Thursday, August 16 saw the launch and private view of an exhibition at the Studio, the Creative Centre, New Road, Rye, a professional arts space for artists with a variety of disabilities.
When ARRCC, the Activities, Rehabilitation and Respite Care Centre, closed recently, Jenny Edbrooke, herself an artist, decided to save the part of the project that had been running for several years, the art space. She said: “The artists were very upset as it was their one space where they could relax and do what they love best. It seemed a shame not to revive it for them.”
The exhibition, which closed on August 21, had a very calm and vibrant atmosphere, visitors and artist mingling.
There is a small kitchen and a second room which is used as the gallery to show their work. Both lead to the garden where several raised beds had displays of flowers and vegetables, a gallery in itself with work showing from another local artist, Laz Ryan. He explained that he wanted his installations to create awareness of our throw away society, wastage and issues around the environment.
The Creative Centre itself, the studio facility for over 30 resident artists known collectively as New Road Artists, is still open. It continues to offer fantastic workshops. These include painting, life drawing, print making and yoga alongside ongoing programmes of exhibitions. The next one will be The New Road Annual Open Studios, part of Rye Arts Festival, with the private view to be held on Friday, September 21 from 5pm – 8pm and open studios on September 22 from 11am – 4pm. This will offer a rare opportunity to view and buy a range of work directly from the artists. Entry to the exhibition is free.
Further information from the website.
Image Credits: Heidi Foster , Rye Creative Centre .