Shows at the Theatre Studio

Want a trip out to the theatre but not sure what you’d like to see? Take a look at shows coming up at the Theatre Studio in May & June!

There are two shows in May by Chesterfield College Performing Arts Department:

• Legally Blonde - Thursday 23rd May
  
  Join Chesterfield College and our Level 3 Performing and Production Arts students as they tell the story of Elle Woods, and her journey from love to law school in this musical adaptation of the book by Amanda Brown.
  There are two show times for this performance, one in the afternoon at 3pm and one in the evening at 6pm.
  Tickets are £5 per person
  Click here for more information and to book.
  

• Little Shop of Horrors - Monday 20th May
  
  Join Chesterfield College and our Level 3 Performing and Production Arts students take a trip to Skid Row and the Little Shop of Horrors in this musical adaptation of the film by Roger Corman.
  There are two show times for this performance, one in the afternoon at 3pm and one in the evening at 6pm.
  Tickets are £5 per person.
  Click here for more information and to book.
  

In June we have two professional companies performing two very different type of shows.

• Without Malice Or Ill Will - Saturday 1st June
  
  It’s 2019. Geoff Marsh, a retired police officer, has been invited to the Winton Community Centre to deliver a talk. It could be the usual chat about his career, pepped with the useful hints and tips on crime prevention and road safety. But this is more than that. It’s the storey of how he became a miner, then a copper. He tells us of the one decision changed his career and of the momentous year that changed him, his community and his life, forever.
  
  The show starts at 7.30pm and is approximately 50mins long. The performance is followed by a Q+A with writer and actor Ray Castleton.
  
  Tickets £10, Concessions £8.
  
  Click here to find out more and book your place.

• Here Comes The Fun - Tuesday 11th June
  
  Gekkota Arts provide some 'Hot Summer Fun' with an evening of fast paced improvised comedy! Creating scenes with the help of the audience.
  
  Show starts at 7.30pm
  General Admission £7, £5 concession
  
  Click here to find out more and book your place.

Exhibitions, Theatre, and Workshops.

Join West Studios for a fun filled spring & summer!

The Chesterfield Postcard Show

This year’s show is entitled ‘Memories Are Made of This” and will take place between the 7th and 17th of May at West Studios. 

The exhibition will display mini masterpieces made by a range of professional artists and the local community.

All sales of the artwork from this exhibition goes directly to Junction Arts and helps them deliver their programme of events, workshops and festivals.

A Vision

‘A Vision’ is an exhibition by local group Mindscapes.

Mindscapes are a local mental health peer support group. They use their lived experience to help support  individuals, helping with building self-esteem, social confidence, confidence and resilience. They also also help towards beating isolation and tackling loneliness.

The group uses the creative medium of photography to help people with their mental health. When you start looking  at the world through a lens you can start to see the world in a different  light and you start to see the beauty all around.

You can find out more information about upcoming exhibitions at West Studios on the exhibition page of our website.

Upcoming Workshops

Shop Fronts in Line & Wash - This workshop is geared to help you enjoy the medium of line and wash, the perfect choice for the hesitant artist!  Using a myriad of mark making skills we will use the theme of shop fronts and really get to know our pen - scribbling, hatching, dotting and dashing, before layering these textures into our work.

£35 per person.

Saturday 11th May, 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

Click here to book your ticket.

Painting with Nature - making paints and inks.

In this series of workshops we will look at earth, plant and other natural pigments suitable to make paint and or ink, and how to process them today using historical and modern recipes. We will also make some historical art tools using feathers and sticks and spend some time working with our created paints/inks and look at natural binders for making a variety of paint types from watercolour to tempera.

Weekly workshop for 3 weeks on a Thursday, 11am - 1pm. £80 per person.

Thursday 1st August - Thursday 15th August

Click here to book your place.

Find out about our full range of workshops throughout spring and summer in the news section of the West Studios website.

Without Malice or Ill Will

First a miner, then a copper. Now he’s neither and he’s facing his past.

Saturday 1st June @ 7.30pm

Contains strong language and descriptions of violence. Suitable for audiences 15 years +

Running time 50 minutes approximately.

Click here for more information

Venue Hire

West Studios - Bright and flexible spaces that lend themselves to a range of activities from standard meetings to community groups and workshops.

Studio Theatre - The theatre consists of a centre stage with surround seating, backstage access, projector and professional lighting and sound.

Infirmary Records - Infirmary records is a one stop shop for all your recording needs! Boasting a 32ch Audient Inline Mix Console and a custom-built live space, there’s no better place to record your next release.

