08 April 2008
Artistic hub opens for business
A pioneering project, which will provide an entrepreneurial
platform for gifted artisans, has been officially launched at
Burton Manor College.
The £1million Atelier development, which has been funded by the
University of Chester and NWDA's Rural Recovery Fund, has
transformed the College’s courtyards and surrounding areas,
creating workshops to house new ‘start-up’ businesses for rural
artisan craft industries.
Cheshire-born entrepreneur and Partner of BiG Storage, Andrew
Donaldson, unveiled a specially-commissioned glass plaque, designed
by resident artisan, Colette Galvin, to open the site
officially.
Mr Donaldson, whose company recently received first prize at the
Cheshire High Sheriff’s Award for Enterprise, said: “Atelier is a
brilliant example of creating an entrepreneurial solution to help
people set up in business, providing a market place to sell
goods.
“It is a great example of using existing bricks and mortar to
create an entrepreneurial home for artisans.”
Offering access to business support and educational
opportunities, Atelier is dedicated to promoting local artists and
participation in creative industries, providing a range of classes
and short courses, encouraging visitors of all ages to explore
their creative potential and try their hand at contemporary and
traditional arts and crafts.
Lectures and talks presented by designers are to be held on a
regular basis, providing an informative insight into their
lifestyle, inspirations, expertise and the techniques that they
use. Organised activities for schools can also be arranged,
developing awareness of traditional crafts, contemporary fine art,
as well as digital and creative industries.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, Professor Tim
Wheeler, commented: “Both Burton Manor College and the University
of Chester enjoy well-established and distinguished reputations as
providers of original, creative and responsive education.
“Atelier is a celebration of the best that our two institutions
have to offer in terms of providing an integrated approach to
lifelong learning.
“Through Atelier, artisans benefit from advice from the
University’s enterprise specialists, to nurture their creative and
commercial visions and enable them to become a reality.”
Located at the site is a dedicated Business Centre,
incorporating a fully resourced and accessible IT suite, which
helps to support resident companies and promote
entrepreneurship. The Centre also provides administrative
support and Internet access to the local community and
visitors.
The refurbished Manor Gatehouse houses the Atelier Gallery, home
to exhibitions of original art, craft and design work produced on
site, which is available to purchase.
The NWDA invested £249,000 into Atelier through the £10.1million
Cheshire Rural Recovery Programme 2003-2008.
Executive Director of Development at the NWDA, Peter White,
said:
“It is vital that entrepreneurs can access the support they need
to start new sustainable businesses in the Northwest. The NWDA is
delighted to support the Atelier development, which will not only
provide creative talented entrepreneurs in Cheshire with the means
to start their own businesses, but will offer support and guidance
to ensure their continued success.
“Furthermore, this innovative project will improve lifelong
learning and will be an exciting new addition to Cheshire’s
cultural and retail offer.”
Principal of Burton Manor College, Keith Chandler, added: “The
timing of the Atelier launch is a significant one for Burton Manor,
the year of our 60th anniversary as a residential college for
adults. As we celebrate this Diamond Jubilee, we are still
successfully adhering to our founding values of providing learning
opportunities for adults of like mind and interest to come
together, and to grow their knowledge together in a community of
learning.
“This represents the initial phase of a burgeoning strategic
partnership with the University of Chester, whose generous support
of this project, through providing expertise of the highest quality
and capital funds should be rightly acknowledged.
“Working with the University not only serves to maximise our
special location here, but also gives us an excellent opportunity
to secure the College’s future development.”
Anyone who would like further information about the
opportunities available at Atelier can call 0151 336 5172 or email
p.kirkbright@chester.ac.uk
Case studies of Atelier artisans
Sonja Moss-Dolega
Sonja Moss-Dolega is a German artist who crafts mixed-material
earthenware and stoneware figurines and garden ornaments.
Her passion for figurative pottery was evoked by the delicacy of
the famous German 18th- Century porcelain from Meissen and
Nymphenburg.
With a career spanning 25 years, Sonja has continuously expanded
her skills in hand building, and later casting and throwing. She
has held workshops for adults and children and organised
exhibitions and craft fairs.
Sonja’s work is inspired by everyday observations, especially
expressive body language. Her unconventional pieces reflect her
focus on form and balance, combining simplicity and ornament.
She uses various types of clay, glazes and decorative materials
in order to create her figurative works for home and garden.
She said: “Atelier is just what I have been looking
for. I am a firm believer in education and lifelong learning,
so I am looking forward to running classes on the site and also
being able to exhibit my work to a new audience.
“It is a nerve-wracking moment going into business but it is
also very exciting. The support network I will receive at Atelier
and from the fellow residents working within the industry is very
reassuring.”
Colette Galvin
Colette Galvin is a stained glass artisan, specialising in a
contemporary take on both traditional leaded and foiled glass with
accents of kiln worked and painted glass.
For the past 10 years, Colette has been creating bespoke items,
from wall panels and windows to unique jewellery, plates and
bowls.
In 2007, after 35 years working in the public sector, and armed
with a great deal of theory about how to run a successful business,
Colette decided to make her hobby into a full-time enterprise.
She said: “I’m looking forward to settling in to a regular
working life at Atelier. The setting is tranquil and there is an
air of mutual supportiveness, something I’ve missed since I’ve been
working on my own.”
“I’m hoping for inspiration from the village surroundings and
from working alongside newly qualified artists with fresh ideas and
people who, like me, have experience and are embarking on a new
adventure.”
Colette’s first commission from Atelier has been to produce the
glass plaque, officially marking the launch of the development.
She explained: “It was a great pleasure to create the
plaque. I have incorporated many elements of Atelier and what
it represents; the background is etched with the different types of
work and craft which are, or have the potential to be, produced
within the site.”
ENDS
Photographs are available on request
Contact:
Jayne Dodgson
Director of Corporate Communications
01244 511450
07841 250221
Clare Wildman
Communications Officer
01244 511706
07917 591437
Andrew Morrison
Communications Officer
01244 513335
07917 591412