Grand opening of new collaborative space in Wrexham School of Art
Date: 13 November 2023
Wrexham School of Art, in collaboration with Wrexham University’s Entrepreneurship team, has unveiled an innovative new venture that aims to jumpstart the careers of recent art graduates.
The project - called Shed Space – comprises a collection of eight individual ‘sheds’ that offer art graduates from Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University a dedicated space to build their business, with dramatically reduced rental costs, compared to traditional commercial spaces. Not only that, but it also provides artists with a creative working hub in a vibrant and collaborative community.
The official launch saw staff, students, and local art enthusiasts attend the grand opening of the innovative space at Regent Street where tenants of the ‘sheds’ had the opportunity to showcase their work including illustration, photography, and graphic design.
Steve Jarvis, Principal Lecturer in Art & Design at Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University, was responsible for facilitating the venture, which was funded by YES Project, a Welsh Government initiative, through the Enterprise department of the University. The department played a pivotal role in supporting the project and will have a regular presence in Shed Space to provide guidance and mentorship.
Professor Maria Hinfelaar, Vice-Chancellor of Wrexham University, officially opened Shed Space.
From left to right: Laura Gough, Jack Turley, Sasha Kenny, Maria Hinfelaar, Steve Jarvis.
She said: “I am extremely proud to see these spaces, which provide a launch pad for our creative arts graduates to start their exciting careers. Many of our arts graduates have the ambition to run their own businesses and they are exceptionally talented people.
Shed Space is where they will now be able to fulfil their dreams, working in an environment alongside other like-minded artists and where they can develop professionally, meet clients, develop new ideas and much more.”
“This initiative fits perfectly with the culture and strategy at Wrexham University, where we offer a wide range of specialist programmes with a strong focus on employability and enterprise.”
Laura Gough, Head of Enterprise at the University, added:” It was fantastic to see the vision come to life with almost all the shed spaces already being taken by graduate businesses.”
All eight of the sheds have been secured by artistic entrepreneurs who were each allocated their own space, with the freedom to decorate and style it according to their unique vision.
The Instagram handles for the artists currently residing in Shed Space can be found here:
- Hannah Zervas – @hannahzervas
- Alice Roberts - @bluarcs
- Dannie Haggar - @art_and_danniella
- Craig Garside - @c.g_creative
- Adam Skinner - @bold_as_
- Olivia Horner - @livletink
- James Burley - @jamesburleyillustrator
- Rhi Moxon - @rhimoxon
Sasha Kenney, Entrepreneurship Coordinator, said the launch of the venture marked a momentous occasion for the institution, and more importantly, for the creative young people, who can work and collaborate in this space when they start their entrepreneurial journeys.
She said: “We are delighted to be able to support our students, so they can learn, collaborate and grow, as they turn their ideas into viable businesses.”
As part of the University’s commitment to creating business-ready graduates, Wrexham School of Art is confident that this latest venture will continue to encourage entrepreneurship and create a vibrant hub within the community where artists can share their ideas and talents.