Board Room - The Boardroom at Chesterfield College offers a professional environment for all your important meetings. The meeting room is equipped with a large meeting table, chairs, computer and projector. There is also a convenient break out room with tea and coffee facilities.

Find out more about venue hire.

April Newsletter

Our Latest newsletter will tell you about upcoming workshops, how you can take part in an upcoming exhibition, an Easter themed comedy show, and about an upcoming networking event with local creatives.

CHESTERFIELD CREATIVES

Chesterfield Creatives is a space for creatives who live and work in and around Chesterfield to come together to share, learn and collaborate.

The first session will take place at West Studios and feature a presentation from Create Growth East Midlands as well as offering space for us to come together to shape the future of the network. 

Click here to book your place & find out more.

Gekkota Arts Presents ‘Only Yokin’

Gekkota Arts provide some ‘Hot Cross Fun’ with an evening of fast paced improvised comedy, creating scenes with the help of the audience.

Tuesday March 26th, 7.30pm (doors open at 7.00pm)

General Admission - £7

Concessionary Ticket - £5

Click here to book your place.

Workshops

We have a range of workshops coming up, from old favourites such as lino printing to new additions such as Painting with Nature.

• Lino Printing - Come and join a hands-on Lino Printing workshop at West Studios and unleash your creativity with this fun and unique art form! Workshop ran by local artist Dave Elsom, of Sombrero Printmaking.

  Tuesday 26th March, 7pm - 9.30pm.

  All Materials Included.

  £25 per person (plus Eventbrite fee)

  Click here to book your place.

• Printing with Lego - Use your imagination to create unique prints from Lego tiles. This is a 1.5 hour workshop with all materials included.

  Tuesday 9th April, 6.30pm - 8pm

  Click here for more information & to book your place.

• Painting with Nature - We will look at natural earth pigments available all around us and how to identify and then process them to be able to make artist quality paints. Touching on pigments through history, safety precautions and responsible foraging.

  £30 per person.
  Thursday 11th April, 11am - 1pm.

  Click here to book your place.

• Shop Fronts in Line & Wash - This workshop is geared to help you enjoy the medium of line and wash, the perfect choice for the hesitant artist!  Using a myriad of mark making skills we will use the theme of shop fronts and really get to know our pen - scribbling, hatching, dotting and dashing, before layering these textures into our work.

  £35 per person.

  Saturday 11th May, 12.30pm to 2.30pm.

  Click here to book your ticket.

• Find out about our full range of workshops throughout spring and summer in the news section of the West Studios website.

Upcoming Exhibitions

• Self Expression is a Next Gen exhibition to showcase young and talented local artists and give them a space to express themselves through their artworks.

  The exciting exhibition is a final celebration of the Next Gen project, the group has chosen the theme of self-expression and has organised and curated the exhibition themselves.

  Next Gen is a POV, Volunteering Futures Project with Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service – BCVS, funded by Arts Council England.
  The exhibition is open to the public from Monday 25th - Thursday 28th March.

• The Chesterfield Postcard Show - This year’s show is entitled ‘Memories Are Made of This” and will take place between the 7th and 17th of May at West Studios.  Artists of all abilities are invited to be part of the exciting exhibition, all you need to do is submit a postcard-size piece of art by the 24th of April 2024.
  Click here to find out more.

• You can find out more information about upcoming exhibitions at West Studios on the exhibition page of our website.

VENUE HIRE

West Studios - Bright and flexible spaces that lend themselves to a range of activities from standard meetings to community groups and workshops.

Studio Theatre - The theatre consists of a centre stage with surround seating, backstage access, projector and professional lighting and sound.

Infirmary Records - Infirmary records is a one stop shop for all your recording needs! Boasting a 32ch Audient Inline Mix Console and a custom-built live space, there’s no better place to record your next release.

Board Room - The Boardroom at Chesterfield College offers a professional environment for all your important meetings. The meeting room is equipped with a large meeting table, chairs, computer and projector. There is also a convenient break out room with tea and coffee facilities.

Find out more about venue hire.

TEAM PLANNING DAYS

West Studios’ bright rooms and relaxed atmosphere provides the ideal setting for team planning, with a creative activity to promote well-being and strengthen bonds between team members.

The away day would be broken down into three 2hour planning sessions, one of which would include a creative activity.

Find out more about hosting an away day at West Studios.

Updates from the tenants

The Pomegranate Youth Theatre was formed in 2002.

The fun workshops forages 7-18 provide a service to teach all aspects of stagecraft with professional facilitators which promote Teamwork, life and social skills, creativity, and confidence.

It offers weekly drama workshops that are available to all at a low cost.

