company based in Germany: Whitewall photo lab. The prints are of a high quality and most are limited to a run of only 50 copies. These are presented with a 3inch off white mount ready to frame and can be ordered on the day .
‘Tree of Life’.
Oil on canvas. 60cmx40cm
Available as framed original or limited edition of only 50 copies
Along side her new figurative collection with be a number of equestrian and wildlife paintings that have been completed during the last 4 years, subject’s that she is very passionate about.
Sue has won competitions and awards for portraits, figurative and equestrian pieces over the years. only last year she was a finalist in a nude art worldwide competition, 26 countries involved with her portrait titled Solitude. She was placed in the top 4. The Artist Lounge book , published by Amazon where this is featured will be on display at the exhibition along side the original painting.
Please come along to view these paintings and meet Sue for a friendly chat and to answer any questions you may have.
The Exhibition will take place from Monday 8th - Friday 26th August. West Studios standard opening hours are Monday - Friday from 10am until 4pm. We recommend calling ahead of your visit to make sure the exhibition is open as it may be closed at certain times due to other events taking place.
The Young Contemporaries project was run as a competition within Chesterfield College’s Art & Design department in 2022. 30 Students entered the competition and were given 8 weeks to create a piece of work around the theme of ‘Stack’.
Students were encouraged to explore this theme however they wished and work in whatever medium they wanted. Mid-way through the project, students were given the opportunity to present and discuss their ideas with a member of the West Studios team.
The winning group exhibited their work at West Studios from 16th May to 20th May 2022.
The winners of the competition were chosen by Joby Parsons, West Studios Lead, and Ines Monteiro, DANCOP In-reach Officer and Artist. The 2022 Young Contemporaries were Casey A, Rebecca D, Freya S, Lauren L, Lucy F, Courtney L, Caitlin W, Jasmin H, Haley S, Mija O.
The project was run and delivered by Joby Parsons, Events and Sales Coordinator and West Studios Lead.
You can find other years Young Contemporaries entries here.
