Local artists to run free community classes in studio residency

Two Jersey artists will run free community classes in St Helier as part of a year long studio residency.

Following a recent call for creatives, ArtHouse Jersey has chosen Hayley Gibaut and Sophie Harris to run a new studio space at Cyril Le Marquand Court in St Helier. 

The two artists have been offered free studio access for a year, on the condition that they host workshops for people living in Andium Homes properties. 

Hayley and Sophie have bigger plans though, and want to operate the creative space in a way that serves both social housing tenants and the wider community. 

"There are so many benefits that people don't acknowledge about art, from the art therapeutic side, to just losing yourself, you can get a lot of pride as well when you put something into practice. 

"We just want to put that out there for anyone to experience whether that's for teenagers that don't have too much to do in Jersey or adults looking for new friends or find that self connection" - says Hayley Gibaut. 

Sophie Harris added: "Especially after covid as well, you can definitely feel that the tides are changing a lot. People are looking for connection in a place where we were met with such isolation."

The two artists have named the space 'The Stoodio' 

Hayley and Sophie are planning on running a range of classes focusing on product art (working towards creating an end product) and process art, which is creating art for the meditative process of it. 

There are plans for zine-making, collages, aroma-therapy, yoga and much more. The studio will also be open as a collective safe-space, accessible for neurodiverse artists.

Sophie Harris says making the studio accessible comes from a place of personal understanding: 

"We didn't see it as just the opportunity to have a studio and that be it. Art means so much to me and Hayley. Our friendship is founded on being creative and understanding each other on a deeper level because we didn't feel understood when we were younger.

"It comes down to neurodiversity and we both found a safe space in the art community and just art in general, as well as the curiosity to create both as an individual and as a community."

'The Stoodio' will open its doors on 20 January, with opening hours planned from Monday - Wednesday, 10.00am - 6.00pm. 

Details about how to get involved in classes will be announced via ArtHouse Jersey in the coming weeks.