Abingdon Studios
Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
Abingdon Studios is a not-for-profit, artist-run contemporary art studios and project space situated in the heart of Blackpool town centre. Dedicated to providing a supportive environment, the studios provide a work space for both visiting artists and those already living and working in Blackpool.
Comprising 10 individual studios and the Project Space for exhibitions, Abingdon aims to be somewhere where artists can generate new work, drawing on the unique cultural landscape and histories of Blackpool. As the only dedicated contemporary visual arts studio in town, there is an emphasis on encouraging dialogue, new ideas and risk taking whilst nurturing developing artists.
The Studios are set just a few streets back from the promenade and North Pier, and within walking distance of the Grundy Art Gallery — meaning they are perfectly situated for visitors looking for an art-filled day in Blackpool. What’s more, Abington Street Market Food Hall is just paces away, offering a brilliant array of food and drink options.
Art lovers will want to check out the listings for public facing events such as artist talks, previews and exhibitions. In addition to the Project Space’s curated programme of exhibitions and for-hire events, each studio artist is afforded two weeks per year to schedule and programme activity in the Project Space as part of the public programme.
Given the variety in the practices and medium of the hosted artists, this means that visitors to Abingdon can expect anything from huge room-filling sculpture or text-based work, to large format photography, intimate drawing or experimental filmmaking.
The studios are hugely popular and there is usually a waiting list for studio space. There is a residency programme though, which has supported artists in residence developing new work for everything from one week to three months. Abingdon is also welcoming of external artists who might wish to hire the Project Space for exhibitions or to test new work.
