news & events

Studios for Artists and Designers

It is pretty well known that there is a lack of studio and workshop space for artists and designer makers in Chichester. Tim Sandys-Renton has made lots of progress in trying to get something on the agenda for the Graylingwell development in the medium to longer term through Studios4artists. Stunninstuf has posted more about this on the discussion pages.

However Paul and Sylvia Kopeček are enthusiastically pursuing another initiative which we are bringing to the attention of the design community. This could become a reality next year.

Paul and Sylvia live and work in Chichester. They are both painters with very good honours degrees in Fine Art. Sylvia also has an MA(Ed). Paul has worked for many years as an art historian, and also chairs the Standing Advisory Committee for Art and Design for AQA. Sylvia was Art and Design Adviser for West Sussex County Council and subsequently, until September 2006, was Senior Adviser for Portsmouth City Council. They now work as freelance consultants for art and design and education.

What is their Vision?

· They intend to open a gallery and a suite of studios;
· They will offer studios to rent for established artists and designers in the region;
· the gallery will offer a regular programme of shows of a high quality for both contemporary artists and designers, and 20th century British art;
and
· the third strand of the vision is to offer an education programme to be accessed by post 16 year old students in sixth form colleges, FE colleges and local universities. They would like to offer an e-learning facility linked to a number of studios and to the exhibitions.

What are they doing to achieve this vision?

· They are in currently in negotiation with a local business, to secure appropriate premises to house studios and a gallery located close to the city centre;
· They invite expressions of interest from artists and designers and welcome their views on the project;
· They will be seeking funding to enable the project to be up and running in 2007.

You can contact:
Paul by email : kopecek.kopecek@btopenworld.com or by mobile: 07815 921784
Sylvia by email Sylvia@kopecek.co.uk or by mobile: 07812 499234