KROWJI, Cornwall’s largest creative hub and a trading company of the Creative Kernow charity group, is set to unveil 19 new sustainable container studios in time for this year’s Open Studios event, which will be taking place from November 29 to December 1.

Visitors will be invited to take a look at the site in Redruth, meet some of the Krowji creatives, and see the artwork on offer. The unveiling of the new custom-built sustainable units marks a significant milestone in Krowji’s Phase 3 development following the devastating fire in May 2021, which destroyed fifteen artist studios, workshops, and offices.

The new sustainable container units have been designed and built to accommodate dynamic and higher-risk disciplines such as sculpture, installation art, leatherwork, small-scale woodwork, ceramics, jewellery making, and audio art.

Each studio is crafted with functionality and durability in mind and sizes range from nine to 25 square metres. In addition, a new Krowji courtyard is taking shape in the centre of the space.

Christmas Open Studios - Huw Briscoe.
Christmas Open Studios. Picture: Huw Briscoe (Krowji)

Krowji director, Elisa Harris, said: “The launch of our new studios marks a major turning point for Krowji and we’d like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to the vast numbers of individuals and business, within the Redruth community and further afield, who reached out to us following the fire three years ago.

“Your support for our creative community and unfaltering belief in the work we do has played a significant part in helping us to get to where we are today. We hope you will come and join us in celebrating at Christmas Open Studios.’

One former Krowji tenant, who lost her studio in the fire, expressed her excitement about moving into one of Krowji’s new container studios.

Sinead O’Connor said: “I am really looking forward to moving into my new container studio at Krowji. It is extremely difficult to find places that allow use of kilns, forges and anvils for heritage crafts like mine.

“It will be fantastic to be surrounded by other craft artists using traditional skills in contemporary ways. I am hoping we can do some collaborations in the future as well as teaching people about our craft.’