Artists urged to join creative community as Art and Soul prepares for Flemingate opening

A new creative hub for artists and makers is preparing to open its doors at Beverley’s Flemingate centre.

Art and Soul will be located in the unit which was formerly The Creative Lab and will open to the public on September 1.

Carefully chosen art and gift ranges, including framed art, prints, jewellery, ceramics, woodwork, illustration, glassware, stationery and more will be available to buy, giving creatives their own individual space to display and sell their work.

The hub is being launched by Dr Jane Berriman, from Walkington, who previously sold her handmade postage stamp art at craft fairs, online and at The Creative Lab until it closed at lockdown after the owners relocated abroad.

Artists and makers will rent space at Art and Soul while receiving support from Jane to meet their individual business objectives.

Art and Soul has capacity for 185 rental spaces with prices ranging from £40 to £150 per month for wall or unit areas, and options can be discussed on an individual requirement basis. At least 30 artists and makers have already registered their interest in renting space to sell their work.

Jane, who graduated with a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge before following her love of art and relocating to East Yorkshire, is urging creatives who would like to be part of the community to get in touch.

She said: “Being in a store like this gives people the opportunity to successfully trade in a prime location with an affordable rental package, compared to the major outlay and commitment associated with owning your own shop. Best of all, the artists and makers don’t need to be there every day.

“We’re excited to welcome people from across Yorkshire and beyond to sell their unique, handmade, contemporary artworks or gifts. It’s a great opportunity to bring everyone together in a lovely, supportive community.”

Flemingate is owned and operated by Hull-based commercial property developer Wykeland Group.

Wykeland Property Director David Donkin said: “We believe having a creative community such as this adds a great deal to the mix of retail and leisure outlets at Flemingate and offers a fantastic opportunity for artists to showcase and sell their work in a high profile and high footfall location. “We’re very supportive of the concept and wish Jane and her fellow artists every success.”

Artists interested in taking space at Art and Soul are asked to e-mail artandsoulbeverley@outlook.com with their name, company name, contact details, a description of their products and price ranges, links to social media and websites which feature their products, and up to six high resolution images of their work.

Each application will be reviewed and each applicant will be contacted with a decision, with the aim
of minimising having multiple similar product ranges at any one time.

Photo.

Dr Jane Berriman with one of her own postage stamp artworks. She will be joined by dozens of other artists in showcasing and selling their creations at Art and Soul, which will open at the Flemingate centre in Beverley on September 1.