New community art space opens its doors in Tavistock to inspire local creativity

A new community art space has opened in Tavistock, providing facilities for art classes, clubs and events for local people.

West Devon Art Studios, located at The Old Ropeworks, Lakeside, includes a wheelchair-accessible ground floor studio for drawing, painting, printmaking and textiles. 

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An upstairs Craft and Sculpture Studio is also available and is fully equipped for practical art activities.

The project is led by West Devon Art Workshops, which has been running art classes, community projects and events in Tavistock for more than eight years. 

Previous work includes the annual lantern procession, the Tavistock Library mosaic and the restoration of the Community Mosaic on the outside of the Pannier Market.

New studios have been made possible with support from the National Lottery and West Devon councillors. 

ABOVE: West Devon Art Workshops have organised the town's annual lantern procession (Image: WDAW)

The space represents an early step towards a long-term aim to provide dedicated community arts facilities in Tavistock, as set out in the town plan.

An open day will take place on Saturday 7 February, between 11am and 2.30pm, giving members of the public the opportunity to view the studios and find out how they can be used.

The studios will host a range of regular and short-course activities for adults, covering both fine art and craft-based skills.

Examples of classes and courses include:

• Creative Watercolours sessions, which focus on wet-in-wet techniques, pen and wash, and loose painting styles
• Creative Sculpture courses which offers participants the chance to work on projects using clay, wire, plaster and cement
• Creative Art Project classes, where participants can explore drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media or sculpture at their own pace, again supported by a tutor.

Short workshops and one-day sessions are also planned, including themed art and craft classes such as watercolour and ink techniques.

ABOVE: The group have run art classes and projects in Tavistock for over 8 years (Image: WDAW)

Andy, a spokesperson for West Devon Art Workshops, said:

“We want this facility to be a welcoming space for everyone in our community. As an organisation we celebrate diversity because it enriches our lives.”

He added that the opening of the studios coincides with the relaunch of the organisation’s Art for All courses.

“The opening coincides with the relaunch of our Art for All courses, where adults experiencing social isolation can learn a new skill and meet new people,” he said.

Andy explained that the courses are designed to be accessible.

“For people on benefits, the four-week courses cost £10, and this fee can be waived if they are referred by other local community organisations and agencies,” he said.