If you are interested in joining the Youth Theatre and would like more information or would like to find out about:

• Gekkota Arts for ages 18+

• Hatchlings storytelling performances for under 7s

Please visit our website  www.pomytheatre.co.uk

 or email pomytheatre@gmail.com or ring 07932603525

Find us on Facebook.

Junction Arts - Cosy Crafts

In February, Junction Arts, in partnership with Derbyshire County Council, launched a new community warm space at West Studios to offer a warm place for people to sit, enjoy complimentary refreshments and get involved in craft activities.

The Cosy Crafts sessions have been running every Wednesday between 2 pm and 4 pm and have seen people, of all ages come along and enjoy the space and get involved in creative activities including Indian block printing, tissue paper flower making and glass engraving.

For more information: https://junctionarts.org/a-new-creative-warm-space-for-chesterfield/

Join the Junction Arts Collective

Award-winning arts charity, Junction Arts is inviting artists from all disciplines to be part of their preferred supplier list for 2024!  Every year, they work with artists on a diverse range of projects and events, from delivering a workshop for our over 65s wellbeing group to creating an installation for the Chesterfield Children’s Festival, they want to support and build a creative community in Derbyshire and beyond.

Community artists who are interested in working with the charity should apply here: https://junctionarts.org/apply-to-join-the-junction-arts-collective/

This Girl Codes – Showcase 2024

An exciting exhibition of artworks inspired by Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths at Creswell Crags Museum.

 Over the last 9 months the Junction Arts project, This Girl Codes, has been inspiring and empowering women of all ages in Bolsover and North East Derbyshire with a range of workshops and taster sessions. The participants have created a range of exciting artworks, using several mediums including VR, poetry, dioramas, film and electronics. 

An exhibition of their work will be on display at Creswell Crags until 25th April. The exhibition is in Creswell’s museum space and is free to attend.

S40 Local

S40 Local is one of West Studios original tenant businesses and they turn 15 this year! Below is a message from Paul.

“I started this business 15 years ago. I was working in a large corporate and was concerned about jobs in the UK - as we out-sourced and off shored key services.

I was worried that shopping would all end up online, that the big corporates would gain more and more power

I wanted to do something that supported the small UK businesses and build a community. 

So where are we 15 years on?

Some of this has come true, online retailing is booming, our high streets struggling, there has been a massive amount of change. But, with your commitment to support them and because they are unique, interesting and hard working, and by building resilient support networks, I can see small independent businesses surviving, and thriving.

I'm proud to play my part in that, I'm proud to support them, and that they support me - it's a mutual relationship, one of respect and friendship - that's not something common in the corporate world.

I've seen the what's on section fill up with events, groups and activities, people coming together. People bonding over a common interest, thanks to the passion, hard work and commitment of a small group of individuals. Keep it up everyone!

I've learnt that...

Mutual respect and community businesses makes work joyful.

That even when things feel difficult, green shoots appear, someone decides to take a chance and try something new - a new business emerges.

I can be a grumpy old man about change - or I can embrace it and do my best to see the positives, and when I do that I feel better about it, and about myself... I don't manage this all the time.

Communities are amazing - the local people are amazing and together we can create the kind of place we all want it to be - but it takes everyone one us, taking small positive actions.

We don't all agree on how best to make things work or improve things - and that's life. But by being respectful and listening to opinions we can continue to live and work in together.

A few dedicated people can make  positive things happen - and thank goodness for those fantastic people.

Thanks for all your input and support over the years. 

Enjoy.”

Get ready for spring with a range of creative events and workshops at West Studios! Whether you’re a creative professional or just enjoy getting creative, there’s something for you to get involved in.

Cosy Crafts

Relax, connect, and enjoy a drink and good company at the new warm space in Chesterfield!

• FREE refreshments & crafts

• Every Wednesday, 2 pm - 4 pm at West Studios until the end of March

• All ages welcome

• No need to book, just turn up!

Cosy Crafts is ran by Junction Arts. For more information please contact them directly on 01246 209 219

Chesterfield Creatives

Chesterfield Creatives is a space for creatives who live and work in and around Chesterfield to come together to share, learn and collaborate.

The first session will take place at West Studios and feature a presentation from Create Growth East Midlands as well as offering space for us to come together to shape the future of the network. 

Click here to find out more.

Workshops

Want to get creative, learn something new, and have fun?

Our spring & summer workshops are perfect for you!

More to be announced in the coming weeks.

• Shop Fronts in line & wash

• Townscapes in pen & wash

• Making paints with natural pigments

• Coastal landscapes in soft pastels

Click here to see our full range of workshops and book your place.

