A message from Paul Matosic regarding Oldknows Studio Groups:
Monday 1st December 10:30 am
On Friday the leaseholders of three of the studio groups based at the Oldknows Factory were told by the factory owner that their leases were not going to be renewed. he offers smaller more expensive spaces on individual lets for some of the artists.
These groups Can Egerton and Oldknows studio groups are well established having been tenants within the building for the last twenty+ years They provide vital workspace for thirty plus artists at all stages of their careers some with international reputations others in the early stages of their careers. Most artists are in effect individual small businesses self employed freelance and without space some would have to cease trading. likewise within these studio groups several organisations are operating Goldfactory which offers one month residencies in a project space.
CanCan and The Wall which offer exhibition space, these too will have to close. This comes at a time when landlord wishes t the tenants within the building to join together as a creative cluster. This seems a strange way of kick starting this process.
There is a meeting on Tuesday 2nd December for the artist tenants where the landlord will expand on his proposals. I have started this on line petition in order to gather support for the studios and art in general. I shall present him with this petition. Please sign this petition and send it to everyone on your mailing list. Please send the signed copy to the following address
