Renaissance of art project
Wednesday, September 26 2007
The value of a community based arts project, formerly known as Roxburgh House Studios, has been recognised with a move to new upgraded premises. The project will re-launch as ‘Artbeat Studios ’ on Friday 28 September when it moves to its new home in Commercial Road, Hawick.
Artbeat Studios will be open to anyone in the community with an interest in painting, music, digital photography and craftwork. The premises in Commercial Road provides studio space to local artists and special interest groups. The artwork of people with a learning disability and acquired brain injury, has been on show in the Council Chamber for the last year. This exhibition has now moved to West Grove, the headquarters of the Community Learning Disability Service before it returns to Artbeat’s new premises in Hawick.
Irene Beston, Lead Tutor, along with fellow artists, is celebrating the success of the exhibition and looking forward to the opening of their new upgraded premises. She said: “This is a fantastic new venture for everyone to explore their creativity whether they are aged five or 95.”
Caroline, an enthusiast of the project, added: “I like to come here because it’s very friendly and helps me to learn to draw and colour in.”
John Spiteri and Claire Stephenson, Local Area Co-ordinators with the Council’s Community Learning Disability Service, support people to access community activities like Artbeat. They see the positive impact such projects can have and welcome this development for Artbeat.
Andrew Lowe, Director of Social Work added: “I am delighted to see Artbeat Studios getting new premises. The approach taken by the Studio is very inclusive and has discovered some exceptional talent”.
As well as providing space for resident artists, community and special interest groups, Irene hopes to provide workshops for children, weekend and evening classes, music and drama. The aim is to create a pleasant space in the heart of Hawick where people can meet. It may also be hired out for private and corporate events.
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