Exhibitions

There’s a range of exhibitions coming up at West Studios. Below are the next few scheduled in.

• March - an exhibition by Next Gen

• April - an Martyn Stonehouse

• May - Postcard show by Junction Arts

• June - A Vision by Mindscapes

Venue Hire

West Studios

Bright and flexible spaces that lend themselves to a range of activities from standard meetings to community groups and workshops.

Studio Theatre

The theatre consists of a centre stage with surround seating, backstage access, projector and professional lighting and sound.

Infirmary Records

Infirmary records is a one stop shop for all your recording needs! Boasting a 32ch Audient Inline Mix Console and a custom-built live space, there’s no better place to record your next release.

Board Room

The Boardroom at Chesterfield College offers a professional environment for all your important meetings. The meeting room is equipped with a large meeting table, chairs, computer and projector. There is also a convenient break out room with tea and coffee facilities.

Find out more about venue hire.

Team Planning Days

West Studios’ bright rooms and relaxed atmosphere provides the ideal setting for team planning, with a creative activity to promote well-being and strengthen bonds between team members.

The away day would be broken down into three 2hour planning sessions, one of which would include a creative activity.

Find out more about hosting an away day at West Studios.

Spring & Summer Workshops 2024

We’re excited to announce the first set of workshops taking place over spring & summer!

Our workshops are led by professional artists and are ideal for beginners as well as those who want to improve their skills and knowledge. Come along to get creative and have fun!

Workshops will be updated here and on the Whats On page as they’re confirmed with the artists.

Shop Fronts in line & wash

This workshop is geared to help you enjoy the medium of line and wash, the perfect choice for the hesitant artist!  Using a myriad of mark making skills we will use the theme of shop fronts and really get to know our pen - scribbling, hatching, dotting and dashing, before layering these textures into our work.  If you are not confident with your drawing, templates will be available to ease you in the right direction, and we will enjoy picking out all the quirks and eccentricities of a shop display, from classic Victorian tiled frontages to ramshackle vintage windows. 

Click here for more information.

Townscapes in pen & wash

For those who may shy away from traditional drawing methods, this workshop is geared to help you enjoy making the most of this exciting medium.  Inventing a collection of marks we will look at townscapes and busy streets as the theme, and really get to know our pen - scribbling, hatching, dotting and dashing, before layering these textures into our work.  If you are not confident with your drawing, templates will be available to ease you in the right direction, and we will enjoy picking out all the quirks and eccentricities of your chosen town, from quirky vintage corners to magnificent brick Georgian facades.

Click here for more information.

Coastal Landscapes in soft pastels

Soft pastels are a wonderful medium for creating both large washes of colour or for picking out intricate details, and this workshop will help you get to grips with your artwork.  Whether you have tried pastels before, or are completely new to them, the workshop will begin with some introductory exercises and an exploration into the colours and method.  Looking at ways to blend and shade our colours, we will learn how to take advantage of the natural brilliance of pastels.  You will be shown how to build up tonal areas and avoid common pitfalls, before finishing at least one pastel painting during the session.

Click here for more information

Painting with Nature - making paints

We will look at natural earth pigments available all around us and how to identify and then process them to be able to make artist quality paints. Touching on pigments through history, safety precautions and responsible foraging.

£30 per person.

Thursday 11th April, 11am - 1pm

Click here to book your place.

Painting with Nature - making paints and inks.

In this series of workshops we will look at earth, plant and other natural pigments suitable to make paint and or ink, and how to process them today using historical and modern recipes. We will also make some historical art tools using feathers and sticks and spend some time working with our created paints/inks and look at natural binders for making a variety of paint types from watercolour to tempera.

Weekly workshop for 3 weeks on a Thursday, 11am - 1pm. £80 per person.

Thursday 1st August - Thursday 15th August

Click here to book your place.

Lino Printing Workshop

Come and join a hands-on Lino Printing workshop at West Studios and unleash your creativity with this fun and unique art form!

Workshop ran by local artist Dave Elsom, of Sombrero Printmaking.

Tuesday 26th March, 7pm - 9.30pm.

Click here for more information & to book.

Printing with LEGO!

Use your imagination to create unique prints from Lego tiles.

1.5 hour workshop.

Tuesday 9th April.

6.30pm - 8pm.

Click here for more information & to book your place.

Lino Printing Workshop

Come and join a hands-on Lino Printing workshop at West Studios and unleash your creativity with this fun and unique art form!

Workshop ran by local artist Dave Elsom, of Sombrero Printmaking.

Wednesday 17th April, 7pm - 9.30pm.

Click here for more information & to book your place.