STUDIOS CELEBRATE 25 YEARS
By Julia Horbury - Community Arts Manager, Kirkgate Studios & Workshops

Kirkgate Studios & Workshops, the not for profit organisation based in Shipley, offers a wide range of art and craft courses as well as free use of their studios for people who are wanting to develop a skill by themselves. Kirkgate Studios is very proud of the fact that they are still run by a management committee made up of volunteers and users.  The great advantage of this is that they are able to know how to provide for the community, because it is the community that is in charge. Saltaire has obviously had such a great influence on many artists, Hockney being the most celebrated. But it is still such a creative place to be. The visual stimulus of the buildings and their dramatic environment alone is probably what inspires many people in this area to become involved with arts & crafts.

Kirkgate Studios 25th year has proved to be their busiest yet, with the impending re-launch of their website, a new set of weekend courses and a community consultation taking place for a proposed piece of public art in the centre of Shipley. Along with all this new activity Kirkgate Studios are still offering their core art and craft courses.  They are enrolling from March 19th for courses starting after Easter.  A variety of courses are on offer including drawing and painting, pottery and creative stained glass.

Beryl Wheal (Chair) says, “ Kirkgate studios means a great deal to many people. We offer people not just a place to be creative, but also a safe, clean and warm environment and the chance to interact with others and feel part of a community.” The studios are open for anyone to use 9.30am – 4.45pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 1pm–4.45pm, Thursday.  Tel: 01274 598928