My workshop will be open for visitors as part of the Artists Trail during Sydenham Arts Week this coming weekend and the one after. I've spent two whole days tidying up and its looking quite presentable now! Just need to clean the windows and put out some work on display then I’m all set. I hope to be demonstrating toy making in the afternoons, if its not too busy.
I am lucky to work in a studio in an old Victorian factory building that once housed an early photographer’s studio. People visited to have their portraits taken in the early days of photography and for many it was the first time they had seen a printed image of themselves. The photographs were often printed on postcard stock and used to send messages to family and friends, the first selfies! With four postal deliveries and collections a day communication was quite swift. The studio made painted backdrops for portraiture too; images of grand country houses, sweeping seascapes, rustic forests or pretty gardens. These would go out across the country to regional photographers’ studios. I have lots of studio photographs of people, (many with their dogs) which I’ll write about in another post. The building was destroyed by fire at some point, then later rebuilt as art studios. There are lots of different artists, and musicians working here now.
You are very welcome to visit, and I’ll put some photos up on my instagram for everyone who is too far away!
Visit the Sydenham Arts website for full details of exhibitors, events and workshops, and to plan your Artists Trail visit.
Opening Times: Saturday 9th - Sunday 10th, Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th September 2023, 11am - 5pm.
Address: Studio FF5, Whirled Art Studios, 118 Stanstead Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 1BX