COURTYARD STUDIOS

Location: Studio at the rear of Ampthill Antiques Emporium, 6 Bedford Street, Ampthill, Beds, MK45 2NB

The ‘studio’ tucked away behind The Antiques Emporium on Bedford Street, consists of 6 contemporary artists who have now been working in the studio for six years. They have recently embarked upon their latest project of hiring out their artwork to local businesses with great success. Hiring a piece of artwork can turn what could be an expensive office accessory into an affordable option with the flexibility of being able to change the painting after an agreed time normally about 3 months. The paintings can be bought direct to the office and hung for you by the artist if required.

The paintings are produced in six distinctive styles using different textures (including: wire, textiles, collage and paint) offering a colourful work of art that will brighten up your working day and bring a little bit of culture into the office environment.

ORCHARDS estate agents in Ampthill, have already benefited from this opportunity and say of this service, “We wanted something contemporary and modern to reflect ORCHARDS unique style. Every three months Courtyard Studio provides us with a new collection of fabulous artwork that we proudly display in our office”

To arrange for a preview and to discuss the hiring costs please ring Sue 01525 406200 or Isla 07774291193

The studio is also open every Saturday 11-2pm. During the week please tel. the above numbers before visiting.

Sadly, Viv McIntyre (centre) - one of the original founders of Courtyard Studio's - passed away in the Spring of 2003, after a short illness.

Viv, Initially obtained a painting diploma at Farnham College of Art and later completed a Community Arts course at Manchester Polytechnic. Viv specialized in mural-making with community groups. She made murals with schoolchildren who participated by providing the designs and then helped to paint them. These colourful, professionally-finished murals were artist-led facilitation projects that encouraged the participants’ confidence and ‘ownership’ because the integrity of their unique drawings was maintained throughout. Viv's murals around Bedfordshire and Luton are a living testament to her talent of engaging with all those lucky enough to make her acquaintance.

She also made handmade greetings cards using block printing, air-brushed coloured inks and overlapping torn, coloured tissue. In addition, she enjoyed drawing with oil pastels which she found ideal in expressing her ideas in rich colour and tonal depth.