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Bar Lane Studios – York

Working as a marketing consultant and specialising in arts marketing, I suppose I was bound to stumble across this little gem at some point. I’ve been working with two clients, Yvonne Lynn who is an artist and specialises in producing modern ecclesiastical drawings, and Kim Oldfield who runs a great little picture framing business.

I’d heard such great things about the place from both Kim and Yvonne that I decided that I’d see what all the fuss was about. Walking through one of the huge stone entrance gates to the York wall on Micklegate, just peering at you as you walk under the arch is Bar Lane Gallery and there nestled behind it, is thier café. The sun was shining and the doors were flung open, making it feel warm and inviting, and even at 10.30 in the morning it had a creative bustle about the place.

Its run by Ben and Fiona, and watching them doing a normal days work, they seem to be flat out. I have to be honest and say that a little green haze of envy crossed my face as I thought, “What a great way to make a living.” I watched Ben meet business people and talk to artists who wanted to exhibit their work and personally, I can’t think of better way to earn a crust.

Yvonne took me up to show me the space that she works in which is a typical huge artist open space. There appears to be about six of them currently working there, with space for the interns who are due to arrive in about a month’s time.

You can see that they’ve really thought about what people want. Somewhere to come and relax and swap ideas – where professional artists can share their knowledge and experience with the ones that are just starting out. There are plans to run print and digital workshops and lessons on how to use your digital camera and life drawing to name but a few.

The building is quirky and characteristic and has a creative essence that any budding artist would give their right arm to be part of. With a light filled gallery that fronts the whole of the building what more could an artist want?

Kim, who owns that framing business, really has made the right move by being part of this collective. She has a great business with lots of potential and gets to frame the art that the artists make. I wish everyone of them luck, not that they’ll need

1 comment

1. 

   Yvonne

   28 Aug 2010 - 08:26 pm

   Thank you Frances. It was lovely to catch up with you – all the best with the new marketing package.

   Reply