Award-winning artist Celia Burbush has opened a new shop in Keswick.
Keswick Art Supplies is based in her studio at Makers Mill on the banks of the River Greta, just behind the Keswick laundrette.
Celia has created a one-stop shop of essentials for artists.
She said: “Whether they’re up in the Lakes starting their first watercolour course or they are a school student looking for some affordable acrylic paint, I’ve hopefully got it covered! I’m concentrating on UK brands, and local makers and manufacturers, such as Winsor & Newton and Daler Rowney.
“I really enjoy helping people get started with their painting and drawing, having taught all sorts of ages and abilities across Cumbria for the last 20 years. Although I’m doing more of my own work now, I still want to provide some sort of service for people.”
Keswick’s reputation as the heart of creative invention dates back to the era when Canon Hardwicke and Edith Rawnsley helped instigate the Keswick School of Industrial Arts in 1884, a cutting-edge design school that ran in parallel with the international Arts and Crafts movement, popularised by John Ruskin and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
The Keswick School, home to around 100 skilled artists, metal and woodworkers at its peak, flourished for 100 years, and is still collected around the world today.
Keswick remains home to a thriving community of artists and makers, as represented by all the galleries in the town.
The Makers Mill is the latest to boost this growing wave of industry. On the banks of the River Greta, owners, Sophie and Luke Harding spent many years renovating a section of old warehousing, turning it into a hotspot for 21st century quality design and craftsmanship.
Sophie said: “Resident to the four of us, a furniture-maker, ceramicist, textile designer and painter, as well as showcasing other makers, we want Makers Mill to be a venue that celebrates the best of art and design crafts, but also to welcome hundreds of people take part in these types of activities through our programme of workshops. Celia’s art shop fits so well with what we want to offer residents and visitors.”
Celia’s shop is open six days a week, and she said she will be on hand to offer up her advice.
She is trained to masters level in fine art, was Cumbrian Artist of the year in 2017, and won her episode of BBC1’s Home is Where the Art Is in 2018. She’s worked with venues such as Abbot Hall, Tullie House, and visiting V&A collections designing programmes for education and outreach.
Celia plans to start drop-in sessions, for different age ranges, providing mentoring for all the budding artists out there.
In the meantime, this week’s issue of the Keswick Reminder includes a voucher for new customers to spend in store!
