Hebden Bridge Web

A new term and new premises at Northlight

Wednesday, 10 December 2014

2015 is going to be an exciting year at Northlight Art Studios. Work is now underway to develop an adjacent industrial unit on Hangingroyd Lane that will connect to the main studio building. The unit will create a flexible space that Northlight will use to expand their successful education programme, artist talks and events and improved resources for artists.

The space will include a small social area for both course students and resident artists and combined with their existing ground floor space, will transform into an excellent accessible gallery space. The unit will require a complete refurbishment but the project has had a great start with grants from Hebden Royd Town Council and Calderdale Council Small Grants. Landlords Setbrays are backing the project and are installing new windows to bring natural light into this one time chapel of rest!

As Education Coordinator Don Myers says, "This really is an exciting project. When the space became available we all knew that it was an opportunity not to be missed. It will give us the chance to build on the success of the studios as a regional centre for artists and those wanting to learn. As we intend the space to be very flexible, it will help to provide much needed exhibition space in the Upper Valley. The Northlight Cooperative is banding together to do much of the work and we hope the new unit to be ready for action by Easter, so it really is a case of 'Watch this space!'"

Another term of exciting creative courses and workshops is now scheduled to start on 12th January. As well as familiar regular courses, Northlight Art Education is offering a new 'Learning to Draw' course taught by artist and teacher Dorothy Simister. This Thursday evening class which consolidates Northlight's partnership with Artsmill, will teach the fundamentals of drawing. Working mainly from still life, all basic concepts will be covered: measurement, marks and mark making, lines and edges, tone and light.

There are still some places available on Stained Glass, Painting, Ceramics, Textiles and Life drawing courses.

The development of day and weekend workshops has been a big success at Northlight and the Spring term once again offers some great opportunities.

In January, owners of Digital SLR cameras can get an insight into their camera with Tony O'Connell's 'I've got a DSLR Help!' workshop. There is also another chance to do the extraordinary 'Drawing with Light and Shadows' workshop led by IOU theatre founder Steve Gumbley.

Other workshops for the Spring term are more Writer's Toolkit workshops (structure, plot, dialogue, drama); an introduction to Illustration; Printmaking from Scratch; A Feel for Fibre –Spinning workshop ; Performance Art for Beginners and Textile Screen Printing.

Northlight have recently been concentrating on working with adults gaining support from Calderdale Adult Education. However, next term there is the opportunity for babies (with their grown-ups of course) to experience magical multi-sensory Art for Baby workshops!

To find out more or to book a place visit www.northlightstudio.co.uk . Email info@northlightstudio.co.uk or phone 01422 843519

Thanks to Don Myers for this news item