A Community Studio Space in Newcastle

Newcastle community arts centre, The Corner Store Gallery, photograph by Madeline Young

Recently I visited Ellie Hannon in her new studio at Newcastle Community Arts Centre. Since exhibiting at The Corner Store Gallery in October this year Ellie has by no means slowed down. For the past few months she has been furiously creating more artworks, designs for her partner's skateboard ukuleles, and jewellery for The Hunt and Gather Markets in Newcastle. Yes that's right, I said skateboard ukuleles, see the images below.

She shares this large, sunlit room with four other creatives. Her partner Rizal Abdulhadi is a well-known musician, he travels the world collaborating with artists, musicians and other creatives, making his own instruments out of bamboo, skateboards and any thing else he can get his hands on. I've personally never seen anything like this guy's live performances, they are definitely worth checking out here.

Jzhonnie Bechet and Jasper Tipping, collectively Son of Lumiere, also share this space with Ellie and Rizal. Jasper is a musician and landscape architect, and Jzhonnie is a fashion designer. The pieces from Jzhonnie's clothing and accessories label are hand-made with amazing detail, vibrance and extravagance. Jzhonnie can often be found at The Olive Tree Markets in Newcastle as well as The Hunt and Gather Markets.

And last but not least Kwaku Atuahene a graphic designer and artist. Here Kwaku designs and screen-prints his clothing label Zeka Hene.