In the last 6 months we’ve had a lot of upheaval in the studio starting with the previous management company, Process Studios, going into administration in late September. There was a period of limbo when most residents moved out and a few of us held on in hope.
The facilities are unique in Edinburgh where there is high demand for creative work spaces. All residents have our own personal studio space as well as 24/7 access to large shared workshops with space and equipment for various disciplines including ceramics, print, woodwork and textiles. This makes it an ideal environment for collaboration and cross-disciplinary work.
Eventually local Arts & Education trust Out Of The Blue (OOTB) agreed to take over. They had a lot of work to do (more than they realised!) to get the facilities up to standard and have only recently opened the studios to new residents.
Although the long period of uncertainty and the building works has been disruptive and made it hard to keep up morale, it is a pleasure to now see the excellent facilities under management of a knowledgeable and competent team. I’m looking forward to having the studios full up with new residents and getting the buzz of creativity back. Here’s to a fresh start!