Smiths Row Two – Bury St Edmunds

Smiths Row, a registered educational charity, have been using our shop in Cornhill Walk, Bury St Edmunds since May 2011. Smiths Row is a contemporary art gallery which works with artists to create exhibitions, public art projects and to provide a strong educational programme of activity in Suffolk.  Their main building is the contemporary art gallery located in the grade I listed building on The Market Cross – it brings high quality contemporary art and craft by UK and international artists to audiences across West Suffolk and is a must visit if you’re in the area.

Smiths Row are using the 3Space shop, neatly called Smiths Row Two, to expand their activities and deliver their education projects. It provides Smiths Row with the opportunity to expand their education program and undertake activities that are not possible in the traditional gallery environment. They hold regular artist led educational events particularly for people who do not usually have opportunity to access art because of poor health, disability, low income or social isolation.  Below is a list of just some of the exciting projects, future plans and quotes from workshop participants. I think you’ll agree that they have some amazing projects underway and it is a great use for an otherwise empty shop unit.

1.  Partnership with MIND – once a week Smiths Row run workshops in the shop for people recovering from poor mental health, run in partnership with the mental health charity MIND.  The participants work with artists to create prints, batik, drawing and paintings. The comments below give you an idea of how beneficial these classes are to the participants.

‘It was the best decision I ever made in coming to this class. At first it was really hard to come to an unknown place but I’m so glad I did.  I think about what I’m going to do all through the week and look forward to coming along. It’s a chance to get hands on with something and I feel more like having a go. I didn’t know I was any good at art until I came here, now I’m trying all sorts of things.’ Stuart, MIND participant.

At first everyone was quite quiet and it took time for the class to gel but now each student has blossomed and many have the confidence to help each other and share ideas. Jenny Nutbeem, MIND workshop leader.

2.  Life Drawing and Drawing

Life drawing and drawing classes are held regularly in the shop led by the artist C J Mahony.   It provides the participants with space to work on a large scale and with a wider range of art materials than is possible at the gallery.

3.   Education Work with Further Education College

An Interactive Media class from West Suffolk College is being hosted by Smiths Row at the shop every Wednesday afternoon throughout September. The class is led by tutor, Joel Millerchip, who is a successful practicing artist and illustrator.  The College are also working with Smiths Row on a project related to their exhibition – Jealous: contemporary prints

4.    Children’s workshops

A series of workshops are being held for children.   On Saturday 17^th September the artist Adam Bridgland will run two screenprinting workshops for all ages teaching children and adults how to make screen prints.

5.   Training

From 26^th September the shop will be used for a series of training courses for staff and volunteers from visual arts charities across the East of England.    Courses in health and safety, setting up projects in empty shops, financial planning etc will help them ensure the safety of their volunteers, staff and visitors and meet the challenges of cuts and changes facing charities.

6.   Artist’s studio space

Smiths Row invites artists to use the shop space for between 3 days and 3 months to enable them to construct works of art which they could not otherwise do in traditional spaces.  They are currently talking to Alex Walker, artist/photographer about using the space and i’m sure many others will jump at the chance.

7. Future Plans

Smiths Row is also in discussion with Suffolk Artlink about their continued use of the space for workshops for adults with learning disabilities and for a new project of craft workshops for children in foster care.  They are also looking at future activities for children with disabilities and their carers.